Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott: The Journey of a Jewelry Mogul

Kendra Scott (born March 27, 1974) is a prominent American fashion designer, serving as the executive chairwoman, designer, and former CEO of Kendra Scott, LLC. In 2017, she was honored with Ernst & Young’s National Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Early Life and Career

Kendra Scott was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. At 16, she moved to Houston, Texas, where she graduated from Klein High School. She briefly attended Texas A&M University, leaving after a year to move to Austin, Texas, to care for her ill stepfather.

Scott’s entrepreneurial journey began with the Hat Box, a business offering comfortable hats for women undergoing chemotherapy. A portion of the proceeds was donated to cancer research. Before launching her own business, she started making jewelry from her home in Austin.

Founding Kendra Scott, LLC

In 2002, Scott founded Kendra Scott LLC, designing her first collection with just $500 in a spare bedroom after the birth of her eldest son. She personally sold her designs to local boutiques, and after selling all her samples, she bought materials to fulfill her initial orders.

Scott’s big break came in 2005 when her designs were selected for Oscar de la Renta’s spring 2006 runway show, followed by Randolph Duke’s 2007 runway show. Despite the financial crisis of 2007-2008 threatening her business, an order from Nordstrom allowed her to expand.

In 2010, Scott opened her first retail store on Austin’s South Congress Avenue and launched her e-commerce business and the Color Bar experience. Though her second store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills eventually closed, she expanded across the South and Midwest in 2014. In 2016, she sold a minority stake in her company to Berkshire Partners, valuing the business at $1 billion.

Expansion and Success

Kendra Scott’s brand, now valued at over $1 billion, includes fashion jewelry, fine jewelry, home accessories, nail lacquer, and beauty products. By the end of 2019, the company had 102 retail stores, an extensive e-commerce business, and its products were sold in prestigious outlets like Selfridges, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and over 1,000 specialty boutiques worldwide. Remarkably, 95% of her staff are women.

In February 2021, Scott stepped down as CEO but retained the title of Executive Chairwoman, appointing Tom Nolan as the new CEO.

Investments and Philanthropy

Scott invests in various companies in Austin, including Helm Boots, Darbie Angell dinnerware, and Tiff’s Treats. As a philanthropist, she supports numerous women’s and children’s causes. In 2015, she launched the Kendra Cares Program, bringing the Color Bar jewelry experience to pediatric hospitals nationwide. By 2017, her company had hosted over 10,000 Kendra Gives Back events, donating to local causes and more than 75,000 pieces of jewelry.

In 2019, Scott donated $1 million to The University of Texas to establish the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute. Since 2010, her company’s charitable efforts have amounted to $30 million.

Recognition and Personal Life

Scott’s accolades include the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 National Award and the Breakthrough Award from the Accessories Council Excellence Awards. She is listed among Forbes’ America’s Richest Self-Made Women and has received numerous other honors for her business acumen and philanthropic efforts. She was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2019 and served on Governor Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kendra Scott married John Scott in 2000, with whom she has two children; they divorced in 2006. She remarried Matt Davis in 2014, with whom she has one child; they divorced in 2020.

Publications

In 2022, Scott published her book “Born to Shine: Do Good, Find Your Joy, and Build a Life You Love” (ISBN 978-1546002321), sharing her journey and insights.

Scott’s remarkable journey from a small startup to a billion-dollar empire highlights her resilience, innovation, and dedication to giving back.