How does one go from being a college dropout to the CEO of a billion-dollar company with a role on “Shark Tank?” If you ask Kendra Scott, the answer would be a determination to understand her customer, a hunger to keep learning, and a grateful attitude.

It’s been nearly a quarter century since Scott, then a new mom, started a small jewelry business in her spare bedroom. The focus was quality, stylish pieces that were also affordable. For 10 years, she “bootstrapped” the fashion accessories business on loans and debt until she landed her first investor. By 2016, the company was valued at one billion dollars. Scott, who had a failed retail hat business prior to launching her namesake business, grew her business by making smart hires, reinvesting wisely, and learning as much as she could along the way.

Kendra Scott has retained majority control of her business and has placed “family, fashion, and philanthropy” as the company's pillars. In terms of her own family, she has raised three sons and is newly engaged to country superstar Zac Brown. She describes their relationship—and the whole lives they lead, along with their blended family of eight kids—as “two comets, headed in the same direction.”

💬 In this episode, we explore:

Kendra Scott’s perspective on the future of her business, now that she’s back as interim CEO after serving as executive chairwoman since 2021

Kendra Scott’s reaction to seeing Pete Davidson walk into “Shark Tank”

How the Great Recession gave Kendra Scott the impetus to innovate her business

Why Kendra Scott wants to create a corporate culture where her employees can give her bad news.

The way Kendra Scott is raising her three sons to understand the importance of making their own money and creating their own success.

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