Mary Kay Reviews

Pros

I set my own schedule; I take time off without needing prior approval; my work travels with me; my network of fellow Mary Kay consultants/directors/etc. are a TON of fun and very supportive--always willing to help me grow my business; the company is uplifting and encouraging and ready to assist in any way; the products truly sell themselves!

Cons

If you do not have the self motivation to go out and work, it can be difficult to find enough customers to make a comfortable living.

Advice to Senior Management

Take into consideration a consultant's specific situation(s) (when possible) and realize their sales may be flucuating due to personal health, frequent moving, or possibly not enough education on how to excell quickly.

Pros

I get paid what I am "worth". I am bale to attend all family functions due to making my own hours. It is the best company I have ever worked for.
Recognition is great, you meet wonderful new people....you get to pick and choose "who" you want to work with.....I can go on and on..

Cons

I'll let you know whenever I find one

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the good work

Pros

Enriching Women's Lives. The Opportunity to share the Opportunity and the fabulous products with other wormen, the Relationships and friendships built! Freedom, Flexibility, Recognition, Cash. Priorities are Faith First, Family Second and Career first. My life now has a great balance! Thank you Mary Kay!

Cons

None that I know of. Maybe you need to be self motivated and know what you want out of your career. Noone is going to micromanage you, so you need self discipline, a great opportunity if you know what you want, part-time, playtime, full time,
but you need to know what your priorities are.

Advice to Senior Management

Thank you for all your help!

Pros

Working with Mary Kay Cosmetics has completely changed both who I am and how I view life. I am significantly more positive, confident, and able to carry and present myself. I feel so much more cared for and appreciated since joining the company. I also more positive view of life. I am not "stuck" in my situations any longer. I have the confidence (and now the ability) to dream, and dream big. I also have the ability to look at my dreams, and work backward from them, step-by-step, until I have "blue prints" on what I need to do or change to attain those dreams. Essentially I can now take my dreams and turn them into visions that are attainable and tangible, and I believe in my ability to accomplish those visions.

Another very important aspect of having my own Mary Kay business would be the relationships that I have built through it, both with my customers and my fellow consultants. They are invaluable. It's been said that you should only take advice from someone you would be willing to trade places with, and the number of Mary Kay consultants and directors I have met who I would gratefully take advice from is quite high. My fellow consultants are positive and encouraging, willing to advise me when they see fit, and genuinely care about my success. Our company was founded on the Golden Rule Policy and I am privileged to see it lived out every day within the company.

A few other things that I must share are the flexibility (being able to design my own work hours), the unlimited earning potential (over 200 National Sales Directors have earned over $1 Million in commissions; I personally know many consultants and directors who are earning thousands each month; when consultants decide they need a "raise" it is in their control to do so for themselves), the free cars (Pink Cadillac anyone?), the education we receive covers every aspect of our businesses and we can re-visit it again and again until we are confident in each area... all for free, and above all else Mary Kay Ash's personal and business priorities of God First, Family Second, and Career Third.

Cons

In her research of Work-From-Home businesses, ABC News' Tory Johnson wrote a report which included Mary Kay as one of the businesses she found to be genuine. I feel she puts very well one of the biggest struggles I face in my business with Mary Kay: "there's an entrepreneurial element to working from home - you have to show up to your desk and stay motivated on your own." This can be a challenge for many consultants, especially those of us who have worked for other people in the past and are now venturing out on our own and working from home. Fortunately we have great education within the company that helps us stay motivated and focused, and all consultants can have as much or as little "accountability" and "connection" with their sales director as they want, which helps tremendously with "showing up at your desk and staying motivated," even if your director simply asks you, "so what did you do with your business yesterday?"

Advice to Senior Management

Thank you! Keep it up! The praise and recognition are so inspiring! The prizes are fantastic! The advice is endless! Thank you for teaching us everything you know, helping us every step of the way, and picking us up when we fall from time to time. Thank you for being available whenever we need you. Thank you for caring about us as people, not just businesses associates. Just remember to remind us that we can't do EVERY idea that comes our way, but instead to pick the ones we like and relate to best and stick with them until they're done!

Pros

I am not an indpendent beauty consultant ... independent beauty consultants are not employees of the company. I work at the corporate office. Flexibility and encouragement to put family before work and to balance it all is unusual for a corporate environment and for one so large! Also high on my list is the opportunity for professional growth/career advancement. I have moved up and laterally and have been allowed several stretch opportunties. I think this is not normal in the corporate world today; most people I know have to quit and start over an another company for these things.

