Mary Kay's Public Image

I'm feeling really sick and exhausted lately (gotta love that 1st trimester), so I probably won't be posting daily for the next month or so - but fear not, I still have plenty of dirt. :)

I want to discuss the issue of MK's public image because I think it so important to the struggle we face in informing people. For the longest time, Mary Kay Ash and her company were spoken of in glowing terms and several fawning books were written on the subject. Up until this point, the only media attention that Mary Kay received was of the boot-licking variety.

Periodically we would all see those little magazine and newspaper articles about an NSD, in which the profiled NSD would say she was a "National Sales Director with Mary Kay", and then go on to describe the awesome mind-numbing glory of the company.

Thing is, there was NEVER any mention of the fact that Mary Kay is an MLM, and that the National got to her position by recruiting a huge downline of people. The fact that her salary was based on how much product her downline bought, and not actual sales, was never discussed. The fact that Mary Kay's "marketing plan" is essentially the same as Amway/Quixtar's, Herbalife's, and a host of other unsavory companies was never mentioned.

These omitted details about the way Mary Kay operates has contributed to this false image of respectability in the public eye. I mean, yeah people are annoyed by the stereotypical MK sales woman who never stops calling - but in the broader public eye, Mary Kay was more respected than say, Amway, even though the MK sales force does EXACTLY the same things that the Amway people do!

Where is the logic in that? And thank goodness there are now places on the internet where people can read about what really happens behind the scenes!

Posted by pinkcadillac on June 20, 2006 | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: Lady Hate-A-Lot, Mistress of the Dream Crushers | June 20, 2006 at 03:37 PM

I have always been under the impression that one of the only reasons MK has had such a run of good luck with the media is the fact that the company was founded by and run by a woman. Now it's run by a bunch of MEN, so they have to keep Mary Kay Ash's image in front of the company on a nearly constant basis. By having Mary Kay's image all over the company's literature, websites, etc. they fool the public into thinking this is still a company by and for women. In reality, it's run by an 'old boys club' just like many other corporations.

Shabby :)

Posted by: ShabbyinPink | June 20, 2006 at 03:55 PM

Mk at one time may very well have been a company for women with all the principals they love to preach but she's dead. With her died that dream cause its about surviving in the world where cosmetic companies do as much research as drug companies. Staying on top takes money not heart.

Posted by: Madame Notte-a-Suckeur | June 20, 2006 at 04:03 PM

Since we're talking about public image, Mary Kay Ash, etc. I'd like to comment on something very near and dear to my heart and that is "inventory". I honestly believe that if anything will drive down this company's image faster than a Buick, I mean Pink Caddie, it will be their frontloading and pushing of inventory. Let's face it the Do-It-Quicks get there by frontloading their new recruits and NOT by sales production. How many times have we heard the tired, old saying "you can't sell from an empty wagon". Well, ladies, YES YOU CAN. Are you listening Pinkos? Here's a little stat that was in my current issue of National Jeweler (I make jewelry as a hobby) to sink your teeth into:

Web Retail Sales Soar
U.S. consumers' increasing comfort with buying goods online...
1999 - $25.5 billion
2005 - $176.4 billion
2006 - $211.4 billion (projected U.S. retail sales)
Source: National Retail Federation survey, all retail categories

What does this mean in the MK world? It means that U.S. consumers WILL buy (and increasing so) even though the product is NOT right in front of them. People order online - they don't hold or touch the item, they pay for it - they don't have it immediately, and they WAIT to receive it in the mail! This, ladies and gentelmen, is the case AGAINST inventory.

Shabby :)

Posted by: ShabbyinPink | June 20, 2006 at 05:39 PM

Hey, Shabby ... I'm going to send you an e-mail in a minute. Its coming from "Jenni Lu."

Posted by: JenniJazz | June 20, 2006 at 05:47 PM

Great Point, Shabby! I'd prefer to buy online. Do you know what is the average amount of $ a consumer will spend online or via catalogs? Just curious!

Posted by: Good Point | June 20, 2006 at 06:31 PM

Hey Shabby! I agree this is a company run by men who are upholding Mary Kay's "image." LOL I am trying to find the link and will post it if I do where John Rochon (former CEO) talks about creating the image of Mary Kay as a figure head for the company. He was being ousted by Rogers (Mary Kay's son). It's an interesting story. :)

Posted by: gimmeshelter | June 20, 2006 at 08:18 PM

Here it is, a classic but still entertaining.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3862/is_200403/ai_n9361848/pg_1

They must have settled out of court since I can't find anything on the dispostion of this case? Anyone know?

Posted by: gimmeshelter | June 20, 2006 at 08:31 PM

That is an interesting story!!!! Wowee. MK's son a real great guy. NOT!

