Jim and I in Mary Kay's office!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Mary Kay Ash Story...
Excerpt from:
"The Best Way Out is Always Through", by BJ Gallagher
Mary Kay Ash banged her head on the corporate glass ceiling one too many times. Working for several direct sales companies from the 1930's until the early 1960's, she achieved considerable success. She climbed the corporate ladder to become the sole woman on the board of directors of the World Gift Company - quite an accomplishment for a woman in the 1950's.
But life wasn't rosy at the top. Even though Mary Kay had the title and the track record, she was not taken seriously by her male peers. In board meetings, her opinions and suggestions were ignored, dismissed, or even ridiculed. Male board members minced no words in their judgment - pronouncing her guilty of "thinking like a woman."
Since the sales force was almost entirely female, Mary Kay thought that thinking like a woman was an asset. But her fellow board members disagreed. Finally, in frustration, she retired in 1963, intending to write a book to assist women in the male-dominated business.
Sitting at her kitchen table, she made two lists: one list was all the good things she had seen in the companies where she'd worked, and the other list was all the things she thought could be improved. As she re-read her lists, she realized that what she had in front of her was a marketing plan for her ideal company. In just four weeks, her "book" had become a business plan, and her retirement was over.
Both her accountant and her attorney did their best to discourage her, warning that she would be throwing her money away on this venture. But Mary Kay had heard enough male nay-saying in her corporate years - she ignored her advisors.
Her husband, unlike her accountant and attorney, was very supportive. With his help, Mary Kay developed the cosmetic products, designed packaging, wrote promotional materials and recruited and trained her female sales force.
Then the unthinkable happened; her husband of twenty-one years died of a heart attack. Another woman might have dropped her plans, or at least delayed them, but Mary Kay was a strong Texas woman. She stayed on track with the help of her twenty-year-old son, Richard Rogers and rolled out her new business in September of 1963.
Beginning with a storefront in Dallas and an investment of $5,000, Mary Kay Cosmetics earned close to $200,000 in its first year - quadrupling that amount in its second year. When Mary Kay took her company public in 1968, sales had climbed to more than $10 million.
Mary Kay's unusual corporate motto, "God first, family second, career third," was unconventional, to say the least. But she understood the need for women to have balance in their lives, and she was committed to providing unlimited opportunity for women's financial AND personal success.
Mary Kay authored three books, all of which became best-sellers. Her business model is taught at the Harvard Business School. She received many honors, including the Horatio Alger Award. Fortune magazine has named Mary Kay Cosmetics as one of the Ten Best Companies for Women, as well as one of The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America.
At the time of her death in 2001, Mary Kay Cosmetics had 800,000 independent beauty consultants in 37 countries, with total annual sales of over two billion dollars. Never underestimate the power of a woman with a mission!
"The Best Way Out is Always Through", by BJ Gallagher
Mary Kay Ash banged her head on the corporate glass ceiling one too many times. Working for several direct sales companies from the 1930's until the early 1960's, she achieved considerable success. She climbed the corporate ladder to become the sole woman on the board of directors of the World Gift Company - quite an accomplishment for a woman in the 1950's.
But life wasn't rosy at the top. Even though Mary Kay had the title and the track record, she was not taken seriously by her male peers. In board meetings, her opinions and suggestions were ignored, dismissed, or even ridiculed. Male board members minced no words in their judgment - pronouncing her guilty of "thinking like a woman."
Since the sales force was almost entirely female, Mary Kay thought that thinking like a woman was an asset. But her fellow board members disagreed. Finally, in frustration, she retired in 1963, intending to write a book to assist women in the male-dominated business.
Sitting at her kitchen table, she made two lists: one list was all the good things she had seen in the companies where she'd worked, and the other list was all the things she thought could be improved. As she re-read her lists, she realized that what she had in front of her was a marketing plan for her ideal company. In just four weeks, her "book" had become a business plan, and her retirement was over.
Both her accountant and her attorney did their best to discourage her, warning that she would be throwing her money away on this venture. But Mary Kay had heard enough male nay-saying in her corporate years - she ignored her advisors.
