A local woman finds her roots at the fair.
Makayla Swindell grew up attending the Inter-State Fair, and now, through her business, Simply Southern Boutique, sponsors it.
Swindell, a native of Coffeyville, Kan., came to the fair and rodeo as kid. The daughter of Randy and Shaneena Clark, her dad drove in the demo derby, and the fair “was something we looked forward to every summer. I grew up going to it.”
When she and her husband, Shaun, who grew up in South Coffeyville, married, they lived in Texas for four years. While there, Makayla started her business selling women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, purses, and more, from her mobile trailer, at fairs and events in Texas. Two years ago, she was a vendor at the Inter-State Fair.
Last year, the couple moved back to Kansas, and now she has a retail location in Coffeyville. In addition to the merchandise, the store is a drop off point for dry cleaning and boot and shoe repair.
Her business has boomed. The store opened in October and by January, she moved to a new location to have more space.
She credits her growth to loyal customers in Coffeyville and across social media. Simply Southern Boutique has a strong Facebook presence, and customers are able to purchase products that are shipped to them.
Her success has enabled her to be able to sponsor the Inter-State Fair and Rodeo. She is the barrel racing sponsor at the rodeo, which is apropos. “It was a good fit for us, and a need for them,” she said.
Because Swindell no longer has the mobile trailer, she won’t be a vendor at this year’s Fair.
Being involved in the Fair as a sponsor is important to her. “I love anytime I can give local support, not only to support others in Coffeyville, but also because it is where my home is.
“My heart is close to the fair and rodeo.”
This year’s Inter-State Fair and Rodeo is August 14-18, with free activities during the day and grandstand events each night. A complete schedule, ticket sales and more information can be found atwww.FairAndRodeo.com or by calling the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce at 620.251.2550.
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Cutline: Freestyle motocross will be one of the featured grandstand events for the 110th annual Inter-State Fair in Coffeyville. It will be on Tuesday, August 14. Photos by Kim Jones.
