Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Pineda.
Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started with my best friend pointing out something in me that I didn’t even fully realize myself. He told me, “You should be an event planner. You’re really good with people, and you genuinely love bringing them together.” That conversation happened at the beginning of last year, and at the time, I just kind of brushed it off.
Fast forward to March—I went to visit him in Pittsburgh (I visit him pretty often), and during that trip, he had just moved to a new city and was looking to make friends. He found a speed friending event and asked me to go with him. I had heard of speed friending before but had never actually been to one. That night, I had so much fun, and I saw firsthand how effective it was at helping people make connections. My best friend immediately said, “You should bring this idea to Miami.” And I thought the same thing—especially since I was born and raised here, and I know how tough it can be to make genuine friends.
But I didn’t jump on it right away. Months passed, and I kept putting it off. Then June came around, and I got let go from my remote job of five years. I was devastated, fearful, and honestly, lost. I had no idea what I was going to do next. And then I remembered what my best friend had told me. I sat with it and thought, What do I have to lose?
That was the turning point. I went all in—I created the Instagram page, started building a website, scouting venues. The name didn’t come right away; it actually took a couple of weeks. But even before I settled on Amigos Meet, I kept playing around with two potential names, knowing that this idea was finally becoming real.
It really kicked off when I noticed how hard it can be for adults to make new friends, especially in a city like Miami where there’s so much going on, but real, lasting connections can still feel rare. I started hosting events that weren’t just about going out but about actually meeting people in a way that wasn’t forced or awkward. From there, it just grew organically—word spread, more people wanted in, and I realized I was creating something special.
What started as just speed friending has now expanded into so much more. Amigos Meet is no longer just about one type of event—we’re expanding into creating a variety of events to give people more ways to connect. We’ve grown into speed dating, singles mixers, art shows, game nights, clay-making workshops, and even a monthly walking club in partnership with The Underline. The mission has always stayed the same: helping people connect in South Florida and creating experiences that bring people together in ways that feel natural and fun.
How I got to where I am today is thanks to so many people—friends, collaborators, supporters—who believed in this idea and helped me along the way. I took risks, put myself out there, reached out to people, and networked like crazy. I had to get creative, experiment with new ideas, and push past the fear of failure. Every event, every conversation, every connection has played a role in shaping Amigos Meet into what it is now.
Now, Amigos Meet is a full-blown community where people can come to meet new friends, try new things, and just have a good time without the pressure of typical networking or dating events. It’s been such a rewarding journey, and what keeps me going is seeing the friendships, collaborations, and even relationships that have formed because of these events. It reminds me that human connection is something we all crave, and I love being able to facilitate that.
At the end of the day, that’s what Amigos Meet is all about—creating connections, one event at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road—more like a rollercoaster with unexpected turns. Starting Amigos Meet came with a lot of challenges, especially since I was building something from scratch with no blueprint.
One of the biggest struggles was simply getting started. I had the idea, but self-doubt and overthinking kept me from taking action for months. It wasn’t until I lost my job that I finally took the leap, but even then, I had to push through the fear of the unknown.
Then came the challenge of figuring everything out on my own—from finding venues, marketing events, and handling logistics to ensuring that people actually showed up. There were events in the beginning where attendance wasn’t what I hoped for, and that was discouraging. It made me question whether I was on the right path.
Building a community takes time, and at first, it was tough to convince people to try something new. Miami is a city full of events, but making real connections here can be hard. I had to learn how to differentiate Amigos Meet from just another social gathering and show people that it was about more than just going out—it was about meeting people in a way that felt intentional and fun.
Another challenge was financial stability. Hosting events comes with expenses, and in the beginning, I wasn’t making much money from it. I had to be resourceful, work with small budgets, and find ways to collaborate with venues and sponsors to keep things going.
But through all of this, I kept pushing forward, learning from each challenge, and adapting along the way. I reached out to people, built relationships, and leaned on my community for support. Every struggle has taught me something valuable, and looking back, I realize that those tough moments were necessary for growth.
