iGnite IS our members! They make us what we are, which is why we LOVE spotlighting them! This week, we invite you to meet fourteen year Austin Member, Claire Saunders! Fun fact about Claire is she shares a birthday with America, which is also why we claim her as our very own firecracker! As you'll read, at one time Claire founded a company called Party Cat and as of the past few years she founded a travel company called Where Next Adventure. Claire lives a life of fun and adventure and for sure lives life to the fullest. Without further adieu, meet Claire!
How long have you been a member?
A while (we looked, it's 14 years!!!)
Where do you live and how do you iGnite?
Austin and mainly Pilates with Amy at this point. I love most iGnite classes but have a hard time getting to them in the morning because of my work schedule.
Where did you grow up?
Fort Worth and Austin
How did you become a part of iGnite?
Sam McClure told me about it!
What's your favorite thing about iGnite
The other strong, positive women I get to spend time with.
What do you do right after class?
Eat breakfast!
What's your most favorite word?
It’s a tie between superfluous and fungible. I also like wanderlust!
Who’s your biggest motivator and what do they do for you?
My mom. She’s always told me I can do anything I set my mind to and encouraged me to reach for the stars.
What’s saving you right now?
A very detailed to-do list!
What’s something about you that we’d be surprised to learn?
I’m an introvert.
What's been your favorite job and do you still do it?
Well let’s see. I’m educated to be an attorney and practiced corporate law at a big firm for awhile. Then I started Party Cat in 1990 and ran that until I sold it in 2003. Then I landed in non-profit fundraising and did that for awhile, most recently as Director of Development for Trinity Episcopal School. I started Where Next Adventures, a luxury travel company, in 2018. While I have loved every job I’ve had for different reasons, being a luxury travel advisor is my favorite. It is incredibly fulfilling helping my clients check destinations off their bucket list while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
What class do you most look forward to and why?
Pilates to get a weekly dose of Amy and reset my body from strength training.
What do you mutter while doing burpees?
(expletive!!!) And this is why I’m here. :-)
What's your favorite exercise song?
Bottoms Up for glute raises with Kathleen!
What are your favorite local and not local social media accounts to follow? Anything travel related!
If you were going to invite a friend along to iGnite, what would you say to encourage them to come?
It is awesome to exercise outside with a group of positive, like-minded women.