Life in Mary Kay

I would like to add a comment about life in the MK research and manufacturing facility. First I would like to say that after many years with the co. It has changed dramatically for the worst after her death. The quality issue has become a quantatiy issue and can we push you and cut your hours and programs to make 5 billion in sales by 2013. Thats 50 years in existence. Management is calling it 5/ 50. I can speak from experience, working there is a living Hell. As do feel my co-workers. Their new schedule consists of around the clock 12hr. shifts and the constant threat of more cuts in the future.More cuts in our benifits package, sick time, vacation time and programs which allowed us to other financial benefits.Now its just push,push and push. As many of you know you get better quality products from the Dollar Store. Trying to save money they cut quality in components and adding cheaper ingredients. But that's not all, the issues of micros and bacteria are much overlooked to the presidence of the cosmetic presentation. Oh yes and lets not forget, a good deal of the money they strip from their employees every week goes to upper management as bonuses. How does five thousand to supervisors, fifty thousand to plant managers and I heard one of the top CEO's was 1.3 million. Needless to say thats while her employees struggle to make ends meet.The very people who sweat and bleed for this company. Let me say it is very, very different working there now than 7 years ago before Mary Kay's death. Also let me say that the amounts given I have no proof on but leaks that came down thru the ranks. I can say they are 98% accurate. I use to be proud to work there, now, I dont mention it if anyone asks... "where do you work?"

Thank you for writing about your experiences before and after Mary Kay's death. Sounds like a bunch of bullies in management are trying to turn the dept. into a sweatshop. We see very clearly how the products have declined in quality - cheap fillers, ineffective ingredients, tiny size/increased price. I'm sorry that your work environment is deteriorating. They're probably exploiting the economic uncertainty because workers fear a job loss and limited employment options. Bunch of weasels! The pyramid is bound to fail because they are treating all their workers/reps so poorly, and the word is getting out.

Billy -
That's not the way to make a corporate goal. That sounds like one of Mao Tse Tung's "Five Year Plans".

Are they shipping any contaminated product? If you have any suspicion of this, please tell the FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/problem.html or call their Texas office

Texas--(214) 253-5200 ext. 5233

what should I do? I signed on-and was about to place my order-actually sign up for a MK card-and I stumbled on this site. I am so thankful. What can I do get out-and get out completely? I don't care about the $100 starter kit. They can't make me pay more money to get out, right?

Thanks all.

Hi Indoubtofpink!

Start on the left hand side of the home page. Read Quitting and Recovery. Post any questions you have on the Discussion Board.
You can do it!

No, you don't have to pay more to get out. You just need to call the consultant number in the back of your pink date book and tell them you want to be terminated, and you do not want your information to be reactivated ever.

If you have not opened the starter kit you can return that and get your money back. If you have opened it, it can't be returned; you can just use the stuff or sell it to Touch of Pink Cosmetics.com.

You are one of the lucky ones! I wish I had been smart enough to find my way here early on as you did.

well another seminar and a bigger dud this year. With nothing spent on any new displays, the same ole arts and crafts were dusted off and brought out of hiding. How cheap can you be? Thousands of consultants and directors spend their money to visit and what do they see??? Same Ole, Same Ole!!! Hope that few dollars MK saved helped their growth to achieve their Goal. Many went home disappointed. And it just gets worse, especially for the employees.

Wow, really? They didn't do anything new? That's too funny. We saw the new products posted in the forums and they are totally overpriced and lame. I can only imagine that things suck royally for MK employees.

Billy ~ thats just to funny I was there for the first time this year and when I came home I had decided to get out of Mary Kay all together.

I can't see passed it at all I kept picking up is 5 million go out sell recruit do what ever you have to do to get to the top .

I knew from the classes and the shows and awards just wasn't for me. What it cost me the days was there I spent away from my family I hated it.

I thank the dear lord everyday for guiding me away
from MK . I'm not at all the consultant MK is look for.

I have a question and want the truth. A former consultant was sure that MK Inc bought our (my former SD) a home. There is no way she could have afforded it and have it decorated the way it was on what she was making. She was convinced that MK Inc does secret purchases for directors to help them with the image of living well. Any truth to this??

sorelielved~
I highly doubt it.
It's guaranteed they aren't worried about anybody's money or image, but their own!

Oh, that is priceless. Yeah, right. As if.

