Warning Warning Danger Danger! Mary Kay’s June is Busting Out All Over…
Written by SuzyQ
Oh my, so much to say and so little time. For the newbies, June is the make or break month in the MK seminar year and all of the stops are pulled out. The nsd’s may even hit the road for the special “Guest Events” that you will have to pay for, but your guests will be free, and your director will also pay and bring a beautifully wrapped gift (current products only please.) You will at the very least receive really perky email missives from your director urging to “stretch” this month.
Stretch means ordering even if you don’t need to, but it’s all for the unit! Don’t you want to see your unit become a cadillac unit, or a top director trip unit, or a circle of achievement unit? Seriously, it is so way cool and your director will blow kisses to you from the seminar stage and mouth “ I love you! You are just the most awesome unit!” and golly, what a thrill that is for YOU! If your director is allowed to speak, she will thank God for these last minute miracles, although, last time you checked, it was YOUR credit card with the new charge on it.
You do know of course, everything you do for the unit only helps your director and nsd don’t you? It’s all about production and recruits. You are a cog in a wheel that you can’t control and receive no benefit. I mean, what was the view for the people rowing under the deck? That’s you. You are the fuel. When you are burned up, more fuel is obtained from another source. You are dispensable. Really. You matter so long as you order and recruit. Stop that, and you are no longer useful.
And let’s finish that star, shall we? Order more, more, more! Scribbler sums up the actual value of the star prizes you earn much more effectively than I ever could in numerous articles on this site.. So, you are going to order, maybe $600 more to finish that star? Why? For a piece of “sapphire colored” glass in your ladder of success? (Maybe, ladder of “Sucker” would actually be more accurate.) For a cheap prize? For a name badge ribbon, that you will only receive if you go to seminar? Can you justify, rationally, realistically, adding $1200 to your inventory? Have you been in MK long enough to try to book classes in the summer? In a recession? When working parents add day care to the list of child care expenses? Have you booked and held 2 classes per week ever? Think you are going to do that this summer? You won’t. Trust me.
You can trust me because I know. I did this MK thing for 10 years, 9 as a director. I was so pink, I would have pooped pink if asked. I was a lifer. I let more professional credentialing go than some people earn in a lifetime. I let it go. I was told repeatedly that if I didn’t burn my professional bridges, I would never be successful in MK. Think about that. I listened and believed that advice. Did I say I had a couple of advanced degrees and around 18 initials after my name? Did I remind you that I was no spring chicken so naiveté could not be used as an excuse? I was a lifer. I was nsd material. You should see the plans I had for my family. My dream house. My fantastic life, just for doing my job by offering this opportunity to other women who “got it.”
Wanna talk about financial ruin? I am the poster child for bad choices. You know that line, “personal debt is bad, business debt is good?” I was told that so often, I ended up believing it. Wanna talk about classic symptoms of depression? You know the one when you wake up at 4 AM and you can’t breathe because you are so scared? When you call the 800 numbers on your credit cards to see if you have enough on at least one for groceries? The lesson here is that debt is debt. It doesn’t matter if it’s a deduction or not. It is debt, and you know what? The creditors want their money. (a belated thank you to God for caller ID) Lesson here: great credit gives you huge amounts on credit cards… I had two that had a $30,000 limit. In hindsight, I should have thrown up and shredded them. I had more than two though, I had more than I care to admit. I had great credit. Had is the operative word here. It took me years to rebuild. And can I just say how much I like that little thingie on my shredder that is made for credit cards? Way cool.
I am not a stupid woman, and I listened to people I trusted and thought I loved and would “do life with” for years. I didn’t listen to the people who were trying to reach me with concern; I perceived them as negative and as “icking on my wow.” I beat myself up continually for not being good enough, not working hard enough, not believing enough, not having a high enough deserve level, not trusting God, not following His plan for me, not talking to enough sharp women, not doing all I could do to motivate my unit, not believing in myself. I saw women who were like me and they were successful and I wasn’t. And it was all my fault.
Mary Kay was my life. I just needed more time. I needed quality recruits. Everyone who started a MK business would not succeed without $3600 in initial inventory. All newbies had to become red jackets within the first month, and then moved up the career path as quickly as possible. All I needed was a plan, and if nothing else, MK has the plan. 1000 days to nsd. Except it wasn’t happening. And then, I heard a rumor about a director in my state who was KICKED OUT OF MARY KAY. OMG. I googled her name and read the newspaper article and comments. She cheated. And got caught. One thing lead to another, and I googled “Negative Mary Kay” expecting nothing, because I was told repeatedly there was nothing negative about MK on the internet, and started reading Mary Kay Sucks AKA Pink Truth. And the rest, as they say, was history.
I read my story, and I hadn’t written it yet. I thought I was the only one. I learned I was one of many. Brave souls were here who were wiling to be honest and lay it all out for me and the others who found the site. I was going to learn from their mistakes and do it correctly. I learned that was not possible. I can’t tell you how devastated and betrayed I felt. The death of my mk dream felt like a real death. I worked my way out of MK fairly quickly, fairly ineffectively and really embarrassing publicly.
