Mary Kay Cosmetics is a way of life for many business women.
Wouldn't we all like to make money while doing what we love? That's what Deb H. does as an Independent Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics.


More than 20 years ago she was a registered nurse. She enjoyed helping people, but the politics of the corporate world turned her off. Now she is helping people with Mary Kay, just in a different way.
"When people look good, they feel good, and they treat people around them better," she said.
The company was founded in 1963 in Dallas, TX by Mary Kay Ash. Ash had just "retired" from a 25-year career in a world dominated by men. She dreamed of a company that would give women the opportunity to enrich their lives. That dream became a reality. Forty years later, Mary Kay Cosmetics has more than one million Independent Beauty Consultants. They have independent businesses and are in more than 30 countries around the world. The product line includes more than 200 products in categories like facial skin care, color cosmetics, nail care, body care, sun protection, fragrances and men's skin care.

PRIORITIES IN ORDER
Ellyn H., a Future Executive Senior Sales Director said the company is successful thanks to it's excellent products and it's philosophies. The "golden rule" in Mary Kay is this: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." And there are set priorities for the company and the consultants. They believe in "God first, family second, career third."
Ellyn learned about the opportunities with Mary Kay 13 years ago. She saw an opportunity to be her own boss, set her own hours, and help others. Now she's an Independent Sales Director and she's found her niche.
In their positions with Mary Kay, Ellyn and Deb each have at least 30 beauty consultants in their unit. They are still holding skin care classes, but also hold training and recognition meetings for beauty consultants. Besides a business, Mary Kay Cosmetics is an experience of personal growth. Both Deb and Ellyn have learned to overcome their fear of public speaking. Ellyn explained, "The first time I held a class, I held it for four of my friends. I was shaking and had nervous twitches. Now I am able to speak for 100 people."
They also learned how to set goals.
"When I was working as a nurse and they would have asked me what my goals were, I wouldn't have known. Now, I have goals for my business and am able to reach them."

IN THE PINK
The most well-known and visible symbol in Mary Kay Cosmetics is the pink Cadillac. "Pink wasn't even Mary Kay Ash's favorite color," said Ellyn.
"She needed a signature color and wanted a color that looked good in women's bathrooms. Most of the bathrooms back then were black and white, and which color looks good with black and white? Pink. When Mary Kay Ash bought her first company car, a Cadillac, she wanted it sprayed in the color of her company. The car dealer laughed at her, but she did get a pink Cadillac." Successful Mary Kay Consultants still drive Pink Cadillacs.
While cars and money are nice, Ellyn said her personal experiences far exceed the business benefits:"I'm more excited about Mary Kay than I was 13 years ago. I was looking to make some extra income, but today I have so much more. It's a way of life."
Interested in knowing more about Mary Kay? Visit http://www.marykay.com/jlarivee or call (608) 782-0778.

* Article is from Coulee Region Women February/March 2004. By Anne-Marie Spoelstra