Kendra Scott, Optimist, Founder of Multi-Million Dollar Jewelry Business, and Travel Aficionado   

Optimism has always fueled the U.S. psyche, right at its core: in fact, from the Pilgrims, certain they would find a better life here, to Dale Carnegie in the 1930’s, and business magazines like Inc. nowadays writing about the topic, a can-do spirit continues to be an integral part of the American mindset. A modern-day proponent of this outlook?  Kendra Scott, the founder and CEO of the jewelry business Kendra Scott Designs, whose interview below radiates energy and an affinity for creativity and exploration (she mentions that she, her husband and three sons all travel together, but never to the same place twice!).

As Scott notes, she started her company in 2002 out of her spare bedroom, with $500 cash, and a door-to-door sales pitch, showing delicate pieces of gem work out of a tea box. The result: a company with current-day revenues of $150 million, 1,000 employees, and retail locations in more than forty cities (as well as being sold in dozens of other outlets such as Neiman-Marcus and Nordstrom).

Lest her Hollywood looks and colossal earnings inspire envy, it’s worth it to take a second look and note that she kindly espouses the alliterative mantra of “Family, Fashion and Philanthropy”:  her business has donated over $1 million in the past year alone to projects like the Academy of Country Music’s Lifting Lives Initiative and an eclectic, dizzying number of other causes (type in “Kendra Scott donates,” and prepare to be amazed).

As to how she got to her lofty status by following in the great American tradition of positivity: in an interview this year with Success magazine, she describes how, in 1998, she wept on the steps of her very first (and failed) venture, a retail store, on closing day. The tears were interrupted however by a semi-mystical, spooky occurrence: the “Closed” sign flipped over to read “Open,” and she felt that someone was telling her she would succeed in the future.  She forged ahead, and four years later started the door-to-door sales that have now landed her with brand new, ultra-modern headquarters in Austin, TX, that have a combined real estate value of $7.6 million.

In the SharpHeels interview below, she speaks more of her buoyant outlook (using the Churchillian phrase, “Never, ever give up”), her happy family life, the value of struggle, and how she finds travel to be an elixir for creativity.

What does a day in your shoes typically look like?
There is no longer a “typical” day at work for me. I like to get my hands in everything that goes on in my company, so whether it’s traveling to seek out our next store location, working with my design team on our upcoming collections, or participating in public speaking engagements across the country, each and every day is a new adventure for me.

What is your breakfast of choice?
The Dragonfly from Skinny Limits, my absolute favorite smoothie place. It’s my go-to for a great meal when I’m on the run, which I usually am!

What keeps you energized and motivated at work?
My family, without a doubt. No matter how busy I may be at the office, waking up and having breakfast with my family and having dinner together is very important to me. One of my favorite traditions with my children is each night at dinner when we go around the table and share the best part of our day.

What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite way to start the day is with a design meeting. I love to sit down with my wonderful design team at our studio in Austin and dream into future collections. I’ve learned that when my morning starts with a dose of creativity, the rest of the day seems to fly by!

What and who inspires you at work?
The brilliant team that surrounds me every day! I am lucky to work beside what I believe to be the best team in the world. They are talented, hard-working, incredibly fashionable and so much fun! Whether you are joining a new company or starting one of your own, you should always surround yourself with people who share your same values. At Kendra Scott, those values are Family, Fashion and Philanthropy. And the people in my company exemplify each of those values on a daily basis.

What is your favorite leisure activity after a stressful work week?
A relaxing getaway with my family. I love to travel, whether it’s to another city or another country. With that said, we don’t often frequent the same place. I love to seek out new places to adventure every time. Travel has always been a huge influence on me as a designer, and I love to be inspired by new places, cultures, people and architecture.

How does your culture/background influence your work?
I come from a family of self-starters, who worked incredibly hard for everything they earned. They instilled in me the value of hard work, passion and perseverance. Turns out, those are the very qualities I would need when I decided to launch my own business! My family taught me that if you love what you do, work hard at it and treat people right, anything is possible. I live by that advice to this day.

What was your very first job?
I opened my first business, Hat Box, when I was 19.  It was a hat boutique whose proceeds benefitted cancer research, in honor of my stepfather who battled cancer. After the Hat Box closed its doors, I swore I would never go into retail again. But I would not be where I am today, with a thriving jewelry business, if my first business hadn’t failed. I would never have guessed it at the time, but that failure was a blessing.

Favorite job you’ve ever had?
Being a mother to my three wonderful boys. I always say that I am a mom first, and a designer and CEO second.

What are the most important qualities of a good leader?
A good leader should never be too scared, or too proud, to ask for advice. Some may see asking for help as a sign of weakness, but I find it to be a sign of incredible strength. In the years since I started my business, I sought out people who excelled in areas I needed help in and reached out to them for help and advice. As long as you are sincere in your request, most people will give you at least a few minutes of their time.

How have mentors impacted your personal and professional development?
I am a firm believer in the power of mentorship. I had many mentors guide me through the early years of my business, and I still have a need for mentors today. I look to people who have had success – not just in fashion, but in all aspects of business – whom I admire for the way they run their companies, how they balance their time, how they value their families. I truly believe having a group of solid mentors is incredibly important for any entrepreneur, and that is one reason I love to mentor others as well. I love to work with bright men and women who are hoping to start their own business. I want to help them avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced and mistakes I made, and hopefully guide them in a direction that will lead to success.

What advice would you give to women starting their careers?
The biggest lesson I have learned through this journey is that the struggle makes you stronger.  Starting a business is never easy, but I’ve found that the most difficult moments in life are often the most rewarding. My journey over the past thirteen years has been full of ups and downs but with lots of hard work and a true passion for what I do, I watched my business grow from the extra bedroom of my house into a multi-million dollar brand.  My advice to any entrepreneur is to believe in yourself, love what you do, be ready to withstand the hard times, and never ever give up.

What is your favorite quote you try and live by?
“The truest form of success is to give back in a meaningful way.” –Kendra Scott