Her husband, unlike her accountant and attorney, was very supportive. With his help, Mary Kay developed the cosmetic products, designed packaging, wrote promotional materials and recruited and trained her female sales force.
Then the unthinkable happened; her husband of twenty-one years died of a heart attack. Another woman might have dropped her plans, or at least delayed them, but Mary Kay was a strong Texas woman. She stayed on track with the help of her twenty-year-old son, Richard Rogers and rolled out her new business in September of 1963.
Beginning with a storefront in Dallas and an investment of $5,000, Mary Kay Cosmetics earned close to $200,000 in its first year - quadrupling that amount in its second year. When Mary Kay took her company public in 1968, sales had climbed to more than $10 million.
Mary Kay's unusual corporate motto, "God first, family second, career third," was unconventional, to say the least. But she understood the need for women to have balance in their lives, and she was committed to providing unlimited opportunity for women's financial AND personal success.
Mary Kay authored three books, all of which became best-sellers. Her business model is taught at the Harvard Business School. She received many honors, including the Horatio Alger Award. Fortune magazine has named Mary Kay Cosmetics as one of the Ten Best Companies for Women, as well as one of The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America.
At the time of her death in 2001, Mary Kay Cosmetics had 800,000 independent beauty consultants in 37 countries, with total annual sales of over two billion dollars. Never underestimate the power of a woman with a mission!
Friday, January 21, 2011
New Foundations
I have been lax in writing on my blog for quite some time. It seems I have become sidetracked in many ways...now it's time to get back down to business!
Mary Kay has just come out with new foundations - they are absolutely fantastic!! Most companies that have the age fighting results with their foundations only come designed for all skin types. Mary Kay has designed theirs for both Normal to Dry and Combination to Oily!!! Check out my website for more: www.marykay.com/jbfischer
Get ready for visible AGE-FIGHTING results with NEW TimeWise® liquid foundations.
Create the Perfect Finish. These two foundation accessories help complete your flawless look.
NEW!
Mary Kay® Foundation Primer
Perfects skin as it enhances foundation benefits and extends wear. Works well
with any Mary Kay® foundation. $16
NEW!
Mary Kay® Liquid Foundation Brush
Specially designed tapered brush blends foundation more evenly and smoothly than other application techniques. $10
Let me, your Independent Beauty Consultant, help you find your perfect match.
Contact me today!
NEW!
TimeWise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation, $20
• A moisturizing complex enriched with skin-loving jojoba delivers lasting comfort and hydration.
• Skin looks luminous, radiant and immediately brightened as skin texture appears visibly improved.
• For normal to dry skin
• Suitable for sensitive skin
NEW!
TimeWise® Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation, $20
• Special microspheres work all day to absorb oil and control shine.
• Skin has a matte finish, and the appearance of pores is visibly reduced.
• For combination to oily skin
• Suitable for sensitive skin
Have a wonderful, spectacular winter day!!! I look forward to connecting with you!!
Mary Kay has just come out with new foundations - they are absolutely fantastic!! Most companies that have the age fighting results with their foundations only come designed for all skin types. Mary Kay has designed theirs for both Normal to Dry and Combination to Oily!!! Check out my website for more: www.marykay.com/jbfischer
Get ready for visible AGE-FIGHTING results with NEW TimeWise® liquid foundations.
Create the Perfect Finish. These two foundation accessories help complete your flawless look.
NEW!
Mary Kay® Foundation Primer
Perfects skin as it enhances foundation benefits and extends wear. Works well
with any Mary Kay® foundation. $16
NEW!
Mary Kay® Liquid Foundation Brush
Specially designed tapered brush blends foundation more evenly and smoothly than other application techniques. $10
Let me, your Independent Beauty Consultant, help you find your perfect match.
Contact me today!
NEW!
TimeWise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation, $20
• A moisturizing complex enriched with skin-loving jojoba delivers lasting comfort and hydration.
• Skin looks luminous, radiant and immediately brightened as skin texture appears visibly improved.
• For normal to dry skin
• Suitable for sensitive skin
NEW!
TimeWise® Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation, $20
• Special microspheres work all day to absorb oil and control shine.
