Kendra Scott

Experience is something that you can't teach. That feeling of how are you going to make payroll? How are you going to pay your rent? How are you spacing out paying your vendors? Those are things you can never learn in a book.

I'm not a brand who's worried about having a Park Avenue address. I'm worried about where my customer is going to be, and so therefore, we're opening stores that start out being successful.

When we opened our first retail stores, it was very important to me that we had a unique shopping experience, created an experiential shopping environment.

You have to create reasons for people to shop.

I had this a-ha moment of, 'I have got to engage with the consumer directly and get them to fall in love with the product.'

Design for me is my escape.

A lot of people may not love Amazon, but I think it's made us all have to be better. I like a little competition out there.

I think for me, I always just want to learn, and I'm always looking at what other businesses are doing that are working and not working. And I'm always putting myself in the customer's shoes.

I always say, 'Activity breeds activity.' You need to have activity happening in your store, and you need to create an experience. And I think if retailers focus on connection before transaction, they will win.

I look at brands like Ralph Lauren, who started in men's ties, and Coco Chanel, who started in hats, and they're now legacy brands. I want to get there Jewelry is just the beginning for us.

What matters to our customers, matters to us.

When I started Kendra Scott Jewelry out of the extra bedroom of my home, I decided early on that I would never say no. If someone called me and needed something for non-profit I would always have something to give. I could make a pair of earrings. I could make a necklace.

No matter what comes at you, you can get through it.

I want to give our customers the best quality products at an attainable price.

If you look at the struggles in your life, they have all happened because there's something amazing waiting for you.

A simple 'thank you' goes a long way.

Life is too short to not have fun. At Kendra Scott our stores and offices are always filled with joy and laughter. We work hard but we play even harder!

Believe in yourself and your dreams, and know that 'no' is merely a suggestion.

When I started my first business I felt that success to me would be able to do what I love, be a great mother and be able to give back to my community.

Every single day I wake up and I'm running a company bigger than it was the night before.

I'm always looking for new mentors and asking people, 'Hey, if you were in my shoes, what would you do?' It's pretty amazing what you can get from that.

I think for entrepreneurs to ask for help is not a sign of weakness; it's an incredible sign of strength.

These moments you cannot plan for sometimes are the ones that are going to make you a better company.

There have been high points and low points over the years, but I'm surrounded by a loving and supportive family, both at home and at work. They have gotten me through the toughest of days.

Know what you're good at, and, more importantly, what you're not - and surround yourself with people who fill the gap.

My side gig would definitely be organizing virtual styling sessions.

One of the best ways to set the mood and overall theme for a party is by using color. I've had a Moroccan party, an Oscars party and even an African-themed party, and I always go all out!

The simplest things can make a real difference.

I may seem soft and sweet on the outside, but I can bring out the hammerhead shark in me when I need it.

When it comes to personal style, what you place in your home is as important as what you wear.

I am going to be that old lady at ninety years old, cutting ribbons at new store openings.

I feel like every day I should pinch myself that I get to literally live my childhood dream, which was to be a fashion designer.

I love being a private company. I don't ever want to be forced to not do the things I need to do to keep this company moving in the right direction because I need to make a quarterly result.

If you can keep and retain wonderful, valuable employees, that's smart business.

I think when women join forces, when they hold hands, they're unstoppable. I can attest to that.

There were many times that I thought I was going to lose my business. I had no investment capital. I was carrying it all on my shoulders. Bootstrapping it literally.

I love design and fashion.

I've always loved fashion and helping other people feel like their most confident self.

Family, fashion, philanthropy are our core pillars.

There were so many times I was afraid I was going to lose everything.

You can't let failure control your entire future.

We can't rely on buyers or store owners to tell our story or to sell our products; we have to connect with the customer one on one.

Fashion, by definition, is transitory.

I believe women love my jewelry because each piece is intricately and artfully designed to tell a story.

I wanted to found a company culture that feels like a family, and cares for each other like one.

I wanted to follow my dreams, become a leader in the fashion industry and still have time to tuck my kids into bed every night.

Being both a mom and CEO is a tough job.

I was no stranger to doors shutting in my face during the early days of my business. And I could have easily let that discourage me - too many aspiring entrepreneurs do. But instead, I learned that whenever I heard the word 'no,' I would turn on the charm and find a way to engage in a conversation with the person telling me 'no.'

If you can't globally source materials, then you can't be competitive.

I have lots of different calendars in my system. The family calendar is one color, the kids calendar is red, blue is for office meetings.