You know that feeling when you walk into a room and something just clicks? When the energy is right, the connections feel genuine, and you leave feeling more alive than when you arrived? That magic doesn’t happen by accident, it’s carefully crafted by people who understand that every gathering is an opportunity for transformation.

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Samantha Sarine, the visionary founder behind Sarine Planning. After nearly a decade in corporate event management, Samantha took a leap that so many of us dream about, she turned an unexpected ending into a powerful new beginning. Drawing inspiration from Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering and her own cross-country experiences, she’s building a business rooted in something deeper than logistics and timelines. She’s creating spaces where people truly connect.

From the sunny coast of Monterey to the bustling streets of New York City, Samantha has discovered a beautiful truth: people are people, no matter where you go. And when we create the right conditions, we all crave the same thing, real, meaningful connection. Whether she’s orchestrating a women’s leadership retreat in the Rocky Mountains or planning corporate gatherings that actually matter, Samantha approaches every event with heart, strategy, and an unwavering belief in the power of bringing people together.

In this feature, you’ll get to know the woman behind the business, her journey, her values, and the wisdom she’s gathered along the way. If you’ve ever felt called to build something meaningful, to trust your intuition, or to turn your passion into purpose, Samantha’s story will resonate deeply.

Let’s dive in.

About You & Your Journey

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I’m Samantha Sarine. I am a business owner and professional event manager currently working in New York City, though my home is Monterey, California. I have moved across the United States over the last 30 years, and this has shaped how I approach event planning, gatherings, and community building for both corporate and social purposes. I’ve lived in California, Kansas, Colorado, and now New York. What I’ve learned is that people are people everywhere you go. We all want the same basic things, and when given the time to connect in a vulnerable, real, and meaningful way, we can always find common ground. I believe that great event planning allows for those moments of connection to happen at any event.

Was there a defining moment when you decided to start your business?
Yes. As often happens for entrepreneurs, I considered launching my own business after being let go from a company I had worked at for nearly a decade. I didn’t anticipate starting Sarine Planning in 2024, but when my employment at a business publication suddenly ended, I had to examine what I loved most and what I wanted to leave behind in my next chapter. In late 2023, I read The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker, which helped align my thoughts about the event work I had been doing and confirmed that I was onto something meaningful. The work I was part of could have a significant impact if the right preparations were in place, the right questions were asked, and the right people were involved. I saw event management and building gatherings as an incredible opportunity to positively affect people. Long story short, when I was let go, I knew this event work would be my focus and the logical next step as a budding entrepreneur.

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor along the way?
I’ve had several incredible mentors. One is Heather Attardo, founder of 3Trees Drafting & Design. Heather gave me the courage and support to host my women’s retreat just months after starting my business. I knew I could continue the impactful retreat work I had started years earlier, but she made me feel confident that I truly had the support it took to bring an event like that to scale.

How do you balance your personal life with running a business?
This is a lesson I’m still learning and working much harder on in 2026. For the first year and a half of building my business, I was the typical founder: pushing, hustling, and staying connected to technology long into the night to “get ahead.” At the end of 2025, I reflected on my year, the expansion I had made from Denver to NYC, and the life I was building. I took two weeks to review what was working and what felt messy in my business strategy. I revamped my weekday calendar and structured my time around my largest goals. This has allowed me to reserve weekends for myself and leave room in the evenings to stay connected to my husband. I think this is a lesson we all continue to learn as we build our dream companies, and I’m glad to have a new plan for this year. It also helps that much of the work I do is with people I truly enjoy, a major benefit of being your own boss.

About Your Business

Can you describe what your business does in one sentence?
Sarine Planning is an event management company focused on the strategic planning and execution of corporate and social gatherings.

What sets your business apart from others in your industry?
Sarine Planning stands out through pricing transparency, collaboration, clear communication, and a belief that events and gatherings are deeply impactful when done well. Our focus on human connection and creating an environment of ease for our clients makes working with Sarine Planning different from the average event planner.

How has your business evolved since you started?
When I first began, I said yes to any event opportunity—small or large, nonprofit, wedding, and beyond. That’s a great way to gain experience and build connections, but sometimes you end up in projects you don’t truly love. Over the past two years, I’ve narrowed my offerings to focus on what I love most: corporate and social gatherings with a community focus. I now support these event types exclusively through ongoing retainer work or project-specific support.

Entrepreneur Mindset & Advice

How do you stay motivated during difficult times?
I stay motivated by keeping my eyes on the end goal. I lean heavily on my community of fellow entrepreneurs, a close-knit circle of women, and my husband.

Are there any routines, habits, or tools that help you stay productive?
Yes! I rely on my Google Calendar and a paper annual calendar I use daily to track goals, tasks, and objectives. I also read a page from The Pivot Year each morning and use it as a prompt to journal for 1–2 pages. This has been a great way to start my day and stay in tune with my weekly goals. I prioritize getting up early to go to the gym or do yoga at home—and the sauna afterward is a nice reward!

What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?
“Your network is your net worth.” Another significant mentor, Nina Whittleton, owner of Classic Party Rentals of Virginia, shared this with me many years ago and has continued to provide guidance, wise words, and friendship.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their entrepreneurial journey?
Ask for help. Be open to new ideas, but most importantly, define a set of principles or core values that matter to you before you get too far into building. These values will guide your decisions and help you stay aligned with your heart and deepest desires.
Future & Vision

Where do you want to see you and your business in the future?
I’m excited to grow to the next level and hire a team member. I look forward to hosting international events in 2027 and getting clearer on how to support and expand my clientele seeking retainer-based event work.

Are there any upcoming projects or launches you’re excited about?
Yes! I’m thrilled to be heading back to the Rocky Mountains and Devil’s Thumb Ranch, May 3–5, 2026, for my women’s leadership retreat, The Amigas Retreat. It promises to be an incredible three days with 50 women from all over, representing the growing Amigas Means Friends community.

What legacy would you like your business to leave?
I want Sarine Planning to be remembered as a business that nurtures its clients’ goals with heartfelt, calming solutions for all the reasons they thought they “couldn’t” host events. I hope people remember our time together as impactful, helping them achieve their goals and bring the gatherings they once thought out of reach to life.

Fun & Personal Touch

What’s your go-to productivity hack or life hack?
Google Calendar

Do you have a favorite book, podcast, or resource that inspires you?
Book: The Art of Gathering
Podcasts: Dear Chelsea, So Money, Good Children

How do you celebrate wins, big or small?
Usually a nice dinner with my husband, my biggest supporter!

What’s your mantra, motto, or favorite quote?
I am strong.

A big thank-you to Samantha Sarine for sitting down with us and giving a behind-the-scenes look at building Sarine Planning.

CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA

WEBSITE: www.sarineplanning.com

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/sarineplanning

AMIGASMEANSFRIENDS: www.sarineplanning.com/amigasmeansfriends