Kendra Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kendra Scott
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Scott in 2020
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| Born |
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 |
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| Children | 3 |
Kendra Scott (born March 27, 1974) is an American fashion designer and businesswoman. She is famous for creating her own jewelry and lifestyle brand, Kendra Scott, LLC. She is currently the executive chairwoman and designer of her company. In 2017, she was recognized as the National Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.
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Early Life and First Business
Kendra Scott was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. When she was 16, her family moved to Houston, Texas. She finished high school at Klein High School. Scott then attended Texas A&M University for one year. At age 19, she moved to Austin, Texas, to help her stepfather who was ill.
Before starting her famous jewelry company, Scott opened her first business called the Hat Box. This store sold comfortable and stylish hats. These hats were specially designed for women going through chemotherapy. Scott made sure that a part of the money from sales went to help cancer research. She also started making jewelry from her home in Austin.
Building the Kendra Scott Brand
Starting Kendra Scott, LLC
Kendra Scott started her company, Kendra Scott LLC, in 2002. She began by designing her first jewelry 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, selling her designs to local shops. On her very first day, she sold all her samples. She even had to sell them to buy enough materials for the orders she received!
Growing the Business
In 2005, famous designer Oscar de la Renta chose Scott's jewelry. Her designs were used in his spring 2006 fashion show. Her jewelry also appeared in Randolph Duke's 2007 fashion show.
Around 2008, many businesses faced tough times. Scott's company almost had to close. But then, she received a big order from Nordstrom, a large department store. This order helped her business get noticed and allowed her to grow.
Scott opened her first retail store in Austin in 2010. In the same year, she started selling her products online. She also launched the brand's "Color Bar" experience. This allowed customers to customize their own jewelry.
In 2011, she opened a second store in Beverly Hills, California. However, she later closed this store. By 2014, Scott opened many stores across the South and Midwest. She focused on these areas instead of just big fashion cities like New York and Los Angeles. In 2016, a company called Berkshire Partners invested in her business. At that time, her company was valued at $1 billion.
Today, her brand is worth over $1 billion. It includes fashion jewelry, fine jewelry, home items, and beauty products. By the end of 2019, Kendra Scott had 102 stores. Her products are also sold in major stores worldwide. These include London's Selfridges, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. Most of her more than 2,000 employees are women. In 2021, Scott stepped down as CEO. She still holds the title of Executive Chairwoman.
Kendra Scott also invests in other businesses in Austin, Texas. Some of these include Helm Boots and Tiff's Treats.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Kendra Scott is known for helping others, especially women and children. In 2015, she started the Kendra Cares Program. This program brings the company's "Color Bar" jewelry experience to children's hospitals. Kids can design their own jewelry, which brings them joy.
In 2017, her company held over 10,000 "Kendra Gives Back" events. These events raised money for local causes. The company also donated more than 75,000 pieces of jewelry.
In 2019, Scott gave $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 various causes.
Appearing on Shark Tank
Kendra Scott has appeared as a special "guest shark" investor on the TV show Shark Tank. She has been on season 12, season 14, and season 16. On the show, she listens to entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas. Then, she decides if she wants to invest her own money in their companies.
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 was 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.
Scott is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In 2019, she became the 12th woman to be included in the Texas Business Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Kendra Scott has three children. She was married to John Scott from 2000 to 2006. They had two children together. She later married Matt Davis in 2014 in Sedona, Arizona. They had one child together. They divorced in 2020.
