Sadaf Khan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Sadaf, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that energy never lies. Intellect matters, and integrity matters – But when paired with genuine energy, they create a powerful combination. Alone, neither can fully replace the impact of what someone truly feels when they engage with you.
In my experience, those who lead with a pure heart and good intentions are always well-received. This is the principle I live by, and how I approach every introduction and interaction.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Sadaf Khan, and I am the proud Owner and Creative Lead Designer of Layla Love Designer Events, a company I founded over 14 years ago after stepping back from my role as Executive Account Manager at Stewart Title. My goal was simple but profound: To create a better work-life balance while spending intentional time with my three beautiful children – Maya (16), Layla (14 AND the namesake of my company), and Mecca (10).
What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into a platform for meaningful connections and collaborations within the Event Planning and Design Community. Over the years, Layla Love Designer Events has allowed me to work alongside incredible peers, mentors, and clients, shaping unforgettable experiences while staying true to my passion for creativity and detail.
Today, I am honored to also serve as Business Development Manager and Venue Director for The Seth; a one-of-a-kind multi-complex that redefines what a single Company can offer across multiple industries. The Seth is home to Real Estate Development (residential and commercial), Co-Working spaces, Boardrooms, a Content Creation Studio, four distinctive Event Venues, and an Immersive floor-to-ceiling LED Creative Space.
Standing at this intersection of creativity, business development, and community building, I feel both proud and fulfilled. It is truly the perfect marriage of my passion and purpose – Bringing people together, elevating experiences, and creating spaces where visions come to life!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that bonds between people rarely break in loud, dramatic ways. More often, they slip through the quiet spaces – Through trust that is chipped away, words left unspoken, or moments of presence that go unattended. Pride and ego can build walls where there once were doors, and suddenly two people who once saw each other so clearly find themselves in shadows.
But just as fragile as connection can feel, it is also resilient. Bonds can be restored when we return to honesty, when we choose to be vulnerable, when we show up with empathy and grace. Forgiveness has a way of softening the edges, and shared moments – Laughter, struggle, joy can stitch the fabric back together! At the heart of it, bonds are broken when we stop truly seeing one another, and they are healed the moment we decide to see each other again.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The biggest fear that has held me back at times in life has been the need to be accepted and revered by everyone. What I’ve come to learn is that true leadership, and the courage to own your authenticity always comes at a cost. Not every opinion will align with yours. Not everyone will embrace your way of thinking, your expression, or your delivery. And that’s okay! Living your truth sometimes means others will feel uncomfortable; often because they haven’t yet found their own or aren’t ready to quiet their emotional reactions.
It hasn’t been easy to step into spaces where all eyes are on me,; where judgment lingers in the room. But I’ve learned to stay grounded in who I am and to trust that my words and actions come from an open, pure place. Confidence is not about pleasing everyone – It’s about standing firmly in your truth, knowing your intentions are rooted in integrity and a genuine outlook on life.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Michelle Obama, to me, represents strength, culture, and the voice of a minority woman who has empowered women across the globe. Through her work in health and wellness, education, and reform, she has shown what it means to lead with both grit and grace. She inspires women to believe in themselves, not just through words but through her lived example. What I admire most is her ability to balance determination with humor, creativity, and a zest for life. She carries herself with elegance and authenticity, expressing herself boldly – Whether through her fashion, her voice, or the way she holds a room. Her power is not simply a title; it’s something she has earned through the challenges she has faced and overcome. And it is precisely because of that journey that she continues to stand tall, grounded in resilience.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What pain do you resist facing directly?
I’ll admit, I’ve always struggled with being ruthlessly clear, even when the situation may call for it. It’s not in my nature to dim someone else’s light just because they feel threatened by my own. Even in moments of conflict, I find myself choosing to lead by example rather than by blunt instruction. Deep down, I feel I was placed on this earth to teach, to mold, and to help heal those who have not yet been given the tools to articulate their emotions or express their truth.
So, while there are times I wish I could be more abrupt or direct, what rises in me instead is the urge to guide, to condition, and to nurture. This is both my gift and my shield – It allows me to navigate uncomfortable or heavy conversations without carrying guilt or resentment. In choosing compassion over confrontation, I stay true to the part of me that believes people can grow when they are shown, not shamed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laylaloveevents.com
- Instagram: Laylaloveevents
- Linkedin: Sadaf Khan
- Facebook: Layla Love Designer Events
- Other: The Seth Event Space
