The dream started at age five. The journey began last October.

As far back as I can remember my favorite past time was designing. I would sketch out clothes, shoes, handbags, and people on any writing space I found. My school books, napkins, notes, and mind were filled with beautiful creations of what I thought exemplified elegance. My mother’s shoes that I hoped to fill one day, literally and figuratively, were my favorite dress up commodities and my inspiration.

As I grew older, I dreamed of my own brand. I wrote out logos using my name in my best cursive. During this time, GAP was “the must-have brand” thus at the time I wanted to answer with DEK. Middle initial is a vowel, first and last name start with a consonant, could be a word…it was perfect! Over time DEK evolved into DK, D.Kelly, DEKelly, Elizabeth and finally Diana E. Kelly.

Now that the name and ideas were implanted and evolving in my mind I just needed a way to make my dream tangible. My father has always loved business and I get my entrepreneurial determination from him. He is very astute and knowledgeable in this area; it is one of his favorite hobbies. I have always been interested in his business ventures and have long dreamed of starting my own business with his blessing and partnership.

Almost three years ago the idea for my first business venture sprouted. It was the summer before my senior year at the University of Florida and I wanted to create some cute game day pieces that I could sport to the games. I started drawing and very quickly designed a line of clothing for men and women that I wanted to create. I consulted with my father and he suggested I work with a lawyer to create a Limited Liability Corporation. In partnership with him I began to sample clothing and I gained my first experience with overseas manufacturers. Unfortunately as the school year started back up again, my studies took precedence over the business, and the cute game day clothing had to take a backseat to my schooling.

Fast forward two years, a BA in Business Administration and one year down of a Master’s of Architecture in Interior Design degree and clear-as-day came the “aha” moment driving back up to Gainesville to start my second year of my masters. I could feel God pulling me in another direction and I needed to switch gears. I called my parents and my mother thought I had gone off the deep end – or had a severe case of cold feet. My father on the other hand remained calm and simply said “I never felt this program was for you.” I went to the first few classes of the semester and determined it wasn’t cold feet, I needed to change course and take a stab at following my dream.

Being born in this great country, I had the opportunity to make my dream a reality, the American Dream. Our founding father’s created the incredible free enterprise system that fosters creativity and encourages imaginative entrepreneurship. My parents are both phenomenal examples of the pursuit of this dream (with my mother being a first generation American). Growing up, one of the most valuable examples my parents set for me was their impeccable work ethic. I still have yet to meet two people that are as devoted to their careers and their family whole-heartedly as these two people. They are my biggest role models and the two people I try to emulate the most. Without their love and encouragement I wouldn’t have had the “guts” to take the risk.

October 2009 rolled around and as I was gearing up to fly overseas to hunt for an ethical and capable manufacturer to give my business to, my parents, consultant, and I sat down to discuss the direction of these “game day” clothes. At the end of our three-hour meeting, our consultant simply said “why don’t you design shoes?” UMMMM, WHAT!?!?!? I had planned on designing clothing that would be my avenue toward ultimately designing shoes (as my good friend and role model, Tracy can attest). I was VERY open to the idea as shoes are my favorite accessories.

After some discussion we all agreed that shoes were the new direction. I quickly shifted gears and designed a new collection and in November my wonderful and caring mother took off work to go overseas with me to settle on a manufacturer. We traveled half way around the world to visit a list of highly recommended factories to visit and our own ideas of the quality and social responsibility the factories had to produce. The factories we signed contracts with far exceeded our expectations of overseas manufacturing. They provide all of the food and housing for their employees, along with giving bonuses and having various parties that recognize achievement within the company and awards. These factories provide steady and sought after jobs in the community and also have been evaluated by different inspectors and have been found to be up to European standards. In congruency with the goals of Diana E. Kelly Inc. we decided that these factories would provide a great foundation for the corporation sticking to our motto, “Building stronger communities, one step at a time.”

And so it began…