Kristin Cavallari on Money, Freedom, and Building Uncommon James — On Her Own Terms
The reality star turned founder opens up about financial independence, walking away from her C-suite, and why being the “best mom” matters more than being the best CEO.
The Through Line: Authenticity After 20 Years in the Public Eye
Kristin Cavallari grew up on camera. From Laguna Beach at 17 to The Hills, countless brand deals, cookbooks, a podcast, and her lifestyle brand Uncommon James, she’s lived nearly every chapter of her adult life in public.
I feel like there has been this narrative that’s followed you around for 20 [ __] years.
When asked what has never changed through all those stages — teenage reality star, adult reality star, businesswoman, mother, divorcee, podcaster — Cavallari points to one word: authenticity.
I’ve always been authentic. Everything I’ve done, it’s because I’ve wanted to.
That authenticity, she says, is what has given her a lasting career. Even when producers wanted her to play a villain on The Hills, she leaned in consciously — knowing it was a role, not her identity.
I knew the character you want me to play. I’m all for it. It is fun playing the villain.
But off-camera, she kept her real life separate. That boundary, she says, saved her.
Money as Freedom — Not Lifestyle
For Cavallari, money has never been about status. It’s been about choice.
I just knew I never wanted to be in an unhappy relationship or a toxic relationship because of money.
Her parents’ divorce in third grade shaped that worldview early. Her mother wouldn’t buy her a $40 pair of jeans; her father had a more relaxed approach, but she watched him lie to her stepmom about giving her money.
To me, I knew at a young age, money was freedom. Money gives you choices.
That belief became non-negotiable — especially as a woman.
I’ve always wanted the option to stay or leave.
The Business That Let Her Walk Away
Cavallari launched Uncommon James in 2017 with $50,000 — money she received when a business partner bought her out of a struggling jewelry line. She had no business plan, no grand vision. Just instinct.
I know my customer. I can sell [ __]. I’m me. I’m going.
She started small: eight or nine SKUs, 500 units each, a photographer she still uses today, and an Instagram grid of nine vibe-setting images. No team. Just her and a helper shipping boxes from her house while raising three kids under five.
Three under five. That’s a [ __] nightmare.
But that business became her lifeline.
What ultimately gave me the confidence to leave my marriage was the success of Uncommon James.
In a twist of irony, because Uncommon James was a major asset on the balance sheet, she didn’t receive money from her ex-husband in the divorce — she had to give him half the company’s value in cash and property.
I didn’t get anything, which I’m so happy about now.
Staying 100% Self-Funded — And Why It Matters
Cavallari has kept Uncommon James 100% self-funded. No investors. No shareholders. No one to answer to.
Not having anyone to answer to is a dream come true for me.
She’s heard the advice from Jennifer Fisher: If you can fund it yourself, don’t take outside money. For now, she agrees. Raising capital would mean pressure to scale fast — like opening 75 stores. She’d rather grow slow and steady, on her own timeline.
The same people who get you from 50 million are not the same that get you to 100 million.
And she’s okay with that.
I make a salary every year from Uncommon James. It’s a really good salary. That’s successful.
Best Mom vs. Best CEO — The Trade-Off She Chose
Cavallari is clear about her priorities.
I have chosen to be the best mom that I can be and be a good business owner.
She says no to opportunities. She leaves the office by 4 p.m. to be home when her kids get back from school. She cooks breakfast and dinner every night. She sits at the table with them, even if she’s going out later.
The trade-off? Uncommon James isn’t a $100 million company — yet. But she’s at peace with that.
I don’t think that every business needs to be like a unicorn. You could literally have a business that pays you, that pays a couple of people, that gives you a nice life, and that is enormously successful.
Cleaning House — Firing the Entire C-Suite
Recently, Cavallari made a bold move: she let go of her entire C-suite.
I just recently let go of my entire C-suite.
Her COO went a year ago. Then her CFO and CMO. She’s promoting her VP of Merch to CMO and trimming the finance team from four people to three.
She stepped back for a few years, trusting her “experts,” but when she re-engaged, she was shocked by the bloat.
How did we get here? And why are we spending so much money?
Now she’s reeling everything in — software subscriptions, apps, overhead.
No one is going to appreciate your money the same way that you do.
It’s not easy, especially when she likes someone personally.
That’s one of the hardest things about owning a business — having to make decisions solely based on the business and removing your emotion from it.
Spirituality, Healing, and the Mantra That Changed Everything
Behind the business acumen is a deeply spiritual woman. Her journey began after her brother passed away 10 years ago.
My brother passed 10 years ago. And that was what sort of jumpstarted my spirituality.
She’s done hypnotherapy, meditation, and inner work to heal from a childhood marked by insecurity and a narcissistic father.
My biggest thing that I’ve had to learn is a mantra: I am whole.
That healing has carried into every area of her life — including how she parents.
My kids don’t just get whatever they want. If they want something, they have to work for it.
Last summer, her boys started their own businesses — one washing windows, the other washing garbage cans.
This is my money. This is not your money.
Redefining Success — On Her Own Terms
Cavallari rejects society’s pressure to chase unicorn status.
We’re living in this society now where unless you’re a $250 million business, it’s like you’re not successful.
Her definition? A business that sustains her life, gives her freedom, and lets her be present for her kids.
If I died today, I could look back and be like, I did it. I really did it.
She’s proud of what she’s built — not because it’s massive, but because it’s hers.
I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve gotten to do really cool, amazing things, meet incredible people. I’ve got three of the most amazing kids on the planet. I have creative freedom.
Rapid Fire
- Healthy habit she swears by: Infrared sauna + meditation, three times a week.
- What 17-year-old her needed to hear: “That I am enough, that I am whole.”
- What she thought she needed but doesn’t: “Any sort of outside validation from anybody.”
- Book that changed her life: The Four Agreements — read it 15 times.
- Who she’d call for a favor: Heidi (though it depends on the favor).
The One Thing That Never Changed
Through two decades of public scrutiny, business wins and losses, divorce, and reinvention, Cavallari’s compass has remained the same.
Everything that we need comes from within.
She’s not chasing someone else’s definition of success anymore. She’s defining her own.
I have chosen to be the best mom that I can be and be a good business owner.
And for her, that’s enough.
This recap is based on Kristin Cavallari’s appearance on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast. For the full episode, click on the YouTube link at the top or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
