Today we’d like to introduce you to Amarah Shakil.
Hi Amarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Southern Sparkle Events when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter. Looking back, it probably wasn’t the “logical” time to launch a business, but I had always been passionate about floral artistry and event design.
My husband encouraged me to simply put myself out there. His advice was that even if I had to step back for a few months after the baby arrived, at least I would have taken the first step. So I did.
From day one, I committed to giving every opportunity 150%. Every wedding, every event, every styled shoot, every networking opportunity—I treated each one as a chance to learn, grow, and build a reputation for quality and creativity. Even while adjusting to life as a new mom, I kept showing up. I continued networking, building relationships, studying marketing, refining my designs, and finding ways to improve the business.
Entrepreneurship has been one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences of my life. There have been plenty of long days, challenges, and lessons learned, but every step has helped shape Southern Sparkle Events into what it is today.
I’m still learning, still growing, and nowhere near where I ultimately want this business to be. But I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come in such a short time. What started as a leap of faith during one of the biggest transitions of my life has grown into an award-winning event design company, and I’m excited to continue building something that creates unforgettable experiences for our clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not—it has been incredibly rewarding, but far from a smooth road.
Starting a business while becoming a first-time mom meant I was learning two completely new roles at the same time. On top of that, I continued working full-time as a Business & Technology Delivery Manager at Accenture while building Southern Sparkle Events. Balancing a demanding corporate career, caring for a newborn, and growing a business required a lot of discipline, sacrifice, and more late nights than I can count.
One of the biggest challenges has been wearing every hat. In the beginning, I was the designer, florist, marketer, salesperson, accountant, social media manager, and delivery crew—all while juggling my full-time career and life at home. There were countless evenings spent researching, learning new skills, and figuring things out through trial and error. As a creative, I quickly realized that building a successful business requires so much more than creating beautiful designs. You have to understand pricing, profitability, branding, operations, systems, and how to consistently market yourself.
Another challenge has been learning to trust the process. Not every inquiry becomes a booking, not every idea works, and growth rarely happens in a straight line. There have been slow seasons, unexpected setbacks, and moments where I had to pivot, but each one taught me something valuable.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change any of it. Every challenge has helped me become a better business owner, designer, and leader. I’m still learning every day, and I believe that mindset—being willing to keep growing—is one of the biggest reasons Southern Sparkle Events continues to evolve.
As you know, we’re big fans of Southern Sparkle Events. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Southern Sparkle Events, we specialize in custom draping and floral design, creating spaces that feel unique to each couple and celebration. While those are at the heart of what we do, we also offer a curated selection of rental items, including arches, décor pieces, and specialty structures that complement our designs.
As our company has grown, we’ve naturally expanded into providing a more comprehensive design experience—especially for multi-day South Asian weddings. Rather than clients having to coordinate with multiple vendors, manage several contracts, and piece together the overall vision themselves, we take on that responsibility. We work alongside a trusted network of talented vendor partners to design and coordinate a cohesive event experience from start to finish.
Whether it’s dance floor wraps, chair rentals, linens, specialty installations, lighting, or other design elements, we bring everything together under one creative vision. Our goal is to simplify the planning process while ensuring every detail feels intentional, seamless, and beautifully connected. We want our clients to enjoy the experience of planning their wedding, knowing they have one dedicated team bringing their vision to life.
What sets Southern Sparkle Events apart is that we don’t just create beautiful floral arrangements—we design experiences. Every event begins with understanding our clients’ story, style, and vision, and then translating that into an environment that feels personal, intentional, and unforgettable.
We’re known for our draping and floral installations, but what truly differentiates us is the level of thought and care that goes into every design. We intentionally take on a limited number of events so that each client receives our full attention, creativity, and dedication. We believe every celebration deserves a custom approach rather than a one-size-fits-all design.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the reputation we’ve built in a relatively short amount of time. We launched while I was eight months pregnant, and through hard work, genuine relationships, and consistently exceeding expectations, we’ve grown into an award-winning event design company that has been trusted with weddings and events throughout Texas. That growth means so much because it has come through referrals, relationships, and clients who believed in us from the very beginning.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to work with us is to simply reach out! Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, private celebration, or styled shoot, we’d love to learn more about your vision and see how we can bring it to life. We believe every event should feel personal, and we enjoy collaborating with our clients from the initial concept through the final installation.
We’re also always excited to connect with wedding planners, venues, photographers, content creators, and fellow event professionals who share a passion for creating exceptional experiences. Some of our favorite opportunities have come through creative collaborations and relationships built within the industry.
One of the best ways to support our business is by following along on social media, sharing our work, referring us to friends and family, or simply introducing us to someone who may be looking for event design services. As a small business, every recommendation, referral, and connection truly makes a difference.
We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported Southern Sparkle Events along the way, and we’re excited for what’s ahead as we continue growing, creating, and serving couples and clients throughout Texas and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southernsparkleevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernsparkleevents/
