Marcia Kilgore
{{short description|Canadian born entrepreneur}}
Marcia Kilgore (born October 16, 1968) is a Canadian entrepreneur who has founded several companies in the beauty and footwear {{cite web | url=https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/companies/can-marcia-kilgore-make-comfortable-footwear-cool | title=Can Marcia Kilgore make comfortable footwear cool? | date=20 March 2024 }}
industries, including Fitflop, Soap and Glory and Beauty Pie.[https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/12/how-marcia-kilgore-is-changing-the-business-of-beauty-one-brand-at-a-time "How Marcia Kilgore is Changing the Business of Beauty, One Brand at a Time:]. Vanity Fair, by Nora Maloney, December 6, 2017
Early life and education
Kilgore was born in Outlook, Saskatchewan.[https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/video/finding-success-as-a-serial-entrepreneur "Finding Success as a Serial Entrepreneur"]. Business of Fashion, Kati Chitrakorn, December 1, 2017 After graduating from high school in Canada, she moved to New York City to study at Columbia University. Unable to attend the university due to missing a student loan deadline, she began working as a personal trainer, eventually working for a number of celebrity clients. She also began taking classes part-time at New York University.{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=579203522|title=Serial Entrepreneur: Marcia Kilgore|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-09-24}}
Career
=Bliss=
During college, Kilgore became a personal trainer to make money. Soon after she decided to take a course in skincare, largely because she had personally suffered from acne since her preteen years. She began giving facials to her friends out of her East Village apartment.{{cite web|url=http://www.karastan.com/statement_mk.asp |title=Make a statement. Your own |accessdate=May 23, 2008 |publisher=Karastan |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313070841/http://www.karastan.com/statement_mk.asp |archivedate=March 13, 2008 |df=mdy}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/904023145 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/873071518 cite #1 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0012126|title=Marcia Kilgore's Spa|work=Maclean's Magazine|publisher=via The Canadian Encyclopedia|accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608075916/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0012126|archivedate=June 8, 2011}} She opened her first single-room office in New York's Soho district in 1991, followed by the opening of a three-room mini-spa called Let's Face It! in June 1993.[https://books.google.com/books?id=rUv_AWK_5BAC&pg=PA74 Understanding the Global Spa Industry]. Routledge; 20 August 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-136-35124-2}}. p. 74–. {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/904023145 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/873071518 cite #4 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}
In the late 1980s, Kilgore opened Let's Face It!, a skincare treatment center, in New York City. Inspired by her own preteen struggles with acne, she opened Bliss Spa in 1993, continuing to cater to celebrity clients.[https://www.vogue.com/article/beauty-pie-marcia-kilgore-bliss-soap-glory-makeup-startup-disrupt "This New Beauty Startup Is Selling Luxury Lipstick for Less Than Your Daily Latte"], Vogue, January 6, 2017 by Celia Ellenberg
To accommodate increasing demand, Kilgore opened the first Bliss Spa in SoHo in 1996. Bliss sells a line of beauty and health products, many of which are meant to allow customers to recreate the spa experience at home. Bliss spa is credited for starting the mid 1990s spa boom. Its products and services are marketed with humorous names and slogans,{{cite book | first=Angela | last=Pumphrey | year=2005 | title=CoolBrands}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/904023145 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/873071518 cite #3 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}} and by a playful "Blissgirl" character illustration which appears on products, catalogs and the company website. She is almost always dressed in a signature white towel and Bliss’ Softening Socks and Glamour Gloves.
In 1999, she was approached by LVMH who wanted to buy stake in the company, though still allowing her to remain Executive Director.[https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/beauty-pie-founder-marcia-kilgore-im-liberating-women-were-finally-taking-the-power-back-a3448161.html "Beauty Pie founder Marcia Kilgore: 'I'm liberating women - we're finally taking the power back'"]. Evening Standard, Charlotte Edwardes, 24 January 2017 With the newly found access to capital, Kilgore expanded the business by opening another Manhattan location. She later launched Bliss-Labs, a product line of Bliss Spa focused on skincare products and bath treatments.{{Cite web|url=https://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2006-Ei-La/Kilgore-Marcia.html|title=Marcia Kilgore Biography - life, family, children, history, school, mother, son, born, college, husband, time - Newsmakers Cumulation|website=www.notablebiographies.com|access-date=2018-09-24}}