Cons

Haven't found one that is significant -- every job has undesirable tasks or people who are difficult to work with; i think we experience less of that than other companies due to our relationship-centered environment.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to provide proactive and upfront info on business climate and effect on the company. Also continue to be personable and open with employees. I love it that our CEO knows me by name, knows my outside of work hobbies and always asks about each of my kids -- not very common for a company of our size (2400 U.S. employees in five states and three different facilities in Dallas)

Pros

The best reason to work for Mary Kay is that it is very family centered. I have the chance to set my own schedule, decided how much I want to make and not have to meet any sales quotes. I can promote myself into the next postition when every I wish. I can earn a company car just by working by businesses as little as 12 hours a week or as much as 40 hours a week. No one tells me when I have to be in or when I can take off if there is a family crisis.

Cons

At the moment the only downside is that there are no benefits unless you are in top level postition.

Advice to Senior Management

Thank you for always keeping us on top of Cosmetic Fashion. The CMA's are a great recruiting tool and customer builder. It gives me one more reason to talk to my customers.

Pros

My #1 reason for loving Mary Kay is the personal growth. When I started my business 2 1/2 years ago, there was no way that I could stand in front of a group of people and speak. Now, I am comfortable speaking, sharing, and selling. Another reason I love my MK is the extra money that it has allowed my family. I have been fortunate enough to buy plane tickets for our upcoming Disney trip and, just recently, Murray-our new family pet.

Cons

Any downsides experienced are dealing with the emotional roller coaster--as with any business that you put your heart into and want to succeed at. It is completely about learning to pick yourself up when you've gotten nothing but rejections. This business is workable...if you are willing to work it.

Advice to Senior Management

The management at Mary Kay inc. is incredible. They are truly excited about helping you reach your goals and praising you on your journey. The inspiration you get from them completely fills your cup.

Pros

You have complete control over your financial future, your time and how fast and far you want to advance in the company. There are no territories or quotas, no boss telling you what to do and determining what the job says you're worth instead of what you're worth. As a brand new beauty consultant you make as a much profit from your sales (50%) as a National Sales Director whose been in the company for 30 years. YOu also have a choice to build your team and get between a 4% -13% comission on what they sell and it comes directly from the company. YOu can earn the use of a FREE Mary Kay car, get a new one every two years or you choose cash compensation instead monthly ($375-$900). More women avg. $100,000 year than w any other company in the world and it only costs $100 to start ! YOu constantly get praise and recognition for everything you do - the most positive & supportive enviornment I've EVER been around ! It's like a self improvement course you get paid for since it dramatically improves your self confidence and personal growth. Because it is a consumable product , you constantly have a reorder business. The company's priorities are faith 1st, family 2nd and career 3rd and everyone operates with the Golden Rule. It is one of the best decisions I've ever made !

Cons

If you dont do anything, you dont get paid

Advice to Senior Management

None - they are so highly trained and our marketing plan is taught at Harvard Business School - Every leader or person in management has extensive training and expereince which they share openly

Pros

flexibility, you set your own pace, and it is fun. I did not wear the Mary Kay products before becoming a consultant, but it was that fast to fall in love with them. I enjoy working with my team of consultants and sharing ideas that could help our businesses. There is also a 50% profit at Mary Kay, when buying your products you get them at wholesale and sell them at retail, which it 50% higher. Its a nice profit margin. There is also no sales quotas and my senior consultant does not take a portion of my sales, they're all mine!

Cons

Being new I really haven't found any downsides. I've enjoyed the time that I have put in. I work another job full time and only do Mary Kay part time. Its easy to fit in simple things into my schedule that can be fun and rewarding. You do go through an orientation, which although can be time consuming gives you the basic information you need to adequately sell and share these great products. I have really enjoyed the girl time as well. I would encourage anyone thinking about joining Mary Kay to really consider what a fabulous company it is.

Advice to Senior Management

Great job, I really appreciate the feedback and support that I get from you

Pros

God First, Family, Second, Career Third., Flexibility, Awards, Paid what I am worth, Recognition, no glass ceiling, free training, ability to earn free car, ability to promote myself and support from those above me to help me grow, Fortune 500 Company, Excelent product, consumable product so people will repurchase as they use it up, Prizes, friendships,
brand recognition, no territories, excellent commissions both on sales and team building. Great Website at a reasonable cost.

Cons

None, it is not a get rich quick scheme, but if you plan your work and work your plan you can succeed and be whatever you want to be in the Company. Money is great.

Advice to Senior Management

I love how they take care of the consultants and listen to our questions and suggestions. I also love the fact that now we are getting air time and magazine time so we are getting even more exposure to the public. Thank you Mary Kay and her family for giving us such a wonderful Company to be a part of.