Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis Tacuri.
Hi Luis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I moved to Orlando with my wife Nicole in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. We moved here from Houston, originally from Long Island, NY, and like so many others, we were starting fresh in a new city without knowing anyone. I quickly realized how difficult it is to make new friends as an adult. It’s something people don’t talk about enough, how isolating it can feel, especially when you don’t have a built-in social circle through work or school.
Back in Houston, I used to attend a weekly sand volleyball meetup that really helped me feel connected. I thought, why not try to recreate that same kind of welcoming, consistent social space here in Orlando? So I started small, connecting with others through a phone app. I made a number of friends and it became tough to see them all separately, so one of them pitched the idea of creating a Facebook group.
On October 27, 2023, OSN (Orlando Social Network) was born, and it’s grown faster than I could’ve imagined. What started as just me and a few new friends has turned into a full community with volunteer leaders and weekly events.
OSN was built on a simple idea: to help adults feel less lonely, help tackle social anxiety, and make friends, through fun, free, and inclusive events. Thanks to our amazing team of volunteer leaders, we’re making a positive impact in our community on a weekly basis. I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been far from a smooth road. When OSN first started, the people I surrounded myself with in those early days weren’t necessarily aligned with the mission the way I was. As their social circles hit capacity, they lost interest in helping the community grow. I’ve had to make some tough sacrifices to keep OSN aligned with its purpose, and unfortunately, that meant losing friendships along the way.
That trickled into my personal life too. My wife, Nicole, lost friends in the process as well, and to be honest, it caused some strain between us at times. There were moments when I questioned if all the effort and emotional toll it took on us were worth it. But over time, and with patience, kindness, and gratitude, she’s come around and truly sees how much this means to me. Now, she’s fully on board and even excited to begin hosting a farmer’s market meetup of her own.
One challenge we still face is our Facebook group rule that some people don’t initially love: all members must attend an in-person or virtual event once every 60 days. It’s not meant to exclude anyone, it’s meant to maintain the heart of our group, which is building real, active connections. We want everyone who’s here to be participating, not just watching from the sidelines.
Another hurdle is that Facebook, while incredibly useful for connecting, building, organizing, and hosting events, isn’t everyone’s preferred platform. But right now, it’s the only free tool that has everything we need to keep things running and growing.
Despite the bumps in the road, I wouldn’t trade the journey. The meaningful friendships, the people who’ve told me this group changed their lives, those stories keep me going.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Outside of OSN, I work full-time as a Fundraising Director for Guidance in Giving, a Catholic fundraising firm that serves churches, schools, and dioceses across the country. I’ve been with the company for over 10 years, and during that time I’ve had the honor of helping parishes raise the funds they need to bring their dreams to life, whether that’s building a new church, renovating facilities, or something as practical (and necessary) as replacing a roof.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the millions of dollars raised, it’s the relationships built along the way. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many dedicated priests and passionate volunteers, and the bonds we’ve formed while working toward a shared goal have been deeply meaningful.
I think what sets me apart is my willingness to evolve and learn. Fundraising is always changing, especially with how fast technology moves. During the 2020 lockdown, I taught myself how to build websites and use digital marketing tools because many parishes didn’t have an online presence. We were able to help parishes continue receiving donations even when churches were closed. It was a strong reminder that innovation and adaptability can lead to resilience.
One campaign that still stands out was in downtown Houston. It was a small parish with limited financial resources, and we often heard the familiar concern: “Our donors won’t give, they’re too poor.” But that community rose to the challenge and became the first parish in the entire Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to hit their goal. That moment proved what’s possible when people believe in the mission and in each other. It inspired others and reminded me why I love what I do.
At the end of the day, I always say, I may be the one helping implement the fundraising plan, but I learn just as much from the people I work with. Every parish gives me new insights and tools I bring with me to the next one. I think staying humble, open, and never getting too comfortable is what keeps me effective, and fulfilled, in this work.
How do you define success?
For me, success is defined by purpose, by knowing that what I’m doing is truly making a difference in someone’s life. Whether that’s through my professional work with Guidance in Giving or through creating Orlando Social Network, it all comes back to the same thing: impact.
In my career, I’ve had the privilege of helping parishes across the country turn their hopes into reality, raising funds for new churches, school expansions, or simply making essential repairs. It’s never just about the money. It’s about the people. It’s about watching a pastor breathe a little easier knowing his parish is going to be okay, or seeing a parishioner light up because their community will finally have the space for their ministry group to meet in.
The same goes for OSN. I didn’t start OSN for recognition or to run a group, I started it because I saw a need, and I wanted to help fill it. I was new to Orlando, and like many adults, I realized how hard it can be to make real friends once you’re out of school or work. So I created something I wish I had. Seeing people who once felt isolated find their place, form genuine friendships, and overcome social anxiety, that’s success.
True success isn’t always loud. I find it in quiet moments such as a meaningful conversation, a shared laugh between two strangers, a message from someone saying “this group helped me feel like I belong again.” That’s when I know what we’re doing matters.
Success is waking up each day knowing that what I do, both professionally and personally, is helping others feel seen, valued, and connected. And if I can do that while staying true to my values and helping build a stronger, kinder community, then I consider myself successful.
Pricing:
- All our events are free to attend
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.orlandosocialnetwork.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orlandosocialnetwork
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orlsocialnetwork
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orlandosocialnetwork
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/osocialnet
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrlandoSocialNetwork
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/orlandosocialnetwork
