To tell you the truth, I wasn’t overly thrilled to learn that a jewelry store was opening in Reston Town Center. I could list a whole host of other businesses that I thought would be a better fit for Reston. I resisted covering them for Modern Reston until I wandered into Kendra Scott one day and one of the sales associates pointed out some charms that were created for charities. Maybe there was more to this store than meets the eye, so I decided to sit down with the store manager.
To my surprise, my meeting was with the Reston location’s Community Relations & Events Manager, Ariel McMillan. I have worked in retail before and have never heard of this position. Ariel explained that founder Kendra Scott built the company on three pillars — Family, Fashion & Philanthropy. She believes that whether it be to a national charity, a hometown crisis, a local organization or a friend in need, that they should “always have something to give.” In the past 12 months, the company donated $1M and 50,000 pieces of jewelry while working with over 1,000 local and national organizations.
Company founder, Kendra Scott. (Photo used with permission from Kendra Scott.)
Thus, Ariel’s unique position was created. It’s her job to reach out to the Reston community to see how Kendra Scott can help. This help takes the form of in-store events (donating 20% of proceeds), gifted items and increased awareness of causes. Ariel also encourages the Kendra Scott staff to donate their time. Locally, they work with schools, Hub Dot DC, Cindy’s Legacy, Relay for Life, the YMCA, Women Giving Back, Cornerstones and numerous others.
The Kendra Scott Reston Staff: Keeley McLaughlin, Nicolle Bradford, Ariel McMillan, Keerti Chaturvedula, Samsam Jama.
A recent in-store event with Hub Dot DC benefitting Women Giving Back. (Photo used with permission from Kendra Scott.)
In addition to local outreach, the company, as a whole, has causes it contributes to nationally. Kendra Scott has created a line of charms for three specific charities near and dear to her. With each purchase, 20% of proceeds are given back.
From the left, the Lolley Charm was inspired by breast cancer survivors and Kendra’s friends, Lisa and Holley, to benefit The Seton Breast Care Center. The Issie Heart Charm was created while Issie — who has Down Syndrome — was undergoing a critical series of heart examinations. The story behind the charm is that Isabelle “Issie” best expressed herself through pictures and began to draw hearts for her family. She worked with Kendra Scott to design a charm to benefit the National Down Syndrome Congress. Lastly, the Heart in Hand Charm supports programs benefiting patients at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.
As you can see, Kendra Scott not only produces fun and fashionable jewelry but each location uses it’s position in the community to do some good. I, personally, have come around to believing that this store is a nice fit in Reston after all. We are a town full of people who get involved and who work to make sure that neighbors have what they need.
Ariel wants people to know that if they are looking for auction items, or an event to raise money for a cause to call her. “Kendra Scott is here to help.”
Some upcoming events:
(For more information, contact the store directly ((571) 599-7792) or visit their Facebook page.
- April 10: Dominion High School Kendra Gives Back Event (2 – 4 PM)
- April 13: Summer 2016 Collection Launch (4 PM to close)
- April 27: Bite Me Cancer Kendra Gives Back Event (5 – 8 PM)
- April 28: CureSearch for Children’s Cancer Kendra Gives Back Event (5 – 8 PM)
- April 29: Relay for Life of Herndon Kendra Gives Back Event
- May 11: Shelter House Kendra Gives Back Event
- May 19: Brain Injury Services Kendra Gives Back Event
- June 7 : Northern Virginia Family Service Kendra Gives Back Event
- June 9: Women Giving Back Kendra Gives Back Event
- June 16: Cindy’s Legacy Kendra Gives Back Event
Kendra Scott Reston
Reston Town Center
11924 Market St, Reston, VA 20190
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