Buffalo Besties

What started as one woman’s wish to connect with her city has blossomed into a welcoming community for women across Western New York. Founded by Sierra Ross, Buffalo Besties is a vibrant network of over 6,000 women who come together to make genuine friendships in a city known for its sense of community.

Sierra’s inspiration for Buffalo Besties came from a common feeling—wanting friendships but not always knowing where to start.

Working from home made that challenge even more noticeable. While she loves Buffalo and all it has to offer, she realized she wasn’t as connected to the community as she wanted to be.

“I felt like I was missing out on being part of our wonderful Buffalo community,” Sierra says. “It’s also just so hard to make friends since I work from home.”

When she tried hobbies or group activities, Sierra found it awkward, wanting to connect but not knowing how to ask to exchange numbers or meet again.

That’s where the idea for Buffalo Besties began to take shape. “I think that’s what I love most about Buffalo Besties,” she explains. “When you show up to events, you know everyone else is there for the same reason.”

Instead of relying on apps that didn’t fit her lifestyle, Sierra simply planned activities she was interested in and invited others to join, focusing on shared experiences. Women participate in the activity, and if connections happen, great. If not, there’s always another event.

From a Walk to a Movement

Like many grassroots ideas, Buffalo Besties began small. Sierra admits she was nervous when she first floated the concept to her family. In fact, her mom’s and sister’s encouragement convinced her to move forward. Her sister helped kickstart the community by inviting her entire Facebook friends list to join the group. Slowly but surely, members trickled in.

Sierra remembers celebrating every milestone in the early days. “I texted [my sister] daily for the first month, saying, ‘We hit 50 members…100 members!’”

The group’s first event was a simple walk. About ten women showed up, an outcome Sierra describes as incredible. “I was so nervous people wouldn’t show up,” she says.

They did. And from there, Buffalo Besties kept growing.

Friendship First

At its heart, Buffalo Besties exists to help women build meaningful friendships. Sierra says, “My main goal is always helping women make new friends. I think this is only going to get harder—and therefore more important.”

Today, the group brings people together through a wide variety of relaxed and welcoming gatherings, from book clubs and workouts to coffee meetups, silent discos, and seasonal walks.

But Sierra believes the real magic isn’t necessarily the activity itself, but instead, “it goes back to the intention behind the events. Everyone knows the other people there are there to make friends.”

In many ways, the atmosphere mirrors a social mixer, but without the pressure. “Putting yourself out there is hard,” she says. “But it’s easier when you’re not the only one.”

Moments That Matter

For Sierra, some of the most meaningful moments have come from hearing how the community has impacted others.

One story in particular stands out. She was invited to a Friendsgiving gathering hosted by members she connected with through Buffalo Besties. Although she couldn’t attend, the host later shared something that stuck with her: Every single guest included “being in Buffalo Besties” on their list of things they were thankful for. “It’s honestly crazy to see so many people connecting just because of my group,” Sierra says.

Members often share stories—meeting best friends at events, connecting through posts, or finding people with similar hobbies.

Buffalo Besties member Lyana Shelton knows that feeling. After graduating from college in 2020 during the pandemic, many friends moved away, leaving her searching for connection. Last summer, her mom sent her one of Sierra’s TikTok videos about a walk meetup. Lyana decided to go—and hasn’t stopped attending since.

She says, “I’m coming up on a year of being part of the group, and I can confidently say I’ve made a whole new set of legit best friends through Buffalo Besties. It feels like I’m always going to make a new friend whenever I attend.”

Summer Fun and Local Favorites

As Buffalo heads into warmer months, Buffalo Besties events shift outdoors. One of the most anticipated gatherings? The group’s community walks. Casual, social, and easy to join, the walks offer a simple way for members to chat and connect while strolling through local parks or neighborhoods.

Another exciting addition in the works is a speed “friendship” event, a twist on speed dating where attendees rotate through a series of brief conversations, giving everyone the chance to meet many potential friends in one evening.

A Community That Keeps Growing

While the group’s membership continues to climb, Sierra says her focus remains the same: keeping Buffalo Besties centered around its members. “I always want our members to feel like the priority,” Sierra says. As the community expands, she hopes to collaborate more with local businesses and introduce charity and volunteer initiatives.

For now, the mission is beautifully simple—helping women connect, build friendships, and experience Buffalo together. “Seeing people meet their best friends through the group is the best feeling,” Sierra says.

And in a city built on community spirit, Buffalo Besties proves that sometimes all it takes to spark meaningful connection is a walk, a coffee, or simply the courage to show up.

“Putting yourself out there is hard, but it’s easier when you’re not the only one.” - Sierra Ross, Founder

---

Summer Bucket List

Looking for some spots to explore this summer? Here Are a Few That members Love:

Cozy BookClub Spot

BestCellar Book Bar: With shelves of books and a relaxed café vibe, it’s an ideal spot to meet friends and talk about your latest read.

Stay Local

Ellicottville Day Trip: So many fun things to do around Ellicottville. From hiking to shopping to restaurants it’s worth a day.

 A Unique Outdoor Adventure

Blueberry Treehouse Farm: This charming local destination is a standout. Members love its scenic setting and unique treehouse experience.

Too Hot Outside?

Buffalo Art Museum: One of the best museums in the region and worth every minute of the drive to Buffalo.

We hope to see you soon!-The Buffalo Besties

---

Follow @buffalobesties716 on IG for a quick feel for the group!

Join their FB group (Buffalo Besties) for important updates, announcements, and events.