We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shayla Khalife. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shayla below.
Shayla, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
In the journey of navigating the demands of the event industry, resilience emerges as a vital asset that carries me through challenges and tribulations. When pondering the origin of my resilience, I find myself echoing gratitude towards the foundation laid by my parents and the nurturing environment in which I was raised. From an early age, my parents instilled in me the importance of resilience, a trait that has since served as a guiding light during moments of adversity.
Witnessing my parents’ unwavering fortitude in the face of difficulties has shaped my own perspective on resilience. Their ability to swiftly rebound from setbacks, maintain a positive outlook, and always seek the silver lining in every situation has left an indelible mark on my approach to overcoming obstacles. Growing up in an environment that encouraged independent learning, accepting mistakes as opportunities for growth, and embracing challenges with a tenacious spirit, I internalized the values of resilience and adaptability.
Moreover, observing my father’s entrepreneurial journey firsthand underscored the grit and determination required to navigate the complexities of business ownership. His ethos of resourcefulness, minimizing waste, and making the most of available resources resonated deeply with me, instilling a steadfast commitment to making the best of any situation.
For me, resilience and a sense of personal accountability stand as a potent combination fostering both personal growth and inner peace. As I continue my path in the event industry, the lessons imparted by my upbringing remain steadfast pillars that fortify my resilience, enabling me to weather storms and emerge stronger on the other side. This sense of trust in myself and my ability to overcome (and still shine!) has given me the confidence to pursue a creative career and continue to try new things without much hesitation.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
All The Things Events is a dynamic company dedicated to curating unforgettable experiences. Specializing in all things party-related, we take pride in our ability to seamlessly plan, design, decorate, and coordinate any event, ensuring that our clients can enjoy their special occasions as guests at their own celebrations. Our mission is to handle all the intricate details, allowing our clients to relax and savor every moment, surrounded by their loved ones.
At the heart of our work lies a passion for creating magical moments, whether it’s orchestrating a beautiful wedding or crafting intricate balloon displays. With a solid foundation in the wedding industry, we have expanded our horizons to include corporate events, private parties, and bespoke decor projects. Our vision for the future includes venturing into larger-scale events, creating custom props, and delivering exceptional design packages for our clients.
A recent highlight for us was our involvement in the inaugural parade and festival in Haywood County, North Carolina, where we proudly served as the main sponsor. Collaborating with other talented vendors and planners, we played a pivotal role in organizing the first-ever pride celebration in the town of Waynesville. It was an honor to contribute to our community’s history, and we are enthusiastic about pursuing more ambitious projects in the future.
As we evolve and grow, we are excited to offer expanded travel opportunities, new design packages, and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences at every event. The most rewarding aspect of our work is being the steadfast support system for our clients on their most important days, whether we’re assisting moms, dads, brides, or grooms. We cherish the role of being there for our clients, ensuring that every detail is perfect and every moment is memorable.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, I found that courage, persistence, and innovation were the three qualities that truly shaped my path. Growing up in a middle-class family without any history of higher education, it took courage for me to pursue a university degree and believe in the value of investing in myself. With persistence as my driving force, I approached my goals with unwavering determination, checking off tasks on countless lists to steadily progress toward success. I firmly believe that consistent effort, no matter how small, accumulates into significant achievements over time.
Innovation, being both an inherent trait and a cultivated skill, played a crucial role in my journey. I have always had a knack for creative problem-solving and envisioning novel solutions to challenges. Embracing innovation allowed me to navigate the ever-changing landscape of life with adaptability and creativity, nurturing my dreams and aspirations.
To those embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, I offer this advice that resonated with me during my academic years: failure is inevitable, but not trying is the real failure. Embrace the courage to start, persist in your pursuits, and let innovation guide your way through setbacks and challenges. Remember, it is through resilience, creativity, and the willingness to restart that true progress is made. Never lose sight of your goals, and with these qualities as your compass, you will find yourself on a path toward fulfillment and success.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
In times of overwhelming stress, I find solace in a structured approach to managing my tasks by making a written “master plan” and keeping with with me as I navigate through … everything! As someone involved in the planning of numerous weddings throughout the year, each with its unique challenges, maintaining composure is vital. For me, the remedy lies in list-making. I firmly believe that compiling a list aids in decluttering the mind and alleviating anxiety surrounding pending tasks. By visually organizing responsibilities, the weight of the workload diminishes a bit. There’s a sense of accomplishment in methodically checking off completed tasks with your favorite colorful marker, serving as a definite reminder that progress is being made, despite how you’re feeling in the moment. During particularly hectic moments, such as being pulled in various directions at an event, I find it helpful to regroup by referring to my trusty list. It serves as a mental anchor, allowing me to refocus and realign my priorities.
Another unconventional but effective method I employ when feeling overwhelmed is to retreat to TikTok reels. I seek out inspirational speeches and scroll through videos until I hear whatever I need to hype myself back up and get my head in the game. While this approach may not be conventional, the intent is to find resonance with others facing similar struggles. There is comfort amid the chaos when you can take a moment to remind yourself that you are only human.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allthethingsevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthethings.events/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allthethingsavl
Image Credits
Food & desserts: Verbena Events
Photographer: Sean Szitas Photography
Balloons & Backdrop: All the Things Events
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
