# Kendra Scott: Kendra Scott

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-03-20
- Length: 42m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott

## Summary

Kendra Scott, founder of Kendra Scott Design, recounts her journey from a failed hat business at age 19 to building a billion-dollar jewelry empire. She details bootstrapping the company from her spare bedroom with a $500 investment, securing her first major wholesale order from Harold's, and navigating the 2008 recession by pivoting to a direct-to-consumer retail model. Scott explains how the recession forced her to open a flagship store in Austin, which became a laboratory for customer engagement and customization, leading to rapid scaling and eventual investment from Berkshire Partners.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott#t=0) Introduction: Kendra Scott and the Journey to a Billion-Dollar Brand
- [2:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott#t=145) The Failed Hat Business and Early Entrepreneurial Lessons
- [8:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott#t=500) Bootstrapping Jewelry from a Spare Bedroom with $500
- [14:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott#t=871) Securing First Wholesale Orders and Outsourcing Production
- [18:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott#t=1122) Breaking into New York Showrooms and Nordstrom
- [28:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott#t=1688) The 2008 Recession and the Pivot to Direct-to-Consumer Retail
- [32:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-03-20-kendra-scott-kendra-scott#t=1968) Scaling the Brand, Hiring Leadership, and Final Valuation

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Kendra Scott Design (company)
- Harold's (company)
- Nordstrom (company)
- Berkshire Partners (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Cut Buddy (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [044: Turning customizable jackets into a multi-million dollar business, Elyse Daniels of Exodus Wear](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-14-044-turning-customizable-jackets-into-a-multi-million-dollar-business-elyse-dani) (Product Startup)
- [#88 Undaunted Leadership with Hint Founder Kara Goldin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-04-25-88-undaunted-leadership-with-hint-founder-kara-goldin) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Becca Wright of Piedmont Pennies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-01-17-founder-feature-becca-wright-of-piedmont-pennies) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [075: Launch a Product Big, with Host of QVC & ShopHQ](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-05-12-075-launch-a-product-big-with-host-of-qvc-shophq) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Katie Lefkowitz of Harken Sweets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-12-06-founder-feature-katie-lefkowitz-of-harken-sweets) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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