Felice Porcaro Silvia, president of Uncas International, a fashion jewelry, accessories and gifting company, has been working in the jewelry industry for more than 15 years. She originally had goals to be a teacher while in college at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.
“I fell into this when I was young and in college. I went to college at night and worked in jewelry during the day. … And the teaching kind of went out the window,” Silvia laughed.
The crux of Uncas is family. Silvia runs the company with her brother, Felix Porcaro III, who is the executive vice president of sales and merchandising. Uncas purchased Crimzon Rose, her father’s jewelry business, in 2015. “Family is a huge part of the company, and it is one of the values that we hold dear. … We look at everyone here as family and we treat them that way.”
A studio art major, Silvia employs creativity with business.
“You need to be creative in how you gain new opportunities in order to grow,” noted Silvia. “My role today as president is making sure that everything is moving in a positive direction so that the morale in the company is up, the product is looking fantastic, and people are inspired and moving forward … and operationally, that we’re running smooth and efficiently.”
Silvia’s accomplishments include launching a giftware division, which includes drinkware, stationery, bath and beauty items; developing Curvy Chic, a plus-size jewelry division with additional length in necklaces, rings and bracelets; providing souvenir items like pins for the Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening; and overseeing product development for private-label and branded accounts at stores such as J.C. Penney, Macy’s and Kohl’s.
Silvia supports other business owners with her involvement with Vistage, a leadership and business-development group. She also volunteers at Saint Edwards Food and Wellness Center in Providence, to give back to the community around her.
