Entrepreneur, Designer & Philanthropist Kendra Scott joins Cheddar News' Baker Machado on a Walk and Talk to discuss the debut of her book, 'Born To Shine,' why philanthropy is so critical to her entrepreneurial endeavors, and how family has become a core pillar to her business.

The Walk and Talk: Kendra Scott

start a business, It's no easy feat and some of the most impactful founders have to deal with a lot of nose before they finally get that one. Yes, and I recently caught up with entrepreneur, designer and philanthropist Kendra scott. All to learn about her journey as a founder and also her brand new book that dives into the life of a business, take a look at this. So Kendra, you just released a brand new book right here, Born to shine, going through all the ups and downs of all the things that you've gone through as a businesswoman and you have a lot of amazing people who have put some notes in here. You have dolly Parton, Mark Cuban, randi, Zuckerberg, I mean talk about sort of the adventure that you went through to sort of write a book like this, you know, 20 years I've had this business and there have been so many peaks and valleys and a lot of valleys and a lot of people you know here about the peaks there, About the success, but they don't always hear about the tough times, the hardship, the failures, because I had plenty along the way and I thought how important it was to share that for the last two years. I started writing in 2020 when the world was, you know, in a scary place and really wanting to show that there's power and vulnerability that we're all born to shine, that we have this light inside of us and sometimes even my light, which is very bright condemn and we need to help find that shine another P so it's been, it was amazing time, one of the bedrocks of you and your business is philanthropy as well. Why was it so important for you to sort of do that? And and how can others incorporate philanthropy in their business? Also for me, it was just how I measured success. I lost my stepfather at a fairly young age and he really left this principle of you do good of using the gifts you're given to do something good and make an impact in the world. And I think we all have that right, we all have the power to leave this world a better place. So when I started my business 20 years ago, out of my extra bedroom, I said if somebody called me and they needed help, I could make an earring, I could make a necklace, you know, and I could donate it now, We've given over $50 million to women's and Children's charities over the last you know, even 10 years, which is really, I think what we're almost proud of that Kendra scott, we've tried to build a brand beyond just a beautiful brand. We're trying to also do something that's alright. So your namesake company, Kendra was not your first business, you actually had a first business before this called the hat box that had failed, what did you sort of learn from that experience to sort of bounce back to create this company, you know, I always, I'm so thankful for that failure and I talk a lot about failing forward, I needed that business that five years, it was like retail 101, I got a master's degree in the school of hard knocks, literally, and I was able to take the things that I did right, but more importantly, things I did wrong and that set up the foundation for the next thing, I did this, the thing that actually worked, and I think, you know, I'm so thankful I had that business and I think for anyone that goes through a failure, no, this is a moment in time and there's gonna be such great lessons for you. Obviously business is not easy at all their ups and downs to all of us and you can tell many stories about that, what has been, what have been some of your heart, this sort of moment as a founder, especially a female founder, because that also is not very easy for 10 years, I tried to get somebody to invest in my company, I would go into boardrooms where nobody looks like me and I would pitch my idea and get told no in so many unique and creative ways of being told no, and I had a good, you know, advisor to say Kendra, if you build your business, you know, just focus on that and someday it'll, you know, it'll happen if you look at no in the mirror, what is it? It sounds like it's scary words on it. Is what I'm saying is like, it's to me the conversation just got it started and I used it as a way to say, well, why are you saying no? Why don't you want my collection? What did you, what did you not see? How can I make it better, What can I learn from this? No. And then the no became an opportunity and many times turned into a yes, I'm glad you say that because look, there's so many female companies out there that are trying to get VC money and there's not a lot of VC money that is female founded out there. What's your advice? I know you just said no. And looking at it is on what other advice you have for women founders out there that are trying to get that VC money to start their business. Well, you know, fortunately there are more funds now available and I think, you know, I look at myself and so many other female leaders who want to see more CEOS and founders, there are more male Ceo is named john than there are female CEO. S but the best advice I could give is be your unique self. Don't do what everybody else is doing. You've got to be disruptive, You've got to put your own unique fingerprint on it and that's gonna stand you apart from everybody else you mentioned earlier, you started this company out of your spare bedroom with your three month old by your side. How is sort of being a working mother, sort of also been at the forefront of this company family is our core pillar at Kendra scott. I started as a new mom and so being the best mom I could be to this little baby was my first priority and has always been my first priority is being a mom. So I created a company that supported other moms, other dads to be able to have a great career but still be present for their families. So now that we have you we have to talk fall fashion trends. What are like the hot items that everybody has to have. First of all we have men got brothers what you're wearing And by the way obsessed with these bracelets for men, layer layer layer, make it you know, same thing for women. It's all about layering and like personalization and then mixing. You don't have to have it all fine. You can mix fashion with your fine jewelry. The world is now like high, low. So have fun with it. And color is still big. Absolutely. And yellow obviously still big as well. So you have conquered so many amazing things in your time as a businesswoman, a mother as a fashion icon. All of these author. What's next for Kendra scott, what does Kendra scott want to do next? You know we've got 20 years under our belt and I cannot wait for the next 20 years. I feel like we have just scratched the surface of our brand of the ability for all the things we want to do as far as making an impact. We recently launched a women's entrepreneurial and leadership school at the University of texas. I see us expanding that to other universities. So truly the sky's the limit and it's very bright and sunny ahead, very sunny, indeed. That was my walking talk with entrepreneur, designer and philanthropist Kendra scott.