James Nordstrom is part of the famous Nordstrom department store family. He is one of the great-grandsons of John W. Nordstrom, who founded the Nordstrom company in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, Washington. Over the decades, Nordstrom grew into one of the largest upscale fashion retailers in the United States. While James Nordstrom previously worked in the family business, he is now a philanthropist and entrepreneur. He is married to Colleen Nordstrom.
About James Nordstrom
James F. Nordstrom was born on August 21, 1959 to Bruce A. Nordstrom and Sandy Nordstrom. His father and uncles, Everett, Elmer and Lloyd Nordstrom expanded the company during the 1960s and 1970s, opening full-line department stores across the western United States.
James Nordstrom graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He went on to work for the Nordstrom company, taking on roles in buying and sales between 1981 and 1987. However, he decided to leave the family business in 1987.
After departing Nordstrom, James and a business partner launched a specialty chain of espresso cafés called Uptown Espresso. The startup grew to over 20 locations before being sold in 1995 to Starbucks Coffee Company.
In the late 1990s, Nordstrom co-founded a venture capital firm called Sageview Capital, focused on retail and branded consumer businesses. He was also an early investor and board member of online shoe retailer Zappos, which was later acquired by Amazon.
Throughout his career, James has been involved with various philanthropic causes, mainly related to education and healthcare. He sits on several nonprofit boards, including Seattle Children’s Hospital.
James Nordstrom has an estimated net worth of over $240 million as of 2022. His wealth comes from his business ventures, investments, and family inheritance of Nordstrom company stock.
Personal Life and Marriage
James Nordstrom met his future wife Colleen Brous in the mid-1980s while they were both working for Nordstrom. Colleen was in an executive training program with the company at the time.
The couple dated for several years before James proposed at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. They got married on September 9, 1989 in Seattle First Presbyterian Church.
James and Colleen Nordstrom went on to have three children together – two daughters named Madeline and Charlotte, and a son named Tucker. The family has homes in Seattle, Washington and Palm Desert, California.
Colleen Nordstrom was involved in the Nordstrom business early in her career but stepped back from her professional role after starting a family. She became focused on philanthropic endeavors and community organizations. Colleen has supported causes related to disadvantaged youth, healthcare, education, and the arts.
She has served on many nonprofit boards over the years, including Seattle Art Museum, Lakeside School, and Six Trees. Colleen is also part of the executive committee for Trellis, a non-profit that aims to combat poverty and homelessness.
Colleen Nordstrom’s Background
Colleen Brous was born in 1961 and grew up in Seattle along with her three siblings. Her father was a prominent real estate developer in the area. She graduated from Lakeside Upper School in 1979.
Colleen went on to attend the University of Colorado Boulder where she majored in business administration. During her college summers, she completed Nordstrom’s executive training program and worked for the company part-time.
After graduating with her business degree in 1983, Colleen was hired into Nordstrom’s executive training program full-time. She worked for the company in merchandising and later in store management.
It was during her early days with Nordstrom that Colleen met her future husband James Nordstrom. However, she left the company after several years to focus on starting a family and philanthropic endeavors.
Married Life and Family
James and Colleen Nordstrom have been married for over 30 years. They have three adult children together and maintain homes in Seattle and Palm Desert.
The Nordstroms have been involved with many community and civic causes over the decades. However, they have also focused on providing their children with a stable upbringing and strong values.
Colleen helped co-found an independent middle and high school called Six Trees in 2005, which her younger daughters attended. The school emphasizes diversity, global awareness, and leadership skills.
The Nordstrom family enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, biking, and hiking when they are together. James and Colleen raised their children with a focus on education, travel, and service to the community.
Though the couple has been married for decades, they have kept a relatively low public profile throughout their lives. They often attend Nordstrom company events together over the years, but otherwise focus their energy on family and philanthropy.
James Nordstrom’s Siblings and Extended Family
James Nordstrom comes from one of the most prominent retail families in the United States. He is one of five children born to Bruce Nordstrom and his wife Sandy. Here is a look at James’ four siblings:
– Blake Nordstrom – Born in 1958, Blake worked for Nordstrom for over 40 years and served as company president from 2000 to 2014. He passed away in early 2019 from lymphoma cancer. Blake focused on growing Nordstrom into a national upscale fashion retailer.
– Peter Nordstrom – Born in 1955, Peter previously served as president of merchandising and as Nordstrom chief of design. He retired in 2020 after working for the company for over 45 years.
– Erik Nordstrom – Born in 1963, Erik is the current chief executive officer of Nordstrom. He has worked for the company since the 1980s in various executive and leadership roles.
