A $30,000 Mistake That Led to Fully Funded Events

Have you ever made a decision that felt smart in the moment—only to realize later that it cost you way more than you imagined?

That’s exactly what happened to me.

I was planning an event and knew I needed a sponsor to help cover the costs. When one finally showed interest, I thought, This is my chance.

But I was nervous. I didn’t want to risk scaring them off with a price that felt “too high,” so I offered a sponsorship package at a fraction of what it was really worth. They said yes, and for a moment, I thought I’d solved the problem.

But the real problem? It had only just begun.

The sponsorship didn’t even cover the event’s core expenses, let alone the extra help I desperately needed. I couldn’t afford to hire a team, so everything landed on me.

• Booking vendors? Me.
• Coordinating RSVPs? Me.
• Fixing last-minute crises on event day? You guessed it—me.

By the time the event finally came around, I was exhausted and completely overwhelmed. Worse, I couldn’t focus on the one thing that really mattered: building relationships with my guests and sponsors.

And here’s the kicker: the sponsor I had undercharged didn’t even value the partnership. By offering such a low price, I unintentionally sent the message that my event—and my platform—weren’t worth more.

That was a hard lesson to learn:

Undercharging doesn’t save you—it costs you.

Looking back, I wish I’d done a few things differently:
✅ I wish I’d created a sponsorship package that truly reflected the value of my event.
✅ I wish I’d pitched the brand with confidence, knowing that what I was offering was worth their investment.
✅ And most importantly, I wish I’d secured enough funding to hire a team so I could focus on making the event unforgettable.

If you’ve ever felt this way, I want you to know: it doesn’t have to be this way.

That’s why I wrote my book, Small Business Big Partnerships.

Inside, I share the exact strategies I’ve used to:
✔ Pitch brands with confidence and charge what your event is worth.
✔ Create sponsorship packages that attract premium partners.
✔ Secure enough funding to cover your team, your expenses, and your big vision.

This isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about building events and partnerships that transform your business or nonprofit.