Spanx founder Sarah Blakely gave her employees first class air tickets and $10,000 . surprised with
The chief executive and founder of shapewear company Spanx recently surprised all of his employees with two first-class plane tickets and $10,000 to spend on travel to anywhere in the world. Sarah Blakely, 50, announced a one-time bonus to celebrate her company’s $1.2 billion deal with Blackstone.
According to NPR, Ms. Blakely once made a living selling fax machines from door to door. But that was two decades ago. Since that time, she has launched a leading shapewear company and has been named the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire (by Forbes in 2012). Now, global investment firm Blackstone is buying a majority stake in its company Spanx — and Sarah Blakely celebrated the news by surprising her employees with two first-class plane tickets to anywhere in the world, shared on her Instagram. Came to know from a video.
“Why am I walking a globe?” He asked his assembled staff in the middle of his speech.
Then, in the stunned staff room, she announced: “I’m walking a globe because, to commemorate this moment, I’ve bought each of your two first class tickets to anywhere in the world.”
And that was not all.
“You know, if you have a trip, you might want to go out for a really nice dinner, you might want to go to a really nice hotel,” Ms Blakely continued. “So with everyone else’s two first class tickets anywhere in the world, you’re getting $10,000 each.”
Cameras panned to show employees cheering loudly at their CEO’s announcement. Some even shed tears.
The video has gone viral on social media, making its way to other platforms like Twitter and Facebook as well.
On Twitter, the video has garnered over 3.2 million views and a lot of love for Ms Blakely.
This is how you give back to your employees and show appreciation. Facebook, Amazon, Tesla, Apple etc.; Hope you are taking notes. This is an amazing story and tweet.
— lauraslifeonink (@Lauraslifeonink) 24 October 2021
“Employers like these truly understand that their company would be nothing without their employees,” wrote one person.
Employers like this really understand that their company would be nothing without their employees. I know there are some bosses out there who would have been like a pizza party here????
— augy-e (@augy_e) 23 October 2021
“I can’t imagine how grateful these employees were. What a wonderful way to say thank you!” Said another.
so awesome. After working for a company for 30 years, I bought a $650 gift card RCVD. While I appreciated the gift auto sent by HR, not a single person realized or said anything to me. I can’t imagine how grateful these employees were. What a wonderful way to say thank you!
— Jeanine (@JeanineMCh) 24 October 2021
However, there were also those who criticized the move. Some called it the “Consolation Award”.
No, the best part would have been that she would have allowed her (mostly female) employees to make their own *millions* by acquiring stock in the company as its valuation went up.
Instead, he chose to retain 100% ownership – and this is his consolation prize. https://t.co/xyQvZZF9ul
— Kaylatausche (@kaylatausche) 26 October 2021
Oh my god… the criticism and complaint in these comments is unbelievable. Be happy for these people. It is incredibly generous.
— tarah (@tarahring20) 24 October 2021
In her speech, Sarah Blakely also reminisced about her journey with Spanx, which she launched in 2000. “I said this company would one day be worth $20 million, and everyone laughed at me,” said the clearly emotional CEO.
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