Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Coates Newman.
Kathy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story really started with a simple conversation that turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined.
In late 2015, I had just moved back to Kansas City from Atlanta and met up with a good friend of mine, Michelle, for her birthday. We hadn’t seen each other in years, and as we sat there reminiscing, we realized we were both in a similar season… trying to grow our direct sales businesses in health and wellness.
During that conversation, she mentioned how she had been seeing pop-up shopping events around the city. I’ll never forget… she stopped and said, “Kathy, we could do this. This is what we used to do back in the gym. You’re so talented at throwing events—let’s do this ourselves… but make it more elevated.”
That moment sparked everything.
We didn’t just want to host events… we wanted to create an experience. A place where women could come and enjoy everything they love… shopping, pampering, music, prizes—all in beautiful, unique spaces like castles, mansions, golf clubs, and wineries.
The very next week, she called me and said, “We’re going to go look at Belvoir Winery.” A week later, we had the venue booked.
Our very first event had over 350 guests.
At the time, I had just started a job at a gym that I loved, but within three months, I went part-time, and within six months, I quit to pursue this full-time. I never looked back.
From there, we grew quickly—hosting events all over Kansas and Missouri. We created signature experiences like our Spoil Me Silly Ladies Night Out, and built something that people looked forward to attending again and again.
Eventually, Michelle stepped away to focus on raising her family, and I’ll never forget what she told me. She said, “Kathy, this business was yours all along. I was just here to kick you out of the boat. This is building your audience for something greater.”
At the time, I didn’t fully understand what she meant… but I do now.
Then COVID hit, and like so many in the event industry, everything changed. We had to pivot quickly and learn how to show up online. That season stretched me in a completely new way. I stepped into the social media side of the business, learning how to connect, engage, and build an audience in a digital space.
As things began to reopen, I realized so many small business owners were struggling with the same thing… showing up online, creating content, and consistently promoting themselves.
That’s where Content and Cocktails was born… an event where people could come together, use their own phones, and create a month’s worth of content in one night while learning how to confidently show up online.
That season helped me see that what I was building was bigger than just hosting events.
I was building a platform.
A platform that could help businesses be seen, supported, and remembered.
The hardest season for me came after COVID. I was managing everything on my own, trying to grow, pivot, and keep things moving forward… while also navigating life at home. My son Gabriel, who is deaf and autistic, was now home full-time, no longer in school or day services.
That was the moment I almost quit.
But instead of walking away, I leaned into something different… started building real relationships and surrounding myself with others who believed in collaboration over competition. Together, we began to support each other, lift each other up, and grow together.
That shift changed everything.
It led to new opportunities, stronger partnerships, and the creation of Be Life Changers and now Gabriel Gives… platforms where I now highlight and support businesses that are truly making an impact in our community.
I’ve also created tools like gratitude and affirmation journals to help people grow not just in business, but in mindset and purpose.
Today, my role has evolved beyond hosting events.
I now use my platform to promote, support, and cheer on small businesses… helping them get in front of the right audience, share their story, and grow. I’ve gone from being the one hosting the events to being someone who helps fill them, promote them, and bring visibility to the businesses behind them.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep desire to help people discover what they’re truly called to do, build a plan around it, and step into it with confidence.
I especially have a heart for families… those trying to balance building a business while still being present at home… because I’ve lived that myself.
I truly believe we don’t have to compete—we can collaborate, support one another, and rise together.
And if I can help even one person be seen, known, and remembered… then I know I’m walking in exactly what I was called to do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, and I think that’s what has shaped me the most. In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges was learning the ups and downs of hosting pop-up shopping events. You can have an amazing turnout one month and then the next event, you’re wondering what happened. We had to build our name, grow an audience, create trust with our vendors, and figure out how to consistently bring in foot traffic—and that took time, trial and error, and a lot of learning. Like many entrepreneurs, there were also seasons where I wasn’t always getting paid consistently, and I had to pick up side hustles and find creative ways to keep things going while building the dream. Another big challenge came when Michelle stepped away to focus on her family, and I had to take on the business fully on my own. That’s when I started networking more intentionally, not only to build relationships but to help other business owners learn how to promote themselves and grow. Then COVID hit, and everything changed. I had to pivot quickly, learn how to show up online, and build a presence in a whole new way. The hardest season came after COVID, when I was trying to rebuild, manage everything on my own, and at the same time care for my son Gabriel, who is deaf and autistic and now home full-time. There were moments I truly questioned if I could keep going, but that season taught me that I didn’t have to do it alone. I began building stronger relationships, collaborating with others, and creating a community where we support and lift each other up. Every challenge has pushed me to grow into who I am today, and at the end of the day, I truly believe that if we come together and support one another, there’s room for all of us to win.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I do has really evolved over the years. I started by hosting pop-up shopping events, but today I would say I specialize in creating visibility, connection, and opportunities for small businesses.
I’m an event strategist and community builder at heart, but I also use my platform to promote and support businesses in a way that helps them be seen, known, and remembered. Whether it’s through events, social media, or collaborations, my focus is always on helping businesses get in front of the right audience and grow.
One of the things I’m known for is bringing people together. I’ve built a strong network of vendors, business owners, and community leaders, and I’ve created spaces where people can connect, collaborate, and support one another instead of feeling like they’re competing. I’ve seen so many businesses start out at vendor shows and grow into owning their own storefronts, and being part of that journey brings me so much joy.
I also specialize in helping business owners show up with confidence… especially when it comes to promoting themselves. Through experiences like Content and Cocktails, I’ve helped people learn how to create their own content, tell their story, and consistently show up online in a way that feels authentic to them. I’ve even partnered with other businesses to host these experiences together, showing firsthand what collaboration over competition really looks like.
What I’m most proud of is the community that has been built through all of this. Seeing businesses grow, watching people gain confidence, and knowing that I’ve played a small part in helping them move forward… that means everything to me.
What really sets me apart is that I don’t just host events or promote businesses… I genuinely care. I take the time to connect, to encourage, and to help people see what’s possible for themselves. I also share my platform and audience with other coordinators and business owners, helping them grow faster and reach more people. I truly believe there are ways we can do this together where we all rise.
At the end of the day, I’m not just creating events—I’m creating opportunities, relationships, and a platform where people can grow together.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Kansas City is the sense of community. After moving back from Atlanta, I really saw how much opportunity there is here and how supportive people can be. There are so many amazing small businesses, events, and things to do, and I love how our city shows up… especially when it comes to supporting local and rallying around our sports teams. There’s a real pride in Kansas City, and you can feel it.
What I would love to see more of is continued growth in collaboration and connection across our communities. I think there’s so much opportunity for us to come together even more… supporting one another, working across different spaces, and building something stronger as a whole. That’s something I’m really passionate about, and a big part of what I try to create through my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kathycoatesevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kceventsforme
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCEventsForMe/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-coates-newman-6221317b
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeLifeChangers
- Other: https://www.linktr.ee/kathycoatesevents
