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Kendra Scott's Billion-Dollar Jewelry Empire Born in Her Spare Bedroom
27 Oct
Summary
- Launched jewelry business in 2002 with just $500 and a spare bedroom
- Grew from selling jewelry out of a tea box to a 150-store retail empire
- Company now valued at over $1 billion, with 95% women employees
As of October 2025, Kendra Scott's jewelry business has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2002. Back then, Scott launched the company with just $500 and a spare bedroom in her Austin, Texas home. With a newborn baby and sheer determination, she designed her first jewelry collection and began selling to local boutiques.
In the early days, Scott faced numerous challenges, including selling her car and taking out personal loans to fund her fledgling business. The 2008 financial crisis nearly brought the company to a halt, but Scott pivoted by opening the first Kendra Scott retail store in Austin, which became an instant hit. By 2016, the company was valued at over $1 billion, with Scott remaining the majority shareholder and CEO.
Today, Kendra Scott operates around 150 retail stores and plans to open 25 more by the end of 2025. The company generates several hundred million dollars in annual revenue, grew 20% year-over-year in 2024, and employs over 2,600 people, with 95% of them being women. The brand has expanded beyond jewelry into fine jewelry, home decor, beauty products, and a new Western-inspired lifestyle line.
