BOS Kathleen Yeoman and Lee Gray Main

The largest shopping event in the state of Kansas. Endless shopping and FUN!
It’s called the “Women’s Fair” Kathleen Yoeman along with her business partner Sari Schrepfermanm, formerly behind the scenes with in event planning, bought it in 2019 from former owners Chris Brown and Deanna Wheeler who started the show in 1998.
The kickoff of the The first Women’s Fair Event delivered by Kathleen and Sari occurred in February 2020 – just 3 weeks before the Pandemic Covid began to take hold. So grateful for the timing, they knew no matter what happened with the pandemic, they could not go dark and the show must go on. They scheduled the show in 2021 8 weeks later than previous years and the rest is history.
The spirit of the show continued for vendors and attendees.
In 2020 attendance was approximately 15,000 and currently the numbers are close to the 2020 number.
The biggest learning curve as an owner is around marketing and advertising – and they believe this learning curve will never end. The industry has gone from tv to reels, Tik-Tok, plus our audience that finds out about us reading their local community newspaper. It changes year to year.
We often get asked “how do you own a tradeshow”, well it’s a business. We have to find customers, vendors, locations and prep for marketing. Its an event that takes the entire year to prepare for. Planning starts with finding and planning for vendors and a successful floor plan. We then shift to an attendee mindset and establish excitement for the show! It’s a balancing act.

The hardest part of being an entrepreneur is the balance and juggling of life and business. It’s a double-edged sword – all the weight is on you as the owner from the owner, community and vendors at the end of the day its our job. Literally its keeping thousands of people happy. It’s a big deal.

We have groups of women who attend the show with their own branding on their t-shirts “15 year attendee”. This is a community event. We love it.
My favorite part of being an entrepreneur but having the freedom to know that we are in control of our destiny and the only limit is me. I so blessed to have an amazing partner and we work together to try something new if it works or not! Its empowering and confidence building. Its wonderful to know you have created something.

The start of Kathleen’s day is coffee, followed by quite thinking and reflecting time and then finishing up some personal tasks or chores. She offices from home, and regardless of the planned day she gets dressed and ready for work. It’s a mental strategy.

Kathleen is inspired by people and learning. She is a constant learner and wants to give this back and inspire others.

Books she recommends are Getting Past No, Shameless Relationships and One Minute Manager Monday Morning Leadership.

A second show is schedule for December 6-7, 2024 called none other than “Holiday Fair”, Kathleen is expecting around 7,500 attendees.

Contact the Women's Fair at [email protected] phone number is 316-806-4595