Name:Andrea
Are You Active or Inactive? Inactive!
If Inactive, Date You Left MK: April 2013
Amount of Initial Inventory You Purchased: $600
How were you recruited? Tell us all the details.
My cousin was once a Mary Kay consultant about 2 years ago. She became inactive, but in January of 2013, she started to give Mary Kay another try, this time with a new director than in her first attempt. I attended her business debut party, and her director put on the party for her. Her director was very convincing, so convincing that I forgot about everything bad I had heard about Mary Kay, and I became entranced in the “pink dream” as I like to call it. She told me her husband got to quit his job because of the income she was bringing in, and that she was on her second pink Cadillac. She said the products sold themselves, and I believed her because my cousin sold $1000 retail during her business debut.
I went to my cousin’s director’s unit meeting, and got pinned as a consultant that night. I was beyond excited, I got recognition for being a new consultant, I gave my director my credit card number, and my starter kit came in the mail a few days later. But then, “the call” came in: the dreaded inventory call. Up until this point, I told myself I was not getting inventory. I had hardly any money in the bank, and was starting Mary Kay in the hopes to gain money, not spend money. But my director convinced me otherwise. She told me I wouldn’t be active unless I placed an order, that women wouldn’t wait for product that I didn’t have on hand, if I didn’t have product this would only be a hobby not a career, that inventory will make me a successful consultant. Well, I fell for it, and order the “minimum” of $600. She ordered my inventory for me, and once I received it, I became discouraged. It was full of lots of color products in weird colors (dark brown lipstick?) and I was confused how I was going to sell it all, but she told me they were all “best sellers” (yeah, right).
My director told me to invite everyone I new to my debut, and I did. I texted, called, Facebook messaged, even sent out invitations in the mail. I had 80 people invited, but few said they’d come. Because of snow, the debut got postponed, and even fewer people agreed to come to the rescheduled date (like 5 people, who were all family). At this point, the pink fog started to lift. If I couldn’t get people to come to my debut, how could I get a datebook full of classes and parties if I couldn’t even get people to come to one party? I realized that I wasn’t the “Mary Kay type”, and that it was time to get out now. I called my friend, who was also in my director’s unit, and told her my concerns. She called my director and told on me, and I got a phone call from my director. I ignored it, and called MK headquarters to get my product repurchase sheet sent to me in the mail. Once I did that, I called my director back and told her I was no longer in the company. She tried to tell me that I quit before I even got started, but I didn’t care. I saw enough of Mary Kay to know that I didn’t want to be a part of it any longer.
Do you have a memorable experience from your time in Mary Kay? If so, please tell us about it.
When I got my inventory return check in the mail, I was so happy! Finally, some money gets to go back into my account. I lost a little money in MK, but it’s a small price to pay compared to the hours and hours of time I would have spent as a consultant trying to earn money unsuccessfully.
What are you doing now?
Going to school, giving my cousin my starter kit items that I never used, and being grateful I’m not in MK anymore.
Feel free to include any additional comments here:
Do NOT buy inventory. You customers (if you have any will wait). If you decide to quit, your director/recruit will guilt you into staying, DO NOT LISTEN! They only don’t want you to quit because any commission they made off of your order(s) they have to pay back. Don’t feel guilty, you’re not a loser for quitting, you’re smart for quitting.
Well said
Ditto
Andrea, first of all, you did quit before you started. From what i read in your blog here… You said you recieved your inventory….looked at it….then called your cousin and told her that you wanted to sell your stuff back and quit. And also ignored a call from your sales director or whoever would be there to give you advice or encouragement. You did not even try to put in any work. This is a business. You dont just get the inventory then sit on your lazy behind and wait for the money to roll in. When you are your own boss you have to work hard. I have talked to my beauty consultant and to others in Mary Kay and have been to seminars and NOTHING is hidden from any of the women who are first starting out. You can ask any questions you want. You can even asl your beauty consultant what she was making her first month and she will tell you…NOT VERY MUCH. DID ANY RICH COMPANY ENTREPRENEURS GET RICH IN ONE DAY??? NO!!! THEY HAD TO PUT WORK INTO IT. And they certainly didnt give up. Its ok that you gave up though. Not everyone can work hard, some people are quitters and lazy. But what you shouldnt be doing is making out that Mary Kay is not anything but great because it is. It has helped many women in more than one area of their life. Just because you gave up because you werent willing to try and put the work in and you werent willing to ask the right questions and really just just submit yourself into it doesnt mean that you should make other strong willed women think that Mary Kay is not a good company because its great. Im sorry but your story was just a story of laziness and not willing to try. Would you tell your daughter to just quit like that before shes even tried??? Before any work was even put in? It wasnt Mary Kays fault you failed or would have failed it would have been yours. Period. Go be negative quietly i. Your own head next time. Please women dont pay any attention to what she said. Im not even an active Mary Kay consultant yet but i believe that this can and will help many women if we work hard at it and have some faith and positive thoughts and support from friends and or family!
Excuse me, but it seems that you did give up before you started, and I do not like that you are telling people that is how the experience ended up because of Mary Kay instead of your own actions, or lack thereof. I had the exact same experience, but I viewed it as a push instead of throwing in the towel. I had three people at my party because everyone cancelled. It was my mom and my boyfriend’s mom and my doubles partner for tennis. It was awkward and not fun and embarrassing. So what? I do not give up that easy. I emailed all my family and friends the day after telling them that I would be giving discounts to all of them if they were interested. I told them if they did not want to then who cares? All you have to do is tell them you are available to them. They are your friends and family. Even if they say no, if they are interested in a few months they might remember that you offered. You get exactly what you put into something. Maybe a sixth of those friends I emailed bought something. But they all told their friends that I gave them discounts and was willing to work with them. I got calls from people I had never heard of wanting to try things and meet with me. You can NOT expect people to come to you otherwise you are wasting your money starting a business. That’s what it is, is a business and you have to treat it like one and not tell everyone it was a bad experience just because it was not as easy as you told yourself it would be.
THANK YOU! BRAVO GIRL.
Thank you. I am just starting and am looking for advise. I was wondering are you still a mary kay consultant?
Sounds like a real quitter to me! Didn’t even try other avenues to even get the business of the ground. My customers are not family and friends, they are people who tried samples or received a gift certificate for trying the products at a class or a facial appointment. I don’t know how many times I have made appointments, then they cancelled but ya know what they still rescheduled! Life happens and you just need to move on!
I totally agree with this reply. My debut was sad. That was almost eighth years ago. What was your Why? For starting this business. Like any small business owner, you have to have a vision and a reason for doing it. There are tons of businesses out there that had they closed their doors after one event or because a one customer didn’t like what they had to offer, wouldn’t be be booming today. My why was my kids. I wasn’t sure at first but I saw other women doing it. So, why not me? My attitude had to change, my vision grew and I was willing to do the work. We work constantly for others to build their goals and dreams and stick ours in a closet. When you think small, it’s easy to quit! What a lot of people fail to realize is that our paths are different. It will not be like everyone else’s. In terms of the inventory, it’s a personal choice. I wasn’t able when I started and I just took orders. I then place a minimum order, at that time it was $200. I eventulally built up to a full store. It’s very sad when people post Their bad experiences and act as if it’s they same for everyone. There are millions of consultants worldwide and those that have made the conscious decision to open the box, share the product consistently, be teachable, trainable, Coachable and are willing to grow themselves are successful. When You quit, You fail, not the company! I have a no matter what attitude. I avoid negative people. It’s my business and I’m responsible for it. So I seek out those that are going places with integrity. You have to be intentional about everything you do and have a reason. “Because my cousin did,” should not be your why! Maybe you wanted to help her. Maybe you need to pay rent or buy a new car! It seems you were in it for the wrong reason. But try shifting your vision and attitude and it won’t matter what business you try if you’re willing to do the work!
Hi, I am soon going into mary kay and would love to speak with u it seems u were successful without initial inventory and I do not really have more than 300 dollars to get started. I would love an advice or tips u may have for starting up. My email is slai6110@ymail.com I’d love to hear from u. I haven’t started yet and I really don’t know where to begin.
I couldn’t agree more. Mary Kay has a simple plan, but it’s not EASY work. We get a lot of No’s.. and we get a lot of cancellations but if that one NO or one cancellation can break our business, then we really have no business. I have no problem with this lady saying Mary Kay wasn’t for her, but to blame it all on Mary Kay the company is a cop out. I wish her luck in her school endeavors and I hope she remains a faithful customer for her cousin because Mary Kay does have some pretty awesome products and opportunities. I hope noone uses this post as their reason for not giving Mary Kay a chance. There are enough resources and training opportunities available that anyone can succeed if they just work the business and take advantage of what’s available to them.
Thank you for this reply. Yes, I bought inventory. My debut turned out to be a double facial. It wasn’t great, Yet, I was surrounded by women who made director in a year. I know that my circle of friends is not the most trusting and social, and many would rather not even wear sunscreen. So I know I’m starting from a more difficult point.
However, I see that other people can make it. With so many women making this work around the world, it can’t be impossible.
It can work from a slow start? That’s good to hear. I’m still working it, and not letting my smile fall.
I love Mary Kay. I’m working on my debut now! The company will buy back any unused inventory if you think it is not for you. I hate you had a bad experience but the women are so enspiring. It has put a fire under me to work towards something. My director started out as a waitress and is a multimillionaire now. So there’s something to this. I’m going to apply myself and see what happens. Can’t hurt. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to pursue.
I totally agree, people have the wrong impression about the Mary Kay opportunity. It is OUR responsibilities to do the work. It’s NO different than working for someone else you have to do your part. So what make you or anyone else think signing your agreement is all it takes. That is the first step, niw comes the work. Having fun parties and meeting great people. How would you feel if you went inro a store to purchase an item that you needed or desired and it was not there? You can either place your order with them and wait for it to come in if that’s an option at that store, or go to another store . That is why inventory is important. Well I am very successful and love it.
Thank you! Well put.
Atta girl! Tell her how it is! Why does this negative woman get such a big article? What a quitter! I had something like 40 people at my debut……..sold over $3,600.00. Depends on who you know………she doesn’t have very good friends if they won’t come to her party!!!!!
I applaud the writer for writing this, and I feel that comments such as “you quit before you started” are extreme. Normal people don’t like to “bug” other people, much like the Mary Kay reps I have come across do. The writer tried, and she shoulds receive Kudos for her attempt. In the meantime, Mary Kay reps need to be truthful with prospective reps and give them all the information they need to make informed decisions, then allow these prospects to choose for themselves if they will buy into the dream or not.
