KISS MY FACE: A LOVE STORY with Inspirational leadership

Today, in our hybrid work culture, we face an even bigger hurdle when it comes to creating a supportive, safe and connected corporate culture. Kiss My Face founders, Bob Macleod and Steve Byckiewicz will inspire you to trust your heart, take care of your team and have fun imagining what is possible.

Steve Byckiewicz and Bob Macleod

BOB MACLEOD & STEVE BYCKIEWICZ, founders of KISS MY FACE, have been together for over 40 years. They were legally married in Spring 2016; when they couldn’t ride their bikes to the gym due to heavy rain, they used their car, which they rarely do when wintering in Miami Beach, and while passing city hall, they decided to stop in and get married. That’s how Bob and Steve roll: casual, spontaneous, and without taking themselves too seriously.

You can tell they have fun by the names on their products— a moisturizer called “Filthy Rich,” a sunscreen labeled “Bare Naked,” and a shampoo named “Miss Treated.” A retailer once told them, “KISS MY FACE puts a smile in the aisle.”

When Jo asked the founders of Kiss My Face the key ingredient in their success, Steve said, “Love.” Love was then and is now a core value throughout their life and work.

They were in love when they decided to leave NYC and LA behind and settle on a farm in Upstate New York. Steve is an artist and a painter, and he wanted the space to pursue his passion. To eat and make ends meet, Steve started growing vegetables that Bob would drive into NYC in an old VW and sell at local shops. “Steve has always been the talent, and I’ve always been the salesman,” Bob said.

One thing led to another and they expanded from veggies to soap on a whim. One barrel of soap purchased from a shopkeeper turned into 10 tons, which grew to a successful line of over 200 bath and body products sold in over 19 countries.

They learned the skin care business along the way and had fun doing it. When Jo asked Bob what percentage of their time was work and what was fun, he answered, “Oh, we are fluid.” They don’t distinguish between work and play, and they know how to have fun; another core value that drives their actions. From flying their own plane, to traveling the world, to turning business trips into cultural adventures or just a good excuse to catch up with friends. Fun is central to who they are.

Hiring Moms was another key element to their success. It happened organically and became their greatest strength.

“We found our best team players were moms. They cared, knew how to multi-task and took care of one another and us,” Bob said. Bob and Steve made it their priority to take care of them too. As an example, once when meeting in the conference room they watched an employee pace back and forth outside the glass window. Bob stopped the meeting to ask what she needed. She said that she didn’t want to bother them, but one of the team members in the room had a sick child and the school nurse was on hold. In an effort to make sure this never happened again, Bob and Steve set up a special phone line for child and school emergencies and made it clear that it was okay to interrupt meetings for such moments as these. They sent a message that they cared about their team and it made all the difference.

Bob and Steve live by their values.

They value fun and find enjoyment their activities. They value the importance of family through their compassionate actions. And they love one another always in all ways.