So, two plus years out later, how is it? Peaceful, prosperous, and wonderful. I learned good things from MK and have incorporated them into my life, and the bad stuff is gone. I am amazed that a few of my director (former best) friends are STILL playing this game that cannot be won. They are still driving “free” cars, although they have co-pays. They are not making money. There haven’t been star orders in a long time. Newbies are buying showcases without initial orders. I can’t remember the last time one of them reached the end of the month with an order or two on hold due to a credit card denial. They are all turning the corner anytime, and looking ahead at their best month/year EVER. Our wanna be nsd is too old now to get it wrapped up. She has no paid health insurance and at 60-something has no retirement. She’s gone from exec to senior sales director. And is stuck there. These women are waiting and praying for the cream to rise from skim milk.
And that, dear newbie (and seasoned consultants who “accidently stumbled onto this site”) is the way it is. We have a saying around these parts,” When you are ready, you will find us.” It’s a great site, so much information, and you will read your story YOU haven’t written on here, too. Why are the people who are out of MK hang around on here? Our critics say that we can’t move on. We know different. We stay because our stories have helped others, and PT gives us the opportunity to present the same play to a new audience every day. BTW *wave to MK corporate* Think about doing something that will actually help the sales force. (newbies, MKC reads every here every day.)
And hear my heart, consultants—-you do NOT need to order in June! It’s all about someone else, it’s not about what YOU need. Seriously.
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Comments (12)
pinkinthered
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Suzy, thank you, thank you, thank you! I am now coming up on 4 years out of the fog and after reading your article, the wounds are still there. I absolutely hate that anyone else had to suffer the same fate as I but am so comforted for Pink Truth! This may be the best article I’ve read on Pink Truth yet! Thank you, Suzy, for being so candid and making me feel like I am surrounded by true friends. Not “friends” out of convenience, but true friends-getting us through this mess together. Thank you, Tracy, for your dedication to this site!
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onelessSD
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Suzy- that is brilliant! Thank you for spelling out exactly what is going on in MK. Your story is very similar to mine- even with the Sr. SD who is now too old for NSD – still hanging on “perpetuating MK’s dream” – when in reality her financial situation is more of a nightmare. If it weren’t for her husband and his income- she would be in a sorry state for sure.
I agree- letting it go was the best thing for me to do, and I pity those still choosing to be trapped in that pink bubble.
Great article!
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gotheart
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I went Large Mouth Bass fishing with my husband, yesterday.
I caught the second largest fish EVER, in my fishing history! Two months! 1lb, teen Bass. Released. LOL.
Wonderful day.
No way would I have of been on the lake if I hadn’t chosen to cut bait with mk.
Who else wants to cut bait with mk. Do it!
I love fishing in the month of June. Shopping too.
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gotheart
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I went Large Mouth Bass fishing with my husband, yesterday.
I caught the second largest fish EVER, in my fishing history! Two months! 1lb, teen Bass. Released. LOL.
Wonderful day.
No way would I have of been on the lake if I hadn’t chosen to cut bait with mk.
Who else wants to cut bait with mk. Do it!
I wanted to say this too.
What an incredible, heartfelt, REAL I story.
(I actually hate saying that phrase, “heartfelt I story”. In this case I will endure.)
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pinkiu
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It’s been years now since I left the pink cult but for some reason this story resonated with me. I remember getting those phone calls to order for the team and questioning, “Why should I? What is my benefit?” I never went to seminar, thankfully, and I think that was my saving grace. If I had gone to seminar my first year, I think I would have drank the pink kool-aid and my life would be very different today. I didn’t like recruiting and honestly didn’t know what to do with the recruits I had and so I stopped going to meetings and just sold product. Needless to say, I didn’t make much money since sales is not where the money is.
Instead of racking up credit card debt, I went on to get my master’s degree with no debt. I worked in my field of study and also have initials after my name! I love teaching. MK was my misguided attempt at using my God-given gifts. Now I teach in a university which is so much more fulfilling than the empty promises and the anxiety that comes with the MK life.
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MLM Radar Detector
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Stretch means ordering even if you don’t need to, but it’s all for the unit! Don’t you want to see your unit become a cadillac unit, or a top director trip unit, or a circle of achievement unit?
“Why should I? What is my benefit?”
You got that right, pinkiu!
But, but… says the SD… ordering means “we” can pay the rent on “our” office, and “we” can keep the car, and “we” get a trip where “we” will get recognition…
I thought I was in business for myself. I’m holding parties in other peoples’ homes, struggling to pay my mortgage so I can maintain a home office, and driving a 6-year-old car which needs maintenance. How do “our” pink car, “our” regional office, and sending you to a conference where you get certificates for your wall do ONE THING to improve my sales? My customers (if I even have any…) never get to see “our” car, office, or certificates!
