01/11/2026
Ok friends, I need to have a very real conversation and would truly appreciate thoughtful feedback.
I hosted Sapphic St Pete this past November, and the turnout across most events was genuinely strong. What people didn’t see was the cost behind the scenes. A weeklong event requires significant investment in advertising, social media support, and planning time. While many volunteers generously offered help, we did not have a single sponsor, and that financial reality matters. I spent thousands of dollars out of pocket that wasn’t financially recuperated.
The venues we partnered with were fantastic, and I’m grateful for them. That said, the venues were the only ones who generated revenue. This isn’t a critique, it’s simply how event economics work right now. Promotion no longer carries the same weight it once did, and without ticket sales, sponsorships, or revenue-sharing, the labor and financial risk sit entirely on the organizer.
Later this year, I’ll be entering a full-time internship to complete my Nutrition and Dietetics program, which means my availability will be limited to weekends. At the same time, my art practice has grown in ways that demand real time and energy.
So I want to be honest without guilt or apology: if this work doesn’t generate revenue, my heart can’t fully stay in it. This is not a nonprofit, and I’ve never intended it to be one. LGBTQ+ business owners deserve sustainability too. Between ongoing funding cuts affecting work I’ve spent over a decade building, and the reality that art shows without commission (I do this to support fellow artists) also don’t generate income, I have to be intentional about where I put my energy.
With that said, I want to explore options rather than quietly letting something meaningful fade.
Here’s what I’m putting on the table:
– Are there women in this community who want to step into leadership and help carry this forward?
– Are there businesses interested in sponsoring or financially supporting the growth of this event?
– Is there a nonprofit that sees value in partnering on planning and revenue generation?
– Is there a company or collective interested in a partnership to help grow this brand?
- I’m even open to hosting a few small events throughout the year versus a weeklong event
I own the trademark and I’m absolutely open to partnership opportunities that make this sustainable, aligned, and fair for everyone involved.
If this event matters to you and you have ideas, resources, or interest in building something viable together, I’d love to hear from you.
One important note, just to be clear and respectful of everyone’s time.
I’m not looking for one-off event ideas, free venue offers, or opportunities that primarily function as self-promotion. I deeply appreciate the enthusiasm, but what this requires is real commitment.
That means shared planning, shared financial investment, and shared responsibility for growth and sustainability. This looks like contributing time, resources, funding, and strategic energy, not just attaching a name to an event.
If you’re someone who genuinely wants to help build something long-term, take on risk alongside me, and invest in making this viable rather than visible, I would love to connect. If not, please know that your support in showing up and spreading the word still matters and is appreciated.
This is about building something sustainable together, not creating another unpaid passion project.
- Rachel Covello (event organizer)
