Mary Kay Reviews

Pros

It is a very challenging, very fast pace with constant re-prioritization project management skills required. A great work environment if you are up to the task!

Cons

Depending on your preferred work style, it might not be a great fit for you.

Pros

Access to some great technology and great technologists. The premise of the organization is great, providing opportunities to enrich women's lives.

The pay and benefits are highly competitive (although things are getting tighter) and offices are beautiful.

Cons

Congruency of projects and efforts are frequently illconceived and misdirected. The organization is heavy on overhead types, weighing down on individual contributors.

I discovered I was burned by an "open door" discussion with a senior level leader, after a direct report to the manager being discussed shared points from the discussion (literally) 30 minutes later.
There have been significant reductions in staff the past few years through attrition and buyouts.

Advice to Senior Management

Some of the most brilliant talent to walk through ANY organization has moved into and out of Mary Kay because your senior and middle managers. Your e-commerce department is a cult-of-personality. At least it seems like Supply Chain was required to prove ROI.

Pros

Corporate produced Consultant training and resources are excellent. Reliving the cattiness and pettiness of high school, as a pro it is entertaining to see grown women act like spoiled teenagers.

Cons

You can't swing a MK consultant without hitting a MK consultant. The market is super duper saturated making selling and recruiting way harder than it should be. Reliving the cattiness and pettiness of high school. Period. Your sister consultants will be your bestest besties as long as you are drinking the kool-aid for lack of a better term, but their interest in you is strictly business. Anything that you encounter in your business that isn't working how they say is should work is your fault. There is always something that you could have done or said. 50% commission is also misleading because the business models passed down from SD to SD involves free products and generous hostess rewards which all come out of the consultants pocket.

If you are reading these trying to decide whether or not to join MK, my best advice is never lose sight of who you actually are and what you think is acceptable behavior. Also, question the how successful that Cadillac Senior Sales Director really is if she still has to work a day job. No one loves working in an office that much!

Advice to Senior Management

None.
Business is about making money.
Mary Kay sells a dream.
There are plenty of women wiling to (literally) buy that dream.

Pros

I love working for Mary Kay, because I am in charge of my income... I can chose to work a little and make a little or work a lot and make a lot...I set my own schedule and work at my pace. I like not feeling stressed about having to please a boss. I please my customers and life is great...You can move quickly or slowly...You are truly in charge of your destiny!!! I love the leadership I have in encouraging other women to succeed in life!

Cons

I think a lot of women are under the misunderstanding that they can make millions overnight, direct sales is just like a franchise, it takes time and money to build your customer base... It does not happen overnight. It does take a couple of years of tremendous effort, but once your established it becomes much easier.

Advice to Senior Management

Please be honest about the effort it takes to start a business and i believe more women would stick with it, if they knew it would take a couple of yrs. of hard word...

Pros

Place God first, family second and career third in my life.
Highest sales commission of direct selling company in the U.S.
No territories. No sales quotas.
Be my own boss. Promote myself to leadership as I choose.
Build lasting friendships.
Recognition.
Self esteem building environment.
Driving my fifth career car.
Best-selling brand for 17 consecutive years.
Free training.

Cons

Must be self motivated. Travel is required for higher success.

Advice to Senior Management

Please offer more support to Directors in the Go-Give Area.

Pros

Cosmetic discounts, fun acitvities for personal and professional growth; if you need a morale boost Mary Kay Cosmetics is the place you want to work!

Cons

Everyone is great, friendly, and will do anything to help you sell, however, if you have any aspirations of becoming a sales director you better prepare yourself for a ton of hours spent at meetings, events, and training the new consultants....all without pay! The only way you can make a real living is if you recruit hundreds of new beauty consultants, hope that they stay, and hope that they continue to order cosmetics so you get the commissions...or Love Check as they call it.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop trying so desperately to recruit new individuals and hire real sales individuals and offer a base salary with sales quotas. I would also strongly suggest to stop allowing people to purchase the cosmetics at 50% off simply for ordering a certain amount each quarter. For the reps really trying to sell, it completely squashes your sales when eventually your customers hear of or find someone that doesn't sell Mary Kay, but they do order a certain amount each quarter, therefore, they can order through their friend or acquaintence for 50% off the retail price. If they can find someone to order it from for half the price, why on earth would they buy it from an independent rep....who is spending money for the mailings, flyers, and paying for all of the party supplies each time they hold an event in their own home to generate some sales.

Pros

good pay
flexibility
balance of work and family
praise and recognition

Cons

must be driven to succeed at a full time level

Pros

The company genuinely cares about its employees. The work environment is particularly satisfying and the recognition given to the Sales Directors is wonderful.

Cons

Hard company to get in to at corporate office. They hire from within a lot which is good for the current employees however.

Pros

Working at Mary Kay is an amazing experience, and you're the one in charge of it. No one tells you what to do or when to do it. And the best part is, you get out of it what you put into it. If you work hard and sell product, you can make as much money as you want, and you meet new people every day.

Cons

If you are unable to self motivate, it can sometimes be hard to keep going. But if you have a good director, then you'll get the encouragement you need.

Advice to Senior Management

The Mary Kay experience is what you make of it. If you don't put in the effort, then nothing will come out of it. But there are always people willing to help you and offer advice.

Pros

There is much prestige to be working at MK. Good morale. Good camaraderi.

Cons

God is not first, work is