Entrepreneur seeks to connect people face-to-face in an industry run by technology

Tonya Buford has long been in the business of assisting others. “I always want to get people connected with help,” she says. 

This is what led to her business, Singles Pop Up. The company is dedicated to bringing back face-to-face interactions with dating in the Tampa Bay area.

Buford has a long history of helping people — especially those in need of some kind of change. She has 15 years of nonprofit administrative experience, including helping at Reach St. Pete and serving Pinellas Community Church. She was also previously an ambassador for the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, helping greet out-of-town visitors. This experience paved the way for Singles Pop Up.