Life Equals Launches in Downtown Kansas City

Life Equals nailed it on the head when they said that “a better you creates a better world.”  The better you are, the better the people around you are, the better the world is.  That’s Life Equals’ philosophy—and the philosophy of many other entrepreneurs out there.

The team of Life Equals came together to create a healthy product that provided focus and energy without sugar and calories.  From inside a small Kansas City coffee shop, Life Equals' first product, LIFE = Focus + Energy was born.

Suddenly, Life Equals was helping more than just its customers.  Soon after, the Life Equals team launched the LIFE=LIFE Project.  For every purchase someone makes, Life Equals provides an equal amount of children’s multivitamins to an undernourished child through a partnership with Vitamin Angels.  Just one of the ways that Life Equals is creating a better you and a better world.

This is how startups happen: meeting in a coffee shop, collaborating with like-minded individuals, defining a problem, and solving it effectively.  Life Equals is a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and drive to change the world.

This is a big week for Life Equals.  The company’s official launch party is tomorrow from 5:30-8:30PM at The Cashew – one of our friendly neighbors in the Kansas City Crossroads district.  At the launch party, you will have the opportunity to hear Life Equals’ story, ask questions, and try samples of Life = Focus + Energy.  The team is even setting up a Life Equals Photobooth!

If you’d like to see how a company can change the world, don’t miss Life Equals’ launch party tomorrow night!  A special thanks to Life Equals for joining the startup world and striving to make the world a better place.  Now we can truly say that LIFE=THINKING BIG.

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig

Top 10 Reasons to Attend Startup Weekend

Startup Weekend Kansas City is almost here.  And we’re here to tell you that it’s well worth looking into.  Check out our Top 10 Reasons to Attend Startup Weekend, then buy your ticket, head over to bizperc on April 15^th, and watch your startup dream become a reality!

1.  You’re going to meet some awesome people.

Entrepreneurs.  Developers.  Designers.  Marketers.  Product managers.  Startup enthusiasts.  Tech guys.  They’re all at Startup Weekend and they’re all anxious to meet you!  Startup Weekend not only provides you with the opportunity to make your startup dream come true, but it also gives you the networking opportunity that you need in order to grow your rolodex of experts and learn what others have to offer. 

2.      It’s super quick.

Startup Weekend takes an idea and launches it in 54 hours.  That means no business plans that take months to develop, no lack of resources that take days to discover, and no time-consuming and ineffective business meetings.  Everything you need will be right at your fingertips, making Startup Weekend one of the only ways to bring your idea to life in one weekend. 

3.      You’re going to learn...a lot.

Startup Weekend is more than just a chance to launch a business—it’s a chance to expand your mind!  Startup Weekends are all about learning through the act of creating.  This event allows you to step outside of your comfort zone and work on a new platform, learn a new program, or just try something different.

4.      Food!!

That’s right, you get food at Startup Weekend!  Startup Weekend Kansas City costs $60 to get involved, but you get a lot of stuff with your ticket including meals, snacks, access to exclusive resources, global sponsors, and all of the coffee you can drink.

5.      You get some major face time.

Local tech and startup leaders participate in Startup Weekends as mentors and judges.  Get some one-on-one time with the movers and shakers in Kansas City at this event!

6.      You get to go co-founder dating.

Startup Weekend is about more than just an idea—it’s about the team behind it.  Startup Weekend is hands down the best way to find someone that you can actually launch a startup with.

7.      You’re joining a global force.

Startup Weekend is a global community with over 30,000 alumni, all on a mission to change the world. 

8.      It inspires, it motivates.

For entrepreneurs who just can’t seem to pull their idea together.  For corporate businesspeople who are stuck in the rut of the 9-5.  For creative minds who can’t find an avenue.  For serial entrepreneurs looking for their next breakthrough.  Startup Weekend could be the answer to anybody’s need for a little inspiration and a little motivation. 

9.      You get to experience it in an amazing facility!

Startup Weekend Kansas City is taking place at bizperc – a highly innovative, modern workspace for creative minds, entrepreneurs and visionaries.  Enjoy a fast-paced weekend and look out at the Kansas City skyline at the same time…what could be better? 

