Forbes StaffMarcia Kilgore is a Canadian entrepreneur and the visionary founder behind some of the beauty industry’s most innovative and disruptive brands, including Bliss Spa, Soap & Glory, FitFlop, Beauty Pie, and Soaper Duper. Her ability to identify gaps in the market and create products and services that resonate with consumers has made her one of the most influential figures in beauty and wellness.
Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, Marcia moved to New York City in her early twenties to pursue a career in fitness. While studying at Columbia University and working as a personal trainer, she developed an interest in skincare after struggling with acne. This curiosity led her to train as a skincare specialist and eventually open her first business, Bliss Spa, in 1996 in New York City. The spa’s unique combination of expert treatments, innovative products, and a cheeky, approachable brand voice quickly made it a global sensation, attracting celebrity clients and a loyal following. In 1999, she sold Bliss to LVMH but continued to shape the beauty industry with new ventures.
Marcia’s subsequent brands, such as Soap & Glory—a fun, affordable skincare brand inspired by vintage glamour—and FitFlop, a revolutionary ergonomic footwear line, cemented her reputation as a serial entrepreneur. Both achieved massive success, with Soap & Glory later being acquired by Boots.
In 2016, Marcia launched Beauty Pie, a membership-based beauty brand that disrupted the traditional retail model by offering luxury-quality skincare, makeup, and wellness products directly to consumers at factory prices. Her mission was to make high-end beauty accessible to everyone, without the inflated costs of traditional retail markups.
Marcia’s innovative approach to entrepreneurship has earned her global recognition, including being named one of Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and a recipient of the CEW Lifetime Achievement Award. Despite her incredible success, she remains committed to her ethos of authenticity, affordability, and empowering consumers.
Marcia Kilgore’s journey from humble beginnings to global entrepreneurship highlights her talent for identifying consumer needs and creating brands that deliver value and joy. Her work continues to inspire the next generation of innovators in beauty and beyond.
