Spanx chief gives all employees first-class plane tickets and $10,000

Shapewear company founder Sara Blakely surprised employees at a party to mark Spanx's new $1.2bn valuation

The chief executive and founder of the shapewear company Spanx has surprised employees with two first-class plane tickets and $10,000 each.

Speaking at a party last Thursday to mark the company's new $1.2bn valuation, after the investment giant Blackstone purchased a majority stake, Sara Blakely expressed her gratitude for 21 years of success.