• Skin has a matte finish, and the appearance of pores is visibly reduced.
• For combination to oily skin
• Suitable for sensitive skin
Have a wonderful, spectacular winter day!!! I look forward to connecting with you!!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Mary Kay...A Real Job?
Mary Kay...A Real Job?
Shared by NSD Gloria Mayfield-Banks
Throughout my career I have seen many Consultants come and go because they felt they needed to find a “Real Job.” Why do people think that Mary Kay is NOT a “Real” job?
What classifies an opportunity as a “Real” job? Does getting a paycheck with the same number of dollars each pay period classify as a “Real” job? Does working 10-40+ hours, and still making the same amount of money classify?
How about getting up very early, taking a shower and leaving your house every day? What about putting your kids in daycare- does that make it a “Real” job? How about
having to schedule vacation time a year in advance? Or having to explain to your
supervisor why you need a day off? Maybe that is what makes it a “Real” job.
Maybe you need to be working for someone else, have to report to someone else and let
him or her decide when you deserve a raise. Let’s pretend for a moment. What if we apply “Real” job guidelines to your Mary Kay business? Just imagine if you devote 20 hours per week of complete and total focus to doing your Mary Kay job well? What if you set your own goal and always did today’s work today instead of waiting until you felt like it? Imagine the possibilities if you paid attention to profitability and actually took the steps necessary to promote yourself.
You owe it to yourself to make Mary Kay a “Real” job-even if it’s just part-time. Why would you give more time and commitment to someone else’s business than you
would your own? Do you really want to work for someone else forever? Wouldn’t you prefer to work 20 hours, but get paid like you worked 40 hours?
Would you like to be your own boss? Would you like to plan your own hours each week
to work within your family’s schedule? What if you could take an extra day off one
week, then work an extra two hours each day for the next week to make up for it? Do you have this type of freedom with your “Real” job?
If you feel like you have “tried Mary Kay” and it hasn’t worked for you, try asking
yourself a few questions:
* If someone with my MK work habits worked for me, would I continue to pay them or reward them?
* Am I consistent in my efforts?
* Do I make calls when I need to make them- no matter what?
* Do I place orders in a timely manner to keep the “store” stocked with the
hottest, most up-to-date products?
* Do I give great customer service-going over and above what the client
expects?
* Do I follow up on all leads and potential recruits quickly and
professionally?
* Do I work with my Director on accountability and turn in my weekly
accomplishment sheets?
* Do I attend trainings, weekly meetings and events in my area?
If you have answered any of these questions with a “NO”, perhaps this is an opportunity to change your ways and make new goals for your business this month.
Make it a point to treat your Mary Kay business like a “Real” job-you will earn
REAL money, REAL cars, REAL prizes and see REAL changes in your life!
Want to make a REAL difference in the lives of women? I believe we can!
With a Mary Kay Career, what you make is up to you!
Shared by NSD Gloria Mayfield-Banks
Throughout my career I have seen many Consultants come and go because they felt they needed to find a “Real Job.” Why do people think that Mary Kay is NOT a “Real” job?
What classifies an opportunity as a “Real” job? Does getting a paycheck with the same number of dollars each pay period classify as a “Real” job? Does working 10-40+ hours, and still making the same amount of money classify?
How about getting up very early, taking a shower and leaving your house every day? What about putting your kids in daycare- does that make it a “Real” job? How about
having to schedule vacation time a year in advance? Or having to explain to your
supervisor why you need a day off? Maybe that is what makes it a “Real” job.
Maybe you need to be working for someone else, have to report to someone else and let
him or her decide when you deserve a raise. Let’s pretend for a moment. What if we apply “Real” job guidelines to your Mary Kay business? Just imagine if you devote 20 hours per week of complete and total focus to doing your Mary Kay job well? What if you set your own goal and always did today’s work today instead of waiting until you felt like it? Imagine the possibilities if you paid attention to profitability and actually took the steps necessary to promote yourself.
