Bonnie Kelly & Teresa Walsh officially launched Silpada Catalog Designs in 1997 - a jewellery home show company that offers handcrafted sterling silver pieces. The firm's unique and gorgeous designs, sold by Nineteen thousand women across the nation, doubled its sales year on year through word of mouth. Today, the company is poised to top $250 million in sales for 2007. Here is their story.Why did you start the company and when?
We first met in 1985 when our oldest of 3 children started first grade. We had both signed on as room mummies and immediately became the best of friends. After talking about how we could earn a little extra cash, we attempted 1 or 2 new business ideas. We had a lot of fun, however it wasn't till we each took $25 from our grocers fund and pursued our enthusiasm for Sterling Silver jewelry that we really started to love our "jobs." We started designing our own jewellery creations and hosting what we called "A Fun Ladies ' Night Out Playing Dress-up with Jewelry!" Quick one party to led straight to another, and it was not so long before hostesses and shoppers began enlightening us, "You appear like you are having so much fun - we wish we might have your jobs!" After hearing this continuously, we made a decision we might start a company to offer people the chance to build their own business while balancing family life.
Silpada Catalog Designs commenced officially in 1997, and we made our exclusive line of Silpada Catalogue Designs Sterling Silver Jewelry and our very first Silpada Catalog Designs Catalog. Pals and consumers became independent Silpada Catalogue Designs Delegates, and we realized our dream about running our own business.
What were your 1st goals?
We were having lots of fun selling jewelry at in-home parties, and thru this experience we met so many wonderful folks who touched our lives. We loved what we were doing such a lot that we would have liked to share it with other ladies. Enabling other ladies by building their self-esteem and creating opportunities for friendships and financial liberty was so vital to us.
Describe your family and yourself. What is your background and how does it relate to your company?
Our background is built around having a great time! Before Silpada, we were both homebody moms with 3 youngsters looking for a way to juggle family life while earning some extra cash. Yes, we had a keenness for sterling silver jewelry, but we also loved having a good time and spending time with friends.
Bonnie is married to Jerry Kelly ( who serves as Manager of Silpada Catalog and is a joint owner ) and they have three kids. Teresa is married to Tom Walsh and they have three kids.
Silpada Catalog Designs commenced officially in 1997, and we made our exclusive line of Silpada Catalogue Designs Sterling Silver Jewelry and our very first Silpada Catalog Designs Catalog. Pals and consumers became independent Silpada Catalogue Designs Delegates, and we realized our dream about running our own business.
What were your 1st goals?
We were having lots of fun selling jewelry at in-home parties, and thru this experience we met so many wonderful folks who touched our lives. We loved what we were doing such a lot that we would have liked to share it with other ladies. Enabling other ladies by building their self-esteem and creating opportunities for friendships and financial liberty was so vital to us.
Describe your family and yourself. What is your background and how does it relate to your company?
Our background is built around having a great time! Before Silpada, we were both homebody moms with 3 youngsters looking for a way to juggle family life while earning some extra cash. Yes, we had a keenness for sterling silver jewelry, but we also loved having a good time and spending time with friends.
Bonnie is married to Jerry Kelly ( who serves as Manager of Silpada Catalog and is a joint owner ) and they have three kids. Teresa is married to Tom Walsh and they have three kids.
Ever experienced an epiphany that changed the direction of your life?
After hearing from folk, repeatedly, that they'd like to do what we were doing, we discovered that our two-person start up business could develop into an enjoyable, life-changing business proposition for other women. This modified our lives for keeps.
What process did you follow to develop your jewelry? Did you find all of your pieces - or create them yourselves?
We work with artisans from all over the world to design original jewellery that meets Silpada 's exacting standards. We are involved in the design of each single Silpada Catalog piece to consider the style, look, quality and weight. Each bit of Silpada Catalog jewelry is hand made and we use only the highest-quality silver, stones and materials. On average, each piece has been touched by 6 to eight artisans, each with their own experience. This hands-on process means no 2 Silpada Catalog pieces are exactly alike.
How did you find these artisans initially? How do you find them now?
Silpada Catalog employs the most talented artisans available for each step in the jewelry-making process. In addition to their knowledge and talents, these gifted artisans must also possess a high level of hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity. Currently, artisans in more than Ten states around the globe work to craft Silpada Catalog jewellery to its exact standards.
Quality is really significant to us. Each piece of Silpada Catalog jewelry receives a top-notch inspection as it's shipped from its manufacturing point and is checked again upon arrival at Silpada 's center. Our dedication to quality allows us to deliver each piece confidently as obvious by Silpada 's lifetime guarantee against manufacturing problems.
You started selling to your girls. How did this help shape your product line?
We've always had an eye on style and our girlfriends seemed to love our taste in jewellery. But, we also recognised early on that jewellery is a crucial part of a woman's uniqueness and not every piece of jewelry will appeal to all ladies. While we actually keep up with fashion trends and styles, Silpada Catalog jewellery is hip-classic and offers something for everybody of all pricing brackets and styles.
How did you come up with the home party concept? Is there a way you do it differently?
We usually recounted we needed to start a party plan company that threw a party we might need to attend. That's the reason why there are no formal displays or rehearsed sales spiels at Silpada Catalog parties. It's about having a good time!
After hearing from folk, repeatedly, that they'd like to do what we were doing, we discovered that our two-person start up business could develop into an enjoyable, life-changing business proposition for other women. This modified our lives for keeps.
What process did you follow to develop your jewelry? Did you find all of your pieces - or create them yourselves?
We work with artisans from all over the world to design original jewellery that meets Silpada 's exacting standards. We are involved in the design of each single Silpada Catalog piece to consider the style, look, quality and weight. Each bit of Silpada Catalog jewelry is hand made and we use only the highest-quality silver, stones and materials. On average, each piece has been touched by 6 to eight artisans, each with their own experience. This hands-on process means no 2 Silpada Catalog pieces are exactly alike.
How did you find these artisans initially? How do you find them now?
Silpada Catalog employs the most talented artisans available for each step in the jewelry-making process. In addition to their knowledge and talents, these gifted artisans must also possess a high level of hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity. Currently, artisans in more than Ten states around the globe work to craft Silpada Catalog jewellery to its exact standards.
Quality is really significant to us. Each piece of Silpada Catalog jewelry receives a top-notch inspection as it's shipped from its manufacturing point and is checked again upon arrival at Silpada 's center. Our dedication to quality allows us to deliver each piece confidently as obvious by Silpada 's lifetime guarantee against manufacturing problems.
You started selling to your girls. How did this help shape your product line?
We've always had an eye on style and our girlfriends seemed to love our taste in jewellery. But, we also recognised early on that jewellery is a crucial part of a woman's uniqueness and not every piece of jewelry will appeal to all ladies. While we actually keep up with fashion trends and styles, Silpada Catalog jewellery is hip-classic and offers something for everybody of all pricing brackets and styles.
How did you come up with the home party concept? Is there a way you do it differently?
We usually recounted we needed to start a party plan company that threw a party we might need to attend. That's the reason why there are no formal displays or rehearsed sales spiels at Silpada Catalog parties. It's about having a good time!
