Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott is an American entrepreneur and jewelry designer who founded Kendra Scott LLC in 2002, building it from a $500 bedroom startup into a billion-dollar lifestyle brand.^[1][2] The company operates 150+ retail locations across the United States and employs over 2,600 people, generating more than $500 million in annual revenue.^[2][5]

Scott launched her first business, The Hat Box, at age 19 after dropping out of Texas A&M University to care for her ill stepfather.^[1] After closing that venture in 1998, she started Kendra Scott three months before giving birth to her first child, initially designing jewelry on a card table in her spare bedroom.^[2] The brand became known for its colorful gemstone jewelry and innovative Color Bar experience, where customers can customize pieces in-store.^[8]

Scott has received recognition including Ernst & Young's 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year National Award and was named to Forbes' America's Richest Self-Made Women list in 2019.^[1] In 2024, she received the Glossy Founder of the Year award.^[6] The company has donated over $70 million to charitable causes since 2010, with a focus on women's empowerment and healthcare initiatives.^[7]

Kendra Scott was born Kendra Baumgartner on March 27, 1974, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.^[8] She moved to Houston, Texas, at age 16 and graduated from Klein High School in 1992.^[1] Scott enrolled at Texas A&M University but left after one year to care for her stepfather, a two-tour Vietnam veteran, who had become seriously ill.^[1]

Her stepfather's illness required frequent visits to MD Anderson Cancer Center, where Scott observed women undergoing chemotherapy treatments.^[1] This experience inspired her to start her first business at age 19, creating comfortable hats for women experiencing hair loss from cancer treatment.^[1] Her stepfather died when Scott was 20 and he was 47.^[1]

The Hat Box (1993–1998)

Scott founded The Hat Box in 1993, specializing in comfortable hats for women undergoing chemotherapy.^[1] She operated the business for five years before closing it in 1998.^[1] Scott later described the venture as "my MBA," crediting it with teaching her fundamental business lessons.^[10]

Kendra Scott LLC (2002–present)

After working in corporate America while making jewelry as a side business, Scott founded Kendra Scott LLC in 2002 with $500 in startup capital.^[1][2] She launched the company three months before giving birth to her first child, designing jewelry on a card table in her bedroom.^[2]

The company's breakthrough came during the 2008 financial crisis, which Scott later called "the greatest gift wrapped in a yellow bow" for forcing innovation and cost discipline.^[1] The brand became known for its colorful gemstone jewelry and signature shapes, as well as the Color Bar experience that allows customers to customize pieces in retail stores.^[8]

By 2024, Kendra Scott operated more than 150 retail locations and employed over 2,600 people, with 96% of the workforce being women.^[2] The company generates more than $500 million in annual revenue and has been valued at over $1 billion.^[2][5] In 2024, the company began exploring funding options for potential expansion.^[5]

Scott has implemented artificial intelligence tools to drive online sales growth and expanded into sports marketing partnerships.^[3][4] She currently serves as Executive Chairwoman and Chief Creative Officer of the company.^[8]

Scott received Ernst & Young's 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year National Award and was named CEO of the Year by the Austin Business Journal the same year.^[1] In 2019, she was listed at #40 on Forbes' America's Richest Self-Made Women and became the 12th woman inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame.^[1] She received the Glossy Founder of the Year award in 2024.^[6]

The Kendra Scott company has donated over $70 million to charitable causes since 2010, with more than $50 million directed toward women's empowerment initiatives.^[7] Scott established the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at the University of Texas at Austin to support female business students.^[7]

Scott is the mother of three sons and resides in Austin, Texas.^[8] She was previously married to John Scott from 2000 to 2006 and Matt Davis from 2014 to 2020.^[8] As of 2025, she is engaged to country singer Zac Brown.^[2]