Bonnie Kelly, Teresa Walsh and Jerry Kelly officially founded Silpada Designs in 1997 in Overland Park, Kansas. When Bonnie and Teresa first met in 1985, they had no idea their love for style and fun would create a multi-million dollar company. Though they loved their roles as moms, they would regularly chat about how they could earn a little extra cash. They put their passion for fashion to work and launched Suit Yourself, a style consulting business that helped clients reinvent their wardrobes by mixing and matching existing outfits. They quickly realized their wardrobe makeovers were missing just one thing: jewelry! So, in 1991, they started Cool Jewels and for the next six years did “cash and carry” home jewelry parties.
Facing a growth crossroads and wanting to offer other women the opportunity to have fun with their own home-party jewelry businesses, Bonnie and Teresa, along with Bonnie’s husband Jerry, decided to launch Silpada Designs. Working out of the Kelly’s basement, Bonnie, Teresa and Jerry sent out a mailing to “Cool Jewels groupies,” as they lovingly named them. They sent each one an invitation that introduced Silpada Designs.
They’ve come a long way since 1997. From the moment Bonnie, Teresa and Jerry sent those invitations and created their first catalog, their enthusiasm and passion have taken Silpada from basement beginnings to being the largest and original direct seller of .925 Sterling Silver Jewelry in North America.