We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Saila Islam Midori Afroze a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Saila Islam, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Our business name, “Gowpshop,” is rooted in the cherished gatherings of family and friends that have always been a significant part of our culture. I remember my dad taking time after work to have tea with his friends, discussing life, politics, and sports. In Bangladesh, my mother, a homemaker, would connect with other housewives on our rooftop, sharing stories about family and food – they called it “gopshop” or “chit-chat.”

Growing up, socializing was natural; celebrations didn’t always need a reason. When we started our company, we wanted to capture the essence of these connections and the emotions they carried. We aimed to make every small event and achievement worthy of celebration, focusing on the human bonds and memories that matter most. Naming our business “Gowpshop” was an easy choice, reflecting these values and our desire to go beyond the surface and embrace the heart of gatherings.

Saila Islam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Midori and I have always reveled in the art of celebration. Our shared passion for curating events, paying meticulous attention to aesthetics, and infusing thematic elements was the core of our business. Initially, we started with luxury picnics but slowly we moved up to designing bigger events such as weddings, engagements, birthdays, bridal shower and more. Our forte lies in carefully conceptualizing and designing events with an array of decors including florals, centerpieces, arches, welcome signs, and seating charts – all tailored to actualize our clients’ event aspirations.

Our very first question to our clients when designing their dream event is, “As you step into your event, what emotion do you wish to envelop you?” This fundamental question serves as our compass, guiding our creative process. Whether it’s an ambiance infused with whimsy, enchanting, bohemian flair, or a clean modern fresh look, we strive to translate these sentiments into tangible design elements. Sticking to a predefined color palette is very straightforward, but we believe our true brilliance emerges in the customization of nuanced details, rendering each event a unique reflection of its hosts.

One of our very first events was – a Pakistani pre-wedding ceremony. The bride’s vision was to encapsulate the vibrancy of a Pakistani fair, with the essence of a carnival atmosphere. We picked colors carefully in every step we could without overwhelming the decor to keep it bright and airy to make it feel the outdoor vibe inside. The moment you sat down you were to feel the celebration and festivities.

We are committed to translating unique visions into tangible realities. The core of our passion lies in crafting experiences that resonate deeply with our clients, forging memories that are not only visually captivating but also profoundly emotive.

How’d you meet your business partner?

We met on a local community event and became friends really fast. Soon after we became friends we found our shared love for hosting events and designing. I still remember we were grabbing coffee in the car and one conversation led to another and before we could even finish our coffee Gowpshop had come to life.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Mostly, it’s been through word of mouth. Our previous clients have been our most enthusiastic advocates. We’re also incredibly grateful for the loyalty of our repeat customers, which is the highest form of compliment we could hope for. In addition, TikTok has proven to be a valuable platform for showcasing our work and attracting new visitors to our page.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gowpshop.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowpshop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gowpshop
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gowpshop-co-37153927b/

Image Credits
Midori Afroza, Saila Islam