Spanx boss Sara Blakely gives all employees first

Spanx founder Sara Blakely (archive photo 2015): »A great moment for women entrepreneurs«

Photo:

Mike Coppola / AFP

Things could be worse for Sara Blakely.

It was only a few days ago that she closed a lucrative deal: The US financial investor Blackstone bought a large part of her company Spanx.

The company, which is successful worldwide in shaping underwear, was valued at 1.2 billion dollars.

Blakely himself will retain "a significant stake" in the company, according to the Blackstone announcement.

This deal was celebrated at a party at the end of last week, and Blakely thanked her employees for 21 successful years, among other things. "Standing here today and thinking about what we were able to create and what we could achieve because we are authentic, friendly and women deliver great products (...), this marks a great moment for women entrepreneurs," said the 50-year-old in her speech, which she published on her Instagram account.

However, it was not just about looking back at the company's 21-year history.

Blakely also addressed her employees directly - and surprised them with gifts.

Each employee received two first-class flight tickets, valid for a destination of their choice in the world.

Then Blakely added, "When you're out and about, you might want to have a really nice dinner, or you might want to go to a really nice hotel, so ... you all get $ 10,000 each."

In the video, numerous employees can be seen breaking out in great jubilation.

Blakely founded Spanx in 2000 when she was 29 years old.

Legend has it that she got the idea when she cut off the legs of her pantyhose because she couldn't find a pair of panties that would give her that nice pantyhose butt.

Oprah Winfrey helped popularize Spanx.

In 2012 Blakely graced the cover of the business magazine "Forbes" as the youngest self-made billionaire in the USA.

In 2014, the magazine also ranked her 93rd most powerful woman in the world.

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