You have to have self-discipline because you are a “business owner.” Just because your director was persuasive (and numbers do show that inventory does make you more successful) doesn’t mean you HAD to buy it. I have been a consultant for just under a year. I didn’t buy inventory, but am slowly building it. I didn’t have the option, financially, to buy it. I wish I had. It is much easier to sell when things are on hand. If a customer needs something right away before a trip and you have it… that’s a customer for life, because that is customer servie the right way, for example. Not everyone is made for MK, but I think the worst part of you returning all of your product, is that you gave up your opportunity. You don’t become a MK Leader through selfishness. It is truly with other people in mind. I care more about others’ success in MK than I do my own, because we are supposed to uplift one another.
I just have to laugh at this, because I feel like you are saying if someone says you won’t amount to anything (which is probably completely out of context) you’ll buy what they tell you. How would that work out for you if a drug dealer approached you? Take accountability and your actions will speak for themselves. Sorry it didn’t work out for you.
Jessica, I would really appreciate, and I would benture to say many other women would as well, if you would provide some evidence of the “numbers” you mention that show “inventory does make you more successful”. The problem with this is, however, there is no proof to be found. Mary Kay Inc. does not take any record of what any consultant sells, only what she buys. Therefore, it is impossible to tell how successful a consultant is when it comes to selling product based on the amount of inventory one has in their home, because actual sales are not recorded. Also, you stated, “You don’t become a MK Leader through slefishness”. I am confused as to how I was selfish by returning my inventory. But from my original post, my main point was although I was unsuccessful with my debut party, that event allowed me to be able to open my eyes to what Mary Kay really is. I was not at all interested in manipulating women to join a company that will cause them debt and stress, or a company that is based upon lies. I am very happy that the opprotunity is working for you, and I wish you the best, but MK was just not for me.
I had no one show up to my debut and now I am a Cadillac director. Determination is key. Very few of my friends were interested. I had to go out into the world and talk to strangers. Anything is possible.
It seems like Mary Kay is based on selling starter packs and inventory, not the make-up part. That’s how directors are making their sales clearly. So if you want to be successful, become a director, sell as many starter kits and inventory to beginners under the illusion they will become successful in any other way than ripping off other low income beginners, and you will get your tacky pink Cadillac.
Milly, you are right. Directors do not get pink Cadillacs for selling lots of Mary Kay products to customers…not in the way you think.
The Mary Kay products directors sell are starter kits and inventory and the customers to consultants! Yes, there are end customers, but that’s not how you make it to being a director. You do that by RECRUITING others. Period. You could sell $100,000 worth of Mary Kay and never be a director.
The name of the MLM game is recruiting.
This just sounds silly- nobody makes money on starter kits ! Do yourself a favor and check the facts !
You cannot become a director just by selling starter kits. There are tons of guidelines and your recruits have to stay active and you have to have to have 24 recruits in one year who are all active and stay active in that time frame. Therefore, just placing one inventory order will not get them there. Also, a national has to have 20 directors underneath her. The women who get to those positions are there because they helped the women they recruited. I do believe that there are some ladies out there who just pressure their recruits into buying inventory and ordering things that they probably will not sell, but not everyone is like that. My director is really nice and truly helps me and we are now one of the top units in our national area, because she HELPS us. That is why she is a director, not because she just went and got as many random people to sign up as possible. I am only 18 years old and I am already making more money from Mary Kay than my other job. And I did not purchase inventory and I still have not. I eventually will if I continue to be successful over the next several months, though. You do not HAVE to buy inventory when you start and if you let yourself get pressured into doing so, I’m sorry, but that is on you and possibly your recruiter, NOT Mary Kay.
I started with just enough to buy my starter pack. I bought no inventory. With that starter pack came everything I needed, including product, to start demonstrating the TimeWise skin care line. I made all of my money back plus profit off of my first party. By my third party (total of 3 weeks) I had earned enough profit to put in my qualifying order and start building my own inventory on my own. Now, 3 months in, I have earned extra income for my family, have a decent small inventory of the things I seem to sell most, and a customer base. Yes, you do make money off those starter kits…but you have to WANT TO. There is no magic, it’s work. Being a consultant is actual work, you own your own business and it’s your responsibility. Some people can’t handle that.
Do I want a tacky Pink Caddillac? sure, it’s kinda awesome, but do I want to be a director? Probably not. I’m happy where I am. The beauty of Mary Kay is that I can choose how far I go.
Thank you for NOT bashing Mary Kay with ANY Business you have to WORK HARD and dream BIG its rough but doable if most actresses or actors gave up on themselves because friends or family showed no support they wouldn’t be where they are today look it up….. Just know WE are in control of life our dreams if it didn’t work out for you it is because of you.. if that makes sense its not wrong or right to me its just up to us what we do this these type of opportunities… Is there success with Mary Kay YES! but just like if we want an A on a test we have to work hard… that’s what it wrong with America today we are wanting things handed to us …. but come on this is truly the land of opportunity for those that will get up and get it…. 🙂
Do you condone pressuring a woman that can barely feed her kids like me being pressured by my director to sell my car to sell things in my home and put it into ” my” business they really need to tell people that the dreaded inventory is call is going to come and that is what I expected of you and if you don’t do it then you’re going to be punished I thought I was going into Mary Kay to make money not to spend all my money
whoohoo, anything is possible, I’ve been in and out of mary kay its a great business and tons of support
I’m in that boat no one (friends) for debut I have invited chatted with people I don’t know but to no avail I know I can thank you for sharing
Do you still have to go through the 10 shares and 30 faces in 30 days?
Hello Andrea, I want to start the Mary Kay business. If I decide not to buy the $600.00 inventory kit, do you know of a way I can build my business until I can afford to invest more money. I do want to try this…help.
silvia
Hi Silvia! No, you don’t have to buy inventory and if you’re really interested, send me an email and I’ll explain it to you since I’m still in it.
Thanks and I wish you the best!!
I’m wanting to start selling MK to and would love any helpful hints that would help if I didn’t wanna buy inventory at first..and if I do buy it how much would you suggest
When I joined Mary Kay I did so for the money and the flexibility since I am a mother of 6. Going into the business I didn’t have the money for a 600.00 order. I went with what I could afford. I became active with my 225.00 order and built my business from there. It made no sense to me to order a mass inventory with no customers to sell to. As I continued to put GOD first and as him to send me my customers and team members that he wanted me to have, was when I really started putting more inventory on my shelves. Becoming a consultant you are considered INDEPENDENT beauty consultant. Work your business in a manner that is right for you. Your recruiter and director are there to assist you in any way. But at the end of the day You are responsible for your own success. Mary Kay Inc. give you a chance to be a Independent business owner. But in owning a business you have to put some work into it. I have been in the business for 2 years and I love it. I am not where I want to be in my business but I can blame anyone but myself. I have my RED JACKET and my next step is the Directors suit in my own time. I am sorry Mary Kay wasn’t for you but I could be for someone who feels they deserve more. I also work a full time job. I would love to nothing else but to help other women feel and look beautiful. But my approach is do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So if my next recruit is willing to work her business by getting book orders or book angles to get her inventory I am their with her to the end. I wish you luck in the future but just keep in mind what might not be a fit for you could be perfect for someone else. Not all recruiter’s and directors are the same, I have a God to answer to If I wronged you and can surely expect that to come back to me and I can afford that. I like to sleep at night. Be Blessed
This is in response to the inventory inquiry: Costco invests in products at a wholesale value of $3,600) and proceeds to sell at a retail value (50% upsale) on their shelves totaling $7,200. A customer purchases an item at retail value $100. Costco then takes 50% of the $100 and reorders the item to replace on their shelf. They now have $50. They take $25 and apply to the 0% interest loan they took out to invest in their business. They now have $25.00. They take $15.00 and put money aside for expenses and they have a NET Profit of $10. Costco uses its expense money to pay employees, pay electricity, advertisements and all PR attempts. With their investments more customers come to shop. Within the 1st year of business Costco not only replaces all items in their inventory they have paid off their loan in-time before their 0% APR was up! Costco replaces it’s shelf at no cost to them…they can now pay themselves a greater profit! 50% of what they sell can go to replacing their shelves, 20% goes to adding money to their expense account and 30% is factored into their NET Profit! Stores all over the world carry inventory. They buy the latest products, sell off their shelves, they restock their inventory and then repeat the process all over again! I tell this story to create a picture. If you are a small business owner you have to sell, invest, account for expenses and educate yourself in the business field and get customers! This is no different than being an Independent Beauty Consultant and running your own business, the right way. Remember champions don’t quit. Business leaders in the top 1% of the world guarantee have received more rejection, more no’s and more failures than the average minded person in a lower middle class social setting, You are in the place you are not because of a company but because the mindset that you are in and the actions you have taken. Your currently thinking is leading you to your current outcomes. If you want an extraordinary life,,,then you have to think extraordinary. Mary Kay is not for everyone. Is it an easier business to start up, sure but its not the only business you can start. 97% of small businesses fail because they did not have the emotional quotient to survive the trials. I encourage you to challenge yourself to have a stronger mindset and do something you love. Guarantee you will surprise yourself of how great you can actually be. I am convinced we were not put on this earth to work and just pay bills. Whether you find your outlet in MK or another avenue…just be great! Be the greatest version of yourself. You deserve it and so does the world. Be a legacy.
Schedule C. Not one drive-by const. who gives us shit about quitting MK will ever be willing to prove she’s making any money; and don’t give us the crap about ‘enriching women’s lives.’ Show us the money!
If you got a job anywhere but with a multi-level company, you would demand a paycheck. A real paycheck – not the ethereal ‘paycheck of the heart’ baloney. I can’t pay my bills with good feelings – I actually have to give the phone company money.
MY guess? She’s got a hubby holding down the fort with real money.
I have to agree with Kayla, you did give up before you started. I became MK consultant just a couple of months ago and I convinced my friend to do it with me.
Well, our debut party was awesome, but it happened only because my friend’s sister-in-law opened her house and invited all her friends.
After that we had 2 parties with our friends, between two of us total sales $600.
But after that everything went silent, we don’t know anyone in the area and have full-time jobs, so you get the picture….frustration hit hard. BUT we decided, that we signed up for a reason, for only reason is to SUCCEED. And to be successful in this business you have to memorize scripts, learn about the product and get excited about it.
To make a story short a week later, I organized a fundraiser with a local cheerleaders’ team, in 2 weeks we sold $4,000 by doing nothing, cheerleaders did everything for us. There is so many ways of selling product you just have to get excited and work!
Could you expnd on your fubdraiser with the ccheerleaders?
Big deal. The 2 of you sold $4,000 in 2 weeks. Now let’s break that down, shall we?
