Women Who Shine: Meet Alyssa Barajas of Thriving Women Pop-Up.

There are women who build successful businesses, and then there are women who build successful businesses while building community right alongside them. Alyssa Barajas is that kind of leader. Known for her high-touch, concierge-style approach to real estate and her signature “Red Carpet Experience,” Alyssa has created a career rooted in relationships, trust, and meaningful milestones. Her impact goes beyond buying and selling homes. One of the brightest examples of how she leads is through Thriving Women Pop Up, her annual pop-up event that brings women-owned businesses together to grow, connect, and be celebrated.

From Real Estate Flips to Real Homes
Alyssa’s path into real estate began with her husband. The two started as real estate flippers, learning the industry hands-on and building something together. Over time, Alyssa discovered what truly lit her up: residential real estate.

Not just the transactions, but the people. The stories. The transitions. The responsibility and honor of guiding families through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. That relationship-driven side of the industry became her focus, and it still shapes how she works today.

Growth That Required a New Level of Leadership
One of Alyssa’s biggest challenges was a good one: her business grew quickly. Faster than she could realistically manage alone. That kind of momentum is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Instead of staying stuck in “do everything myself” mode, she did what many founders struggle to do: she evolved. Alyssa built a team, hired support, and learned how to lead through growth without losing what made her business special in the first place. The result is a model that allows her to keep delivering an elevated, personal experience for clients while also expanding the impact she can make in her community.

The “Red Carpet Experience”
Alyssa’s work is real estate, but her brand is celebration. Her clients know her for providing a concierge-style experience, and for her signature touch. When they buy a home, she literally rolls out a red carpet, has them cut a ribbon, and presents them with their keys.
It is more than a photo moment. It reflects how Alyssa views homeownership: as something worthy of recognition, pride, and joy. She makes the milestone feel as big as it truly is.

Thriving Women Pop Up: A Pop-Up Built on Purpose
Alyssa didn’t stop at building her own success. She created Thriving Women Pop Up, an annual free pop-up event designed to bring women-owned small businesses into the spotlight.

The concept is simple and powerful: create a space where women can showcase their brands, sell their products, and connect with other women who understand the journey. It becomes a day of visibility and momentum, but also women supporting women in a way that is tangible and immediate. Thriving Women Pop Up also serves a bigger purpose. Alyssa uses the event to support causes close to the community, including breast cancer awareness and animal rescues, proving that a local pop-up can be both a business boost and a force for good.

How She Juggles It All
What stands out about Alyssa is that she does not treat community work as separate from her “real job.” She integrates it. Real estate is demanding. Clients need responsiveness, expertise, and calm guidance through high-stakes decisions. At the same time, building an event like Thriving Women Pop Up takes vision, organization, and consistent follow-through. Alyssa makes it work by building a strong team, staying rooted in relationships, and keeping her priorities clear. That balance is not always easy, but it is exactly what makes her story relatable for so many women who are building careers while also trying to build something meaningful around them.

Her Approach: Community as a Business Value
Alyssa’s work is rooted in Villa Park and the surrounding area. She believes in supporting small and local businesses through donations, collaborations, and visibility. Her philosophy is not “success at all costs.” It is success with gratitude, success with integrity, and success that makes room for others. The trust her clients place in her is something she values deeply, and she treats that trust as a responsibility.

Advice Alyssa Lives By
Her advice to women starting out is direct and generous: Find strong mentors. Ask questions and give back to your community. When you give genuinely and consistently, she believes, it comes back tenfold.

Why Alyssa Shines
Alyssa Barajas shines because she makes success feel celebratory, personal, and connected. She helps families find a home, and she helps women-owned businesses find visibility. Thriving Women Pop Up is proof that when a woman grows, she can create space for others to grow too, and that is the kind of leadership our community needs more of.

Follow Alyssa: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thrivingwomen_popup and @alyssambarajas