Friends and vendors gather at the annual Boss Babe Pop Up at Jasper Winery. Photo: Britt Fowler Photography
Writer: Hailey Evans
During a picturesque summer afternoon at Jasper Winery, the sun is shining, the breeze is rustling the rows of grapevines and business owners have set up rows of tents for shoppers to come and browse.
The Boss Babe Pop Up has begun. The outdoor market hosts a variety of vendors selling handmade jewelry, small-batch sweets, artisanal soaps and so, so much more.
The idea first came to Fabi Plascencia two years ago. She envisioned a vendor fair where businesses owned by women and minorities could sell their goods in a space that was accessible and welcoming.
“It was just an idea, I didn’t think it would stick. But it all fell into place,” Plascencia said of the inaugural event in June 2023, which hosted 30 vendors and about 300 shoppers.
People loved it so much that Plascencia hosted a second event that fall. “Two in one year was a lot,” she admitted, but she was glad the event was so loved. Many small business owners appreciated the opportunity; the vendor fee was significantly cheaper than at similar events around town, making it more accessible for smaller retailers and startups.
So it became an annual thing and has grown bigger each year. This year Plascencia is planning for 65 vendors and 2,000 visitors. The pop-up resembles more of a community bazaar than a vendor fair, with a DJ and live performances from local artists, yoga sessions, a flash tattoo artist, kids’ activities, nonprofit booths, food and, this year, even dog contests. “There’s really something for everybody,” Plascencia said. “It’s more than just shopping.”
“It’s a space for all kinds of business owners, from the women who do it full time as their main source of income to the moms who do it more like a hobby in their free time,” she added. “For some people, it’s their side gig part time. I even have people with storefronts who still want to be part of this.”
The fair lasts just one weekend, but the preparation continues year round. Between running her own small baking business, Dulce Vida, working full time as a program coordinator with CultureALL and part time as a manager at Ohana Steakhouse, she still finds time to coordinate the annual event and all the logistical chaos that comes with it.
But she isn’t a one-woman show. Plascencia gets help from her friends and family wherever they can offer their expertise. Her brother, who’s handy with wood and power tools, often helps create displays and signage. Some of her photographer friends help document the fun.
“I’m right in there with the vendors selling as Dulce Vida, too,” Plascencia said. “Having my own small business definitely helps me to know what others might need or want out of an event like this.”
This year’s event is set for 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Jasper Winery. Admission is free.