Posted by: Princess Emeraldstar | June 20, 2006 at 11:38 PM

This is an excellent article that very clearly states what is terribly wrong with this company's image. First, that Mary Kay Ash herself was NO saint. She was shrewd business woman (nothing wrong with that) who knew how to market and sell a product; even if it meant "motivating" a saleforce of low self-esteem women. Also, that the company USES her image as a 'front', if you will, to mask what the company really is and that is a large conglomerate that has low ethics and fault just like thousands of other corporations in the world. There is absolutely NOTHING special about MK, Inc.

"Richard was a kid who, when he was 5 or 6 years old, was packing orders for his mother when she worked at Stanley Home Products. She pretty much dominated his life until he could break free. And I was the ticket to his breaking free."

He says that after Mary Kay's illness took her away from the company, he did for her what he believes the disciples did for Jesus-created the perfect persona for the rest of the world to identify with. "The idealization of the person was completely in my control," Rochon says. "I could create it. Mary Kay never made a mistake after she left the company. She only said powerful things, because we could be very thoughtful about creating imagery that was sustaining."

Yes, they are CREATING imagery! The same thing the Directors do every day. They create an image of how they want outsiders to view them. Director's debuts are a perfect example... there's the inspirational music, the speech about how awful her life was before MK came into it, the Senior or NSD talking about the tens of thousands of dollars they make every month, blah, blah, blah... while a hundred or so women sit wide-eyed and hypnotic, even teary eyed, at the whole event.

It's all an illusion. Well, except for the teary-eyed women... that soon becomes the norm for women climbing the MK ladder. ;)

Shabby

Posted by: ShabbyinPink | June 21, 2006 at 04:19 PM

Only one slight difference, Jesus WAS the person the disciples claimed that he was!

Posted by: Princess Emeraldstar | June 21, 2006 at 06:51 PM

Just thought I would share::::Ladies and Gentlemen may I introduce to you the 7 qualities you RARELY see in anyone in MK!!I got this from a Director's site and I just laughed because when I "recruited" the type of women listed below, they usually did not have the $ to load up on inventory and that meant I was not "Good Enough" for MK! HA HA

The 7 Qualities of Women
You Want to be around:

1) They see the strengths, not the limitations, in others. They make you proud to be yourself - because they tell you why you're special.

2) They trust you so fully that you feel compelled to meet their expectations. Consequently, they make you feel like a better person than you normally are.

3) They respect you for what you have done and where you have come from.

4) They are authentic and don't need you to lie to them to feed their egos.

5) They live by their rules, but don't expect you to follow them.

6) They are at peace with themselves, so they don't have to prove anything to you.

7) They're good listeners and are sincerely interested in you, so you feel important. Because they're available for honest and genuine discussion, they make you want to share yourself.

Posted by: Princess Pissed Off | June 21, 2006 at 08:52 PM

*GAG*

Posted by: Lady Hate-A-Lot, Mistress of the Dream Crushers | June 21, 2006 at 08:54 PM

John Rochon started a new MLM.

http://www.richmontpartyplan.com/

Posted by: gimmeshelter | June 21, 2006 at 09:43 PM

>even if it meant "motivating" a sales force of low self-esteem women.

That has been key to MK's success: finding a lot of weak, low self esteem women who could be easily manipulated.

Posted by: Nellie | June 21, 2006 at 09:53 PM

gimmeshelter - that link didn't work and I'm really curious about his new scam! hee hee

Posted by: pinkcadillac | June 22, 2006 at 08:17 AM

I think this is the link you want:

RichmontDirect.com

Enjoy!

(PC - I hope you feel better soon. :)

Shabby

Posted by: ShabbyinPink | June 22, 2006 at 08:27 AM

Thanks Shabby, I'm working on it. Yesterday was okay, but I'm having bad protein cravings and a serious aversion to carbs - so I'm on the Atkins diet even though I don't want to be! I have an attack of nausea and I have to eat a hamburger or I'll be sick - how freaky is that??

Anyway, John rochon has a blog for his new MLM: http://richmont.blogspot.com/
And from the compensation plan I see he is paying out up to 10 LEVELS deep!
HA HA HA what a scam. The merchandise must be so incredibly overpriced!
:P

Posted by: pinkcadillac | June 22, 2006 at 08:38 AM

Checked out the Rochon Jr. website - which Rochon was in MK - Sr. or Jr.? If it was sr., I see he keeps a low profile in the new company by turning it over to his son (what a hair color job!). You will notice he has all the MK bases covered - Christian company, top consultant trips, etc. The products are nothing special - I didn't see anything that was unique. Kind of a mixture between home jewelry shows, pampered chef, and a little bit of "home decor" thrown in for good measure. Nothing that grabs you. I see a quick bust for this company.