Up until the passage of the 1988 Women’s Business Ownership Act, women in the United States could not start their own business without a male cosigner. Now, women own more than 14 million businesses, according to the U.S. Census. 

Trinket Girl Market, a women-owned pop-up market established in Central Texas, served as an opportunity to spotlight female business owners. On Sunday, International Women’s Day, vendors set up colorful booths featuring handmade jewelry, keychains, vintage art and a variety of keepsakes at Trinket Girl Market’s pop-up in Austin.

Trinket Girl Market, founded by Lex Sanchez and Everly Vaughn nearly two years ago, cultivated a strong community of vendors and customers through their love of small businesses. Sanchez and Vaughn met at a local market, where they both sold as vendors. After feeling suffocated by the lack of women-owned businesses, they envisioned a market that would emphasize women.

“We definitely wanted to highlight the women-owned vendors in our area and our surrounding areas,” said Sanchez. “(We wanted to) give them an opportunity to stand out.”

Vaughn said she and Sanchez try their hardest to hire a variety of vendors so Trinket Girl Market can cater to all kinds of interests. 

“We try to get somebody from each little niche,” Vaughn said. “We have blind boxes, but also jewelry, crochet, stickers, art (and) tooth gems. There’s just one of everything.”

Alejandra Felix, a vendor and Austinite at Trinket Girl Market who sells keychains and stickers, said she felt drawn to the market for its emphasis on small businesses. 

“My dad really inspired me because he (owns) a small business,” Felix said. “(He’s) an immigrant and (works) so hard.”

Because of the recent uprise in AI, Sanchez said they look for vendors whose personality shines through their items.

“We’re not looking for AI-generated art … We want good, authentic art that comes from who you are as a human being,” Sanchez said. “If your personality speaks through your work, nine times out of 10, we want you.”

Trinket Girl Market frequently hosts pop-ups in San Marcos, and Sanchez and Vaughn decided to host in Austin as well, in hopes of bringing a similar community.

“It’s our little community that we’ve grown in San Marcos,” Vaugn said. “It’s so cool that we’ve branched out into Austin … I hope we can build the same type of (community) in Austin.”

Sanchez and Vaughn hold Trinket Girl Market very close to their hearts, especially because of how many women-owned businesses are highlighted. Sanchez said she met incredible individuals through the market, especially Vaughn, her best friend.   

“Trinket Girl Market means everything to me,” Sanchez said. “Growing up, I didn’t always make friends easily. Having this space and this community to meet my lifelong best friend now and other women who have come to our market … I’ve always wanted that sense of community, and (Trinket Girl Market) has definitely created that for me.”