Last Friday at Canada House, CWC members and our guests were treated to a very special event featuring Canadian Marcia Kilgore. As the founder of Bliss Spas and the creative force behind the popular Soap & Glory beauty line, Marcia's most recent venture has been the launch of Fitflop footwear. We wanted to find out how someone with such humble Canadian beginnings became a worldwide success, what inspired her to set up these businesses, and what continues to inspire her today.
We invited a fellow Canadian, author and fashionista Bronwyn Cosgrave to pose some questions to Marcia. We were instantly captivated by Marcia's energy, sense of humour and positive attitude. We learned that after having worked as a personal trainer and bodybuilder in Saskatchewan, Marcia moved to New York City to join her sister, a fashion model. With only $300 dollars left, and knowing she wanted to stay, Marcia's entrepreneurial spirit kicked in. Working as a personal trainer, her network of contacts grew. After taking a summer off to study skincare, Marcia added facials to her range of services. Realising that her talent in working with people was in helping them to feel good as well as look good, Marcia created a small spa - and then a much larger spa. Marcia told us it wasn't difficult coming up with the name of her new spa: she wanted to create an environment where clients could escape from their daily routine - a soothing and relaxed atmosphere...Bliss Spa, New York was launched!
After creating some products for sale through her spa, and a mention in Vogue magazine, she attracted thousands of new customers (including Oprah!). Even with this attention, however, Marcia stayed grounded. A Bliss Spa was launched in London, bringing Marcia here to train her staff. With her next venture, Marcia launched the Soap & Glory product line - making cosmetics more affordable and showcasing her wit and humour with lipgloss names like Sexy Motherpucker.
Determined to find a way to help busy women tone their legs, Marcia's next successful product involved collaborating with biomechanic scientists and shoe designers to produce the Fitflop. With thousands of happy customers (including several CWC members!) and the science to back up its claims, the Fitflop is taking the footwear market by storm and making exercise quite literally a walk in the park!
Marcia truly has an inspirational story to tell, and her talk was a breath of fresh air for us all. Bronwyn's insightful questions helped to make it a truly memorable morning for all in attendance.
To make the event extra special, some of our guests were thrilled to win one of our fabulous door or raffle prizes! With proceeds going to the CWC's charitable arm, the Maple Leaf Trust, we were very thankful to Leblas for donating some gorgeous earrings and vouchers, to Marcia for providing a Soap & Glory gift box and Fitflop sandals, to Bronwyn for an autographed copy of her book Made for Each Other: Fashion and the Academy Awards, to Running Bare Ltd for a voucher for Fitflops, and to Van Twisk for the flowers.
Late addition: This was the CWC's first fundraiser in 2010 for the Maple Leaf Trust and more than £1,000 was raised. Thank you again for your support!
Submitted by Laurel Steuernagel Steuernagel with photography by Flora Tan and Barbara Richards. Click on the picture at the top to enlarge the photos or play the slideshow!
Isn't it amazing what a woman with a little imagination can achieve? I wear my fitflops when I'm doing the housework and I gotta say, I've noticed the difference from wearing them.
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