Kendra Scott says a horrible manager taught her that being cutthroat isn’t the only way to run a company: ‘The worst boss was my best boss’

Kendra Scott, the founder of the jewelry empire that bears her name, has revealed that her most impactful lessons in leadership and entrepreneurship came from her worst boss. The billionaire entrepreneur, whose net worth is estimated at $900 million, shared this insight in a recent interview with fellow Shark Tank star Daniel Lubetzky.

Scott's career trajectory is a testament to her resilience and determination. After briefly dropping out of Texas A&M University to care for her ill stepfather, she launched her first business - a hat boutique that donated proceeds to cancer research. Later, while working in advertising sales for Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Magazine, she encountered a manager whose merciless leadership style became a pivotal moment in her career.

This "terrbly-horrible boss" taught Scott invaluable lessons about what not to do as a leader. However, she also credits this experience as the best one she ever had, stating that she will never treat anyone the way she was treated. This mindset has been reflected in her approach to leadership, where she emphasizes being both kind and strong.

Scott's journey to becoming a self-made billionaire began with a $500 investment she made in her jewelry-making hobby. She sold her car and took out multiple personal loans to fund her business. Despite facing challenges in securing external funding, Scott built Kendra Scott Jewelry on her own terms, often working from store to store pitching her designs to local boutiques. Her failure to secure funding forced her to develop a scrappy, budget-conscious mindset that remains integral to her business strategy today.