Meet the Business Owner: Kellie McDonald from Bliss skin and body

AlburyCBD: Tell us a little about yourself – what’s something about you people might not know.

Kellie: I’m an Albury girl, born and raised. After attempting a business degree at Charles Sturt University—which I quickly realised wasn’t for me—my beautiful mum encouraged me to pursue beauty therapy. I completed my diploma and started working at a local salon, where I eventually became the manager.

In 2001, I opened Bliss, and although my mum sadly passed away at the young age of 45 and never got to see it, I’m grateful to her every day for guiding me towards a career I absolutely love.

AlburyCBD: Tell us about Bliss. What’s your why, and what do you love about running your business?

Kellie: At Bliss, my mission as a beauty therapist is to empower others through a positive, holistic approach to skincare. It’s not just about surface beauty but about self-care, confidence, and embracing who you are.

I founded Bliss to be a space where every individual is celebrated for their uniqueness. Our goal is to provide a nurturing experience that combines luxury, tranquillity, and real results. What I love most about my work is the people—the incredible Bliss community.

From my dedicated team to our loyal clients and supportive suppliers, they brighten my life in so many ways. I have been so lucky and fortunate to meet so many incredible women—and men—who have become like family.

What I love most is that the heart of my job is helping others feel good about themselves. It’s something I don’t think I will ever tire of, and for that, I consider myself extremely lucky.

AlburyCBD: What’s a challenge you’ve had to overcome in business?

Kellie: The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my business journey has been balancing family life and raising kids while giving 100% to my business. It’s a constant juggling act that can be both tricky and exhausting, and sometimes you don’t get it right.

Finding that balance is a continual learning process. I’d love to say it has taught me resilience and the importance of being kind to myself, but honestly, that’s only true on some days. Haha!

AlburyCBD: What would you be doing if you weren’t running Bliss?

Kellie: Mmm, that’s a tough one! Could I still work in the business? Ha ha. I’d miss everyone too much! But if I had to step away, I’d probably dive into reading as many books as possible—I love reading.

I’d also spend more time with my favourite human, my dad, as well as my family and pets. And if money weren’t an issue, I’d definitely throw in the occasional beach holiday!

AlburyCBD: What do you love about being in the Albury CBD?

Kellie: What I love most about operating in the Albury CBD community is, without a doubt, the people. From the connections you make at the coffee shop (the absolute best place to make new friends!), to the friendly faces at local shops, to the lovely man who delivers our orders (or Stacey’s online shopping—haha!), it’s the sense of connection and community that makes it special. What’s not to love?

If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your beauty needs, come visit us at Bliss. We welcome women and men of all ages, ethnicities, shapes, and sizes—judgment-free. We love what we do, and we love people. Our goal is to care for you and help you feel your best.

At Bliss, our approach to skin health is conservative and mindful. If a treatment won’t benefit you long-term, we won’t do it. We’re committed to helping you achieve great skin for a lifetime.

You can find Bliss at 552 Olive St. Follow Bliss on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with all your beauty, and head to the Bliss website to book an appointment or shop their range of skin care.

Some answers have been lightly edited for flow and clarity.