Local businesswoman supports small businesses by hosting festival-like pop-up shops

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A market that began with eight local businesses has expanded to 115 vendors from across the Rio Grande Valley.

^{_{Victoria Lynn Valenzuela, founder of GirlGangMarket, started her market in November 2020 with eight local businesses at her mother's raspa stand. (Courtesy of: Victoria Lynn Valenzuela)}}

Victoria Lynn Valenzuela, owner of GlamFlutterLashes and founder of GirlGangMarket, started her market in November 2020 with eight local businesses at her mother's raspa stand.

In 2024, Valenzuela has now gained 115 vendors from across the Valley that attend her pop-up event.

"It is an empowering experience being surrounded by so many people that love to do the same thing that I love to do," Valenzuela said.

She added that although it can be stressful hosting the pop-up events, it is a rewarding experience when she hears vendors saying they sold out and gained traction through the market.

Vendors and customers from across the Rio Grande Valley visit the GirlGangMarkets due to its unique, festival-like experience.

"I was able to not just make [the market] about small businesses, but make it about talent as well," she said. "That's why we have dancers, we have schools such a karate class that performed in our last market. It is a whole community effort."

Planning these markets takes organization, effort, a great support system and most importantly a theme, according to Valenzuela.

Additionally, she said she loves to incorporate creativity and a good aesthetic when planning her pop-up shops.

"I sometimes do these events based on things that I like, and it is rewarding seeing other people my age or younger enjoy it as well," she said.

During these themed events, she added some attendees, including her family and friends, come dressed up as the theme of the pop-up shop. Valenzuela joins in as well, by dressing as characters based on the theme.

"People do go all out, this past event there were a lot of people that came dressed up as SpongeBob," Valenzuela said. "During our 'Revenge of the Fifth' event, my dad dressed up as Chewbacca, for our Christmas event he was the Grinch and for the 'Bikini Bottom Bash' he was Squidward."

When promoting her upcoming events, Valezuela's creativity continues to shine on her social media page, where she posts "character unlocks" and skits in theme with the pop-up shop.

"I always try making these events as aesthetically pleasing as possible, but with the help of my boyfriend and friends. We all share ideas," she said. "I can't say it's all me, I have a support system that helps me with this."

The next GirlGangMarket event will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Brownsville Event Center and will feature a Kawaii Fiesta theme.

For more information on any upcoming events, visit @GirlGangMarketBTX or @GlamFlutterLashes on Instagram or her shop, SG Collection, located at 2500 E. Price Road, Suite 700.