The Best Thing For Feet Since Slippers (Win!)

Two winters ago, Bhargavi Varma was gifted with a foot cushion from Japan. Common to Japan’s Kutsurogi lifestyle, the cushion was cosy, warm and felt like a hug for her feet. It instantly solved her year-round issue of cold feet. When she raved about the foot cushion with her colleagues Connie and Vanessa, they knew that had to share this comfort with the world … and The Kushie was born! We spoke with Bhargavi to get the 411 on this toe-tapping success story, and are giving you a chance to win! —Vita Daily

Hi Bhargavi! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I am one of three female co-founders of LuxStory, a boutique marketing agency for travel, lifestyle and real estate companies looking to move from good to great storytelling across all their communication channels. We build out strategies, produce content, manage social media and help brands connect across platforms inclusively and often by hiring female creatives. We recently launched Social Lockbox, a social media coaching and content offering for realtors. On the product development side, we launched The Kushie, a travel and home accessory for everyday, all season cozy. I am a proud South Asian woman, single mom, an investor in female-owned businesses who is passionate about shifting the narrative on all-female teams alongside supporting the South Asian sisterhood.

When, why and how did you launch The Kushie?

The Kushie was co-founded by three female, small business entrepreneurs at LuxStory: Bhargavi, Connie and Vanessa as a travel accessory for long flights, kind of like a neck pillow, for your feet. With the pandemic and travel halted, we started using and discovering the many uses of The Kushie at home. As women, our core values are to empower other women not only with words, but by hiring them, enabling them and shining a light on them. At The Kushie and at LuxStory, we work primarily with female creatives to help grow our brand into your first choice in treating your feet right.

What is The Kushie/what is it for? What makes it unique (to, say, slippers)?

Common to the Japanese Kutsurogi lifestyle (and similar to Scandinavia’s Hygge culture), The Kushie is part cushion, part footrest and all comfort. It is designed for use all day, to keep your feet snug and comfortable, not sweaty. The Kushie is a stylish item that goes with all decor styles and is totally Insta worthy!

Who in our lives would absolutely love The Kushie?

The Kushie is for anyone who desires adding a little bit of comfort and cozy to their every day—be it while working, watching TV, hanging at the cottage and of course, as a thoughtful gift for someone you cherish. And let’s not forget pets. They love snuggling with their owner’s toes and lying on top or squeezing into The Kushie too!

Approaching cottage season, how do you see The Kushie being used at our vacation homes?

The Kushie and cottage season share a vibe in common: relaxing. Whether hanging out on the couch, chillin on the dock, by the campfire and even in the car for the road trip there, The Kushie fits. What we love most though, is that it makes a great cottage warming gift for your host! Couple it with a bottle of wine tucked in The Kushie as an appropriate thank you gift.

Which is your fave Kushie and why?

I seasonally rotate my Kushies! I find myself using the Blush Crush a lot more in the summer, The Chenille Knit during fall and of course, I love using the Plaid Kushie over the holiday season.

How else do you personally pamper your feet?!

Over the last year, I’ve turned foot care into an all home routine with natural scrubs, regular dry skin brushing, foot specific cream at night and of course The Kushie. Painting my toenails—OK, so I don’t have the best steady hand and my toes end up looking like a beginner’s job. I can’t wait for the salons to open again

thekushie.com

Win! A Kushie Care & Comfort Bundle!

Congrats Marla P. @marlibup of Mississauga, ON, who will receive a Kushie Care & Comfort Bundle! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.