Andrea’s Story
Written by L J on February 25, 2008 – 11:29 am -Name: Andrea
Date Joined MK: 01/2007
Highest Level Achieved: Sr. Consultant
When Left MK Or Are You Still Active: November 2007
Initial Inventory Purchased: $1800
How were you recruited?
I was recruited through a co-worker. I had recently lost my consultant, and the woman who recruited me sent an email to the staff letting us know that she was having a holiday sale. I was running low on powder, and let her know that I needed some. When she dropped the product off in my office, she invited me to the weekly meeting as a guest model. I agreed and went. Afterwards, I stayed and listened to the marketing plan for the free toe polish I would receive. I didn’t think I would sign, but the next day I did. I thought this was something that was going to be great! Little did I know that it would almost ruin many relationships.
What about Mary Kay appealed to you most?
Getting my products at cost is what appealed to me the most. The extra money I was hoping to make would come in handy for the wedding I was planning and paying for mostly by myself. As the months progressed, I soon became enthralled by the thought of “winning” a car like my recruiter was doing.
Tell us about one of your most memorable or embarrassing situations while in Mary Kay
How can you not have embarrassing situations when engrossed in the “pink fog”?! I’m usually a friendly, talk to anyone type of person. Mary Kay changed that about me because I was told that anyone within three feet of me was a potential customer and I needed to approach her. Normally I would not have hesitated about talking to the person next to me in the grocery line, but the thought of harrassing her through warm chatter was downright embarrassing to me. Any sane, normal person would probably look at me like I had grown two heads if I just jumped into a conversation with “Hi, I’m a Mary Kay consultant and you look so sharp! I would love to give you a complimentary facial!” (We all have heard that line before!)
What did you learn from your Mary Kay experience?
I learned that the company does not adhere to it’s philosophy of God first, family second, career third. Numerous times I felt ridiculed because I chose my family over a MK related event. Starting a marriage is difficult, but when you add the financial and emotional stress of MK to the mix, it gets extremely difficult! I also learned that even though you think your recruiter has your best interests in mind (and I’m sure we all did at one point), she really only has her best interests in mind.
I can recall at one weekly success meeting my adoptive director telling the group about the newest products which were coming out on Friday. She stated that she needed to have $1000 in her checking account by Friday so she could place an order. It was indicated to us that she had a very minimal amount in her account that Monday evening. How could a pink Cadillac director with MK for 19 years not have enough money in her account to place an order? This sent up a huge red flag! If someone who had been with the company for that long not have $1000 in her account, how was someone brand new going to be able to make enough money to see a profit and make this a business?
What are you doing now? Working full or part time? Working from home? etc.
I still have my full-time job and have some interactions with my recruiter. Our relationship has changed and I understand what she valued most from me - the money. My marriage and family life is in a much better condition than if I had stayed with Mary Kay.
Additional Comments:
For anyone who is interested in joining Mary Kay, please sit down with your potential recruiter and director. Ask every question you want to have answered. If they can’t or won’t answer your questions - whether they can’t or they say “We’ll cover that in training” - then let them know that you cannot start a business without having all of your questions answered. This response will either get your questions answered, or you will witness the dance away from answering your questions before you get caught in the pink fog.
Tags: Mary Kay Consultant Stories
Posted in Mary Kay Consultant Stories |
Colleen on 
Tam on 
Sassy_C on
March 27th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I would like to comment that I feel the same way as Andrea. I joined MK on October 2007. I was excited in the beginning, but soon I realized our district director was seriously ill, and our “group” was “adopted” by another director who never even had the courtesy of approaching me EVER to get to know me or find out my goals or plans with the company. In her group, most women had her attitude of “High and Mighty” and every time I wanted to ask a question, I was signaled to “shhh” in other words completely ignored!!!! I recall the first time I joined, I could only purchase the starter kit and an order of 700 dollars. I am a stay at home mom and my husband works hard to make ends meet. I remember the “adoptive” director being upset because she wanted me to order 1800 or more. I this people really adhere to bible principles, they should know that God does not want His children to be in debt. Really; Most directors don’t care for your financial wellbeing nor your person, they only see you as a tool to make them wealthy without having to work as hard in finding contacts, etc. If you analyze the business, in the first place the ones earning the cadillac and all the recognition should be the independent consultants, they are the ones who do the hard work. To me God is ALWAYS first and FAMILY is second no matter what., in reality most directors don’t want to “adopt” consultants because it is of no benefit to them if they are from a different district. I truly am a Christian at heart and NOT A MARY KAY CHRISTIAN. I hate the way they present God as if He is some kind of “genie” or “wiz” who is at your feet to give you whatever YOU want. He IS and He IS a God of Love, and also a God who looks at the heart of those who proclaim His name, He blesses according to HIS will and not yours, beware of wanting to become rich overnight (he warns us) and my advice to you is…be careful who your riches come from. My dissappointment is great with the way Mary Kay business is carried on by many. I am stuck with all my products, finding it hard to sell due to high prices and little training. So Much for the great opportunity.
May 26th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
I always hated the way the bible quotes came at such opportune times - along with the “find a way, make a way” speeches! Plus, if you can’t make an event due to church obligations, your priorities are questioned! Hello? Golden Rule?