She was the most outstanding woman of the 20th century, who managed to build up her own empire and turn the philosophy of business upside down. The founder of the company emphasized the importance of women in this world. She rewarded her best employees with Cadillacs and their husbands with badges inscribed: “She is simply fantastic.” Mary Kay has become a role model and ideological inspiration for many women around the world. Read more at dallaska.
Childhood and youth
Mary Kathlyn Wagner was born on May 12, 1918, in Hot Wells, Texas. Since her father suffered from tuberculosis, her mother had to work 14 hours a day to provide for the family. Meanwhile, all the household chores fell on the shoulders of little Mary. Her mother gave her a list of tasks in the morning and encouraged the daughter with a phrase: “Mary Kay, you can do it.” These words became a motto for the girl, which accompanied her throughout her life.
Mary Kay was unable to attend college due to lack of money. She got married at the very young age of 17. Her husband was a poor refueler, Ben Rogers, with whom she had three children.
How Mary experienced sexism
When the United States was drawn into World War II, Ben went to fight. After the war, the man began to demand a divorce. Thus, Mary Kay, with no education or money, was left alone with three children. She had to take matters into her own hands and fix the situation. She got a job at a direct sales company, Stanley Home Products, where she discovered she had a knack for it.
Her income in the company was the highest, therefore, she was the most valuable employee. She was engaged in sales training, including teaching men, which backfired on her later. In 1963, Mary was promised a promotion to manager position for her excellent sales performance. However, the position was given to her student, whom she had trained from scratch for several years. He was paid twice as much as Mary because it was believed that a man has better managing skills. This incident made Mary resign.
Restoration of justice
All her experiences of unfair treatment towards women she decided to cover in a book. Mary Kay started writing memoirs that might help other women solve the problems she faced herself.
She first described the successful deals she made while working for Stanley Home Products. In the process of writing, Mary realized that in her past work, many things were done wrong. So, she started noting down her own decisions that she would make if she were entitled to the relevant authority and responsibility. When she finished, she saw a real business plan for the company of her dreams, which she eventually dared to implement.
In this company, every woman had the opportunity to become whoever she wanted to be. The only thing she needed was to find a product that women would like to sell and buy.
What inspired her to produce cosmetics
Once, Mary noticed that her cosmetologist’s skin looked very smooth and well-groomed. It turned out that the specialist used a special cream, the formula of which she learned from her father, who was a leather tanner. The man used special solutions in his work that improved the condition of his hands, making them look younger. Mary Kay also decided to try out these creams on her skin. Seeing the result, she quickly bought the formula from the tanner’s family for $500. Using its foundation, she began to produce her own cosmetics.
Fortunately, while working at Stanley Home Products, she managed to build a cash stock. Her son Richards also contributed to the company establishment by donating his savings in the amount of $5,000.
Mary Kay encountered a lot of difficulties when starting the company. She was met with ridicule and refusals when she sought advice from male lawyers, accountants and directors of other companies. In their opinion, a woman is incapable of building her own business.
After hearing about Mary Kay’s intentions, one cosmetics manufacturer from California contacted her. They directly offered her to purchase the formula for a nominal sum and said that her idea seemed a failure. Obviously, she refused because she wanted to prove them all wrong.
The start of Mary Kay Cosmetics
Mary Kay Cosmetics was founded in 1963 in Dallas. In the first stages, there were 9 consultants selling only 5 products. But the launch was promising. There was a lot of work, as the newly formed company was gaining momentum and operated 14 hours a day. In the first year of operation, the company sold goods for a total amount of 200 thousand dollars.
With time, Mary succeeded in establishing her own cosmetics factory located in Dallas. The products were sold worldwide with the company’s expansion. The staff increased from 9 to 3 million consultants.