Let’s just pretent you each sold $2000. Divide that by 2 weeks = $1,000 for the week. (just working in round numbers)
You paid $500 for that so your gross proift was $500 for the week. Not bad. Now you take out ALL expenses – discounts, gifts, etc. After that, you get to take out income tax. You will be lucky if you end up with $350. Still not bad, but not fantastic either. You had to work you butts off for that. Yes, you did. I did MK for years. It is a ton of very hard work. YOu never get to take a day off. You will be prowling every day for new customers. Now add that stress to an already full-time job and possibly hubby and kids. Recipe for disaster. it will take a huge toll on your life.
I don’t mind people rah-rahing about MK, but please be honest about the end figures. None of this ‘I just sold a bigillion dollars worth and it was so easy’ crap, O.K.?
If you decide to quit no one has to pay back the money that they earned. That money was from selling product. If I understand it right you only have to pay back if a customer wants a refund on the product that they bought.
I’m afraid you’re misinformed, Lisa. In Mary Kay, any time that you as a consultant order any product, a percentage of that purchase goes to your recruiter and then her director (this could either be 4, 9 or 13%). The “higher ups” then receive a pink check in the mail from MK corporate for this amount, you may have heard a MK consultant refer to these as “love checks”. The problem is, once a consultant terminates her consultant agreement with MK, any of the “higher ups” who made money off of the product order the consultant is returning with the 90^ buy back program, they must give back to MK. If a consultant/director is getting other money from other consultants/recruits, whatever percentage they are losing from the consultant that quit is subtracted from their next months “love check”. If a girl is a Senior Consultant and her recruit quits, she will be billed from MK for the money as she is not getting money from any other recruit, and she loses her title and gets demoted to a consultant again as she no longer has a recruit.
Good for you! I enjoyed reading your story. You were very smart and brave to stand up for yourself and get your money back. I lost $2500 and my pride. Everything you said about MK is true. They will lie, cheat, and use anyone to get what they want.
I agree here, I tried Mary Kay and due to some things in the my family (which MK says they stand for) I decided that last yr was not the best time to start my new business. I have talked to my director about the buyback and she said it would take a long time for the paperwork. Low and behold, you just have to call a number and go that route. I have more than just the starter pack, and I have yet to get my money back and its been 7 months. I do believe the Directors will try to get you to stay due in fact that they also loose money as well.
Thank you, Carrie. I’m very happy that you were able to see the truth about MK. I am very sorry, however, that you lost money, but at least you know you’re mot alone. Their are plenty of women out there who lose money in MK, myself included. Thank you for your kind comments and taking the time to read my story, I’m happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Your welcome! It was most definitely a lesson learned 🙂
You get what you put into it… If you work you will make money, it does NOT just appear. This is an amazing company for women who want to work and better themselves. In four months I sold over $12,000 while working a full time job having a 9year old and a new born. So it can be done and I am ever grateful to have this company in my life, so I have choices!
I have seen lots of people put lots into Mary Kay and get little out of it. And selling over $12,000 does NOT mean you made that much, just so people reading this understand that little detail. Mary Kay will always try to get you to go to “training” meetings, which cost money. Then there’s the pressure to go to Seminar, which is just one big, huge Mary Kay meeting with lots of glitz and glamour…just enough to keep you hanging on to the dream and keep you in the company (and spending money on inventory) one more year.
LJ, you pretty much told my story! I felt really conflicted about the content of these long, late, far away meetings. My personal conviction comes from the company’s claim to put God first, yet follow a stick set of rules created by man. I’ve had really good conversations with my up line, and I feel my convictions are respected. My descension began when I chose not to attend a monthly meeting. I understand my feelings to be personal, still I didn’t feel welcome there. I missed out on all the bangles and pearls I “earned” Does that make any sense? If I earned “free” bracelets and necklaces, how come I have to go to a $15 dollar meeting or I don’t ever see them? Once I stopped going to meetings, I was pretty much out of the “clique” If I could do it all again, I would have joined simply to receive the discount and products at a reduced rate. That would have been right for me. I wish I had gone into it with some previous experience to keep me from falling for what wasn’t for me. I would have liked to work with someone willing to guided me to the level of commitment that what was right for me. That would have been doing me a service.
If you sold $12,000, then at 50% profit (because in Mary Kay you sell products for double what you paid for then) you would have made $6,000 in 4 months. Of that $6,000, how many hostess gifts did you have to buy? How many “training” meetings did you pay to attend? How many discounts or free products did you gave to customers? How much did you spend on reorders? What about gas money, business cards, your website, and other business fees? You see, at $6,000 “proffit” in 4 minths, that’s $1,500 a month. However, when you calculate in all of your expenses, I doubt your profit was close to that. That’s one of the things I dislike about MK, they tell you that you can have a big income, but you really can’t.
If you break it down, a person ends up what they would make at a minimum wage job.
But did you hear that she had a full time Job? So she made over 1000 a month very part time. I’m thankful to God for Mary Kay because it has changed my thinking from being negative and also has taught me not to give up.
Its your attitude that counts u started on the left foot… we’ll I’m in it for 3 months I really put my ego aside and the money is really flowing my initiall order was 2700! I hi NM led right into it it pays
Minse, You seriously need to get your facts straight and adjust your attitude.
Again, I thought this was a site for people to vent about MK, not promote it!!
Carrie – don’t worry about the people who are here promoting Mary Kay. They HAVE to say Mary Kay is great and you are the one who failed because most likely, they are failing and not making money and they are being pressured by others in Mary Kay to blame themselves. They have to keep “bee-lieving” in Mary Kay because if they are honest with themselves, and admit they were wrong, then they will have to confront themselves and admit their experience was a huge mistake. Very, very few women ever experience any REAL financial success in Mary Kay. By which I mean, they are able to make an above-subsistance income (without support from a working spouse/partner) and show on their IRS Schedule C that they made a profit in their business. You did the SMARTEST THING EVER by giving up on the non-“opportunity” and getting out. You have your truth about Mary Kay and these people have not confronted their own truth yet. But they will, eventually – unfortunately, it will come after they are broke.
Thank you, Michelle. Your words couldn’t be more correct. They are in such utter denial, and are trying to deal with their failures by making their MK “business” sound fantastic. On my page, several people have made the most ridiculous comments. My intention in being on this website and telling my story was to help others.
On a positive note, it’s really nice to have support from some people on here 🙂
Michele-If people don’t seriously make money in Mary Kay, then tell me how a director that I know PERSONALLY makes $300K a year!? And was able to not only retire her husband 10 years ago, but put him through Seminary school and be the sole breadwinner for the two of them and their 4 children? Tell me how she has the lifestyle she has if people can’t seriously make money in Mary Kay? Maybe you all need to get your facts straight.
Tell me how I saw 4 National Sales Directors at Career Conference that make between 20K-50K A MONTH? Tell me how I know 3 other directors who get enough in sales or a commission check to pay their bills only with that and the other portion of their business is just for whatever. Tell me how I know a girl who has been doing this 2 months and already making MAD MONEY, on target for a FREE car, and currently enjoying a vacation in Disneyworld with her 3 boys?
Yeah, women MAKE MONEY WITH THIS IF THEY ARE DETERMINED!!!!!
They make their money on us, what we sale and how many meeting and seminars we attend, for which the company pays nothing. That’s how they do it.
Your director makes no money for you going to a meeting or seminar. If you pay to get into your monthly meeting it’s because your director is paying for that space, and the meeting is helping you…not her. But the thing is you have no obligation to go! I recently stopped going to my meeting because I have very little time and have decided to use that time for working my business in other ways. I wasn’t outcast-ed or kicked out of the group. I’m sorry if your director talked anyone into placing a huge inventory order out of pocket, but honestly she was just showing you the options you had, if you’re that impresionable it’s your own fault, not hers. I was able to come in with a $1,600 retail order with none of that coming out of pocket. Now, if you do the math that’s $800 in my pocket within my first week. No taxes come out of that, since you charge your customers taxes. It was my first week so I did no discounts yet, I did pay the $9 shipping out of pocket, and took around $50 out to buy things such as card stock paper to print out my own business cards that i designed. There are other options in this business than throwing money out left and right. Just because one person isn’t smart with their money doesn’t mean the business as a whole sucks.
I also bought a very large inventory and am left holding the bag. My family and friends will tell you that I am a salesperson, so that is not the issue. I am also a social worker, so putting myself before others was also not an issue. Not only did I buy this large(Diamond) inventory, I also made several hundred dollar purchases for months on end. I have thousands in stock. I have stuff I will probably never sell that came in the initial order. “Best sellers” that people do NOT want.
I was also scammed through my website and now owe ProPay $200 because of it…..More money out of pocket.
Anyways, long story short I am returning my inventory. I have debated this for several weeks and have committed to it. I recently became inactive because I would not buy more product that I was not selling. That was my last straw.
What I am thankful for though was the eye opening experience. I am a salesperson at heart and am also a mother. I wanted to stay home with my child and be able to Head the household (so to speak.) While my husband works, it would not be financially smart for me to go completely without an income. After hearing MK’s business plan I was sold…. Then everything went south. That was ok though. My mind was now open to new ideas…….That’s when I was introduced to IT WORKS! I have now been selling health products instead of makeup for 3 months. I have turned TRUE PROFIT since day one (no hidden BS, like other companies.) Oh and I didn’t buy thousands of dollars in product!!!
So basically I am thankful to MK for eventually bringing me IT WORKS!
Tyler, so you basically moved from one multi-level marketing scam to another? What’s worse is that you claim IT WORKS! is not BS. Thanks for the good laugh – I needed that today.
For others reading this, go to http://www.mlm-thetruth.com to learn more about MLMs and see a list of many known MLM companies. Also, look me up on FB. You can find numerous resources on my page.
Mary Kay is not a MLM company know your facts.
Know YOUR facts, Pauline. Mary Kay IS MLM, period.
Okay, I think I need someone to explain some things to me if possible….I just started, just got my start up kit today…and I was told that I don’t need to place an inventory order (which I was told starts at $200) in order to start making money….Now, I’ve read a few times that you’re “inactive” until you place an order….what on earth does that mean for me? And can someone explain the website? I paid the $25 for the site, but now I’m curious to know if I will make money from people purchasing from my site?? I am going to email my director in the morning, because honestly this thread is freaking me out. I know it’s a business that I have to work hard in, but I just moved to a new state and I don’t know ANYONE, so I was banking on my website making me money from the out of state family placing orders on it…
Geri, your director will answer that question for you. You have to have a minimum wholesale order each quarter. I just started in February too and I decided to purchase a rather large inventory to become a Star Consultant right away, so that I would have a random customer directed to my website each month (which ensures I get a sale from my website)
Geri, I hope you have been able to speak with your director and straighten things out. Best of luck with your business!!!
