Daily Inspiration: Meet Scott Berger

Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Berger.

Hi Scott, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
How Palisades Dolphin Strong Got Started

I grew up in Pacific Palisades. I moved there when I was 13 and went to Paul Revere Junior High, then Pali High. Like a lot of kids who grow up in a tight-knit place, I formed lifelong friendships with classmates, neighbors, and the small business owners who anchored the town. I have vivid memories of eating at Mort’s Deli, browsing guitars at the Amazing Music Store, and training at Gerry Blanck’s martial arts center. These places weren’t just businesses; they were part of the rhythm of life in the Palisades.
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In January of this year, after the wildfires tore through the community, I got on the phone with Larry Goldberg, a longtime friend and fellow Pali High alum. We were both shaken not just by the physical destruction, but by what it meant for the people who made the Palisades what it is. We didn’t have a roadmap or a formal plan. What we had was a shared conviction that we had to do something.

That phone call turned into a movement.

We started reaching out to friends, former classmates, business owners, anyone who loved the Palisades as much as we did. And quickly, a grassroots effort took shape. We called it Palisades Dolphin Strong, a name that honored both our high school roots and the spirit of the community.

At first, our mission was simple: show up for people who were lost, overwhelmed, or displaced. Help them navigate the chaos of insurance claims, housing issues, lost income and start to rebuild. Over time, it became more organized. We began connecting people to resources, raising funds, and partnering with others who wanted to contribute.

Palisades Dolphin Strong was born out of urgency, but it continues out of love for the place, for the people, and for the belief that we rebuild stronger when we do it together.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The Struggles:
No Capital, No Cushion:
Without seed funding, everything becomes harder. Printing flyers, filing paperwork, building a website, costs money you don’t have. Every small expense feels like a mountain, and you have to find creative ways to get things done whether that’s bartering services, asking for favors, or doing everything yourself.

Credibility Gap:
When you’re new, people question your legitimacy. Donors ask, “Who are you?” Partners hesitate. Supporters might say, “Let’s see where this goes first.” Without a track record, getting taken seriously requires persistence and the ability to tell your story clearly and convincingly over and over.

The Doubters:
Some people even friends or colleagues will tell you flat-out that it won’t work. “You’ll never raise enough money.” “This is too ambitious.” “The space is already crowded.” These voices can be the loudest when you’re just getting started and doubting yourself already. You have to decide whether those are warnings to heed or just noise to block out.

Wearing All the Hats:
You’re the founder, the fundraiser, the grant writer, the PR rep, the event planner, and the IT department sometimes all in the same day. Burnout is a real threat, especially when you’re passionate but overwhelmed.
Bureaucracy and Paperwork:
Setting up a 501(c)(3), navigating state filings, and opening a bank account without prior financial history is its own full-time job. Each delay can feel like a setback when momentum is everything.

How We Are Overcoming It:
We told our story with heart.
People may not buy into a logo or a pitch deck but they’ll connect with a story. We spoke from the heart about why this mattered, who it would help, and why we refused to wait for someone else to step in.
We rallied community first, then cash. We didn’t wait for grants. We started with in-kind support, volunteers, and small, local contributions and money from our own accounts. We are building a network of believers who shared the vision and that became our real capital.
We stayed public and persistent. Even when we didn’t have much to show, we stayed visible updating people on progress, showing up at community events, and being vocal about our mission. The visibility is helping us build trust, which eventually translated into support.

We embraced feedback but ignored fear. Constructive feedback helped us refine our approach. But we learned to filter out fear-based negativity. If someone couldn’t see the vision, we kept moving. Not everyone needs to get it just enough people to make a difference.
Every win, no matter how small, was documented and shared. Momentum matters. If someone donated their time to volunteer or a useful item, we thanked them publicly. If five people came to a meeting, we treated it like fifty. The energy grew from there.

