Kendra Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kendra Scott
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Scott in 2020
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Kendra Baumgartner
March 27, 1974 Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S
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| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Known for | Executive chairwoman, and fashion designer of Kendra Scott, LLC |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Partner(s) | Zac Brown (2024–present; engaged) |
| Children | 3 |
Kendra Scott, born on March 27, 1974, is a famous American fashion designer. She is known for creating beautiful jewelry and accessories. Kendra is the executive chairwoman and designer of her company, Kendra Scott, LLC. She used to be the chief executive officer (CEO) of her company too.
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Kendra Scott's Early Life
Kendra Scott was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. When she was 16, her family moved to Houston, Texas. She finished high school there at Klein High School. Later, she went to Texas A&M University for one year. At 19, she moved to Austin, Texas, to help her stepfather who was not well.
Before starting her big jewelry company, Kendra opened her first business called the Hat Box. This store sold comfortable hats specially made for women going through chemotherapy. Kendra made sure these hats were both comfy and stylish. She also gave a part of the money she earned to help with cancer research.
Kendra also started making jewelry right from her home in Austin, Texas. This was before she launched her own big company.
Starting Kendra Scott, LLC
Kendra Scott started her company, Kendra Scott LLC, in 2002. She designed her very first collection with only $500. She worked from a spare bedroom in her home, right after her oldest son was born.
She walked from store to store in Austin, trying to sell her designs to local shops. At the last shop, she had to sell all her samples. This was so she could buy enough materials to make the jewelry for the orders she got that first day!
Growing the Business
In 2005, famous designer Oscar de la Renta chose Kendra's designs. They were used in his spring 2006 fashion show. Her jewelry also appeared in Randolph Duke's fashion show in 2007.
Around 2008, there was a big money problem called the 2008 financial crisis. Kendra almost had to close her company. But then, she got a huge order from Nordstrom, a big department store. This helped her company become well-known and grow a lot.
Kendra Scott opened her first store in Austin, Texas, in 2010. In the same year, she started selling her jewelry online. She also launched the brand's "Color Bar" experience. This lets customers design their own jewelry.
In 2011, she opened a second store in Beverly Hills, California, on Rodeo Drive. However, that store later closed. By 2014, Kendra opened more stores across the South and Midwest of the U.S. She focused on these areas instead of just New York and Los Angeles. In 2016, a company called Berkshire Partners bought a small part of her company. At that time, her company was worth $1 billion!
Today, Kendra Scott's brand is worth over $1 billion. It sells fashion jewelry, fine jewelry, home items, and beauty products.
By the end of 2019, Kendra Scott had 102 stores. Besides her online store, her products are sold in many big stores worldwide. These include London's Selfridges, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale's. More than 95% of her 2,000+ employees are women. In February 2021, Kendra stepped down as CEO. She is still the Executive Chairwoman, and Tom Nolan became the new CEO.
Kendra also invests in other companies in Austin, Texas. Some of these are Helm Boots, Darbie Angell dinnerware, and Tiff's Treats.
Giving Back to the Community
Kendra Scott is known for being a philanthropist. This means she loves to help others, especially women and children.
In 2015, Kendra started the Kendra Cares Program. This program brings the company's special Color Bar jewelry experience to children's hospitals. Kids in hospitals can design their own jewelry, which helps make them happy.
In 2017, Kendra's company held over 10,000 "Kendra Gives Back" events in her stores. They raised money for local causes and gave away more than 75,000 pieces of jewelry.
In 2019, Kendra donated $1 million to The University of Texas. This money helped start the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute. Since 2010, her company's programs have given away $30 million to help others.
Kendra Scott on Shark Tank
Kendra Scott has appeared on the TV show Shark Tank as a "guest shark." On the show, she acts as an investor. She has been on season 12, season 14, and season 16.
Awards and Recognition
Kendra Scott has received many awards for her work. In 2017, she won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year National Award. She also received the Breakthrough Award from the Accessories Council Excellence Awards.
Forbes magazine listed her as #40 on their list of America's Richest Self-Made Women in 2019. She has also been named Outstanding Mother of the Year by the Mother's Day Council. The Women's Chamber of Commerce named her Texas Businesswoman of the Year. She was also named one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs of the Year by Upstart Business Journal. In 2017, the Austin Business Journal named her CEO of the Year.
Kendra is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This is a special group for top fashion designers.
In 2019, she became the 12th woman ever to be included in the Texas Business Hall of Fame. This is a very high honor in Texas business.
In April 2020, Governor Greg Abbott asked Kendra Scott to join the "Strike Force to Open Texas." This group worked to find safe ways to slowly reopen the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kendra Scott's Family Life
Kendra Baumgartner married John Scott in 2000. They had two sons together before they divorced in 2006.
Kendra then married Matt Davis on June 6, 2014, in Sedona, Arizona. They had one son. They divorced in September 2020.
She married her third husband, Thomas Evans, in early 2022. They later separated. In July 2025, Kendra Scott announced that she is engaged to country singer Zac Brown.