Now, seeing how much Amigos Meet has evolved—from just speed friending to a variety of events like speed dating, art shows, game nights, clay-making workshops, and a monthly walking club—I know that all the challenges were worth it. The road wasn’t smooth, but it was absolutely worth the ride.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Amigos Meet?
Amigos Meet is really about bringing people together in a way that feels natural and fun. I’ve always been someone who loves connecting people, and I know firsthand how hard it can be to make new friends as an adult—especially in a city like Miami, where there’s so much happening, but actually meeting people in a meaningful way isn’t always easy.
At first, Amigos Meet was just speed friending, but as it grew, I realized that people were craving more ways to connect. Now, we’ve expanded into speed dating, singles mixers, game nights, art shows, clay-making workshops, and even a monthly event called “Walking with Purpose” in partnership with The Underline. It’s a 2-mile walk where we’ve implemented a speed-friending style, so people switch conversation partners while walking. It’s a simple but really effective way to meet people in a relaxed setting.
Every event we do is designed to take the pressure off and make it easy to meet new people—without the awkwardness of typical networking or dating events.
What makes Amigos Meet different?
Honestly, I think it’s the intention behind it. This isn’t just about throwing events for the sake of it—it’s about creating real experiences where people can walk in not knowing anyone and leave with actual connections. We structure everything in a way that makes it easy for people to engage, whether it’s through fun conversation prompts, interactive activities, or a format that naturally encourages people to connect.
Another thing that makes us different is that we’re constantly evolving. We’re not locked into just one type of event—we’re expanding into new experiences all the time. I want there to be something for everyone, whether you’re looking for friendships, dating opportunities, or just a cool way to spend an evening.
What am I most proud of?
I’m really proud of how much I’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. Amigos Meet started as just an idea, and now it’s grown into something so much bigger than I could have imagined. Seeing people connect so organically, forming friendships, relationships, and even collaborations, is the most rewarding part.
What really hits me is when people thank me for creating a safe space—a place where they feel comfortable, welcomed, and able to be themselves. That means everything to me because that’s exactly what I set out to create. It’s not just about hosting events—it’s about making people feel like they belong.
What do you want people to know?
If you’ve been wanting to meet new people but don’t know where to start, just come to an event! You don’t need to bring a group of friends or be the most outgoing person—just show up, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Amigos Meet is for anyone who wants to connect. Whether you’re looking for friendships, dating, or just a fun way to break out of your routine, there’s a space for you here.
Follow us on Instagram (@amigosmeet) and check out upcoming events at www.amigosmeet.com. I’d love to see you there!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I definitely didn’t do this alone—there are so many people who have played a big role in getting Amigos Meet to where it is today.
First and foremost, my best friend, Sam, deserves a huge amount of credit. He’s the one who first told me I should be an event planner and really pushed me to start this. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know if I would have ever taken that leap. He also introduced me to speed friending in Pittsburgh, which is what sparked the whole idea to bring it to Miami. He’s been my biggest supporter from the very beginning, always encouraging me and reminding me of what I’m capable of.
I also want to give a huge shoutout to my friend Teal for helping me with flyers, graphic design, and just being incredibly supportive through this whole journey. She’s always cheering me on, helping me bring my ideas to life, and making sure everything looks amazing. Having people who not only support my vision but actively help bring it to reality means so much.
I also have to give credit to my friends and early supporters—the people who showed up to those first few events, spread the word, and encouraged me when I had doubts. Starting something from scratch is scary, and having people believe in me and show up meant everything.
The venues and collaborators I’ve worked with have also played a big role. From venue owners who took a chance on me when I was just starting out, to artists, DJs, and businesses who partnered with me on events—every collaboration has helped Amigos Meet grow.
And of course, the people who come to the events—they’re the heart of this community. Every time someone tells me how much they love what we’re doing or how they met an amazing friend at one of our events, it reminds me why I do this. Their energy, enthusiasm, and support are what keep this going.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just my success—it’s a collective effort, built by a community of people who believe in the power of connection. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AmigosMeet.com
- Instagram: @AmigosMeet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567192529126
