​Everyone has a Mary Kay story!  Mine began in college when a friend invited me to a skin care party in her dorm room.  I had never heard of Mary Kay before but I was told we would be having a facial so I went.  I loved the products on the spot and was super impressed with the consultant so I bought some skin care and agreed to come to another event the next week.  At the event I met lots of other very excited and friendly Mary Kay ladies and wondered why everyone was so happy! There were women of all ages and backgrounds there.  Women who were driving free cars and earning executive incomes.  I was impressed and a little confused by it all. I didn’t consider becoming a consultant myself because I was such an introvert and didn’t like the idea of selling anything.  I was an athlete growing up so my beauty routine was super simple and plus I was busy preparing for my “real job” as a future teacher.  

Fast forward many years, I did become a teacher, continued using Mary Kay skin care, got married, had 4 kids and was juggling a very busy life!  My makeup routine was still super simple and I had one lipstick that I used and it was Mary Kay’s “Frosted Rose”.  I had loved my years teaching elementary school because of the impact I had on the students’ lives.  What a rush it was to make a difference in someone’s life!  I knew that I wanted to do that forever but teaching had it’s disadvantages too!  I wasn’t too excited about the office politics, long hours, lack of flexibility and set pay.  It didn’t matter how hard I worked, I got paid the same amount and there was no way to promote myself.  Being an achiever, that frustrated me.  

As a stay at home mom, I loved being involved in my children’s lives, volunteering in their classrooms and helping out at church.  After 10 years, I felt that I was losing a part of myself because I didn’t have anything that was truly just for me.  All of my time was spent taking care of others in my family and I wanted to use my talents to influence and help others outside of my home.  Money was also becoming an issue, as my children got involved in more activities.  I was desperate to find a way to contribute financially to my family, make a positive difference in the world and have a flexible schedule. I wondered if such a position even existed!  

I prayed daily for an opportunity to come my way and it did when my church friend and Mary Kay consultant, Megan Bennett, asked me to do a practice facial with her.  Since I was familiar with the products but didn’t have a consultant anymore I said yes.  She got me hooked on the Mary Kay skin care again and I loved my new routine and anti-aging products.   A few weeks later I had run out of my favorite lipstick “Frosted Rose” and Megan offered to give it to me for free if I did a practice sharing appointment with her over coffee.  I needed that lipstick so I thought I’d listen and see what this was all about.  I am so glad that I was open enough to listen because what I heard from her director, now National Sales Director, Lara McKeever, was that with a Mary Kay business you really can have it all: flexibility, positive impact, unlimited financial income, family values, fun, and great product discounts.  It all sounds way to good to be true but I figured I couldn’t really see if it was true unless I tried.  And what did I have to lose anyway?  I was ready to challenge myself because I knew playing it safe wasn’t the way for me to grow into the confident person God wanted me to be.   I signed my agreement on the spot and then went into shock over what I had done!  I let my fear motivate me to listen to Lara and do all that she told me to do so I could practice and learn the basics of the business.  I got my inventory, did a Power Start and was on my way to success! Over and over women told me how much they appreciated my help and how much they loved the products.  I wanted to help more women feel beautiful so I kept seeing faces over and over.  The more women I met with the more my confidence grew. In my first month, I made over $1000 in sales!  That was a lot of money for me and I knew I could make that grow. After 6 months my sales increased to $2000 a month and I had earned my red jacket!  Now the goals that I thought were way out of my reach were in sight.  I earned my first car a little over a year after I signed my agreement.  I became a director a few months after that and never looked back!

 I’d like to say that everything was smooth sailing for me but like all consultants I had setbacks and fears along the way.  I just chose to keep going.  My faith has been strengthened tremendously by the strong, positive women that I have by my side. I have learned so much about self-discipline, communication, people skills, time management and the power of positive thinking.  The encouragement and love in this company is so unique. It’s like having your best friends and sisters working with you at all times.  I always knew that my director and other consultant girlfriends had my back!  

To date I have earned 5 free cars and currently drive the iconic Pink Cadillac! What a sweet ride it is!  The prizes I have earned from our company are too many to count: purses, home décor, diamonds, electronics, gift cards, trips and much more! The money I have made in Mary Kay has allowed our family to afford many home renovations, trips around the world, and supported my kids to follow their passions in sports and dance.  My highest commission check in one month has been over $10,000 and that’s not including my sales income.  But money aside, the best part has been the person I have become along the way and the friends I have met on my journey. We laugh a lot together and aren’t afraid to be real with each other. I am still learning and growing in so many ways and I am so glad that I made the choice to just give it a try!  If you don’t try, you will never know!