Tyler, you know that MK is about MORE THANK MAKEUP? It started as skin care and that is the most important part.
Andrea how many weeks when you receive your money back? I just send my inventory last week ago ..
I was a MK consultant 2011 and i still have all my products here..Is there any possibilities that i can return these products? and get my money back?
I purchased 2,500 and order every month just to maintain the 50% off…How can i return it?please advise
You can return anything within a year that you originally purchased it. So if you returned your items today, you could return anything you bought after November 18th, 2012. Anything purchased from before then is no longer eligible. To return your product, you need to call headquarters at the product repurchasing department, and they will send you a form to fill out and sign. Once you sign it and send it in with the rest of your product, you are no longer a Mary Kay consultant and will never be eligible to be one again.
If you can’t return some products. Do a yard sale and see if you can get rid of some stuff or sell it cheaper to friends & family .
I wanted to buy an inventory in a few week. But however I learned all these, I will never ever do it. Thank you Andrea. You are saving lots of people to lose their money and time with your story.
Hi all,
I found your site while googling “MK sales ideas”. I am a new consultant and like reading the negative press because it helps me keep my feet on the ground. I did find another similar site to this one before signing and decided I am fit for the job despite the cons. I have heeded the advice here and have not purchased large amounts of inventory (although my director did make me start to sweat a little in the “how will you sell items you can’t show” talk). However, I’m a person who takes my time making decisions and am comfortable sticking with them. Another thing these sites have helped me see more clearly is the “smoke & mirrors” aspect of the business. I realize there is a lot of hype involved in the selling of the product, recruiting, and keeping consultants motivated. They get you feeling that “buy buy buy high” lol. However- no other business or business-minded person feels ashamed to use marketing tactics to sell their product. If you drive down the street you see sign after sign after sign telling you, “we’re the best!” You hear commercials on the radio, internet, social network sites, tv, all telling you “buy from me!” And I don’t know exact statistics – but VERY FEW entrepreneurs succeed. In any line of business. Period. It takes a certain personality type to sell. So – I have decided that I will stick to my morals when it comes to recruiting and be transparent. I will not pressure people. I will follow my instincts. And sell MK because it’s a product I like, and I hope I can make a living. But that’s yet to be revealed…..
Toshia,
You are right on the money. I like MK and I am also a new consultant, but I will do things at my own pace. There is no need to buy inventory but if the person can… More power to them. If I put the same amount of effort into MK that I put into my current job, I am sure I would be a millionaire. In the meantime, we need to understand that this is a business and like any other business it will require hard work and marketing in order to succeed.
I know your post is three years old. I hope you are able to read this and tell me how did it go.
I seriously don’t understand how anyone can be largely “in debt” unless it’s their own fault! I have my credit card in my purse, and I don’t pull it out unless I’m going to make a purchase that I choose to! (And pay it completely off every month! We ALL need to live within our means..if we have the money, we can buy things..if we don’t have the money, we DON’T buy things!
I started my MK business with a $600 inventory, and paid cash, because I don’t believe in “going into debt”. My daughter started her MK business one year later, when she was 18, and didn’t have any extra money for inventory. She had a few parties, and then placed an intial order of $600. Neither of us have ever put inventory on a credit card. I have slowly built my inventory up to be able to service my customers. My daughter has chosen not to have much of an inventory, because she’s in college. I use my MK money to pay for trips to see my kids in Chicago, Niagara Falls, and Hawaii. My daughter uses hers to pay for college. We’re not breaking any records, but we ARE making money.
Well, Teresa, I guess you’re just a disciplined credit card user. You also apparently didn’t have a MK Director pressuring you to put your inventory on plastic or take out a loan. I had both happen to me and so have many here. That’s what the directors are trained to do and they learn all the techniques to do it.
Teresa,
You have nerve blaming those of us who purchased large amounts of inventory. Good for you and your daughter that you don’t spend much money on your products, but that is far and few. Have you not noticed how many people have ended up spending tons of money on ridiculous inventory? It’s a pattern with this company. Think about it…most of us are recruited by someone we know and feel EXTREME pressure to pull out our plastic and spend more than we can afford. You make it sound like this is the same thing as being in a store and deciding not to buy an expensive coach bag. It’s nowhere near the same thing. Take a look at a few more stories and notice how similar they are.
Carrie
Teresa, I also bought my initial inventory order with cash because I had conveniently just gotten my tax return and we thought we could each invest in something to advance our careers, so we did. My director never tried to tell me to get a credit card or a loan, she said that is an option and some women do, but if you have the money that’s even better.
When you sign your MK agreement, you say you have actually read the agreement but no one turns the paper over and reads – you should do this – it tells you everything you need to know. Did you know that you do not have to order every month to keep your 50% – technically you only have to order once a year before you are terminated. You are active for 3 months and then in active for 3 months and then listed as terminated for 6 months and then gone – it is best if you can at least order twice a year and for your recruiter if you can order every 3 months. You can actually send your kit back within 30 days if you don’t open it. The reasoning behind taking a loan for some product is so you are motivated to really give it a try to pay the loan off. I think the most important expenses you can do is get a webpage and propay so you can deliver product to your customers and you can charge the shipping or give it free on larger orders if you want. You do make 50% on retail pricing but if you choose to give discounts that does come off of your portion. I think if you do the correct $600 order to become active and help your recruiter – you don’t count for her until this happens – is to make sure you only stock what you have in your kit as that is what you are going to sell first and that is what people want to buy – you won’t sell what you don’t show at first.
I joined 1 1/2 years ago – I was in the Princess Court of Sales for our area and top salesperson in my unit. My director asked me to make a list of at least 50 woman I would like to facial – I made a list of 178. I talked her into the bigger order – my only mistake was letting her choose things for me – I didn’t get the things in my kit and I got things I still have because it is not what I show initially. I started MK for the training which is phenomenal, the girlfriend time and lastly for the money but I do well enough to pay for a personal assistant with my profits. I have a loan payment but I am chunking it off very quickly and the tax benefits really help us, on paper it doesn’t look like I made anything because of the write offs you get to take but I do actually quite nicely. I am a full time teacher, also run a small theater company and have 4 kids and a husband who travels a lot. I do not recruit a lot yet because I don’t feel I am ready to have a team but now when I have a new team member I help them with their order. I have gotten at least 10 good customers because they called and I had their product on my shelf. I had 3 people at my debut, people avoid me and don’t call me back, but of that list of 178 people over 75 of them are my customers and I have some I still haven’t approached yet. I am in it to learn how to build relationships. What other business allows you to even send back your product? The ideal way to get into this business is to fall in love and use the product first, then host a party to see if you like that and finally make the commitment to put the work needed in – you don’t work and you don’t call, you have a blank date book.
Thank you, SB! I’ve been a consultant twice (a Red Jacket once). My hindrance each time was not having enough inventory. Mark Kay does sell itself and to this day, I will not wear anything else. With this economy and the lack of jobs, Mary Kay is one of the best opportunities around! I’m going to surprise my MK Director girlfriend (who has been patiently waiting for me to come back in) and become a consultant again. I know what to do, I know how to do the business. Women buy what they see. There are too many young girls that need to learn how to apply makeup. There are too many older women that wish they knew how! The third time around is the charm!!!!
My wife just signed up. She’s already made $500 free and clear the first two weeks. At this point, we have nothing to lose and she’s already signed up 2 people under her. She also works a 50 hour week at Walmart.
Bottom line is that you get what you give. If you don’t want to work at it, you’re done. Any business has negatives as with any job you may have. MK allows women that WANT TO WORK and SUCCEED, to do just that.
Period.
Oh, if it were that simple. Your wife will be lucky to keep doing that $500 every two weeks as the weeks go by. Everyone can start out with a bunch of sales. It’s what happens after you’ve had your “debut” and gotten sales from all your friends and family. That’s when you have to bug strangers, etc.
Good luck!
Wow! They even have a husband stuck in the pink fog. I hope your wife doesn’t plan on quitting her full time job.
Good luck!
Carrie
Honestly everything being said is true from both sides, I signed my wife up for marykay 3 years ago, 1) for the social interaction, 2) to help ear some extra spending coin. Honestly the cosmetics industry is a billion dollar industry, and I can tell you from someone who manufactured cosmetics and a very popular brand name that there’s money in them thar hills!!! Honestly Mary Kay is the only way that is legit and that has over 30 yrs history that an ordinary regular ole joe or Josephine can get into the lucrative industry. As Rich Dad Poor Dad author Richard kyiosaki stated that a MLM is a simple way to make money without over head!
Think about all the costs involved with opening your own biz? The time creating policy and procedure and not to mention the cost of years of operatio that leads to good will with customers. How much would it cost you to get a good house keeping house seal of approval??
Basically they do it for you….
However like I told my wife, it is very simple buy the starter kit, follow my lead and you’ll make money ignore the Mary Kay brain washing sessions that were invented by mr.tupper ware him self!
It’s simple, get a kit cause with out entry you can’t get started…
Basically buy catalogue as this is a catalogue business. Send them out the cost you would spend for the inventory of $300 for $600 retail would send out over 300 clients.
In the first year I bought $500 in promo products, and catalogues, and we haven’t looked back I personally dropped them off with my wife’s name and numbers and website to my whole neighbourhood. I gave them to anyone I met I even went so far as to take a free yellow pages ad and list her with any website I could.
I also did some other secret ninja type gorilla typ marketing and partnerships with associations and even businesses, and we sponsor so many great charity and silent auctions and by the time we are in now at 3 years later and she has sold over $20 grand retail and $10k wholesale and now people call her for products she doesn’t even know. I tell you she is doing great for a 3 day a month effort. And she even got de listed for not buying as the truth is you must buy every 2 months or you loose your discount you only get de listed after 1 yr of inactivity.
You have to simple do 1 thing from the start decide what typ of biz you are doing?
Is it a recruiting business where I would say that is a craft in its own and I can agree with someone the comments on here pro and con… You really have to give it a full time job to manage the people and to motivate them…
Or
You make a retail store business but just like the snap on tool guy with his truck and you with your suitcase or like sears with their catalogues you desired to only deal with end users and sell clients and educate them to the product and nothing else. I like and prefered the second way just buy n sell…so much so I have created a quick books set up for my wife and she uses the business to simple off set her daily income in her higher paying job, the write offs for having your own biz changes the game as your tax returns benefit from the write offs against all your income.ie gas , car payment, house hold rent or utilities. If you own your home you have your business rent a room from you…
Basically in my opinion it’s like the glass is half full and the glass is half empty syndrome it’s all in how you look at the situation… And what works for you.
