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!!
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