You owe it to yourself to make Mary Kay a “Real” job-even if it’s just part-time. Why would you give more time and commitment to someone else’s business than you
would your own? Do you really want to work for someone else forever? Wouldn’t you prefer to work 20 hours, but get paid like you worked 40 hours?
Would you like to be your own boss? Would you like to plan your own hours each week
to work within your family’s schedule? What if you could take an extra day off one
week, then work an extra two hours each day for the next week to make up for it? Do you have this type of freedom with your “Real” job?
If you feel like you have “tried Mary Kay” and it hasn’t worked for you, try asking
yourself a few questions:
* If someone with my MK work habits worked for me, would I continue to pay them or reward them?
* Am I consistent in my efforts?
* Do I make calls when I need to make them- no matter what?
* Do I place orders in a timely manner to keep the “store” stocked with the
hottest, most up-to-date products?
* Do I give great customer service-going over and above what the client
expects?
* Do I follow up on all leads and potential recruits quickly and
professionally?
* Do I work with my Director on accountability and turn in my weekly
accomplishment sheets?
* Do I attend trainings, weekly meetings and events in my area?
If you have answered any of these questions with a “NO”, perhaps this is an opportunity to change your ways and make new goals for your business this month.
Make it a point to treat your Mary Kay business like a “Real” job-you will earn
REAL money, REAL cars, REAL prizes and see REAL changes in your life!
Want to make a REAL difference in the lives of women? I believe we can!
With a Mary Kay Career, what you make is up to you!
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Look Book
A new way to check out the new catalog - great new colors...great tips...check it out!!!
http://ecatalog.marykay.com/US_en-US/GetLatest.aspx?d=www.marykay.com&m=jbfischer
http://ecatalog.marykay.com/US_en-US/GetLatest.aspx?d=www.marykay.com&m=jbfischer
Win a Kitchenaid Mixer
Win a Kitchen Aid mixer!
Go to the following link at savingdinner.com and follow the instructions. Maybe, just maybe you'll be the winner!!!! WooHoo!!! http://savingdinner.com/contest
Go to the following link at savingdinner.com and follow the instructions. Maybe, just maybe you'll be the winner!!!! WooHoo!!! http://savingdinner.com/contest
Thursday, May 13, 2010
When Offense Is Given
Unfortunately, I hurt someone recently that I care deeply about. Even though it was unintentional, it happened and for that I am truly remorseful. I am thankful that she brought it to my attention and we talked about it. I was definitely in the wrong.
Has this ever happened to you? It happened to me years ago when I took offense at what someone said in our Church Choir and I stopped going to choir because of it. Whenever I saw this sister in the halls at Church I went the other way. I just didn't associate with her. Well one day, the alto section leader called me and asked me why I wasn't coming to choir anymore and I ended up telling her what happened. She in turn called this sister, who also happened to be our choir director and explained to her what happened. This sister caught up to me in the bathroom one Sunday and sincerely apologized...she had NO idea she had even offended me. What a lesson to me! That is why I appreciate this person bringing to my attention that I had offended her.
Unless we let someone who has offended us know they have, sometimes they don't even know they had given offense. This has made me realize I need to be more careful in the future about what I do and say. I pray this person has forgiven me because I cherish her friendship.
Each day I learn and grow - I pray that I can have the pure love of Christ (charity) in my thoughts and actions and make me a better person.
Has this ever happened to you? It happened to me years ago when I took offense at what someone said in our Church Choir and I stopped going to choir because of it. Whenever I saw this sister in the halls at Church I went the other way. I just didn't associate with her. Well one day, the alto section leader called me and asked me why I wasn't coming to choir anymore and I ended up telling her what happened. She in turn called this sister, who also happened to be our choir director and explained to her what happened. This sister caught up to me in the bathroom one Sunday and sincerely apologized...she had NO idea she had even offended me. What a lesson to me! That is why I appreciate this person bringing to my attention that I had offended her.
Unless we let someone who has offended us know they have, sometimes they don't even know they had given offense. This has made me realize I need to be more careful in the future about what I do and say. I pray this person has forgiven me because I cherish her friendship.
Each day I learn and grow - I pray that I can have the pure love of Christ (charity) in my thoughts and actions and make me a better person.
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