Anyone who’s ever made it to sales director in Mary Kay can tell you that there is no “job security” in Mary Kay. For all but a few hundred sales directors (out of more than 14,000 directors and 600,000 to 700,000 consultants in the U.s.), the earnings are dismal and very unsteady. And even if you are one of those few hundred who make a real career living from Mary Kay, you can go from the top to the bottom in a mere six months. There is no such thing as stability in Mary Kay.

But they would have you believe there is. When some companies are announcing layoffs and restructuring, Kaybots use it as an opportunity to recruit. If they can fill your head with the false notion that you’re in control of your earnings and you dictate your own destiny, they win.

Written by PinkyMcStinky

This is the final letter I sent my Mary Kay sales director, who told me she felt hurt when I decided to quit. I needed the closure of this letter, and it felt good to speak my mind!

Sales Director,

I understand that you FEEL hurt. I FELT the same way when it finally and fully occurred to me that this “opportunity” was built, and unfortunately continues to thrive, on outright lies, half-truths, master manipulation and the fleecing and frontloading of brainwashed consultants. But what I’ve FOUND is that the joy I have in sending back thousands of dollars of product, and the knowledge I now have of how MK and all other MLMs destroy people’s lives, and the intent I have of encouraging everyone I know to stay out or get out of them will enrich my life forever.

Written by SuzyQ

I got out, why do I still feel bad?

As directors, even if we weren’t wildly successful, we still were Mary Kay in our minds.  We made it to the TOP 2% of the company and our poop was in a group.

In part one, I talked about obsession.  Obsession is defined as: “1. the act of an evil spirit in possessing or ruling a person. 2. the fact or state of being obsessed with an idea, desire, emotion, etc. 3. such a persistent idea, desire, emotion, etc. esp. one that cannot be gotten rid of my reasoning.”   (Webster New World Dictionary)  I am not wild about the first definition, but the other two certainly do ring true.  Obsessions are very difficult to dismiss. 

Written by SuzyQ

This is not a myth, unfortunately.  It happens to most of us.  We become Mary Kay, not the woman, but the “dream,” the “vision,” the “company.”  So much of our day is consumed with Mary Kay, it becomes an obsession for many.

Once again, I am writing as a former director, I can’t remember what being a consultant felt like.  When I became a director, I had only been in the company for a year, and my goal was to work full time as a MK director, because that’s what Mary Kay herself wanted for her directors. My initial goal was to quit my day J.O.B. and get on to the business of becoming wildly successful and get this nsd thing done quickly.  I had pretty much succeeded in everything I had tried before, so I assumed this would be no different.  It was very different, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about today—we’re going to talk obsession.

Written by SuzyQ

I secretly love it when directors have a “good” month.  In my former wannabe area, we competed for silly little prizes from the dollar tree we earned with contests for highest monthly production and most recruits.  It was terribly exciting.  And very competitive.

If I were still in MK, in this wannabe area and with the rest of my former BFF’s, we would be applauding Mary.  She has had quite a run this seminar year, so far.  Did way higher than ever before as she wrapped her car in June (whew, extended quarter and all) and aced it again this month.  Go Mary! She was able to bring in a diamond AND an emerald star and her base production came through for her, too. Wow.  She now has some car credit socked away and a great bonus.

Written by SuzyQ

“If you do not have a full store, and are attempting to sell out of an empty wagon…  not only will you have an upset customer, she might even call another consultant who has a full store and not only will you lose that sale, you will LOSE THAT CUSTOMER!”

Oh the drama trauma.  That part of the inventory talk goes something like this:

Director:  Mary Kay does not require you to carry an inventory, and I don’t require you to carry an inventory, but my job as your director is to give you my best business advice, wouldn’t you agree?

Written by SuzyQ

This is a favorite line from directors to new consultants.  I love this line.  It’s used so frequently, and it has sort of moved from myth status to urban legend. Gee, it even appears on some top director’s web sites, so it must be true!.

And it only makes sense, doesn’t it? Of course the director will want to work with those who are really working. It sounds so logical, yet we know that in the Mary Kay world, nothing is quite the way it seems.

Written by SuzyQ

This is a favorite line used often in the context of seminar speeches and uplifting motivational “I stories” to answer the question “How did she do it?”

Let’s talk about that a little.  The “god” that is used in Mary Kay is a little different than the One we were taught to worship.  Mary Kay’s god has an amazing facility to “bless” unethical, immoral and dishonest practices.  Mary Kay’s god blesses Cadillacs, recruiting pitches, skin care classes, unit clubs, top director trips, seminar openings, and warm chatting adventures. 

Written by SuzyQ

Geez, if only. If Mary Kay worked when many of us did, we wouldn’t be here. We are not the lazy “loosers” the foggers make us out to be. In fact, it wasn’t all that long ago we were sugar sharp and recruitable, with slammin’ hair, a professional resume, and damn fine credit. We were director’s dreams because WE WANTED IT ALL AND WERE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK.

We went around, through, under and over all obstacles. We prayed. We asked God to bless our businesses. We asked Him to give us the words to touch the hearts of all those women placed in our path.

Written by SuzyQ

And that’s why they change all of the cosmetics on a routine basis?  Okay, if we believe that Mary Kay is trying to be cutting edge and on trend and that colors and things related to make-up are trendy and must change to reflect the seasonal changes, maybe.  But a total change?

Many of you may not have been around to remember this, but a couple of years ago Mary Kay made the decision to wipe out the entire platinum cosmetic line and replace it with black packaging. That was a hug change that hurt many. And since then, MK has been making routine changes to all its products and/or packaging that forces consultants to buy more.