Since the start of Taylor-Made Socials, I’ve been experimenting with what it looks like to create easygoing, inclusive social spaces for adults in Austin to meet new people without all the awkwardness that can come with traditional networking or bar-hopping with strangers. It’s not about hype or big ticket productions—it’s about showing up, being real, and creating the kind of social spaces I wished existed when I was trying to make new friends in this city.

Each event has been a learning experience, and each one has offered its own surprises, challenges, and moments of connection. Here’s a closer look at what we’ve done so far.

Pizza Party Social at Tony C’s Pizza & Beer Garden (Our First Event) – Saturday, January 25

Our very first social mixer was hosted at Tony C’s in North Austin, and I couldn’t have asked for a better kick-off. The weather cooperated, the seating setup was lively but not overwhelming, and people started showing up before the official start time — something that told me I was onto something. The crowd skewed a little larger than expected, which created this really natural buzz of conversation that carried through the event. Some folks came solo and found themselves at tables with total strangers-turned-new-acquaintances within minutes.

What made this event special wasn’t just the turnout, but the tone it set. People weren’t glued to their phones or trying to “network” — they were just there to relax, chat over pizza, and enjoy a shared experience that didn’t require dressing up or having an agenda. I left the event physically exhausted but socially energized, with a mental list of ideas to try next.