Meet Samantha Leinhardt

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Leinhardt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Deciding to start my own business had always been a dream of mine. From a young age, I knew I wanted to work for myself. I loved the idea of building something from the ground up—something that was entirely mine to grow, shape, and improve.

My time in the events industry gave me valuable experience, but it also highlighted what I truly wanted. I worked for various companies, often reporting to bosses who dismissed my efforts and compared me unfairly to a “generation without work ethic.” Hearing that I “didn’t work hard enough” while working seven days a week to make ends meet was a turning point. It made me realize that if my dedication wasn’t valued, I shouldn’t continue exhausting myself to build someone else’s success.

That realization was the spark that led to the creation of SRL Events.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Building a company from the ground up is not for the faint of heart. For years, I worked for others, learning from their processes and gaining valuable experience. While starting my own company had always been a goal, the creation of SRL Events came about rather unexpectedly. It all happened quickly, and though I continue to learn something new about running a business each day, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. I love my career and the company I have built so far.

Every event presents both challenges and opportunities for growth. With each one, I gain new insights and find ways to improve.

The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned:

Self-belief is essential. Not everyone will support your vision, and that’s okay. You must be your own strongest advocate and continue pushing forward, even when others doubt your ideas.

Relationships are the foundation of success. Treat everyone with kindness—you never know where a conversation may lead. The strong industry connections I’ve built over time have been instrumental in shaping my journey and bringing me to where I am today.

What sets SRL Events apart from many others in the industry is our commitment to accessibility. Not every client has the budget for a luxury event planner, and I take pride in working with clients of all budgets, ensuring they feel their event is just as important and meaningful as a “no-limit” celebration.

Above all, I am dedicated to making every client feel valued and at ease throughout the planning process, and I take great pride in producing events to the highest standard of quality and care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Boca Raton, I’d want to share all of my favorite local spots. The perfect day would begin with breakfast at Bagel City South for a classic start, or at Café Luna Rosa to enjoy a beautiful oceanfront view. For lunch, we’d grab the famous Caesar salad wraps from Vinny’s Café and head straight to the beach for a sun-filled afternoon.

Dinner would be a highlight, with options like Motek or El Camino, both known for their flavorful, memorable dishes. To finish the night, we’d head to Atlantic Avenue for drinks at Avalon Beach House, soaking in the energy of Delray’s lively nightlife.

A full week together would definitely include plenty of beach days, workouts at my go-to spot F45 East Boca, shopping, exploring the incredible variety of restaurants that Boca has to offer and maybe even a quick pop in to Sugar-hi for dessert which has quickly become a staple for my sweet tooth!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family has been instrumental in helping me build my dream company from the ground up. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and patience have been invaluable, and I would not have been able to grow my business without them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srl.events

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571855055762&mibextid=LQQJ4d