The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Kendra Scott and Tom Nolan inspire student-athletes with stories of passion, perseverance and purpose
12.19.2024 | Student Services
Scott and Nolan urged the student-athletes to embrace their unique qualities and view their experiences as athletes not just as preparation for their careers but as a competitive advantage.
In November, as part of the 4EVER TEXAS student-athlete development program, Texas Athletics welcomed renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Kendra Scott. Her inspiring presentation, "Failing Forward: Embracing Setbacks as Stepping Stones to Success," captivated Texas student-athletes. Through heartfelt stories and practical advice, Kendra Scott demonstrated how embracing failure and staying true to oneself can drive remarkable personal and professional growth. This aligns perfectly with the core mission of 4EVER TEXAS, which is dedicated to equipping student-athletes at The University of Texas with the knowledge, skills, resources, and confidence needed to achieve success both at UT and beyond.
She began by reflecting on her early days as an entrepreneur. With little more than a handful of materials and a spare bedroom, she launched her business with determination and grit. Despite numerous obstacles—including failed attempts and business closures—she refused to give up. Her passion for creating beautiful, meaningful products became her driving force. "When you know your destination, you can create your own map to get there," she told the audience, emphasizing the power of clarity and perseverance. Her story resonated deeply with the student-athletes, many of whom balance demanding schedules while striving to achieve their dreams.
Kendra Scott also shared a piece of wisdom from her late stepfather, whose guidance profoundly shaped her approach to resilience and personal growth. He often reminded her that the most challenging moments in life hold the greatest potential to teach and transform. Reflecting on this advice, Scott encouraged the student-athletes to embrace difficulties as opportunities to discover their inner strength and fortitude. "Hard times become your greatest moments," she said, explaining that adversity often forces us to dig deeper, think creatively, and approach problems with renewed determination.
She described her own journey of overcoming failures and setbacks, noting that while those moments were painful, they became pivotal in shaping the person and entrepreneur she is today. From business closures to moments of self-doubt, Scott shared how each challenge pushed her to refine her vision, build resilience, and find innovative solutions. "Picking yourself up in your worst moments will make you more powerful," she emphasized, illustrating how persistence in the face of difficulty lays the foundation for long-term success.
For the student-athletes in attendance, Scott's words resonated deeply, as many could relate to the highs and lows of balancing demanding athletic schedules, academic pressures, and personal challenges. She encouraged the student-athletes to reframe setbacks, seeing them not as failures but as opportunities for growth and progress. Each challenge, she explained, is a chance to learn and develop resilience, building strength for future success. Drawing parallels to their experiences in sports, she highlighted how practices, losses, and comebacks have already prepared them to face adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. Scott's message underscored the universal truth that strength and character are often forged in life's most challenging moments. By sharing her story of resilience, she empowered the audience to see their struggles not as limitations but as catalysts for personal and professional transformation.
Drawing inspiration from sports, Scott described how the values of teamwork and innovation are deeply ingrained in her business. "Be a game changer" is a common motto at Kendra Scott, where team members are encouraged to use their unique talents and ideas to make a positive impact. Much like athletes on a team, she explained, every individual in her organization brings a distinct "fingerprint" that adds to the collective strength. This perspective resonated with the audience, who understood the importance of collaboration and individual contribution both on and off the field.
As she addressed the audience, Scott urged the student-athletes to embrace their authentic selves and share their voices in every space they occupy. She emphasized the unique qualities they bring to the table—work ethic, integrity, and respect—traits that she called invaluable in professional settings. Reflecting on her own journey, Scott revealed that one of the hardest lessons she has learned is the importance of being mindful about who you surround yourself with. "Your circle matters," she said, explaining that surrounding oneself with people who share similar values but bring diverse expertise fosters both growth and resilience.
Kendra Scott left the student-athletes with an empowering message: to see their identity as athletes not just as a part of who they are but as a competitive edge. "Your journey has already given you an edge," she said. "You have a foundation of discipline and determination that can't be taught. Market that." Her words served as a call to action, encouraging them to leverage the skills and mindset they've developed through sports as they navigate their future careers.
The evening concluded with a lively Q&A session, where Scott's authenticity and passion shone through. Her story reminded everyone in attendance that success is not a straight line but a journey defined by resilience, courage, and the willingness to learn from failure. As the student-athletes departed, they carried forward a powerful lesson: setbacks are not the end of the story—they are the stepping stones to something greater.
The inspiration continued the following evening when Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott, shared his own story of perseverance and grit. Speaking to another group of Texas student-athletes, Nolan drew parallels between his experiences as a former student-athlete at Fordham University and his rise in the business world.
Nolan reflected on how the discipline, determination, and work ethic he honed through sports became the foundation of his professional success. He shared a particularly powerful story about his early career aspirations of becoming a publisher at Golf Digest. Despite lacking connections or a clear path into the publishing world, Nolan demonstrated the resilience and persistence of a true athlete. For months, he called the same employee at Golf Digest every single day, unwavering in his determination. "I wasn't going to stop until I got my chance," he said. Eventually, his persistence paid off, and he secured a role that launched his career.
Throughout his talk, Nolan emphasized that success is not about being the smartest in the room but about having the drive to outwork everyone else. "I may not have always been the smartest in the room, but I could outwork everyone," he told the student-athletes. His message of relentless effort and self-belief resonated deeply, especially with those in the audience who know the routine of balancing academics and athletics.
Nolan also credited his sports background for teaching him invaluable lessons about teamwork and leadership, which he applies daily in his role as CEO. Much like a team's captain, he views his job as empowering those around him to bring their best to the table. "A great team isn't about one person—it's about what you can accomplish together," he said, underscoring the importance of collaboration in achieving shared goals.
By sharing their journeys, Kendra Scott and Tom Nolan both inspired the student-athletes to embrace their unique qualities and view their experiences as athletes not just as preparation for their careers but as a competitive advantage. Both Nolan and Scott reminded the audience that the traits they've developed—resilience, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence—are the keys to success in any field. Together, their stories offered a powerful testament to the idea that setbacks are not roadblocks but opportunities to grow, learn, and ultimately thrive.