Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi.
Hi Kristi , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My heart has always been in building community and connecting people. Over the years, I’ve found my real joy in supporting small businesses—especially women-owned businesses—by giving them a platform, sharing their stories, and watching them thrive. My work is built on the simple wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:12—that there is nothing better than to be happy and do good. For nearly two decades, the East Texas Wedding Extravaganza served as a cornerstone for local couples and vendors. Stepping into that 19-year legacy and watching our small business community thrive has been incredibly rewarding, and the phenomenal growth we’ve experienced made it clear that it was time to build an even bigger stage.
That momentum has sparked our exciting next chapter: the inaugural Texas Wedding & Women’s Expo, launching in January 2027 in Tyler, Texas. By expanding beyond wedding traditions to celebrate regional women entrepreneurs, wellness brands, and award winning professionals under one roof, we are creating a powerhouse hub for connection. Beyond hosting events, my goal is to give passion-driven business owners the platform they deserve to tell their stories, build lasting relationships, and grow together.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road—if anyone tells you entrepreneurship is a straight line, they’re lying! Navigating industry politics and eventually executing a full, high-stakes buyout to remove a former business partner were some of the most stressful and painful challenges I’ve ever faced. Stepping into full ownership meant standing my ground, protecting the vision of the business, and pushing through some real hostility to regain control.
Looking back, those traumatic hurdles were actually my biggest turning points. They forced me to get clear on my boundaries, trust my instincts, and build a positive, supportive culture where people elevate each other rather than tear each other down. Overcoming that drama gave me the strength and independence to lead with total clarity—and it’s why I am so fiercely protective of creating safe, empowering spaces for the women-owned small businesses we serve today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Texas Wedding & Women’s Expo . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At our core, we create high-energy, community-centered experiences that connect small businesses directly with the people who need them. What started as a traditional one-day bridal show is evolving into a full weekend-long celebration designed to uplift local wedding professionals, women entrepreneurs, health and wellness brands, and creative makers.
What truly sets us apart is the blend of authentic warmth and cutting-edge tech. On the floor, our shows are warm, vibrant, and fun—far from the cold, transactional feel of typical trade shows. Behind the scenes, we’ve built a custom digital tech ecosystem that extends the value long after the weekend ends. Through automated tools, digital directories and smart lead-generation systems, we make sure our vendors aren’t just getting one day of exposure, but year-round growth and connection with their audience.
As we prepare for our inaugural Texas Wedding & Women’s Expo in January 2027, we are actively looking toward the future. Dallas has such an incredible, vibrant scene of female entrepreneurs and wedding pros, and I am actively looking to collaborate and partner with DFW leaders to bring our show model to the Dallas area. Whether you’re a DFW business looking to reach East Texas clients or a local partner who wants to bring a fresh, tech-forward, high-community expo to Dallas, we’d love to connect and build something extraordinary together!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
What some might call “bad luck”—the toxic partnerships, the setbacks, or the sudden pivots—were usually painful blessings in disguise. In the moment, those challenges felt unfair or unfortunate. But looking back, they were the exact catalysts I needed to take full control, sharpen my leadership, and build something far stronger on my own terms. Those hard moments taught me how to turn friction into momentum.
On the flip side, “good luck” for me has always looked like being in the right place at the right time to meet incredible people. I’ve been blessed to cross paths with remarkable entrepreneurs, supportive mentors, and vendor partners who believed in the vision even when it was just an idea.
Ultimately, you can’t control what hand you’re dealt, but you can control how you play it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://GetAskE.com
- Instagram: ETXWeddingExtravaganza
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etxweddingexpo/
- Other: https://ETXWeddingExpo.com