To say that you were brained washed…means you either are easily brainwashed or you felt that what they were sellin was not what you were buying… Same as saying that the director of courts and queens and such messed up titles .. Is making loads of cash and is taking her husband out and paying for everything…. Yes that’s true but how did she get there….I can tell you it wasn’t buy doing it the hard way and by selling one stick of mascara…. She figured out the ray croc way and the Mac Donald’s way called duplication!!!
It’s simple as you build customers you will find people who will be interested in the model… I suggest be honest… Sell from the heart and be truth full, as I think the people on this post were sold a load of crap and they got pissed when they figured it out based only on what they were told by their directors…
My wife tuned her director out …. And as we spoke to more successful women they all let us in on all the systems they created and or methods they did to get to the levels they were at… One simple on was place an order every 2 weeks for $200 which is $100.00 basically that mean hold all your orders and pool them… This gives you consistency and mk head office doesn’t care they just reward you…
Did you know that if you just talk to 5 people in one week and 1 buys that’s 4 new clients per month, based on 52 weeks that’s 52 new clients in a year. Calculate an average of $100.00 per year per customer that’s $52 grand…per year. Now do that for 5 years which is $160 grand in sales no just maintain that for the next 5 years as you are selling consumable products that have a shelf life like any other brand and that people buy to use not to store….
And that’s a passive income of $80 k per year extra income…
Fr what talking to people about in my opinion a great product…
FYI My mom in law is a English teacher in china, her friends own a factory that produces cosmetic brushes, he met me to import his brushes and distribute them for him… FYI he makes for sheiseido, clinic, Marc something… And a host of others as well as the famous quo brand in shoppers drug. Mart… And guess who else…. Mary Kay brushes….. They are all the same crept the brands charge on their name is my point….. Mary Kay is offering a very solid and reputable brand name just like Tupper ware was…. It is the marketing arm like in tripper ware that created the MLM that your all fussing about….
Remember compartmentalization distinguish and decide what you want not what do they want!!!!
The reason my wife did it was cause I wanted in but 3 yrs ago they didn’t take men…. Hahahahaha lol. So I found a way with my wife… To make it our own way…. Where there is a will there is a way…..
Enjoy…
This is why I love hearing a man’s point of view because a man’s perspective on business is FAR more opposite than a woman’s. They don’t care about the feelings part, they want to know if the numbers make sense, if they add up properly, and if it is worth it.
Thank you!
It’s $5,200 a year not 52k
This is true and the only time the director is your friend is when you place an order. If you dont place an order you dont hear from her. Oh and when seminar is coming up the director will beg you to place as many orders as you can so the “TEAM” can earn the car or money or bee. But the team doesn’t get anything its only the director. Its a scam ladies i fell for it for 3 yrs. i had thousands in inventory went to all meetings and events did bridal shows and different events to produce clients and recruits. I did my weekly calls and all the junk they ask you to do. And guess what i never became a director and never earned a car. It works for the ladies that have good family and friends that support the business or that are easy to fall for the marketing schemes. Where i live there are so many directors and consultants that hen you cold call they already heard about mk. Blah its a scam and i regret joining. The problem is your blood starts running pink and its so exciting and fun you just keep spending. And they make you feel like your not trying your best. Thats the directors job and the nsd job to make you feel like its you not the company or the products.
My stepdaughter’s mother signed up as a MK consultant and invited me to her debut party, telling me another one of my friends was coming and would love to see me. She also told that other friend the same thing about me to get her to come. Out of 8 people that she invited to her debut, my friend and I were the only ones who showed up. Her director was there and basically ran the party and asked us to share why we believed the new consultant would be successful in her new business. We both managed to avoid the question because we KNEW she would not be successful. We both felt bad for the consultant since we were the only ones who showed up, and we placed an order that totaled almost $300.
Long story short, the consultant never placed the order and cashed our checks the next business day after the party. We got excuse after excuse. The truth was that she had spent the money and was in such financial dire straits that she didn’t have the money to place the order. We eventually called Mary Kay, and I received my product from MK, and my friend opted to get a full refund, after we provided them a copy of the front and back of our cancelled checks proving we had paid the consultant for the product and that she had cashed our checks. They also called the consultant to give her 5 days to make things right or, in this case, find out that she couldn’t make things right. My understanding is that they will bill her back for what they had to provide to my friend and I.
Kudos to Mary Kay for doing right by their consultant’s customers. Where I fault the company is letting ANYBODY sign up without any background or credit check on who is signing up to be a consultant.
Mary Kay is a business. There will be expenses, just like any other business. I will say the expenses in Mary Kay are very small compared to starting other businesses. Any business that you start up, you usually do not get out of the red for a year if you are working at it hard. In Mary Kay, you can get out of the red earlier than that. My meetings are only $2-$3. I was not pressured into going to the seminar. I had a blast, and it really openned my eyes to the bigger picture; however, I will not be attending this year. No one pressures you. They just give you all of your options. No one in MK wants you to fail or return your your inventory. But you did not try. I felt the same way. I had very little come to my debut. But I listened to my director and she gave me ideas to try. I tried them. I have sold. And I almost entered DIQ within 4 months of signing up. Listen to the people who are successful. I would never seek financial advice from someone who is broke. If you want to be successful at MK, do what a director did that has earned her pink cadillac. If you want to fail, return your inventory and don’t try. It’s not easy. It’s not for everyone. You have to work at it.
Well said! This business doesn’t work for everyone, it doesn’t mean it’s a scam. If you don’t like the practices, then you did right by leaving but don’t ruin it for other people who love direct sales, make up and all the other stuff the company offers. Also, expenses come along with the territory of running ANY independent business. MK is no different than any other company. I’ve been an entrepreneur for over a decade and I’ve never had anybody say to me, “hey let me buy your business cards for you, or hey let me buy all your supplies for you so that you can run your business”…Where they do that at?? If you’re complaining about $2-$5 for your unit meeting, then you shouldn’t be running a business anyways. Running a business isn’t free ANYWHERE. Those that complain aren’t truly entrepreneurs, they’re just knit-pickers that want everything for free and don’t want to work for what they truly say they want.
Mary Kay Ash is about putting God first, family second, and career third. Now even though consultants and directors are supposed to follow this, not all do. Most of us have kids. We understand that even after we are “grown”, some still do not follow rules. I am so sorry if you have felt pressured. You are not suppose to feel pressured. We are not trained to pressure you. We are trained to give you all the options and let you choose. If you do not have money, you should not buy inventory. Stick up for yourself, and say no.
I don’t understand how women are not pressed to join. Our Senior National taught us that when we were doing “interviews” with potential recruits, we should ask them their credit card information before they leave, practically demand it and ask, well why wouldn’t you want to join today? These ladies walked into these “interviews” thinking they were just going out for coffee to talk about their skincare and they get recruited? Excuse me, but that sounds like pressure to me! And my previous Senior national was not the only one who practiced this, many of the top dogs do if you look at their training documents! You make money in MK by recruiting and getting your recruits to order high, which is what happened to me. All of the NSDs and directors pressure people, I haven’t met one yet who hasn’t because that’s what they’re trained to do.
Andrea, thank you for posting this! I need to do a post on my experiences with inventory here.
Your experience is exactly right on. I had a National Director pressure me to get a loan through my company’s credit union. In our area, the directors also had a relationship with a credit company that would work to get new recruits loans so they could buy inventory.
The NSD and directors absolutely pressure people because that’s what they’re trained to do. You are exactly right!
Yeah, I only had one person show up at my debut party, and a month later I was so discouraged at only making 3 sales total and only doing 4 faces, but then I went to a Career Conference and I heard so many amazing women tell us how many obstacles they overcame over the years (these were National Sales Directors) and how some of them quit and tried again 2-3 times. These women never gave up, or Mary Kay never gave up on them. It has given so many women a great opportunity and great lives. But you have to WORK FOR IT! Even working the maximum amount of hours as a consultant, it’s still less work than another job would be. And a lot of my time is spent on the phone. Then when I do a facial or a party, it’s just hanging out with some girls! It’s not hard work, it’s wonderful work making women love their skin!! You have to be a motivated, disciplined, self-starter or Mary Kay is not for you!
Amazed at all the negative comments being directed at someone who is just telling her story. Her story, her experience. So what if you had a difference experience. That doesn’t negate Andrea’s experience. She had a bad experience. It happens.
Thank you, Barbara. I did have a bad experience, and all this post’s purpose was was to show others that MK is not all rainbows like they say it is. I wasn’t informed of the bad when I signed up, and I think that everyone just needs to be informed about all aspects before they join.
I have recently joined Mary Kay in Nt Australia and personally I enjoy it I have had one party and made $60 for my 1st, I was very proud of my accomplishment! I don’t know many people here but it took one lady from my kids day care to want to host a party to get host points… If your director was encouraging you to build on your kit, it meant she seen potential in you and as I’ve learnt in life yes you do need to spend money to make money, but what’s the problem if you really commit and attend training nights and events you would have been pumping in potential clients and it would have spread like wild fire you just have to try and put in the effort, 1 person rocked up to my debut party and that was my best friend but that didn’t turn me off, I’ve just kept going and now I’m getting very good at it and successful with lots of guidance and support! I’m 22 with two children and another on the way and even though my partner works full time, I’m enjoying being a stay at home mum and being a consultant, so stop your whinging. Life will always be unfair, it’s what you make of it that counts! Rant over
I haven’t signed up yet. But I feel like it’s something I would be interested in doing. However, I’m a very smart girl. I’m married with 4 kids. I currently stay home and I am looking for something to do on the side to make extra money. I wondering if it’s worth it. I’m a reader and a strong researcher. I know that owning your own business isn’t something that can be a hobby. It’s hard work much like being a mother and a wife. I have yet to walk away from that and my oldest is 12. So, I’m going to make a little comparison bare with me. I have 4 children. My oldest is 12 and youngest is 2. I carried them gave birth to them and I take care of them. I put thousands of dollars into them. I’m never getting a dime of that back. So, in saying that having 4 children is more of a risk than Mary kay is. At least ill be getting something back. I have tons of fears. But I pray a whole lot and I have faith that whatever my decision is tomorrow. (That’s when I tell my consultant to sign me up or not.) that God will see me through. The people said that it wasn’t for them. That’s great that you guys know that. But it is for some. You have to be willing to step out of you comfort zone and trust in The Lord. Like any new business it’s going to be extremely rocky at the begging. You have promote yourself not just the product. You have to be willing to talk to strangers. Get a sticker on you car. Make a sign to put outside your house. It’s takes time and money to start any business. With this one you have tons of people (women) willing to guide you. If you don’t like your leader or director ask for another. You have to be smart about it. I sure hope that I make the write decision. I will let you all know in due time.