– Brenda Nordstrom Rack – Born in 1966, Brenda manages the off-price Nordstrom Rack stores. She has focused on expanding the Nordstrom Rack brand which offers discounted designer items.
The Nordstrom brothers and sisters all inherited stock holdings in the company from their fathers Bruce and his brother Bob – two of the third generation Nordstrom family members involved in the business. While James Nordstrom has distanced himself from the company, his siblings remain integral to Nordstrom’s executive leadership.
Beyond his brothers and sisters, James Nordstrom has an extensive network of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives through the Nordstrom family. The Nordstroms remain one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, with their name recognition tied to the retail empire started over 100 years ago.
Nordstrom Family Net Worth and Legacy
As one of the most prominent retail empires in America, the Nordstrom family has amassed an immense fortune estimated to be over $4 billion. The wealth comes from the family’s massive ownership stake in publicly-traded Nordstrom stock.
Here is a summary of the Nordstrom family’s net worths and legacy:
– Nordstrom Market Cap – $6.1 billion for the company as of 2022
– Bruce Nordstrom Net Worth – James’ father had an estimated net worth of $330 million at the time of his death in 2019.
– Peter and Erik Nordstrom Net Worth Each – brothers both estimated around $300+ million
– Blake Nordstrom Net Worth at the Time of His Death – estimated $770 million
– James Nordstrom Net Worth – estimated at over $240 million
While the Nordstrom family has accumulated exceptional wealth through their business, they are also known for being generous philanthropists within their communities. They have donated hundreds of millions over the decades to various causes related to healthcare, education, and social services.
The Nordstrom name remains a respected symbol of customer service, quality, and business success. James Nordstrom has continued the tradition of supporting community causes through his own family foundation and donations.
James Nordstrom’s Career After Nordstrom
Although James Nordstrom was born into the famous Nordstrom retail family empire, he chose to forge his own path and become an entrepreneur and investor. After working for the Nordstrom company in the 1980s, James left to launch his own ventures.
Here is an overview of James Nordstrom’s careers and business activities after leaving the family retail business:
– Founded Uptown Espresso – In the late 1980s, James and a partner launched specialty coffee retailer Uptown Espresso. The startup expanded to over 20 locations before being acquired by Starbucks in 1995.
– Co-Founded Sageview Capital – In the late 1990s, James co-founded a private equity and venture capital firm focused consumer and retail businesses. Sageview has invested in companies like GoPro, StubHub, and Edible Arrangements.
– Early Investor in Zappos – James Nordstrom was an early investor in online shoe retailer Zappos.com which went on to be bought by Amazon for $1.2 billion. He served on the Zappos board from 1999 to 2006.
– Formed Nordstrom Family Foundation – Along with his siblings, James helped form a large non-profit family foundation focused on community development and health.
– Joined Non-Profit Boards – He serves on the boards of Seattle Children’s Hospital, Nature Conservancy, and the Nordstrom Family Foundation.
– Investments in Upscale Eateries – James has invested in several upscale restaurant and wine bar concepts, mainly in California’s Napa Valley.
While James Nordstrom has numerous business successes outside of the Nordstrom company, he credits the skills he learned early at Nordstrom for shaping his career. The company’s focus on customer service and entrepreneurship provided valuable experience even as he forged his own path.
James Nordstrom’s Investment Philosophy and Views
Over his long career as an investor and entrepreneur, James Nordstrom has developed a philosophy focused on company culture, quality, and societal impact. He looks for businesses and brands that have a positive culture and make a difference.
Here are some of the key elements that characterize James Nordstrom’s investment philosophy:
– Company Culture Focused – Nordstrom looks for companies with a strong internal culture and engaged employees. This was a factor in investments like Zappos.com.
– Business Quality – The actual product or service quality is more important than rapid expansion. James favors quality over quick growth.
– Customer Experience – The overall customer experience and satisfaction levels hold more weight than sales volume. James wants customers to feel well-served.
– Societal Contribution – He evaluates if a company brings value to society – through jobs, innovation, or community impact. The broader contributions matter.
– Long-Term Perspective – Quick profits and short-term goals are less important compared to the long-term vision of a business. Patience and persistence are key.
-founder Values – The ethics, vision and principles of founders guide investment decisions. James wants to partner with founders whose values align with his.
– Trust and Transparency – Open and sincere communication across the company and with partners is pivotal. James values trust, transparency and truthfulness.
