Meet Shelley Kurian of Shelley K. Events

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelley Kurian.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It was the summer of 2009 and I had hit a low. I felt unaccomplished, and my life up until that point had been characterized by complacency and a string of unmotivated, convenience-based decisions. I had been working a mundane 9-5 which I had just gotten laid off from, my marriage was falling apart and having been in and out of school for a few years, I didn’t hold a degree, which put me at a disadvantage when it came to looking for a substantial job. I was at a crossroads, and going through a divorce at a young age left me with no choice but to start over. These circumstances are what propelled me to start living my life in a new way – with purpose, motivation, and vision.

I replaced complacency with conviction, and decided to do everything I could to reach my new goals – which included pursuing an education at my dream college (Southern Methodist University, Pony Up!) and creating something that was fully mine – a project that had my fingerprints on it, something that could be a reflection of my skills, creativity, and vision. My interest and skill at organization and execution, along with my passion for creativity, made wedding planning a natural fit. I obtained a certification in wedding planning, pursued a degree in business at SMU, and with business cards in hand and a very basic website, I launched my first company, Escada Weddings.

Escada Weddings evolved over the years and my path in business led me to rebrand the company to Shelley K. Events – an event management company that specialized in weddings, but also provided logistical and operational oversight for non-wedding events. 8 years later, we’re thriving in the Big D, but I’ll never forget where and how I started – in a 150 sq. ft. bedroom in my parents’ house, with a desire to reinvent myself, and a whole lot of prayer!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Most entrepreneurial journeys are characterized by struggles, and mine was no different. Upon establishing the company back in 2009, I had to learn, from scratch, how to run a business, handle clients, deal with finances, and balance my workload. I didn’t have a business mentor, so to speak, and no one in my family came from a business background.

So I had to learn a lot of things the hard way – especially when it came to executing large events, as I was a one-woman show. Most of the events that I did required me to be in 5 different places at once – and since I was a newbie, I wasn’t able to afford hired help. I barely made any money at the beginning – but it paid off because the experience I gained enhanced my skills, knowledge, and credibility in the industry.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Shelley K. Events – what should we know?
Shelley K. Events is a full-service event management company, specializing in multi-cultural weddings and celebrations. We started off as a wedding planning company in 2009, and have since rebranded to expand our services to corporate and social events. While most of our events are large-scale productions with guest counts in the thousands, we also love to plan and execute smaller, intimate affairs.

Our approach to business and event management is one that always puts the client’s needs first. We believe that the knowledge and skill required to get the job done must be balanced with kindness, patience, and understanding. Our genuine interest in our clients’ satisfaction leads us to often build long, lasting relationships with them. Over the course of the last 8 years, we have worked hard to build a solid reputation, and we continue to maintain it by using our industry expertise, creative edge, and professional knowledge to help create and execute the vision of our clients.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without God, my family, and industry friends who supported and encouraged me along the way. We have also been blessed with amazing clients who sing our praises and promote our services to their communities.

Additionally, the success of each event is largely determined by my team members, who consistently display a high level of professionalism and grace while flawlessly executing events. I have to give a special shout-out to my lead coordinator, Brittney Meeks, who has faithfully stood by my side since 2011. While my strengths lie on the logistical & operational side of the coin, her creativity and ability to think on her feet have allowed us to successfully navigate many last-minute challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shelleykevents.com
• Phone: 817.874.3223
• Email: shelley@shelleykevents.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelleykevents
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shelleykevents
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/shelleykevents
• Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/shelley-k-events-dallas/4ffa9590fc9c8a0d.html

Image Credit:
William Bichara, Lomesh Photography, The Minnericks, Jenny Martell Photography, VEK Photo

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.