BIO:
- Name: Marcia Kilgore
- Title/Position: Founder and CEO of Beauty Pie; Serial Entrepreneur
- Industry: Beauty and Wellness
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Age: 56 - (16th of October 1968)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $5 million as of December 2023
Marcia Kilgore’s Story
Born in Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada, to a middle-class family. Marcia Kilgore started as as an aerobic teacher to earn extra money and at age 15, decided she wanted to become a bodybuilder. She has always loved a challenge.
At 18, she moved to New York City with just $300, wanting to study at Columbia University. But, she missed a student loan deadline which altered her path, she knew she had to figure it out – she became a personal trainer.
Struggling with acne, she took skincare courses and began offering facials from her East Village apartment. She had unknowingly taken the first step in her entrepreneurial journey. Bliss Spa was established in 1996. Soon, she started having a celebrity clientele that included the likes of Nicole Kidman. She started to build a business, hiring more people, and renting a dedicated space. A feature of a cream she sold and recommended got feature in Vogue – skyrocketing her popularity, and in 1999, Kilgore sold a majority stake in Bliss to LVMH.
But, Kilgore wasn’t done. She launched Soap & Glory in 2006, a skincare and cosmetics brand known for its witty product names and quality formulations. It focused on designer, affordable products. The brand quickly gained popularity, leading to its acquisition by British retailer Boots in 2014 for an estimated £40-£50 million.
In 2007, she ventured into the footwear industry with FitFlop, creating ergonomically designed sandals that combined style with comfort. Her innovative approach resonated with consumers, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile entrepreneur.
Kilgore’s latest venture, Beauty Pie, founded in 2016, aims to democratize beauty by offering luxury products directly to consumers at factory prices through a membership model. She revolutionized the beauty e-commerce industry through her subscription-based e-commerce business and it has been dubbed the “Netflix of beauty.” This disruptive approach has garnered significant attention and funding, raising over £126 million and challenging traditional beauty retail models.
She is one of the best female e-commerce entrepreneurs, a serial entrepreneur, and has accumulated an impressive net worth. She loves building, creating, and solving problems that she sees, making it unsurprising that she is on her 5th business.
Career Highlights
Key Milestones:
- 1996: Founded Bliss Spa in New York City, redefining the spa experience with a focus on results-driven treatments.
- 1999: Sold a majority stake in Bliss Spa to LVMH, expanding the brand’s global presence.
- 2006: Launched Soap & Glory, making high-quality beauty products accessible with a fun and affordable approach.
- 2014: Sold Soap & Glory to Boots, integrating the brand into a major retail network.
- 2007: Introduced FitFlop, combining fashion and biomechanics to create comfortable footwear.
- 2016: Founded Beauty Pie, disrupting the beauty industry with a direct-to-consumer membership model.
Achievements:
- Bliss Spa: Pioneered a new spa culture, attracting a high-profile clientele and setting new industry standards.
- Soap & Glory: Achieved rapid success, leading to a lucrative acquisition by Boots.
- FitFlop: Sold over 12 million pairs worldwide, showcasing the demand for stylish yet comfortable footwear.
- Beauty Pie: Raised substantial funding, reflecting investor confidence in the brand’s innovative model.
Marcia Kilgore Net Worth
Marcia Kilgore has built her wealth through a series of successful business ventures:
- Bliss Spa: The sale to LVMH provided her with significant capital early in her career.
- Soap & Glory: The brand’s acquisition by Boots added substantially to her financial portfolio.
- FitFlop: Continued success in the footwear market contributes to her ongoing income.
- Beauty Pie: Ongoing growth and investment in the company suggest a positive impact on her net worth.
As of December 2023, her net worth is estimated at $5 million.
Marcia Kilgore in the News
- 2024: Beauty Pie raises over £126 million in funding, signalling strong growth and investor interest.
- 2014: Soap & Glory sold to Boots, expanding the brand’s reach within the UK market.
- 2016: Launch of Beauty Pie, introducing a disruptive model in the beauty industry.
Quotes by Marcia Kilgore
- “You shouldn’t have to spend an arm and a leg to moisturize one.”
- “I always say to a chemist, if he can’t explain his new wonder product to me in two sentences then I can’t sell it.”
FAQs: Most Asked Questions About Marcia Kilgore
Who is Marcia Kilgore?
Marcia Kilgore is a Canadian-born serial entrepreneur known for founding successful beauty and wellness brands, including Bliss Spa, Soap & Glory, FitFlop, and Beauty Pie.
How much is Marcia Kilgore worth?
As of 2023, her estimated net worth is $5 million.
Who owns Soap and Glory?
Soap & Glory was founded by Marcia Kilgore in 2006 and was acquired by British retailer Boots in 2014.
How many brands does Marcia Kilgore own?
She has founded five brands: Bliss Spa, Soap & Glory, FitFlop, Soaper Duper, and Beauty Pie.
Who bought Bliss from Marcia Kilgore?
LVMH acquired a majority stake in Bliss Spa in 1999.
Summary of How I Built This Episode with Marcia Kilgore?
In her episode on How I Built This, Kilgore shares her entrepreneurial journey, and how she didn’t necessarily set out with a plan. Opportunities arose from her seeking out challenges and trying to find solutions to problems. For example, her own acne and mediocre experience at a beauty salon sparked the idea of Bliss Spa. She talks about her approach, and the challenges of scaling businesses, selling her companies, and disrupting the luxury beauty industry with Beauty Pie.
Where does Marcia Kilgore live?
She currently resides in Geneva, Switzerland.
