If we are awake, we want to be afloat! Our favorite way to spend the day led us to create the Dockside Guide. Our Guide is a curated collection of places to Eat, Boat, and Stay for boaters and those who enjoy the boating lifestyle.
We connect local boaters with waterfront merchants to maximize the boating experience. Our Dockside Crew promotes sustainable and personal relationships, ensuring our merchants are celebrated for their adventure and community via water. Dockside Guide values the protection and improvement of our natural resources, ensuring future generations will enjoy what we take for granted every day.
Our partnership with Dockside Merchants provides an opportunity to share their brand with the local boating community.
Dockside Guide Merchant Map: Annual printed resource
Dockside Markers for Waterfront Branding: An exclusive opportunity!
Dockside Digital: Social media and web directory
Dockside Crew: The year-round ambassadors on the water
Lisa Priester brings decades of marketing and sales expertise paired with an unwavering passion for branding. She excels at understanding her clients’ needs, fostering trust as the cornerstone of her professional success.
At Dockside Guide, Lisa seamlessly blends her love for the water with a commitment to building meaningful connections, creating a premier resource for boaters. Based in Fairhope, Alabama, she cherishes time with her family aboard their boat, creating lasting memories that inspire her work.
Shannon Hesse Smart is a dedicated real estate broker in Fairhope, Alabama, and co-owner of South Coast Properties. A University of Alabama graduate, she transitioned to real estate in 2012 after a successful sales career.
She holds multiple industry certifications and serves on the Alabama Association of Realtors Board of Directors. Passionate about community service, she supports The Haven for Animals and The Lighthouse Domestic Violence Shelter. Shannon combines expertise with a heart for helping others.
Thomas Toombs is the owner of Black Angus Development Co., LLC, a general contracting firm based in Daphne, Alabama. With over two decades on the Eastern Shore, Thomas has established himself as a prominent figure in the local construction industry.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Thomas is an avid boater and he and his wife Carriann have created a serene retreat in Perdido Beach that exemplifies his appreciation for architectural design and coastal living.
Dockside Guide was built on a simple idea: life is better on the water. What started as one coastal community’s resource has grown into a brand ready to expand across the country — and you can be a part of it.
As a Dockside Guide franchise owner, you’ll bring our proven model to your local coast, helping boaters discover the best restaurants, marinas, and places to stay in your region. With our tools, marketing support, and recognizable brand, you’ll have everything you need to build a thriving waterfront business directory that serves your community and grows your income.
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining your passion for coastal living with a business opportunity, now is the time. Dockside Guide is looking for motivated partners who love the water, know their community, and want to be part of something bigger.
The app is almost here.
Join the list for early access to waterfront dining, culture, and quarters—welcoming those who arrive by water or by shore.