Well, no one is right no one is wrong, MK was just not the right thing for you! That doesn’t mean it’s not a good company, I give it a try a 2 months ago, I have a full time job, 7 years old boy that plays soccer, piano, that means 3 day of practice a week and games on weekends. I think in everything you do you have to think positive, and of course you have to think about the investment, try a little at first, I only bought the $600 inventory if I see that I need to invest more then I will.
I totally agree with DEBRA KENNEDY, I’m so sorry you felt that way. And I do put God and family before my job.
I signed up and ordered the minimum…I love the skincare and the makeup.Im mostly personal use.I think in this business, you just need to let your director know what you want.My director is awesome and she knew when I signed up,I was personal use.Maybe in time I may do a few classes,but for now I enjoy my products at cost.
I only have one thing to say about this thread. Any negativity you find on the web about not making money or being stuck with inventory/losing money is from women that couldn’t make it work and want to blame Mary Kay or the sales director. As a director I never pressure anyone to purchase inventory. That is an option. Even if you are talking $2400ws in inventory (which is worth $4800). where else can you start up a business for less than thousands of dollars. I am a single Mom of three children and I work hard but I love what I do and I make good money and drive free cars.You quit because n one came to your debut? I never even had a debut because I just wanted to be a wholesale buyer. I make great money in this business and my customers love their skin care. It is an excuse and my motto is you can make money or make excuses. No one has to be out anything because MK will by it back. So just because you didn’t have what it takes you want to discourage brand new recruits? Basically it would be like opening up a business and closing the doors after a week because no one came in. For the new consultant that is now concerned. Talk to people who are successful and not people who quit before they ever start. I am sure there are directors out there that pressure women to buy inventory for their selfish reasons but in my 10 year experience I have only seen it once and it isn’t how Mary Kay trains us. I’m sorry you had a bad director of experience but maybe you should not try and discourage women that could end up loving what they do and make great money while doing it. How do you become successful in this business? Start and never quit. Some women do it fast and others build their customer base over time. Answer the questionnaire in your kit. You may find they only recommend $600 starting out. Sorry for the rant but if that was my brand new consultant I would not be happy.
Good for you Kim. But your premise that the “negativity” is coming from people who couldn’t make it is garbage. I’ve heard it before so many times from people like you that it’s become laughable. I’ve heard the “they probably had a bad director” line just as many times as well.
The whole point of Mary Kay is high pressure sales tactic: first, the company uses them on people to get them to join, convincing them that selling MK products is easy and doesn’t take much time which is a lie; second they tell them it will only take $100 to join, which is technically true but every director out there knows that they will then try to make new recruits buy a boat load of inventory. Why? Because that’s how you make money — by recruiting!
I’m glad you’re happy being a director in Mary Kay.
People are unsuccessful in lots of ventures. That doesn’t mean that they are bad people, just that they didn’t find the fit. Your blaming the consultants for their failure, in a system that is designed mostly to make the company successful, is not only off base, it’s also not very nice. How does that sort of attitude begin to mesh with Mary Kay Ash’s concept of the Golden Rule and Go Give?
I’m currently fighting for my marriage with other half. She has been a MK consultant for 3 1/2 years and hasn’t truly benefited from it financially. My wife has been a stay at home mom for 8 years. 8 years! When I told her that this wasn’t the best time for this job, maybe we should get in a better financial standing first, I’ve been keeping you afloat spending money that I’ve earned into it when shes going to be inactive because people didn’t come through and order what products she had on hand or on MK site….spent over a thousand dollars keeping the business going while falling greater in debt because now I’m falling short on bills at home. If I’m not supporting her as a consultant then I’m public enemy number 1#! I’m watching my household that the Lord put me the head of drown financially, mentally, and spiritually. My wife seems to have been bi-polar since she got deep into this. Never happy or in a good mood unless she makes a decent sell. Most of her customers are people from the church or family. I call those pity purchases. Friends we lose contact of because she tries to sell to every single one of them…Every 1!!!!!! They don’t want to talk to her because shes less friendly when they turn her down. Sucks when the friends are a husband and wife couple that you knew or was potentially going to know and now they avoid you. It’s true that your whole life becomes this business. Automatically the order of GOD first, Family second, and MK third gets jacked up. MK takes over. My wife told me that GOD wants her to sell this make-up and she is ministering to women through it. She said this after the first time I told her I wanted her to quit MK. What she was saying is, “If you try to stop me with your concern for our family(ministry) and our financially responsibility, your getting in the way of GOD! And GOD trumps you.” She said that last part word for word as if I didn’t know that. I only prayed, talked to my youth pastor, her mom and grandmother and any other respectable head on their shoulders person I knew before I made a irrational decision to make my wife quit. More upset some time later I told her that she either quit or I was leaving(not a divorce..just time a part)and she was ready to choose MK over me. Not just me but the negative effect it would have on our kids. Reading my word, praying to the Lord, an studying books from other christian men has kept me strong. My father didn’t say I would rich in this plain, but their will be treasures for me in heaven. When, I gave my life to Christ he didn’t say it would be easier. I moved from the back to front line in the battle against satin. My household is a strong young christian household that sets a great example for Christian youth. If i was the devil I would have put a target on us also. But I will persevere. Mary K want thrive in my household unless the Lord allows it. I want get bent on my financial standing because my God has provided enough to meet our needs. The house with two car garage large savings account and second car are wants. People have less then me and I deserve less then them when all that I own is death. When I die I can’t take anything with me. That’s why I will keep my focus on him. If I do what he asks of me he will provide. To any other husband reading this and struggling keep faith. Fight for your marriage, your covenant with the LORD because he was there and guarantee that hes waiting on you to not show but use all your strength rescue her and he will be with you. I don’t believe Mary K has God first in its system. I don’t believe it uses him to deceive women and ruin his covenant. Why does it focus on the dream of making a lot of money and not having to work for it? Focuses on life being easier for you on earth. Why wouldn’t they tell women who are struggling in their marriage to focus on that and put MK in the back seat? MK is whispering, “MK first, Money second, Self last.” But that’s just my opinion.
You really just asked, “You’re blaming the consultant for her failure…” Grown adults with any hold on reality know that you accept responsibility for your actions. You make your own choices in life, point blank. NO ONE holds a gun to you head when you make decisions in this company. Whether your Director pressures you or not you have to remember that YOU choose to join, buy the starter kit, buy inventory, let negativity bring you down, accepted failure, and to not let yourself realize that there are speed bumps in life. The consultant is the ONLY ONE to blame for the DECISIONS that SHE made HERSELF. Accept responsibility of the things that you do.
If you try something and realize that you are not cut out for it then stop, accept that not everyone is the same, not everyone can do what someone else does and just accept that it wasn’t for you. Don’t look to blame other people for mistakes you can’t just own up to and accept. Accept that if you felt pressured to buy this and buy that, that that was your choice to buy it. It is NO ONES fault except your own that you felt pressured, no ones fault except your own to stand up for yourself and make your own decision to say NO!
I am so tired of people using blame and excuses to get out of their own ignorance, problems, self-made decisions, and failures. God forbid we just swallow our pride and accept that we made a wrong choice and tomorrow when we wake up we are going to move on with our lives and not look for a pity party to comfort us.
Now you all have a good day and please grow up and accept responsibility for your own actions and self-made decisions.
So I did not read all of the comments ahead of mine, but I do want to say this…. I am sorry for your experience with Mary Kay. I will also tell you that there is no official company policy that you have to have inventory. It is suggested but not a requirement. That is something that specific director and unit has done you and I am truly sorry that they were that way. My director and my unit is not that way toward people, we don’t require inventory, or even that you come to weekly meetings. I have had a fantastic experience with Mary Kay. I grew up with this company, my mom and step-mom are both consultants, and I am now a consultant myself. I have found more friends and experienced the love of those women more than I would have in any other field. I wish you the best on your future endeavors and hope for more positive experiences with people in the future.
Vanessa, I’m sorry, but you are wrong when you say there is no “official company policy” that you have to have inventory. In order to be active, you have to not only buy the starter kit but a minimum amount of inventory. If you do not continue to buy a minimum amount of inventory per quarter, you will eventually become “inactive” and no longer be a Mary Kay consultant.
Wow!!!! What a great company to let you send back your inventory like that. I own a clothing store and a restaurant franchise. If it flops I am the only one responsible for losing all that money. Sounds like Mary Kay is a good company. Even though they only give 90% back, that’s still a lot. No other business in the world would offer you that kind of luxury. Normally once you buy into a business, that’s it, they cut you loose and it’s solely up to you to make your business prosper. Sounds like you just aren’t a business woman. It takes a special effort to make any business work and everyone isn’t cut out.
This is NO WAY should reflect the products. I’ve been using them and they are fantastic.! Of course it’s hard getting on your feet.! And yes, the directors do pressure you into products, but that’s why they’re driving souped up cars that are already paid for. 😉 You’re not gonna be a millionaire, but hey, 50% off all Mary Kay products sounds good to me.! Lol.
Not buying inventory is like saying “I’m gonna open a cosmetics store, but not have anything in it.” How would you feel if you walked into a cosmetics store and they tell you “Oh tell us what you want and we will call you in a week when it comes in.” You also save on shipping when you order inventory since it is a flat rate shipping. You can start with as little as a $600 inventory and grow it from there. That’s what I did. Let’s see anyone else try to start their own business with only $600. A sharp person knows that you have to spend money in ANY business venture, whether it is direct sales, a dance school, etc to get started. With Mary Kay, it is low risk because you have the buy back option. Again, lets see anyone start a business out there and if it doesn’t work out, would you get most of your investment back?
Yes, it’s good that you quit because it seems like you don’t have the quality to be successful in this business. How can u find success If you have not even tried it?!! Quitters don’t have any place in any successful business.
Women do you not join Mary Kay just for the money. I joined Mary Kay because I was a shy person and needed to make myself get out of my comfort zone. I am surrounded by loving women who are encouraging and supportive. Yes, the convince me to stay because they see the potential that I have when I sometimes forget. Haven’t you ever heard the saying “You are your biggest critic”? Mary Kay is not a get rich scheme and it definitely is not a scam. If you opened your own restaurant or salon and didn’t put the time and effort into it do you think it would grow or flourish? Absolutely not. A MK business is the same way. You have to get out there and work to grow your business. Not to mention MK offers many options to help women so that they don’t go belly up or hurt themselves. So if you have a negative outlook on MK well I’m really sorry to hear that. It sounds like your Sales Director and/or recruiter didn’t do their jobs like they should have. MK has been great to my life and I’ve only been an IBC since July 2, 2014. No one has brain washed me or painted a pretty picture to trick me into the business. I made the choice on my own. No one held me down and forced me to do anything I didn’t want to do. Same goes for you. You made the choice to join MK and you had to make the decision of whether you wanted to work hard at it or not.
