Jim and I in Mary Kay's office!

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.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Pearls of Wisdom

Follow the website to get more information about Mary Kay, including some of her Pearls of Wisdom: http://www.marykaytribute.com/WisdomAttitude.aspx

"Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise. Success in many cases is failure turned inside out. The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity. Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything. Replace 'if I can, I hope, maybe' with 'I can, I will, I must.'" Mary Kay Ash

Common Questions about Starting a Mary Kay Business

1. How do I get started?
Discuss the details with your beauty consultant, then submit your
consultant agreement and purchase your starter kit, which includes all the
demonstration items and business-building sales tools you need to start
your business.

2. How is Mary Kay different from other direct-selling businesses?
To name just a few of the company’s numerous distinctions, Mary Kay:
* has the highest commissions structure of any direct sales company
* was founded on and still practices the concept of the "Golden Rule"
* does not test on animals
* holds the philosophy of “God first, Family second, Career third”
* has a product line that is consumable, making repeat business possible
* is neither a pyramid scheme nor a multi-level company — each consultant deals directly with the company, so there is no middleman;
and all commissions are paid directly out of Mary Kay’s corporate
profits, never out of anyone's pocket

3. How many hours do I have to work?
You are your own boss, so you make that decision based on your needs
and your schedule (anything from “working it around my job” to “replacing
my job”). There are no sales quotas in Mary Kay, so there is never any
pressure to sell. An "active" consultant is one who places a minimum
order every three (3) months. Remember, everyone's situation is
different, and you work your business the way you want.

4. How much will I make?
Consultants earn a 50% profit on sales, whether they’ve just started or
they’ve been in for years. In addition to profits from retail sales (from skin
care classes, facials, and reorders), you can earn prizes, the use of career
cars, personal team-building commissions, and director commissions as
you progress along the career path.

5. Where can I sell Mary Kay products?
Beauty consultants can have both customers and team members in any of
the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the American Virgin Islands, and
Guam. There are no assigned territories, so your customers and team
members can still be part of your Mary Kay business even if you move to
another state. Directors can also expand to any of Mary Kay’s
international markets.

6. What if I don’t know anybody?
You are educated on how to develop customers and book classes as part
of your initial training. Your director and recruiter will work with you to help
you succeed. If don’t live near them, a local director will “adopt” you to
provide training, support, and guidance so you will never feel alone.

7. Do I have to recruit people?
Whether or not you decide to build your team is up to you. You will find,
however, that women will be drawn to the benefits of the Mary Kay
opportunity even without your urging. Your director and your recruiter will
help you mentor your team until you decide to promote yourself into
leadership. You can also earn a commission and bonuses from Mary Kay
based on your team’s activity.

8. What if I don’t know anything about skin care or makeup?
With the step-by-step education provided to consultants, you can become
an expert as quickly as you like. Even with just the materials in your
starter kit, you will be better-informed than many of the customers you will
meet. You also become more skilled and confident as you teach others,
meaning you can “learn while you earn.”

9. What if I don't know anything about selling?
Mary Kay consultants aren’t simply sales people; they actually teach and
service their customers. Our products “sell themselves” — when
customers try them, they want them. Consultants are provided with ongoing
education in skin care, cosmetics application, business operation,
and customer service. Every consultant has access to printed training
materials, DVDs, CDs, internet resources, and monthly and weekly
education, as well as regular motivational support.

10. What if I don't usually wear make-up?
That’s okay! Mary Kay is primarily a skin care company, and has been
the best-selling brand in the U.S. for 14 years in a row (as of 2008). Color
cosmetics, body care, sun care, and fragrances are collections that
complement our skin care line. Being a Mary Kay consultant is also a
great way to learn how to apply your own makeup with confidence.

11. Isn’t the market already saturated with Mary Kay consultants?
While Mary Kay is the best-selling brand of skin care and cosmetics, only
10% of the women in the U.S. use Mary Kay. And more and more
consultants are needed to keep up with all of the new customers being
generated by Mary Kay’s national media exposure.

12.What is the worst thing that could happen if I try doing Mary Kay?
The worst thing that could happen is that you spend $100 to get over $450
worth of products and supplies…because buying a starter kit is all a
beauty consultant is required to do. What you do with your starter kit and
your business is your decision. Five years from now, you will be in one of
two groups: either, “Man, I’m glad I did!” or “Boy, I wish I had!” You have
the opportunity to be your own boss, to set your own hours, and to meet a
lot of inspiring women — not to mention getting your own products at
wholesale instead of paying full retail like you’re doing right now.