LAUNE x Projectpal
Meet Samantha, founder of Projectpal! Originally from Seattle, she moved to NYC in 2017 to study Finance at Fordham University. She’s always been interested in the start-up space, and after two years in Investment Banking, she left her job to start Projectpal. She noticed a lack of good online spaces for women and was motivated to bridge this gap. Projectpal is an online platform offering women in NYC a space to chat, find roommates, ask questions, and more. Beyond the platform, their Instagram and Tiktok highlight cool things and places to check out in NYC, providing girls all the insider knowledge! Nothing is more daunting that feeling out of the loop and a recommendation goes a long way! I love Projectpal’s ethos and commitment to women supporting women. Learn more about all things NYC and more with Samantha below!
1. Tell me about yourself and Projectpal. How was it created?
I’ve always found it fascinating to imagine how certain industries would look today if women had been the decision-makers from the very beginning. So much would have evolved differently. Take the major community platforms—Facebook, Discord, and Reddit—all founded by men with predominantly male teams. When teams like that build the foundation of community spaces and communication, it not only affects the design and user experience, but also shapes the values, culture, and dynamics of interaction. If women had led from day one, I think these platforms we use today would look very different.
This thinking sparked the creation of Projectpal, which we launched in June as a dedicated space for women in NYC to connect, find roommates, ask questions, and get advice. Our social media also showcases curated content highlighting cool spots to visit around the city. Prior to Projectpal, I moved to New York seven years ago for college and worked in Investment Banking for a couple of years after graduating. That experience, along with noticing the lack of online spaces for women, inspired me to create something tailored specifically to our needs. Projectpal is designed to bridge that gap and offer a more intuitive platform where women can engage meaningfully.
2. What is your LAUNE (mood)?
Our LAUNE is a blend of curiosity, confidence, and camaraderie. It captures the energy of NYC—dynamic, cool, and always moving—while creating a space where women feel connected and supported.
3. What inspires you?
Anything with Kerry Washington in it (especially Scandal). She’s a force! (EM: I couldn’t agree more!)
4. What are you most excited for this fall?
Fall in NYC is my favorite time of year! My friends and I just got a poker set, so I’m really looking forward to some fun poker nights. I also love spending Thanksgiving with my family. On the business side, we have a lot in the works! We’re upgrading our roommate search feature to make it even easier for women to connect. Plus, we’ll be introducing third-party community spaces on our platform, which will allow brands and communities to create dedicated areas to engage with their audience in more personalized ways.
5. What’s one thing you’ve learned since starting Projectpal?
Flexibility is key. Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay—you have to be ready to adapt, pivot, and keep going. Being open to change has allowed me to find better solutions and grow the platform in ways I hadn’t initially expected.
6. Describe your perfect day in New York.
I love Saturdays in the spring when it first starts to feel like summer and the city is coming back to life. I’d start the day at a coffee shop in the West Village (probably The Elk), a nice walk on the West Side Highway, and explore the city with friends. We’d finish the day with a homemade dinner on my roof with wine, lots of laughs, and a sunset to cap it off! (EM: Sounds incredible!)
7. What do you love about New York?
I remember during COVID when people were saying, 'New York is over, everyone’s moving out of the city.’ But that’s what I love about this city—it keeps going, thriving, and reinventing itself, no matter what. New York has an unshakable energy that makes you feel like anything is possible.
8. What’s next for you and Projectpal?
Next up for Projectpal is launching our app! It will provide an even more seamless experience, expanding our platform’s reach across NYC and eventually to women everywhere. We're focused on community-building by adding features that make it easier for women to discuss topics, share resources, and support one another. This next phase is all about increasing the value we provide to our community and continuing to create a trusted, welcoming space for women. We’re so excited for what’s to come!
Rapid Fire:
1. Favorite designer?
2. What are three staple items that every closet should have?
Blazer, the perfect pair of jeans, and classic white sneakers.
3. Describe your style in three words.
Classic, minimal, chic.
4. Early mornings or sleeping in?
Aspiring morning person, but for now, I love sleeping in.
5. AM or PM skincare?
PM! Nothing better than taking the day off.
6. Dream collab?
Projectpal x Vogue
7. Favorite place?
Tokyo!
8. Favorite drinks spot in NYC?
9. Favorite restaurant in NYC?
Hard to choose just one - L’artusi or Bernie’s!
10. Favorite style icon?
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
11. Favorite movie?
Lord of the Rings
12. What are you loving right now?
Cordouroys, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, and The Great British Baking Show!
