Kelly’s love for fashion, creativity and art classes taken during school have proved to be the perfect set of ingredients for her to start fashion jewelry business Special Sparkle. She is blessed to have her mother(M) Karen as her dedicated partner in this business. Kelly’s business along with her mom’s mentorship are helping her to lead a productive and confident life. Other than working hard for business Kelly has been involved in a diverse list of activities like working at a pediatric dentist’s office and volunteering her time as an adult self-advocate to educate people about her life and Down syndrome and spending time with friends. She is also a public speaker for the National Association for Down syndrome. We congratulate Kelly for her great accomplishments and inspired life.

How and when did you start your jewelry business? What is the best thing you love about your business partner/mom?K: M: We started our business almost 6 years ago when finding a competitive paying job or jobs to fill the week didn’t happen. Her family wanted to create something for Kelly to do so she could lead a fulfilling and productive life. Since she loves fashion, style and bling what better way to channel those loves than to create a fashion jewelry company!
K: My mom is my soulmate and I love working with her every day. I also like anything with Sparkle and bling and my mom teaches me design parts of the job. We have a lot of fun together and laugh a lot!

What is the one thing you learned during school years that is helping you in your business? What challenges do you face during your business?K: In school I took a lot of art classes. I had a great art teacher and I learned a lot from him. I got to find out how to show my creative side. I love all those parts of the business but I do need help figuring out some of the math parts of the job and the tools are hard to use for some of our special orders.

Can you tell us about your experience as a public speaker for the National Association for Down syndrome? What can people learn from your life?K: About 5 years ago NADS started an Adult Self-Advocate program and we practiced writing speeches and getting up in front of people to talk about our life. We also created PowerPoints for us to use pictures to help people see what my life is like. We go out to schools (my favorite), hospitals, churches and we just got back from Washington DC and I spoke on Capital Hill! People can learn about my life and see all the great things I do so they can see that Down syndrome does not hold me back! I love my life and they learn that, too.

What is your favorite place to visit?K: My favorite place to visit Las Vegas. My friends and their moms all went to Vegas together and we had a blast!

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?K: I love to be with my friends and family and go to movies or to a restaurant. I also love to go to concerts. I have seen Taylor Swift twice and I just saw Bruno Mars this past summer.

Any special message for our community?K: I love to meet new people and learn about them. I want them to learn about me too and hope they learn to make your life what you love and to follow your dreams.