Andrea,
How long after you sent back your products did you get your return check? I was a little confused by the repurchase forms. did you get 90% of the retail cost per item back or 90% of what you paid for the product?
I just got my starter kit. If I don’t sale anything or if I decide not to follow through with MK, will I be charged?
Some people are soooo wonderful at selling Mary Kay. They have beautiful personalities, they smile. You love the person and the opportunity they give. You love being in their space. Some people are not so nice, they see the negative in Everything before they see the positive. I am not rich, have not made any money from Mary Kay, Butttt I love the opportunity, the vision, the beautiful people in the company and the fact that they offer you a chance to succeed. What the company stands for. Yes it’s not for everyone , I wish it was.:) Everybody isn’t going to succeed in this business, like every business in the world you have people who hate it, or love it. That’s the beauty in it. You either hate it or you love it, they don’t know where your going to fit in, but the opportunity is there. If you fail, then maybe it just wasn’t for YOU. But that doesn’t make it a bad opportunity. There are woman who slave at McDonalds, Walmart, KFC, Wendy’s. They won’t ever have the opportunity to drive a company car, operate and run their own business and feel proud. get a tax write off on their business, they will never get to experience any of these things. If Mary Kay Cosmetics is not for me, I think it’s a beautiful company, they give you everything you need to succeed, if you can’t, don’t, or won’t for whatever reason. You can’t blame anyone. the opportunity was offered to you, the director came to you, help you with your start, which was beautiful in my opinion.They could have signed you up and never called you, left you at your debut with no support. That was NOT the case. The opportunity was just was not meant for you.
I have read a lot of the post here and i think i can relate to everyone and understand where each one is coming from. from does who used to be Consultant and does who still are. i been with MK for over 7 months already and i do love the opportunity, especially since im paying my kids private school with my 50% profit. has it been easy???? NOOOOOO WAY!!!!!!!!! do they push u and are on your case about buy buy buy YESSSSS!!! did i fall for it???? YES!!! i invested a lot on my inventory and paying the weekly and monthly meeting. and i was getting sooooo stressed because getting people to book a skin care class is almost like requesting and interview with the President of US. what makes it worst for me is that i have always been shy and its soooo hard for me to start a convo with ppl. so for the first 3 months i found my self buy buy inventory so i can always get a gift from my director at the end of each month for buy $300+ on inventory. one day i found one of the gift that i received and saw the price tag and it was $12!!!! soooooo i invested $300 to get a $12 gift??? another thing, going to my weekly meeting was hard because e i have 4 kids and you can’t even take them… and i don’t have people like that for me to just leave my kids with and i was getting calls and text with the same story that all the ones who made it to the top never ever missed a meeting…. i mean kudos to them, but im not just gonna get a stranger to watch my kids to go to a meeting where 90% are repeating the same thing.
sooooo meditating on all that…. brought me to a crossroad. should i quit?? should i continue??? i mean i LOVE the MK product and i stand firm on them because i have seen the change in my skin & in my mom skin (she’s been using MK since i can remember) to stay active you need to have a min order of $250 a month.
I made it to be Star recruiter and all 3 of my team member quit for all different reasons. and just recently i became a Senior consultant again.
this is how i am working my business and as of right now its been going good (especially that i am making my kids tuition monthly which is my #1 priority)
like i said i have aloooooooot of inventory… ALOT!!!! so i am concentrated in selling does with out buying more. but i do keep myself active by reordering my product & my mothers product which together comes out to the amount needed to stay active.
do not fall for the pushing of attending meeting. i have made it cleared that i will go when ever my mom can watch my kids or my husband comes early from work. where they happy? NO but its whatever to me. the calls i also put a stop because i told them that i don’t need someone on top of me, i know what i need to do, i know how i have to do it & i know how and when i’ll get it done. but the calls just make me frustrated and that if they didn’t want me to quit they needed to back off. and thankfully they have respected that.
with my new recruit i was crystal clear on everything before even sending her the agreements. because when i joined no one told me anything. i told her that you will get 100 no and like 1 yes, i told her about her getting pushed to buying inventory but that to please consider her economical situation before deciding. and i also told her that i am not a pushing seller. i have never tried to force a sell on anyone ever. i do not do the $300-$600 roll up bag sell. i do my class and then tell them that everything i used i have IF they are interested in it because Mary Kay products sells itself i don’t need to force you to buy it. i just can’t see myself doing an individually interview trying to sell them the roll up bag. and guess what… that has work wonders for me.
another thing with one of the recruits i had, but quit do to family situation. she was one of those who didn’t stack up on inventory, so when people order and they didn’t have the total amount to pay for the product, she would accept half of it which would cover the order, tax and shipping. which worked out amazing for her because she wasn’t investing her money.
another tip that has work for me…. i made a unique business card to catch women’s attention…. with Mary Kay you can only used the business card that is made thru MK connection. so after thinking hard of what to do without using the Mary Kay name.
i came up with a card that in the front read “be a full time mom, with a part time job & earning a full time wage” and in the back of the card it says “want to know how? call me” and my number is in the bottom. that card i leave it in the schools in nail salon, hair salon very discreetly (with manager approval of course) and i have gotten so many calls from it. have i recruited them? NO but i have gotten individually skin care demonstration (facials) with it and have them now as my customer. and for someone who is not good at talking an interacting with people… this is was had been working amazing with me & like i said… as long as i sell monthly to cover my kids tuition i am more then sastified.
i lost a lot in the beginning…. but now i changed the game to fit my style
my point is…. the way they train you to sell Mary Kay does NOT work for everyone. its YOUR job to find what fits your style. taking example from everyones experience to see what you can or can’t adopt to yourself. oooohhh and please don’t think for one second that you will have full support from your family & friends cuz those are the first ones to ignore you. but don’t take it personally… learn to separate business from family or you will get depressed and down like i did.
on another note: they are people who hate Mary Kay and others who Love it….
but those who join Mary Kay are just looking for an opportunity to make extra income just like those who join HerbaLife, Avon, Anway, BeachBody, Isagenix, Etc…. and I don’t agree when people mouth trash any of those businesses. if it didn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean it can’t work for others. i think its good to share the Good & Bad experience so people who read it can learn from them. but we are all have one thing in common.. which is earning extra $$$ and thats why at some point we signed the agreement.
i know i have said a lot and some stuff may not make any sense to some but i do hope what i wrote can help anyone who wants to get the extra income just without feeling pressure. go at your own rhythm. =)
Hi, I am new to MK. I want to let ya’ll know I had a very bad beginning with MK, but, I am going to give it a shot. I was sent the wrong kit and had to wait almost 3 week for the beiginners kit to arrive. In the beginning I was so excited but that dwelted as I had to wait. BUT I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP SO EASILY. I do not have an inventory and when Directors tell me about an inventory I let them know if they want me to have an inventory then they will have to wait until I start making some money. I am not rich. My recruiter, who was my friend, don’t even call me any longer cause I was turned down for the MK credit card due to no credit history. Is that a friend no, but, it is not he companies fault people are the way they are. We do not have a store that we need inventory right away.. People will understand if you are up front with them. I have not had a Debut party just a few facials with my friends. Did not make hardly anything but it is a start. DO NOT GIVE UP
Hi,
I want to thank everyone for posting your experience. I just sined the agreement and after assisting the orientation my way of seen MK changed. The director was so pushy for me to buy an inventory I couldn’t aford. When she asked me what package I could buy I told her the package for $600 she demanded me to go higher because i needed to force my self to work harder. I told her I only had 45.00 on my account and that I could do the order in about a month when I could get two of my pay checks. Her words were ” We cannot wait for your two checks by that time you would had sold alot of products. You need to knock on doors or get a loan. I was so disappointed. I even cried because I felt pressued at that moment. She told me I need to invest in order to make money. I understand that part but its just the pressure of doing things so fast knowing that a family is going through a situation that cannot just give up the little money they have.
I will continue with the business because I love the products. But i will do it my way. I will order the $600. package and will start from there. I want to make extra income not become so thristy for money and free gift because that’s when you forget about the other peoples needs and think about yours only. That is not something God will want. . How right you going to look in God’s eyes when you are pressuring someone to enter your team and to order big orders for you to win a car or free gift or even get a % from you, when that person does not have food to give her family. That breaks my heart. If they really want people to succeed and help those family in need than why don’t they pay you the first order and help you succeed. Why not if they are full of money and have free cars that don’t have to pay.
They should be more honest about the MK busineess before paying the 100.0 to start. That way people know what they are getting into before hands.
Thanks,
Micielsy
I am a single mother who supports my child on my own. I was sold the dream by being told I could do this part time to compensate for my full time job. So off I went. I get the call about inventory – purchase inventory and run myself into extreme debt. Now the reality hits I need to get on the phone and contact people. How do you find the time to make all these calls and work on your business when you are already working another full time job and taking care of a child? I am doing everything my Director asks me to do. My Director tells me just focus you can leave your full time job – do you want to be in Corporate or sell Mary Kay? I spend money on my website, I spend money on Propay – BTW you lose even more money by using Propay. I sign up for Unitwise account more money, get a cell phone for Mary Kay Business – more money. I travel to Dallas for the “Big Event”…I travel to New Jersey for the mid-year Event – do you hear a theme? MORE MONEY!!! 18 Months into starting my business I lose my full time job. What do I get from my Director – work on your Mary Kay business! Remind her I need benefits doesn’t care just focuses on me making more money for her. Two years later I am closing my business stuck with inventory that I can’t send back because you can only send back inventory that is 12 months or less!! What about everything else — nope I’m stuck with it. What have I done – I gave it away to my friends and good customers just to get it out of my house. My advice – don’t do it unless you have the time and are not going to run yourself into debt. Over 2 years I have made NO money! If you like Mary Kay buy it from someone else and help a pink lady.