Starting from zero forces you to be resourceful, resilient, and mission-focused. It’s hard. But when the first real donation comes in, or someone tells you “I’m here because of what you built,” it’s worth every late night and self-doubt. That’s when you know: the idea was never the hard part it was believing in it long enough for others to believe too.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What’s driven me throughout my life? Whether I was working in finance, fashion, or launching a nonprofit it hasn’t been about climbing some ladder or chasing titles. It’s always been about creating. Building something from an idea, from scratch, and making it real. That’s where I come alive.

I’ve done a lot of different things for work. I’ve traveled the world, lived in Asia for a while, and soaked up as many perspectives and ideas as I could. I’ve been fortunate to see how people live, think, and express themselves in completely different ways. And every time I returned home or started a new chapter, I carried a bit of that with me that is fuel for the next idea.

But no matter where I’ve been or what industry I was in, I’ve always operated as an independent thinker. Not just because I’m stubborn (though maybe a little), but because I see things differently. I see potential where others see problems. I see opportunity in blank spaces. I love sitting down with someone and helping them express their passion, whether that’s through music, movement, or building a business. I’ve always been more interested in what we can create together than what I can do alone.

Collaboration is where the magic happens. I’ve worked with artists, martial arts instructors, musicians, and community builders who just needed someone to help them tell their story or amplify their vision. I love being that person. Not the one who takes the spotlight, but the one who sets the stage, cues the lights, and makes sure the right people are watching when the moment arrives.

Martial arts has taught me discipline and balance. Music gives me emotion and expression. Artistic creation whether it’s designing an event, organizing a fundraiser, or drawing someone’s portrait is where I tie it all together. These aren’t side passions to me. They’re my operating system. They inform how I lead, how I connect with people, and how I solve problems.

Starting Palisades Dolphin Strong came from that same place. It wasn’t just about helping people rebuild their homes, it was about helping them rebuild their sense of possibility. That takes creativity. That takes courage. That takes community. And those are the things I’ve spent my life building.

When you’re a creator, the work is never really done. There’s always something new to imagine, something new to bring to life. But that’s the best part.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can collaborate with and support the mission of Palisades Dolphin Strong in several meaningful ways:

1. Volunteer Your Time and Skills

We need hands-on help and heart-driven energy. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a local student, your time can make a real impact.
• Help with events like the Amazing Music Store Benefit.
Concert or other community event.
• Support our outreach, ticket sales, or logistics.
• Offer professional expertise in areas like marketing, grant writing, graphic design, legal, or rebuilding support.
• Help us document stories of those impacted by the wildfire.

2. Make a Donation

Every dollar helps us continue our mission to assist fire-affected families and local businesses.
• One-time or monthly contributions fund direct relief, community rebuilding, and event production.
• Sponsorships and larger gifts support long-term recovery efforts and help us scale.
• In-kind donations of goods or services (printing, equipment, venues, food & beverage, etc.) are just as valuable.

Donate online at: palisadesdolphinstrong.org

3. Spread the Word

Awareness is power. Share our mission with your network.
• Follow us and post about us on social media.
• Invite friends to our events.
• Connect us with local businesses, media, and organizations who might want to help.
• Use your voice to amplify ours.

When people come together offering what they can, how they can we turn recovery into rebirth. And we do it not just for the moment, but for the long haul.

If anyone would like to get involved today, reach out at [email protected] or call 310-383-2075.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://palisadesdolphinstrong.org

Image Credits
1) Larry Goldberg (L) & Scott J. Berger (R)

2) Major Michael Gregory (L) screen actor, and Vietnam veteran & Scott J. Berger (R)

3) from L-R Scott Woodward, Nicole Espinosa (PDS board members) Karin & Michael Wallerstein (Venice chamber of commerce) and Scott J. Berger.

4) PDS board members Scott Woodward, Amanda Barnett, Larry Goldberg & district 11 LA city Council woman Traci Park, Nicole, Espinosa, & Scott J. Berger.

5) Scott J. Berger, Patrick Hildebrand Sr. (Owner of the Amazing Music Store) & Amanda Barnett.

6) Scott J. Berger, D11 Counsel woman Traci Park and Gerry Blanck.