Seriously, if I ever had the nerve to pull up at a client’s house in a pink Cadillac, do you honestly think the view of that car would improve my chances of selling high-priced makeup to anyone? Especially when your “pampering spa” session amounts to washing your own face?
Oh, right… I forgot. The car is supposed to help recruit people. It’s just another proof that MK is about recruiting and not about selling at all.
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Slyfox
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Thank you so much for having this forum. I’ve never been a Mary Kay girl and never will be- not even as a customer.
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raisinberry
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***grateful to SuzyQ for helping me see the truth I couldn’t believe.***
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Iwascrazy
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OMG… so I read this yesterday and then went off to work… wouldn’t you know as I was walking in the door my phone goes off with a text message that read….
“Hello Everyone, The reason why I am contacting you is because I want to let you all know about the Mary Kay challenge that I have been “Given and Accepted”. It is to sell the primer and the mascara by June 14th.”
This was sent to me by my friend that has been taken over by the Pink cloud. I feel bad but you have to come to the conclusion on your own about MK. I know she doesn’t see what these challenges are really for… to sell more product and that’s it. and when I say sell it’s really so you will order more. For what I have asked myself… to get a 50 cent ribbon if you get enough people to bite. but was it worth it to bother all your warm market with either calls, text, mail or emails. All of which it will not help make you any money….
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Dazzling Diva Dana
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OMG…
Truth be told, I haven’t really checked back onto PT in over a year… Many of you will remember me… How could you not? I, Dazzling Diva Dana, prided myself on being a STAR PT contributor! I started tons of threads, provoked folks outside of PT to get on PT, and don’t back down….
While I DO miss it and miss you all… I became obsessed with PT!
It is fantastic to pop on and still see that you’re all still making such a strong case with a sky-scraper tall list of valid reasons for women to get the f-out o Mary Kay!!!
I do miss PT, but had to step away for the sake of my family.
I do not plan on being on too much since I am all-in or all-out,,
But being June and all, thought I’d pop on for a read…
Since MK women are desperately begging women to Streeeetch and all that…
Thought I would see what you’ve all been up to!
MOST EXCELLENT essay SuzyQ!
This phrase pulled from the section I’ve placed below is SO telling…
…. cream rising from skim milk… FANTASTIC analogy!
“Our wanna be nsd is too old now to get it wrapped up. She has no paid health insurance and at 60-something has no retirement. She’s gone from exec to senior sales director. And is stuck there. These women are waiting and praying for the cream to rise from skim milk.”
Ladies if you are still IN MK or contemplating it. We DO know what the “f” we are talking about. We’ve lived it, it destroyed our families and/or finances or both…
There is NO WAY to make this MK Business Plan work. NONE. No secret formula… NONE.
Please take heed.
Sincerely,
~ Dazzling Diva Dana
FB: Dana Dominey Campbell
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Erika
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Hi girls thanks for all the good advices that I get from this site and sorry to hear all this horribles storys about MK, I got recruit by a friend of mine that I meet in mommy club, but she was really pushing me by inviting me to her house to do a facial but in reallity she want to me to join her so she can became a red jacket, well I told her I will do it to support you so I gave in my 100$ to join her group well after that she invited me to her house again the day after to see the products well apparently with the intention of me metting with her director because she suddenly appear at the same time I did :-/ well she started pushing me to buy products and you need to invest in your bussines
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Erika
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Continuation ,
)
Well she was like the best thing you can do to start your business strong is to buy the 3600$ in products but if you don’t want to spend that much well you can go for the 600$ but if you go to the bigger amount I can give you this gift and this other one and etc, well I look at her like saying you are kidding me right? You think I am going to get all hipper for things that I can buy on my own and spend 3600$ just in the hope to start a business that I don’t know if is going to work because I never sell anything in my life before and I am to honest to scam people so I told her I did got in this to support my “friend” and I did it now how much is the minimum amount to spend in the products to start and how often I have to, after that she knew I was not going to drop a penny, her reaction was different and Not friendly anymore, you know I really like the products I sell them when they ask me and I even offer 30% off, I don’t gain to much but the fun about it for me is to get the products that I want for 50% off and help people to get their own for cheap specially in this economy, when people ask me to join I am honest and tell them is not a business where you are going to make money, don’t spend 600$ when you get in just the necessary and the most important thing is Do you really want to invest on this, I am a home stay mom and will be until my son is at less in first grade then I will he a job back and start working again, MK for me is a hobby where I choose to spend money or not, I may keep it in the future or may not but you know what? I can say I am not easy to get into a scam and I am not ruined financially thanks to MK or other company, I wish MK company wouldn’t focuse too much in recruit people and just focus in the great skin care products that they have and great makeup but the bad reputation the had build screws everything else, after I joined I found pink truth I am thankfull for it, made me realize I did the right desicion and I won’t let anybody scam me
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