AUSTIN, Texas — The Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute created a day dedicated to celebrating women empowerment and motivation.
Around 300 women gathered for the institute’s first in-person "Women’s Summit" on Friday. The institute curated a panel of strong, women entrepreneurs and leaders to share their experiences in the business world and beyond.
Main stage panelists included Kendra Scott, founder and executive chairwoman of Kendra Scott; Gabby Thomas, two-time gymnastic Olympian; Kelly Steckelberg, CFO of Zoom; and Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar. With networking events and breakout groups, attendees had the chance to be inspired and empowered to "flourish," a key word of the event.
At the event, Kendra Scott explained how passionate she is about raising the next generation of women leaders.
“When I started my business, I was looking for other female leaders, somebody that looked like me in a boardroom that I could say, you know, maybe I could be her someday. And it was hard to find those people, but we have so many of them now…So, you know, for me it was just like I knew I wanted it, and I hoped that the future generation could get that,” Scott said.
A main focus for the 2023 summit was re-igniting passion and rebuilding after a tough season in life. Scott says those failures are what gave her the wisdom to be successful today.
“Life is full of, you know, tough times, right? And some people may call them failures or missteps. I actually think of them as amazing gifts because every one of those lessons from my first business, which failed, I learned so much and I wouldn't have the successful business I have today if I hadn't gone through that failure,” Scott said.
Now, in addition to growing her business, Scott is committed to uplifting and motivating women by creating events like the "Women’s Summit."
“It means everything for me to see future women leaders, not just here in the great state of Texas, but across the globe, and really empower them and give them the tools they need to be successful in life, whether that's in a career of their choice or it is entrepreneurship, of them being brave to go out and start their own business,” said Scott.
The sold-out summit was just the start of more in-person the institute plans to create. On March 8, the institute will hold an event on International Women’s Day to allow for networking with female industry professionals. The goal is to continue to bring women together and empower them for their future goals.
“We're unstoppable as women when we hold hands and support one another. And this is a great example of this women's summit. It is women of all ages holding hands, lifting each other up and saying the future is looking bright for women of tomorrow,” Scott said.
Read more about Kendra Scott's story in her new book, Born to Shine.