Though many came to know Kristin Cavallari on a reality show about wealthy kids in tawny Orange County, California, the self-starting entrepreneur and author has never rested on her laurels. Instead, she’s worked to build her empire from the ground up.
“I always wanted to make my own money. My first job at age 14 was because I wanted it, not because I needed it,” she says. “I learned at a really young age that if I wanted something, I was going to have to do it myself and work hard. I’ve been a go-getter since day one.”
STEP BY STEP
I took many different steps to ultimately land where I am. Looking back, everything makes sense. Everything in my life was a building block and I think that’s so incredible to see as we get older. The thing I’m happiest doing, and where I’m most comfortable professionally, is being in charge of all of the creative at Uncommon James. My career in entertainment and fashion pre-Uncommon James was all grooming me to launch my own business. There’s a ton of rejection in the entertainment industry and that taught me to keep fighting, to keep getting back up. And that’s one of the best lessons I’ve ever learned. And I credit my kids for me starting my own business. At the time, other than a shoe line I had and some hosting gigs, I was essentially a stay-at-home mom. I needed a hobby and had a passion for accessories. I also had a fire in me to show people that I could do this.
CHALLENGES ACCEPTED
I don’t have an MBA; I didn’t even go to college. This is my first time owning my own company—it’s my first experience in the corporate world. I faced a million challenges with just the unknown and learning as I go. I hired anyone with a pulse at one point. I wasted a ton of money. I didn’t launch with the best quality product; I didn’t know enough about jewelry to ask the right questions in the beginning. The list goes on and on. But that’s the beauty: the journey. I hope I continue to learn and grow my entire life and that this is just the beginning in not only the business world, but every facet of life.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
The second year of Uncommon James was overwhelming and all-encompassing, and balance was something I had to figure out. I’m in a great place now, and a lot of that comes from hiring other key leaders so that I can focus on what I love doing and what I’m good at (designing and all the creative). But even when I was overwhelmed with UJ, I still always had my work bucket and my family bucket and work never spilled over into family. I’ve never left my office later than 4 p.m. (and it’s usually by 2:30 p.m.) so that I can be home to make dinner every night for my kids. I wake up at 5 a.m. to work out before they get up so we can have breakfast together and I can get them ready for school. Nothing will ever take that time away from my kids. That’s also the beauty of owning my own company—I can make my own hours. Cooking is therapeutic to me, so my time off is spent with my kids and cooking.
FINDING HOME
Nashville is peace and calm to me. It’s where Uncommon James took off. It’s where my babies will grow up. It will forever have my heart. Personally, I couldn’t be happier to have my kids grow up here. And professionally, the UJ roots will forever be tied here. The community is my favorite part of Nashville and they’ve been instrumental in the success of our flagship store. We have three locations here: the flagship, our HQ offices, and a fulfillment center. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I love hiking and being outside, and luckily, we have a ton of great trails in town. I just discovered some of the lakes in Tennessee, which are beautiful.
DEFINING SUCCESS
For me, success means happiness and internal peace. My kids make me really happy. If they’re happy, then I’m happy. And living a fulfilled life. Getting to experience all the good life has to offer, being comfortable in my own skin, and spreading positivity and building others up is all success to me.
FUTURE GO-GETTERS
Go for it. Kick ass. Don’t listen to haters and trust your gut. People are threatened by someone else chasing their dreams—don’t listen to the noise. Stay on the path, grind, and be true to your word