Shaila Khan is a mom to two girls, aged 13 and 9 years, and a cat. She's shared 16 years with her great husband and is the owner of Milan Weddings Inc. and Khubsurat (an Urdu word meaning “beautiful”). After being home with her kids and in need of something more stimulating (than discussions on Teletubbies), Shaila started her first company - Milan Weddings Inc – six years ago and got into the world of Wedding/Event Décor.
As time passed she noticed her South Asian clients asking where to find the latest in South Asian bridal and evening wear – and realized that wedding shows didn’t encompass South Asian attire. Ta da! Khubsurat – a South Asian Bridal, Fashion and Lifestyle Show was created. This year show number two happened on March 22, 2009 and this year the show also featured a Silent Auction which will raise funds for a special needs school in India (Shaila’s youngest daughter has severe special needs).

Q. What do you do in your down time?
A. When I get some time, I love to listen to music (I scandalize my 13 year old by listening to all the new stuff), read (am really into Phillipa Gregory’s books), work out or watch TV (30 Rock is my new favourite show)

Q: What's the most embarrassing thing (mentionable in a worldwide audience, that is!) that's happened to you since you became a mom?
A. So many things! Tantrums in public are fun since I can threaten my kids in my second language and no one around knows.

Q. What does Milan Weddings offer its clients?

A. From backdrops, head table décor, chair covers, centerpieces to rentals, I provide anything décor-related for a couple’s big day. It’s fun working with clients and coming up with creative ideas and colour schemes for décor.

Q. What are the founding principles for your companies?
A. Planning a wedding can be very stressful and I want to make the process as fun and painless as I can. And for the show, I wanted to bring Calgary produce a show with a South Asian flavour since the need was so great. And of course for both companies, top rate customer service and professionalism are very important to me as a consumer – so of course it’s what I provide my clients.

Shaila is offering EM Calgary Members 20% off on a booth at Khubsurat 2009.  Vendors can also put marketing material into 400 giveaway bags at no extra charge. 

 

April 2009 EM Calgary Member Spotlight
EM Calgary Member Heather Broad

 
Heather's son helping with inventory management
Meet Heather Broad and Get Gifty!
Heather Broad has been the Calgary Location Owner of the celebrity endorsed and super fabulous gift and gift basket company Two Blonds & a Brunette Gift Co. since September 2006.  Once a former well-seasoned legal assistant, she's now turned gift basket guru and mom of one very busy car-wash and garbage-truck-obsessed 3 year old boy!