Mary Kay: Business Interview Project
BUS 101
Business Interview Project
Mary Kay Incorporated
Independent Beauty Consultant, Megan Jones, began her career with Mary Kay Incorporated in August of 2004. Being a wife and mother of a nine month old, she was looking for a way to supplement the family income from home. Megan said she had always dreamed of owning her own business one day. She thought it would be a real estate business not a cosmetic one.
The consultant’s mother was sponsoring a Mary Kay skin care class and invited Megan to attend. She was intrigued from the very beginning of the class at what the hostess, Holli, was doing. She asked questions throughout the class trying to gather as much information as she could. When the class ended Holli began explaining the business plan to her.
Mary Kay Incorporated was founded by Mary Kathlyn Wagner Ash. She was born in Houston, Texas into a home where her mother was the sole income provider due to her father’s illness. Mary Kay learned at the age of seven the skills that would eventually make her a success, determination and stamina. Not only was Mary Kay her father’s caregiver, she also took care of all the daily household chores and attended school. She never questioned these monumental responsibilities, but when she would become overwhelmed her mother would offer her the encouraging words of, “Honey, you can do it!” These words became Mary Kay’s life theme.
Mary Kay became a very competitive and goal-oriented woman. Everything from earning straight A’s in school to selling Girl Scout cookies offered her an opportunity to compete. She not only competed with others, but with herself as well. This competitive spirit would be another factor in the future success in her direct-selling career.
Ida Blake gave Mary Kay her first opportunity in sales. Mary Kay discovered her natural talent by selling $35,000 worth of children’s books during her first nine months of employment. At that time, Mary Kay learned an aspect of business that
Business Interview Project
Mary Kay Incorporated
Independent Beauty Consultant, Megan Jones, began her career with Mary Kay Incorporated in August of 2004. Being a wife and mother of a nine month old, she was looking for a way to supplement the family income from home. Megan said she had always dreamed of owning her own business one day. She thought it would be a real estate business not a cosmetic one.
The consultant’s mother was sponsoring a Mary Kay skin care class and invited Megan to attend. She was intrigued from the very beginning of the class at what the hostess, Holli, was doing. She asked questions throughout the class trying to gather as much information as she could. When the class ended Holli began explaining the business plan to her.
Mary Kay Incorporated was founded by Mary Kathlyn Wagner Ash. She was born in Houston, Texas into a home where her mother was the sole income provider due to her father’s illness. Mary Kay learned at the age of seven the skills that would eventually make her a success, determination and stamina. Not only was Mary Kay her father’s caregiver, she also took care of all the daily household chores and attended school. She never questioned these monumental responsibilities, but when she would become overwhelmed her mother would offer her the encouraging words of, “Honey, you can do it!” These words became Mary Kay’s life theme.
Mary Kay became a very competitive and goal-oriented woman. Everything from earning straight A’s in school to selling Girl Scout cookies offered her an opportunity to compete. She not only competed with others, but with herself as well. This competitive spirit would be another factor in the future success in her direct-selling career.
Ida Blake gave Mary Kay her first opportunity in sales. Mary Kay discovered her natural talent by selling $35,000 worth of children’s books during her first nine months of employment. At that time, Mary Kay learned an aspect of business that
Cited: Ash, Mary Kay (2003). Miracles Happen: The Life and Timeless Principles of the Founder of Mary Kay Inc. New York: HarperCollins. Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. MARY KAY COSMETICS, http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/mm/dhm1.html (accessed March 10, 2006). http://content.marykayintouch.com (accessed March 10, 2006). Todorova, Aleksandra (2005). Rethink the Pink, SmartMoney.com. http://www.smartmoney.com/smallbiz/askedandanswered/index.cfm?sotry=20051024 (accessed March 11, 2006) -----------------------