Contributors

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Host

Jen Cole

Jen Cole is a longtime marketing maven, podcast host, and community-builder with a knack for turning wild stories into unforgettable conversations. As co-host of So THIS Happened…, she brings a sharp sense of humor, a splash of sass, and just the right dose of Midwestern hospitality to the mic.


From growing up between a small city and an ostrich farm (yes, really) to working behind the scenes of major marketing events and hotel brands, Jen’s career has been anything but boring—which explains her obsession with a good story. Whether she’s breaking down pop culture chaos or swapping jaw-dropping personal tales with Rachel, Jen always shows up with heart, wit, and a glass of wine in hand.


Off the podcast, you’ll find her crafting content, mentoring marketers, sipping wine in velvet slippers, or making people laugh on Instagram and Threads.

https://linktr.ee/jencoleict
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Host

Rachel Chappelle

Rachel Chappelle is the co-host of So THIS Happened…, where her hot takes, bold opinions, and confidently incorrect answers are part of the charm. Equal parts chaos and charisma, Rachel brings unfiltered honesty and sharp comedic timing to every episode.


She may not know the latest TikTok trend (and she’s not sorry about it), but she does know how to tell a story like no one else. From bizarre personal experiences to pop culture rabbit holes, Rachel dives in headfirst, wine glass in hand and absolutely no fact-checking in sight.


Off-mic, she’s the friend who texts “OMG wait ‘til you hear this” and then delivers. Whether she’s going rogue on a game segment or calling Jen out mid-recording, Rachel keeps the energy high, the laughs loud, and the stories unforgettable.

Guests

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Guest

Jenni Heartfield

Jenni Heartfield is the founder of Her Edit Candles, a thoughtfully crafted candle brand rooted in mood, memory, and intention. With a background in finance and a passion for creating meaningful moments, Jenni blends creativity with purpose to design candles that invite people to slow down, reconnect with their senses, and romanticize the everyday.


Inspired by personal memories, travel, and the belief that our spaces deeply influence how we feel, Her Edit Candles is less about decoration and more about curation — encouraging presence, ritual, and self-care through scent and design. Based locally and committed to community, Jenni is building a brand that celebrates intentional living, creative expression, and the quiet magic found in life’s small moments.

https://www.hereditcandle.com/
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Jovana Vu

Jovana Vu is the founder of Vu Event Planning and a seasoned hospitality professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the event industry. Known for her calm presence, sharp attention to detail and ability to pivot gracefully when plans change, Jovana specializes in creating events that feel deeply personal and beautifully executed.


Her journey into event planning began after a less-than-ideal experience planning her own wedding — a moment that sparked her desire to help others avoid the stress and focus instead on the joy. Since then, she has built her business primarily through referrals and word-of-mouth, a testament to the trust she earns with every client.


In addition to leading Vu Events, Jovana works in hospitality and recently expanded her brand to include DJ and karaoke services alongside her husband Tony, offering clients a seamless experience from planning to party.

https://www.vueventplanning.com/
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Guest

Kari Tovar

Kari is the founder of Happy Camper Hat Company, the only all-DIY hat bar in the country, located in the Ballroom Collective at The Workroom in Wichita. By day, she’s a nurse; by passion, a community builder who believes creativity should be hands-on, accessible and joyful.


Through Happy Camper, Kari has created a space where people can put their phones down, make something with their hands and express themselves through pop-culture-inspired patches, hats and custom pieces. Her work centers on creativity as connection, embracing happy accidents over perfection and using personal style as a form of storytelling and self-expression.

https://www.happycamperhatco.com/
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Guest

Kristin Beal

Kristin Beal is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Harvester Arts, a Wichita-based nonprofit dedicated to cultivating connection, collaboration, and belonging through contemporary art. A practicing artist and community builder, Kristin began her career in painting before transforming her solo studio practice into a “social practice” rooted in large-scale creative collaboration, artist residencies, and public engagement.


Since launching Harvester Arts in 2014, Kristin has helped shape Wichita’s creative ecosystem through innovative programming, artist support initiatives, and beloved community experiences like First Friday exhibitions, artist residencies, and collaborative projects across the city. Her work centers on making art accessible, expansive, and deeply human — creating spaces where artists and communities can thrive together.

https://harvesterarts.org/
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Guest

Roaming Spirits Bar

Roaming Spirits Bar is a women-owned mobile bartending service based in Wichita, Kansas, founded by Kiah and Bella. Known for their handcrafted mixers, signature cocktail curation and personalized event experiences, they specialize in bringing elevated bar service to weddings, celebrations and special events. With a focus on creativity, hospitality and collaboration with other local businesses, Roaming Spirits helps clients create memorable moments — one perfectly crafted drink at a time.

https://www.roamingspiritsbar.org/
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Stacy Ward Lattin

Stacy Ward Lattin is the co-owner of Hopping Gnome Brewery, Wichita’s first woman-owned craft brewery. Alongside her husband, Torrey, Stacy helped launch the Gnome in 2015, growing it from a cozy neighborhood taproom into a beloved community hub with two locations and a fiercely loyal following of “Gnomies.”


Beyond the brewery, Stacy works full-time at United Way, blending her passion for community building, nonprofit impact, and local collaboration into everything she does. Known for her thoughtful approach to hospitality, seasonal creativity, and meaningful partnerships, Stacy has helped shape Hopping Gnome into a place where beer, belonging, and tradition come together — especially during moments like the OG Gnome’s Holiday Pop-Up.


In this episode, Stacy joins the show to talk about ten years of brewing, community rituals, holiday magic, and the art of turning a small space into something truly special.

https://www.instagram.com/hoppinggnome/
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Guest

Tracy Hoover

Tracy Hoover is the founder of Groover Labs, a Wichita-based innovation hub designed to support founders, builders, and creatives as they bring ideas to life. With a background in technology and startups, including experience at Hewlett-Packard and as a co-founder of Amber Wave Systems, Tracy brings deep expertise in building and scaling companies. Through Groover Labs, she is helping grow Kansas’ tech ecosystem by creating a space where collaboration, prototyping, and community come together to support the next generation of innovators.

https://www.grooverlabs.org/