With these principles guiding his decisions, James Nordstrom has crafted an investment philosophy that has led to fruitful partnerships, ethical leadership, and positive community impacts. The focus on quality over quantity has served him well.
James Nordstrom’s Philanthropy and Community Involvement
While James Nordstrom has achieved success in the business world, he has always made giving back to the community a priority. He engages in philanthropy and volunteerism focused on social services, healthcare, education, and the arts.
Here are some of the main philanthropic endeavors and causes James Nordstrom has supported over the years:
– Seattle Children’s Hospital – Member of the Board of Trustees and generous donor to medical programs. The Nordstrom Family has given over $60 million to Seattle Children’s.
– Nordstrom Family Foundation – Has provided over $80 million in grants to community groups via the family foundation he co-founded with his siblings.
– Student Scholarships – Donated $3 million to establish Nordstrom Scholarships at the University of Puget Sound for disadvantaged students.
– United Way – Led fundraising drives for United Way aimed at supporting community programs for youth and families.
– Seattle Art Museum – Major donor and past chair of the board at SAM. The Nordstroms were lead donors for the museum’s downtown expansion.
– Conservation Support – Provided funding and land preservation assistance to groups like the Nature Conservancy and Trust for Public Land.
– Social Justice Reform – Supported criminal justice changes and youth empowerment programs via non-profits focused on reform and social justice.
– Mentorship Initiatives – Donated to causes offering mentorships, job training, and education for underserved populations.
James Nordstrom prioritizes hands-on involvement in the groups he supports. His generosity and compassion have made lasting impacts on many people in need.
James Nordstrom’s Hobbies and Lifestyle
While James Nordstrom has had great success in business and devotes time to philanthropy, he also enjoys an active lifestyle with various hobbies and pastimes. Here is a look at some of James Nordstrom’s main hobbies and lifestyle interests:
Wine Aficionado
James is an avid wine enthusiast who particularly enjoys Italian wines. He is part owner of Italian winery Orma which produces Tuscan wines. James also co-founded a restaurant called Part & Parcel in Napa Valley that features specialty wines.
Sports Fan
A Seattle native, James Nordstrom has long cheered for the Seahawks, Mariners, and other local teams. He has been involved with various sports foundations over the years too. James enjoys tennis, golf, and hitting the slopes at ski resorts.
Outdoor Adventurer
The Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty and vast wilderness has influenced James’ love of outdoor adventure. He enjoys hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing and other outdoor pursuits. Being active in nature is important to James.
World Traveler
James Nordstrom has traveled extensively, both for business and pleasure, over his career. He enjoys discovering and learning about new places and cultures around the world. Some favorite destinations include Italy, France, and Australia.
Art Aficionado
James and Colleen have an impressive art collection with works by Chagall, Matisse, and Pollack. He is a major donor and past president of the Seattle Art Museum’s Board of Trustees. Art and supporting museums are key interests.
Family Time
Despite his business and community commitments, James always makes his wife Colleen and their three children and grandchildren a top priority. He emphasizes family values and enjoys spending quality time with loved ones.
James Nordstrom Quotes and Memorable Remarks
Over his long career in business and philanthropy, James Nordstrom has shared insights and wisdom learned from his experiences. Here are some memorable “James Nordstrom quotes”:
– “I believe business people are called on to make a positive contribution in the world.”
– “Our family name represents integrity, ethics, and giving back. We have responsibilities that come with that.”
– “Surround yourself with a great team. Hire excellent people smarter than yourself.”
– “I invested in Zappos because I believed in their culture as much as their business.”
– “Don’t think short-term. Have a long-term mentality with business and investments.”
– “Our family foundation is one of the most important things I do. I take that responsibility seriously.”
– “Take risks but stay grounded in who you are. Authenticity and transparency matter.”
– “Nordstrom’s founding principles of quality, service, selection, and value serve any business well.”
– “Treat people well. Build teams that feel appreciated, challenged, and empowered.”
– “I left Nordstrom to prove myself. But the skills I learned there guided me immensely.”
The words of James Nordstrom reveal a leader committed to integrity, philanthropy, and empowering people – principles instilled through his family name and upbringing. Though he stepped out of the family retail business, its positive values still guide him.
Conclusion
James Nordstrom grew up with the iconic Nordstrom name but forged his own path in business and philanthropy. He is married to Colleen Nordstrom, who shares his commitment to community and family.
After getting his start at Nordstrom, James became an entrepreneur and investor. He retains the strong ethics, generosity, and focus on quality passed down through the Nordstrom family legacy. James Nordstrom continues making a difference through his charitable foundations and civic leadership.
