Meet  Bonnie Kelly and Teresa Walsh, Co-Founders of Silpada Designs in Lenexa, KS

You won’t find the word “Silpada” in the dictionary. In fact, you won’t find it anywhere else in the world.  Silpada, a term as unique as the jewelry line it is the face of, was dreamt up by co-founders Bonnie Kelly and Teresa Walsh and has come to mean “the best of everything.”

Dreaming big for Kelly and Walsh started in 1985 when the eldest of their three children started first grade.  Each had signed up to be a room mother and the pair became fast friends.  Friendship turned to entrepreneurship when brainstorming over McDonald’s Diet Cokes led to the creation of what has now grown into a $280 million company.

After several smaller business ventures, the women each took $25 from their grocery money and invested in a collection of jewelry that they began selling to their friends at small home parties.  Women would always remark, “You look like you’re having so much fun. We wish we could have your jobs!”
Kelly and Walsh felt the tingle of something magical on the horizon.

By 1997, Kelly and Walsh were ready for more. They could see the business potential went far beyond dress-up parties. Together, they jumped feet first into the biggest risk of their lives and launched Silpada Designs.

It was a risk they would never regret.

Now, 12 years later, Silpada Designs is at the forefront of the direct sales industry.  It is the original and fastest-growing jewelry home party company in the country. Silpada’s sterling silver jewelry is sold exclusively by nearly 28,000 independent representatives and Silpada is growing at a time when many companies are struggling in a wavering economy. In 2008, Silpada opened its first international venture in Canada.

More than selling unique and beautiful jewelry, Silpada Designs aims to provide women everywhere the chance at financial freedom and flexibility. Whether it’s restoring inner confidence through building a successful business or allowing a mom to spend more time with her family, Silpada Designs gives women the opportunity to make their dreams come true. The company provides unlimited assistance to its representatives through various training opportunities, one-on-one coaching, and unlimited access to a representative care phone line.

Silpada has even started a philanthropic effort to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  Inspired by the story of a representative whose child suffers from the disease, Kelly and Walsh created the “Polishing Off Juvenile Diabetes” campaign.  For each polishing cloth the company sells, it donates $1 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Each year, representatives from across the country make their pilgrimage to Kansas City, Mo. for the biggest jewelry party in the country.  The annual National Conference offers exciting business training, personal development opportunities, and a sneak peak at the new jewelry collection.

Kelly and Walsh had no idea their chance meeting would ultimately redefine their lives and impact the lives of thousands of other women – but it has done just that, and so much more.

For more information, visit: www.silpada.com

Popularity: 16% [?]