Boss Babe: Powered by Love and Ganas
Founder, Boss Babe pop-up Fabi Plasencia – Photos by Jennifer Marquez for JEFAS Magazine
Fabi Plascencia noticed something missing at the pop-up shopping events she loved: women. “I started being part of them and every time I would go there were always a lot of men. I saw some women selling their products but not as many as I thought there would be,” says Plascencia, owner of Dulce Vida Desserts. It gave her an idea. “I thought it would be cool to have an all-woman event. I love helping and I love seeing women empower themselves.” She launched Boss Babe Pop-Up in June 2023 to spotlight female entrepreneurs.
She jumped all in, researching licensing, locations, and event planning. A week and a half later she was marketing, creating swag bags, and had Jasper Winery onboard as the venue. “I spent about two thousand dollars out of pocket and did everything myself,” she says of launching the first Boss Babe Pop-Up. Gaining momentum on social media, Plascencia decided to partner with Mutual Aid and organize a silent auction to collect donations for their LGBTQ+ programs and services. Over 300 people went to the pop-up event which included 35 vendors, free goodie bags for the first 60 attendees, a photo area for selfies, and music to keep everyone entertained. She ended up with a waiting list of vendors who wanted to be part of the next event, and the winery made $2000 in drink sales.
Boss Babe Pop-Up’s Growing Impact on Women in Business
“I love when people get to hang out, take pictures, and seeing the community come together for these small businesses,” she says excitedly. This passion is evident in the event’s success. The second Boss Babe Pop-Up in the Fall of 2023 grew to 42 vendors, a waiting list of 20, and Water Works Park, a much larger venue for the hundreds of shoppers. “It’s a lot, it’s very stressful,” she says of taking on such a large event while she balanced a full-time job and built her dessert catering business on the weekends. “People think I’m making money on this, but I make zero,” she says. In fact, Plascencia invested a thousand dollars of her own on the second event.
Her passion for entrepreneurs and the inspiration she draws from other women keep her going. “I worry, stress, and cry over it every single time, but then the day comes and people support it, and it is such a joy to see them be part of the event I created.” The third Boss Babes Pop-Up in June 2024 was back at Jasper Winery, where over a thousand people shopped the over 60 vendors, while more than 30 vendors on the waiting list hoped someone dropped out at the last minute, creating a spot for them. Plascencia manages to dedicate time to organizing these events because of the support of her friends and family.
The Future of Boss Babe Pop-Up and Fabi Plascencia’s Vision
For Plascencia, whose mother taught her how to bake tres leches cakes and empanadas, her dessert business and the pop-up events align with her broader entrepreneurial vision. “I want a breakfast spot/bakery. I want to bring my Guadalajara culture into it,” she says, eyes lighting up. To make that happen, she’s focused on building Dulce Vide Desserts and refining Boss Babe Pop-Up with the recently launched website, www.bossbabepopup.com. With the same determination that turned Boss Babe Pop-Up from idea to reality, her ambition is boundless. Her knack for collaboration, tireless work ethic, and ability to thrive under pressure will no doubt propel Plascencia to make her dreams come true while lifting others as she rises.