Hi, I am not here to dispute anyone’s story or to place blame or call names. I am here simply to share. I started my MK business June 2014, after a friend of 15 years asked me to join her. I thought I wanted to and found after my first party and recruiting my first team member, I wasn’t motivated. Not Mary Kay the company’s fault, not my recruiters fault and not even the fault of the one team member I had who did nothing but purchase a starter kit. So because I was inactive I didn’t help my friend either, I was just another number truthfully I did more harm than good, because I couldn’t afford the $100 and she put it up for me. I had just come out of an abusive marriage so I was really struggling, single mom, son with ADHD yet was un-diagnosed and daughter developing into a pre teen. Anyway, July 2014 I moved to NC from NY. I had lived in NY all of my life and so moving to NC, I only new an aunt and a cousin in the area. I had a few friends from previous visits before but none of us kept in close contact. So I got a job as a Medicare & Retirement insurance agent and I hold licensing in 45 states. SO I worked that job until February 6 2015. I lost the job because I had to take my son frequently to medication management and therapy appointments and of course because of this I violated the jobs attendance policy. Well I didnt qualify for unemployment and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I reached out to my Director and recruiter and said “I am ready to try this MK, full time”. Now I was asked about inventory even though I had already had my kit for a year, yeah sure, it’s with any business you want to upsell, and yes there are advantages to consultants coming in with inventory orders and the amounts they are etc, of course this is an incentive to earn prizes and recognition as well. It isn’t just about what the Director or recruiter will get off of your order. Anyway, I declined because money was unavailable for that and I wouldn’t do a credit card or a loan, I have never lost a sale because I have no inventory and people have just waited a few days for the order. Does it make things easier, I’m sure. Would I if I could, absolutely, but it is a personal choice to carry inventory and not mandated in order to run a successful MK business. Another reason I don’t have inventory is I would have no way to carry it. I also don’t drive currently so I run my ENTIRE Mary Kay business on the local public transportation, or bus and train system. It is sometimes hectic but life has daily struggles. Those of you who drive have to fight traffic, lol whose the lucky one now!! I could have purchased a car at tax time, but I decided it would be sweeter to earn a FREE one, so I paid some bills with my tax check. (not stupid nor a dreamer, but a dedicated faithful believer 100% in God). I will get my FREE car. Actually I am not far from being on target for it. Since I picked up my kit February 6, I have not made wads of cash, I won’t pretend I have, but I have gained a goal to shoot for. I have gained confidence and sisterhood and had so much fun!! I havent had to spend a ton and get no results either. In Mary Kay you earn money by product sales whether your own or commission from the company of team sales. You also earn prizes and recognition for your progress in team building and I am happy to say I have a team of 8 (although only 3 are actively working, which makes me a RED Jacket whoooohooooo, Star Team Builder), and I have earned a Pearl earring, bracelet and necklace for my recruiting. I was also #2 in my Unit last month. Now I decided that I needed to follow more closely the plan laid before me, I figure 51 years they are doing something right in this business. So I have begun that and I am looking to be DIQ June 1. I could potentially be a director and a car driver (not yet the caddy but MK has 3 different car levels, I right now will take anything with wheels, that isnt the city bus, lol) July 1 ( or Sept since they give me 4 months to qualify to that level, based on team building with active members and sales). My point in all this is, it was a decision to keep catching bus and working my biz, It was a decision to work my biz. It is a decision to recruit 5 women in one month. I am very honest and I will share with everyone I wanted people on my team at first just to help move up, but now I dont want just anyone. I see if they wont do the work they are no good to themselves, the team or me. Quality over quantity. The young women who wrote this post made a decision to GIVE UP, it’s ok nothing wrong with it, her choice. Yet had she made a decision like I do everyday to believe, to work my business full circle listening to the direction of those who have made it before me, to study and make my craft my own, to share with other women the priceless things I have gotten from MK that money could never buy, to ride the bus to and from and to reach beyond what I thought I could never do to just doing it, she might have been or sill can be a MK success story. This of course isn’t the business for everyone, but those who never truly try never truly know. It takes 21 days to form a habit. If you did what a MK consultant told you for 21 days it would become a part of your daily routine. You would replace FEAR with simply doing the actions it takes to get the results you want. This is not a get rich quick scheme. It is however a real opportunity to make your life fun, better and easier . You never know who could use this opportunity and how it will work for them just because it didn’t work for you. 3 million consultants across the world can’t all be wrong about this business. I love what I do and I have firm goals set and plan to work those goals into reality. It isnt easy always, people cancel some reschedule some don’t. And yes some are mean others are sweet as pie. It is work like anything else, but it is worth it when you know you can work your way to so many amazing things and the personal growth is even more gratifying. One take away from a CD I listened to really lit a fire under me to do more because I was complacent and would complain because I had to catch the bus, then I heard National Sales Director Andrea Newman, Stop Dreaming Start Doubting. Andrea said, “Show me a woman who says Mary Kay didnt work for her and I’ll show you a woman who didn’t work for her Mary Kay business” low and behold that was the push I needed. I said to myself, “Stop complaining about the bus if you wont work to get off of it” WOW!! So day in and day out that is what I am doing working for car as well as DIQ. If I do this on bus ANYONE can do this business!! You have to make the decision and no one can for you.
I have only been in MK for about three weeks now, and I haven’t even gotten my inventory yet, but I have had 9 people out of 27 say that they are coming to my debut party and that they are going to buy something. I also was able to reach past family, friends, and coworkers, and talk to my waitresses, a custodian where I work, and other people, and I have had a lot of good reactions to me just asking if they were interested! And my recruiter had only THREE PEOPLE show up to her debut party, all of whom were family, and two came late and left early! She didn’t sell a thing! But now, six months later, she has a red jacket, three team members, she has sold more than $20,000 worth of product, and she has made a ton of new friends that she wouldn’t have if she hadn’t started Mary Kay! She just needs 2 more team members to get her first car! I will agree that not everyone should do Mary Kay (although some would tell you otherwise), because my sister is so incredibly shy, she wouldn’t be able to sell the first item outside of her family! So, I’m not bashing you for quitting Mary Kay, but I want to let others out there know that Mary Kay can be a good thing! And the best thing is, you can try it and if you decide that it isn’t for you, then you can get most of your money back!
Anything that is worth having won’t come easy.
I’m so glad the owners of Walmart, Target nor JC Penney didn’t have the same thinking as you!!! Investing in inventory has been the best decision of my life and if you would have pursued this business like you are so attempting to tear it down, you would know that!!! When I needed to pay my power bill, I took inventory and sold it and not only paid my bills but feed my family and put gas in my vehicle! Your mindset must change to be a part of a company like Mary Kay. Business owner is a Responsibility Not a Title!!! I have experience the lows of owning a Home based business but the Highs of not be limited to ANYONES value of me and How much I’m worth has out weighed them ALL. Not many business flourishes in only a short period, its called BUILDING. Try it and Let it work for you!!!
Ladies, I couldn’t afford inventory when I started and a loan was not an option for me! So I built from the bottom up. Directors only make suggestions! You cant get blood from a turnip!!! in other words…You cant buy something with no money So if your desire is to grow in your mind, spirit, and financial you got to TRY! I did!
Signed:
Greatful for pushing pass my feelings!!!!
Tania
It sounds like your director didn’t help you the way that she should. I am a new consultant and my director is beyond great, she even walked me through the steps to place my order and she reviewed it to see if i could save some money; last week I became queen of sales and that was on my first order. Don’t get discouraged cause if you do then that will hurt your business. Keep your head up and u will succeed.
Thank you Lord! I’m sick of “cold calls”. Everyone was wondering why the heck I was calling them and who was I and NO they didn’t want a facial! I met with my director, I came in with inventory, I had team members, I had a debut, but after the first round of people and you call referrals, nobody would buy. I want to go shopping and not have catalogs with me bc I’m targeting someone. I don’t want to hand out samples and call you tomorrow only for you to ignore my call. So. Over. It. I’ve done this 3 times. 3!!!! #done
I don’t even sell Mary Kay and I can tell that the initial woman gave up way too easy, and hadn’t really thought out what she was doing. First and foremost you can’t rely on friends and family to make a go of ANY BUSINESS, that’s not just Mary Kay. Why would you even want to make a profit from your friends and family? In any business you have to have a way of drawing in business. If you don’t think you can do this without begging friends and family, then this type of business is not for you!
I have a question when someone places a order for products and wants to pay with check they make it out to mary Kay rite? Also it is by check when I place the order on Monday will it still come in by friday
I’m way late to this discussion party, but I do want to say though I understand that Mary Kay did not work for you, and I respect that everyone has their own opinion…to say that Director’s only want you to stay in because they money they make off of you is preposterous. I am currently in Mary Kay, and my director and her power partner are the most confidence-boosting, motivating and positive people I know. I considered quitting once or twice due to my school and family schedule, I shared my concerns with my Director, and she met up with me (on her own time) and helped me devise a plan to fit it all in and to get what I wanted out of my own business. They remind me everyday that it is MY BUSINESS and I can choose to thrive within, or I can choose to let it go. It is UP TO ME. Not anyone else.
Agreed!!! Thank you! Everyone always has a choice.
Hi Leah, When someone places an order from you, the check is made in your name. You then use half that money (don’t forget to include tax) to purchase the product, and the other half goes into your pocket that same day!
I agree with the inventory. I have MK products for a couple years now. I have not been able to sell at all. I have a couple loyal customers, so i will keep their favorites on hand. I
Thank you for this. I actually agree with everything you said. I started MK about nine months ago (for the second time) desperate to get out of the corporate retail world. As I was a manager at the time, my eyes were opened to being a director and my ability to lead people, and I was talked into joining again. I was hesitant, but knew that the first time I started in 2009 was not a proper experience, and I wanted to give it a try again. I had my mind set on the $600 inventory set, and was quickly told “you will definitely sell out of that in less than a month, and since this is almost the beginning of the MK year, you don’t want to run out of inventory. You really should think about getting a higher one. Here are the benefits…”
I spent the next hour on the phone with my director and my recruiter and finally settled and bought the larger set (4X what I originally planned on buying.) I hung up the phone excited to start my new journey, set up my office, and get to work.
Four months later, 1 party, 7 “rose promos” and 6 1:1 consultations later, I knew the script by heart and had no return customers. I still have most of my inventory sitting in my living room, and I was paying into my investment, not paying it off.
You are NOT a quitter as everyone here has been quick to say. You sound like you made a good choice to stay away from the inventory. As nice as it was to be networking with women, I decided MK was against a lot of things I believe in. One of the lines of the script was “What can I order for you to make you feel beautiful?” I’m a firm believer that it’s what’s on the inside that matters, not the outside. Yes, we all have things that can make us “feel” beautiful, but I don’t like promoting that there has to be something.
Unless you already have people lined up and ready to order, don’t waste your time with inventory. There are stories of women buying only the starter kit and building their business and becoming NSD’s overnight. It can happen. But don’t invest in inventory.
How many of you ladies have heard the terms “fake it till you make it” and “husband unawareness plan”? just curious…
All the time, Jef.
I always thought it was incredibly hypocritical for directors to encourage consultants to get people to hide their purchases from their husbands. It’s obviously incredibly dishonest. But given how much MK they wanted women to buy at these parties, they had to have some way to convince them! lol