Meri Baregamian accepts CEO role at beauty company Bliss
The company got its start in 1996, opening a spa in New York City, and now operates over 21 locations around the world and sells its own brand of cosmetic and personal care products globally as well.
“I'm so pleased to join the talented team at Bliss and share their confidence in Bliss' continued growth and innovation opportunities,” Meri Baregamian tells the press as she steps into her new role as CEO.
“Bliss has always been a revolutionary brand, pushing the limits of the common conception of a spa. I look forward to working closely with the Bliss team as we focus on building upon the brand's spa heritage.”
Baregamian most recently served as VP of sales as part of the global brands division of the Walgreens Boots Alliance. She’s also held leadership roles at beauty industry companies like Soap & Glory (CEO), Boscia skincare (general manager), and Stila cosmetics (director of sales and business development). And, Baregamian has years of industry experience beyond that.
Wide angle
Bliss is a division of Steiner Leisure Limited, a spa services company that also manufactures product and runs professional spa training schools. The Steiner brands include Elemis, Jou, La Thérapie, Mandara, and Ideal Image as well as Steiner skincare, wellness, and hair care products.
That company’s CEO is certain Baregamian will serve Steiner well: ““Meri's deep industry expertise and experience growing top beauty brands will be instrumental in maintaining Bliss' role as a global leader in spa innovation and service,” says Leonard Fluxman in a press release.
“I am confident that Meri is the right person to lead Bliss and look forward to her immediate contributions,” he says, adding that, “I also want to thank Laura Lang, who has done an excellent job as interim President, and who will remain a key part of our company as a member of the Steiner Leisure Board of Directors.”
Extensions
The Bliss product collection already spans several categories, from skin care to hair removal, from hair care to home fragrance, and from bath to color cosmetics.
Color is a newer part of the Bliss business. Former company president Mike Indursky told Cosmetics Design just last year that the company was expanding its product lines in order to build Bliss into a lifestyle brand. It’s as part of this initiative that Bliss added color cosmetics as well as nail care and color to its portfolio.
Around the same time, Bliss added home items like candles and at-home beauty devices to its collection too. Indursky told Cosmetics Design that these line extensions would go hand in hand with a shift in company messaging: “The messaging is going to be about the wellbeing lifestyle…positive female affirmation, female empowerment,” he said.
No word yet on what branding initiatives or particular line extensions will come under Baregamian’s leadership.
