photo of Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott

Founder
Kendra Scott

Designer, founder, and philanthropist Kendra Scott started her company in 2002, just three months after her first son was born, with only $500. Going door-to-door to Austin boutiques armed only with a tea box full of her jewelry, Kendra captivated businesses and customers with her vibrant personality and unique eye for design.

Known for her dynamic use of color and genuine materials, Kendra’s commitment to innovation, quality and detail has taken her small start-up to a billion-dollar business and has won over loyal fans, media, and celebrities alike. Today, Kendra Scott has over 2,600 employees, more than 130 stores nationwide, and a thriving e-commerce and wholesale business. The brand offers Fashion, Demi-Fine, Fine Jewelry, watches, engagement rings, home accessories, a men’s collection, Scott Bros. by Kendra Scott, and includes a Southwestern inspired brand, Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott.

As the brand continues to grow, Kendra and her namesake company remain true to its founding philosophy of “Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy” to both its customers and employees. With Family and Fashion as two core pillars of her business, Kendra maintains a focus on the third pillar of Philanthropy in all she does. Since 2010, the company has given back over $60 million to local, national, and international causes. In 2023, the Kendra Scott Foundation was established to further deepen the brand’s investment in changing the lives of women and youth in the areas of health and wellness, education, and entrepreneurship. For more information on Kendra’s philanthropic programs, see here.

Driven by a deep-rooted passion to inspire, empower, and educate the next generation of female leaders, Kendra stepped down as CEO of her namesake company in 2021, while maintaining her position as Executive Chairwoman and Chief Creative Officer.

Kendra is currently a professor of practice at the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. Kendra was awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year National Award in 2017; inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2019; appeared as a guest Shark on seasons 12 and 14 of ABC’s Shark Tank in 2020 & 2022; and in 2023 Kendra received an honorary Doctor of Commerical Science degree from LIM College. In 2022, Kendra Scott, LLC was named Newsweek Top 100 Most Lived Workplaces. Kendra is a member of the board of directors for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and she resides in Austin, Texas with her family. Visit kendrascott.com for more.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

Events featuring Kendra Scott
Mar 16, 2021
3:00pm — 3:30pm
Events featuring Kendra Scott
Mar 16, 2021
3:00pm — 3:30pm