CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — As the fall semester kicks off, the community is invited to come together for an event celebrating women-led businesses and local entrepreneurship. The Inspire Her Vendor Fair returns Saturday, September 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the I Hotel in Champaign — and this year’s event promises to be the biggest yet.
Founded in 2020 by Valeri Nesbitt-Howard, CEO of Nesbitt-Howard Consulting, the Inspire Her Fair was created to bridge the gap between University of Illinois students and the wider Champaign-Urbana community. “I noticed students didn’t always know where to get their hair or nails done, or how to find local businesses,” Nesbitt-Howard said during a recent Focus interview. “Inspire Her was born from a desire to connect those dots and uplift women entrepreneurs.”
The event has grown rapidly since its launch during the pandemic. Now hosted in a larger space at the I Hotel, Inspire Her features over 50 vendors, live music from local favorite DJ Big Bill, free giveaways every hour, and three powerful guest speakers — including two local businesswomen and one high-profile supporter from the University of Illinois.
Listen to the Focus interview here: Stream episode Focus – InspireHER Expo by Illini Media Group podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
A Marketplace and Mentorship Hub
More than just a vendor expo, Inspire Her is a space for networking, mentorship, and business education. Local organizations like the Black Chamber of Commerce and the City of Champaign will be on site to provide information about grants, business formation, and opportunities for brick-and-mortar growth. “We want to help entrepreneurs go from hustle to structure,” said DJ Big Bill, co-host and DJ for the event. “From LLCs to IRS registration, we’re showing folks how to make their businesses official.”
The speaker schedule includes talks at noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., each spotlighting local success stories with national reach — including a business owner whose products are now sold in Target and Walmart.
Entertainment and Empowerment — All for Free
The day’s atmosphere is part celebration, part inspiration. DJ Big Bill promises high-energy music and dancing, while local vendors offer everything from candles and jewelry to natural wellness products, sweet treats, and hair services. Free haircuts will also be available, courtesy of local barber Maurice Brown.
Every hour on the hour, attendees can win prizes — from gift bags to a flat-screen TV and even airline tickets.
Best of all, the event is completely free to attend. “We’ve been blessed, and it’s important to give back,” Nesbitt-Howard said. “This is about legacy, and continuing to build the kind of community my father — for whom the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center is named — always worked to create.”
Inspire Her remains a rare space where celebration, entrepreneurship, and support intersect. Attendees leave not just with new products, but with motivation, direction, and connection. “We all have the same 24 hours,” said DJ Big Bill. “If you’ve got a dream, this is the place to get the tools and encouragement to go for it.”