In January 2004, Starwood acquired Bliss spa from LVMH for $25 million.{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040121005147/en/Starwood-Acquires-Bliss-from-LVMH-Bliss-Spas-to-Debut-in-W-Hotels-as-Part-of-Acquisition-of-Spa-Catalog-and-Beauty-Products-Company | title=Starwood Acquires Bliss from LVMH; Bliss Spas to Debut in W Hotels as Part of Acquisition of Spa, Catalog and Beauty Products Company | publisher=Business Wire | date=January 21, 2004}} As part of the acquisition, Starwood launched Bliss Spas in several of its W Hotels in an effort to move its W hotel brand into the resort business. The first to be opened, that same year, was Bliss 49 in the W New York Union Square. During the next two years spas were opened in the company's hotels in San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas.{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050719005714/en/Bliss-Opens-West-Coast-Spa-San-Francisco | title=Bliss Opens Its First West Coast Spa At The W San Francisco; Bliss Continues to Grow with Spas Set to Debut at W Hotels in Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas | publisher=Business Wire | date=July 19, 2005}}
=Soap & Glory{{anchor|soap_and_glory}}=
In 2006, Kilgore launched Soap & Glory, a line of affordable bath, body and cosmetic products.[https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/review-soaper-duper-body-wash-a3795371.html "Review: Soaper Duper Body Wash"]. Evening Standard, Annabel Rivkin, 21 March 2018 Soap & Glory was bought by Alliance Boots in 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/Boots_acquires_Soap_and_Glory/103718|title = Boots acquires Soap and Glory}} The business was influenced by H&M offering affordable designer products through fast fashion and newly raised environmental awareness during the time. It was launched at Harvey Nichols and Boots in Britain with almost $100 million of revenue over a few years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/08/09/749951248/serial-entrepreneur-marcia-kilgore|title=Serial Entrepreneur: Marcia Kilgore : How I Built This with Guy Raz|website=NPR }}
=FitFlop=
In 2007, Kilgore founded FitFlop footwear, which is a brand of biomechanically engineered shoes and sold globally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/fitflop-limited-edition-michelle-stein?verso=true|title = The FitFlop is Getting a High-Fashion Makeover and That's Good News for Your Feet| date=18 October 2017 }} Uma Thurman fronted their 'Shoes For Superwomen' campaign in 2017 and 2018. FitFlop has sold more than 65million pairs and are available in 75 countries.{{Cite web|url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Fitflop-aims-for-growth-through-more-aurelius-funding,1503038.html |title=FitFlop aims for growth through more Aurelius funding }}
=Soaper Duper=
In October 2016, Kilgore launched Soaper Duper, a range of naturally-derived, vegan and cruelty-free bath and body products, with recycled and recyclable plastic packaging.{{Cite web|url=https://www.getthegloss.com/article/soaper-duper-introducing-the-clean-green-bodycare-revolution|title=Soaper Duper: Introducing the clean, green bodycare revolution|date=11 October 2016 }}
=Beauty Pie=
In December 2016, Kilgore launched Beauty Pie,{{Cite web |title=BEAUTY PIE {{!}} Luxury Makeup & Skincare Products Direct |url=https://www.beautypie.com/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=BEAUTY PIE |language=en-GB}} a direct-to-consumer, membership-based luxury beauty products on-line brand.{{Cite news|url=https://www.earnthenecklace.com/marcia-kilgore-wiki-heres-need-know-beauty-pie-mogul/|title=Marcia Kilgore Wiki: Here's What You Need to Know about the 'Beauty Pie' Mogul|date=2018-01-22|work=Earn The Necklace|access-date=2018-09-24}}[https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cosmetics-executive-who-says-a-2-lipstick-is-as-good-as-a-28-one-1503598011 "The Cosmetics Executive Who Says a $2 Lipstick Is As Good as a $28 One"]
Awards
2004 Bliss Soho wins Conde Nast Day Spa Awards.{{Cite web |date=25 April 2023 |title=Boho wins Conde Nast day spa award |url=https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/btn20040310184146644/}}
2009 Innovation of the Year Award from Harper's Bazaar Magazine.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-10 |title=Marcia Kilgore: sole trader |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/health/marcia-kilgore-sole-trader-6785021.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}
2020 Beauty Independent announces Beacon Award Winners.{{Cite web |date=October 2020 |title=Beauty Independent Announces Beacon Award Winners |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beauty-independent-announces-beacon-award-winners-301143650.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}
2021 British Vogue Beauty Award winner.{{Cite web |title=Beauty Pie The Brand That Will Shake Up Your Everyday Beauty Routine |url=http://www.hipandhealthy.com/beauty-pie-the-brand-that-will-shake-up-your-everyday-beauty-routine.html |access-date=2023-04-25}}
2023 British Vogue 25 Power List.{{Cite web |title=The Vogue 25: Discover The Powerhouse Women Who Made This Year's Line-Up |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/the-vogue-25-list-2023 British Vogue Beauty Award winner}}
2024 World Retail Congress Retail Entrepreneur Of The Year.{{Cite web |title= 2024 World Retail Congress Retail Entrepreneur Of The Year|url=https://www.worldretailcongress.com/world-retail-hall-fame}}
External links
- [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/08/beauty-pie-founder-marcia-kilgore-we-all-need-that-lift-dont-we Guardian profile]
- [https://www.npr.org/2019/08/09/749951248/serial-entrepreneur-marcia-kilgore NPR interview]
References
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Category:Businesspeople from Saskatchewan
Category:Canadian women company founders
Category:New York University alumni
Category:Canadian expatriates in the United States
Category:Columbia University alumni
Category:20th-century Canadian businesswomen
Category:20th-century Canadian businesspeople
Category:21st-century Canadian businesswomen