10.   What else are you going to do…seriously?

Sit on the Lazy Boy and eat potato chips?  We don’t think so.  Take advantage of your April 15-17^th weekend and sign up for Startup Weekend Kansas City!

Register for Startup Weekend today.  Stop sitting and start doing!!   You never know what can happen when you Think Big at SUW.

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig

How Silpada Designs Became a Sterling Company

Bonnie Kelly and Teresa Walsh were your typical mothers of three children each living the suburban life in Overland Park, Kansas.  As immediate friends and room-mothers for the first grade, Bonnie and Teresa looked forward to years of scraped knees, homemade cupcakes, and report cards together. What the pair did not know was that their lives would dramatically change because of two very important things that they had in common: a passion for sterling silver jewelry and empowering women.   

The concept was simple: each woman took $25 from their grocery funds to pursue their passion for jewelry.  The ladies started designing their own jewelry creations and hosting fun parties in friends’ homes.  One party led to another, and it wasn’t long before the partygoers began to say, “You look like you are having so much fun. We wish we could have your jobs!” It wasn’t until 1997, however, when a “sterling” idea hit them: why not offer women their jobs by starting a direct-selling jewelry business?  

In 1997, Bonnie, Teresa and Jerry Kelly (Bonnie's husband), launched Silpada Designs from the Kelly’s basement. They created an exclusive line of sterling silver jewelry and their first Silpada Designs Catalog with more than 275 designs.  They invited friends and customers to become independent Silpada Designs Representatives.

Today, there are more than 32,000 independent Silpada representatives in the U.S., Canada and the UK, allowing Silpada to morph from a basement-born beacon to big-time business.

“Silpada has always been committed to being the best at what it does, it strives to produce the best products possible and provide the best opportunities for its representatives,” says Teresa. “This underlying philosophy has fueled the phenomenal growth and laid a solid foundation for Silpada’s bright future.”

Launching a new business did not necessarily come easy for Bonnie and Teresa.  In fact, the two women believe that the hardest part of their entrepreneurial venture was taking that initial leap. 

Bonnie, Teresa and Jerry pooled what minimal funds they had to start Silpada and continued to reinvest in the business over the years.  During the first nine years in business, Silpada simply grew organically by word-of-mouth. From day one the trio was focused on building a solid infrastructure, developing the highest quality jewelry and supporting their representatives and customers in the best way possible–and this continues to be their primary focus. This slow-motion start-up process may have been Silpada’s greatest advantage.  Any fear of failure that twitched in the brains of the two women was remarkably overpowered by their passion for the business—a component that Bonnie and Teresa believe is key for an entrepreneur. 

Bonnie and Teresa’s passion is fueled by the many women who sell Silpada Designs.  “Silpada has allowed us to change peoples’ lives,” the two women note, “Giving women opportunities for the first time in their lives created something beautiful and their enthusiasm keeps us going.  These women are the soul of Silpada.” 

Recently, Silpada Designs joined forces with Avon Products Inc., the world’s largest direct-seller of beauty products.  In July 2010, Avon bought Silpada Designs for $650 million—its biggest purchase since the 1990s.  Orchestrated by Andrea Jung, Avon’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, this purchase has united one of the world’s most powerful direct-sellers with one that is on the verge of national recognition. 

Ginny Fiscella, one of Silpada Designs’ most recognized and successful sales representatives, has been with the company for twelve years and is a firm believer that the Avon and Silpada partnership will perpetuate her and her fellow representatives towards even greater success.  “In the time that I have worked with Silpada, the company has made great changes,” she says.  “I have always believed that change is for the better.  Silpada only changes things to improve and to help me and other sales representatives become more successful.”     

Silpada Designs’ mission is to empower women in their personal quest for success and in their desire to look and feel their very best.  Bonnie and Teresa have to Think Big each and every day in order to implement the importance of passion for a product, establishment of a market need, focus, drive, determination, and of course, partnership, in order to fuel their successful direct-selling business.  Bonnie and Teresa state, “When you Think Big, you imagine the big picture.  The big picture for us is empowering women.” Both Silpada and Avon plan on helping self-sufficient, independent and entrepreneurial women empower one another, and look good while doing it.

For more information about Silpada Designs visit Silpada.com or call 1-888-SILPADA (745-7232).