PinkLighthouse.com

Your Name: Lina

Date Joined MK : 2007

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still Active

Initial Inventory Purchased: none

How were you recruited?:

I researched them and signed up

Memorable experience you had in MK:

My first sale!

What did you learn from MK?:

Tons of stuff: money management, getting over fear, tracking using forms, goal setting, dreaming big, customer service, being in business for myself, leadership, follow-up, setting priorities, etc.

What are you doing now? :

Proudly I am still teaching Mary Kay skincare and cosmetic application.

Additional Comments:

For all those people who have negative things to say about this company, I find that sad. For some people they do need or like praise for their success. The ‘fake it till you make it’ quote is actually in many books as to raise your self-esteem and confidence. Everything Mary Kay has taught us and written in her books has taught many many people how to be in business for themselves and she has recieved many awards for her knowledge and heart. For the people that wish they had more knowledge on the company- that is your own fault you didnt do the research- maybe all you who spoke so mean about this company really do not have what it takes to have your own business but dont blame a company for that, accept that instead.

Your Name: Sara

Date Joined MK : October 2007

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still Active

Initial Inventory Purchased: $1800

How were you recruited?:

I was looking for someone who sold Mary Kay for years, and then I ran into someone on the train. She invited me to come to a Beauty Center, and I did. I loved the facial, loved the idea, and signed up.

Memorable experience you had in MK:

When I heard my Senior Director’s story about how much Mary Kay has changed her from being a tomboy to a soon-to-be-National Director. I could really relate to her experiences in childhood. Read more »

Usually the comments we get from those currently in Mary Kay are, shall we say, less than kind. But I received this the other day and thought you should see it.

I am a 3 time breast cancer survivor who recently retired. I have used Mary Kay since the age of 13 now over 30 years later I am a Consultant. Going through Chemotheraphy 3 times, hahas effected by cognitive. The effect is called “The Fog or Chemo-Brain”.

I am excited about your website’s motto “Guiding Women Through the Pink Fog”. This wealth of information has been most helpful to me. I am progressing and feel more confident in my business. Thank you for this wonderful website. It has great information.

With all Love, Tanya

Your Name: Jennifer

Date Joined MK : 04/14/07

When Left MK or Still Active?: still active

Initial Inventory Purchased: 1200

How were you recruited?:

I signed up to get the discount, and then started the business part of it.

Memorable experience you had in MK:

Helping my recruiter debut as a director by working my business.

What did you learn from MK?:

Well, I don’t know what kind of units you people are in, but my unit rocks. Actually, when I started, I was part of an adopted unit. Our adopted director went above and beyond to train us.

What are you doing now? :

I declined a position at my son’s school in order to further my Mary Kay business. I want to be home with my youngest daughter, and Mary Kay offers that to me.

Additional Comments:

You have to be smart people. Realize that this IS a business, MK IS out to make money. But, Mary Kay Ash was pretty amazing, and the company compared to other ones out there is pretty cool too. You get out of things what you put into it. My adopted director always says when presenting to guests that this business is not easy, but that it is totally doable and rewarding if you work hard.

It seems that unfortunately many of you just got hooked up with the wrong kind of people. I have never felt pressured or any thing of the sort, only supported. I hope that you won’t think so badly of MK in general, but realize that there are crappy people out there. I hope you might be encouraged to just find the right unit and director, because the benefits can be awesome, if you realize that all the inventory, campy songs, and silly prizes don’t matter. Figure out why you need MK, and then find the people who will actually help you meet those goals. If someone who is not going to make any money from me was so willing to help me meet my goals, surely you can find someone who can help you.

Good luck!

Your Name: Andrea

Date Joined MK : 4/2008

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still Active - For Now!

Initial Inventory Purchased: $600.00

How were you recruited?:

a co-worker approached me and asked if she could practice giving me a “facial” for her new MK business. She asks me to accompany her to her weekly meeting. I signed up the next day.

Memorable experience you had in MK:

When I was asked by my Director to place an $1800 inventory order! I guess she saw the look on my face cause she quickly lowered the amount down to $600.00. I did not know anything about “inventory” until I got my starter kit and I felt deceived.

What did you learn from MK?:

Anything that sounds too good to be true probably is! I learned unfortunately to be more cynical and untrusting of any direct sales company.

What are you doing now? :

Working Full-time as a Substance Abuse Counselor and trying to sell this MK Inventory!

Additional Comments:

I wish I had did some research before signing up! But I have learned to be a more informed consumer and will look for answers to my own questions! Because you can not expect someone who needs you to earn her FREE car to tell you the real deal.

Your Name: Mary

Date Joined MK : 03/27/2008

When Left MK or Still Active?: Still active, but selling inventory out.

Initial Inventory Purchased: $1800

How were you recruited?:

The director recruited me at a party that I had at my house. My sister-in-law was joining, too, so I thought it would be fun to do this together.

Memorable experience you had in MK:

Calling the repurchasing number to get the form to send my inventory back!

What did you learn from MK?:

It was fun at first…the money I made the first 2 weeks was really good. I made over $500 the first week and over $400 the second week. It went downhill after that. I really got tired of booking parties and having them cancel at the last minute. After continuing to go to the meetings in an effort to receive a cheap MK pin (my initials are MK), I finally “saw the light.” I was off work Memorial Day Monday and God said it was time to quit. I started doing some research, something I should have done more of before joining, and found this site as well as another one. The more I read, the more like a cult Mary Kay looked. But I do love most of the product. I don’t like the lipsticks because I like the ones that last all day! I hate it when I leave lipstick on a glass and have to reapply, reapply, reapply! LOL!

What are you doing now? :

I am a case manager for a private mental health provider and love my job! (Bye the way…job is Journey of the Broke, I believe! LOL!)

Additional Comments:

If you’re thinking of joining Mary Kay, view the video on this site or go to You Tube and look for the 1977 Mary Kay video…talk about the appearance of a cult! I couldn’t believe they had taken a church song, “I’ve got the Love of Jesus Down in My Heart,” and changed the words to ” I’ve got the Mary Kay Enthusiasm Down in My Heart.” That’s when I knew I had made the right decision to get out. I’m still selling as much as my inventory down for the wholesale cost before I send my inventory back because I’ll still get more money than sending it back for 90% of my wholesale cost.

Your Name: Tonya

Date Joined MK: 1995

When Left MK or Still Active?: 1996

Initial Inventory Purchased: $750

How were you recruited?:

One of my co-workers brought me in.

Memorable experience you had in MK:

Seeing the director receive her Pink Cadillac! Also, I got recognition for winning the Healing Hands competition.

What did you learn from MK?:

The weekly meetings were actually a chore for me and the rallying and cheering felt insincere… even at the regional meeting I attended. I was actually reconsidering joining today - in light of the real estate market, I’m looking for something extra/different to do - but as I remembered how distant I felt in the weekly pep rallies, I know I need to continue my search. I’m glad I stumbled on this website to get me back to reality.

What are you doing now? :

Running real estate firm with my husband.

Additional Comments:

It’s not bad if you are in need of pats on the back for everything you do and love singing camp songs regularly. The camp songs did me in.