Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Williams.
Hi Kristen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After going through Hurricane Katrina and seeing the effect it had on people, I wanted to go in business helping others. I just did not know what my nitch was. I didn’t want to do healthcare or anything like that. Those markets are great it just was not for me. After working dead-end jobs, I took notice that Atlanta is the land of unlimited possibilities when it comes to following your dreams and being a young entrepreneur. So I started my first line of lashes called Eyelash4Me-2 after seeing how my lashes made women feel beautiful, different, and unique I started my first Eyelash popup Shop in Marietta. The response was so welcoming and people that attended asked me to do more. So I launched G&E Popup Shop right in the heart of Cobb County. It felt good to see so many different business owners from all over the world who could or could not afford a building come out and spread their brand awareness. But, with great success comes the downfall. I was reported on countless times to the local business offices and others. It crushed me as I given my papers to close down. But, I found my way just driving following a voice in my head just giving me GPS directions to a location I never been before. I found myself in Atlanta at Beauty Exchange Hair Store off Cascade Ave. in Atlanta. When I saw the parking lot, it was like harmony strings playing with the heaven lights shining down some people say it was god I must agree it felt that way.
After speaking with the owner, he believed in my dreams vision to provide a fun place where business owner from all can come to sell their business products and spread brand awareness. He agreed and Cascade Popup Shop was born. Since then, Cascade Popup Shop has over 1,000 5 star reviews. From past vendors. We have had people travel from Washington, St. Louis, Florida, and etc. to participate in our every Saturday Event. All small business owners are welcome to participate as they are greeted, respected, and serviced with a tent setup on arrival. My event is an equal opportunity as we even have kids vendors that come out to sell their lipgloss and other fun products. The public comes out to support, shop, network, eat and have a good time with us. They even call the store to make sure we will be in live in effect the coming Saturday. It brings joy and happiness to my heart to see the community embrace us and show genuine support to the small business community. I found myself helping people find the courage and strength to come put to the public eye with their home-based products and sky away from only social media. This made me feel so good and I found an unspeakable joy I never knew I had before helping these people achieve their goals. They are not just business owners to me or customers some of them have became family and friends. I found my nitch. I now interview those same business owners on my radio show Build A Brand w/Kristen on hits 92.3 atl radio platform to help them spread even more awareness worldwide. I’m helping people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road; there has been struggles. In a world where everybody is doing popup shops, I find my flyers not always being shared or approved because the admin if these groups have similar events as well. Especially if vendors recognize the name and comment interested more on your event, I felt like well how do I get my advertisement flyer out? How will the world know of this amazing opportunity? I felt defeated as I saw the decline in vendors because I kind of felt like Cascade Popup Shop was being blackballed. But, word of mouth from out of state vendors local vendors people from the community kept the light lit for Cascade Popup Shop to continue with strong vendors numbers and turnouts. With my DJ Rockwell playing fun clean music everyone can enjoy it bring more people out. I never really find myself needing o advertise on social media like I once did.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
With hosting an event every week, it’s a lot of work you have to put in. Then I am on air every Wednesday and Thursday interviewing business owners on my show Build A Brand w/Kristen on atl # radio platform hits 92.3 atl. So I try to enjoy more family time like playing monopoly with my husband and kids. I love karaoke and bowling. But being eight months pregnant, I find myself enjoying great books these days and teaching my girls how to cook.
What matters most to you?
Family matters the most to me. Growing up, I did not have anybody laying down a foundation for me to follow or encouraging me to be the best I can be. I had to learn the hard way in life. So I teach my girls how to be independent young ladies while helping them pave the way for a better brighter future.
Pricing:
- $35 – kid vendors
- $55 – adult vendors
Contact Info:
- Email: kristen.cascadepopupshop@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cascade-pop-up-shop-a-vendors-market-tickets-160416741793
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cascadepopupshop/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG2SxLCE6J0njSiKEQOBdug
Image Credits
@tvvisualsty