I highly doubt too. Its money 4 the co. and all her relatives that are all clawing and scratching for more and more. As I mentioned M.K. cut all R&D manufacturing workers to thirty six hours now having a choice to purchase medical benefits package or keep a low standard of ins. for you and family. It could be worse, and I'm sure it will get to that... By now , Mary Kay Ash is rolling in her grave. She never did or would ever think of treating her people this way. Its too ,too, bad what her company has become.

I am glad to hear mention of the decrease in quality of the products....I thought I was losing my mind....my skin looks tough and scaly and (sniff) OLDER! and the foundation seems to just evaporate right off of my face. When I started this biz, (1997),I would put my face on in the morning and it still looked great after a 12 hr shift of ER nursing! Now, it looks like I have no makeup on by mid morning! But, that's neither here, nor there, any longer, because yesterday I tossed it all and bought Burt's Bees skin care and Organic Wear Cosmetics from Physician's Formula. I have had Swine flu for 1 week and have spent A LOT of time researching the safety of cosmetics online! yikes.... I sold poison for 12 yrs! But since I no longer "Book--Sell--Recruit" ie (stalk and preach the MK gospel) my SD doesn't bother with me......hehehe...just wait til she no longer gets any of my piddling little personal/fam/friends orders anymore.....bet she'll call then! Think I will have to direct her to this web site!

well , you know I shouldn't say any more. But your so right. Cheaper components, cheaper ingredients, more temps running the operation. Temps with questionable backgrounds who just don't care. People who have given their blood and sweat for the co. are being driven out. Those with years of dedication are leaving. The very ones who really about Mary Kay and her ideals and morals are the ones being forced out. Life has changed there, and for the worst. I can't say Mary Kay Ash is turning in her grave ... I'd say shes spinning with disgust! How could family let this happen to such a great womans dream?

I was browsing some of the national's newsletters tonight to see average commissions in the 4%, 9% and 13% categories. I was shocked to see that most consultants received less than $75 per month. Many of the NSD checks were less than $500 per month. I saw one IBC or director check for $.60. This led me to be sad for women who rationalize that it is a smart business practice to "top" off an order to stay in a particular commission level. They are not making any money.

Are they NSDs ever embarrassed by these low numbers that they publish? This only shows the high level of manipulation they use to convince women to sign up because if women knew that these newsletters were available, they would see the truth in black and white and keep their day job.

To anyone who thinks the commissions are high, go to www.unitnet.com and begin clicking on names. Some of them are password protected but some of them are available to anyone. Look at these newsletters and look for the different month's commissions.

Hello everyone!
This is a generic post, to anyone who may be concerned about signing up for Mary Kay. Heres a little about me :
I signed up back in june, after attending a skincare class at my mother in law's house. The consultant (who is now director.. and a wonderful young lady) sent me home with a dvd- staring our area National sales director. After watching the video, which took viewers on a trip down memory lane with the NSD- and how she bacame as **Wealthy** and successful as she is today- I felt soo excited ( word used way too often in the mark kay family)The video was so inspiring, and my first thought was" wow, I can do this!" so long story short, I signed up. under the impression that it would be my own business, I can sell at my own pace,and there would be no consequences. Well..... was I missinformed! I have a full time career, as a licensed Optician, i work 40-50 hours a week, and I have a family! I stupidly thought I could make a MK career work, I was wrong.I have since just stopped selling ( and I will tell you why) I still have my contract, but I will not renew. Here's what I can tell you, If you are interested, go for it- pay the $100 start up fee.. but DO NOT buy inventory! (big waste of money) Make back the $100 you spent, and then go from there- if you feel you can be a success, go for the inventory.. but start small ($600).If you are still unsure, then take a step back and think it over.. go with your gut. Here are some facts:
**you must have a knack for sales- you MUST feel confident in your sales technique, and you must be pushy***

**If you sign up, when you have your phone interview with your director, and she asks how sucessful you plan to be, tell her this: you will come to meetings once in a while, if your schedule permits- and you only plan on doing classes maybe once a month. OTHERWISE you WILL be harrassed on a daily basis.

**when you start, selling to family, friends, and co-workers is the easiest (they are eager to help you on your new journey) After that, hope they are willing to hold a class with everyone they know, and if so... be sure to get names from the quests, to increase your client list- if not, well then get ready to pound the pavement door to door if you want to make any money.

and most importantly, here is why I have decided not to continue my MK career.
YOU NEED TO PLACE A MINIMUM OF $200 WHOLESALE ORDERS IN A 1 MONTH TIME PERIOD IN ORDER TO KEEP YOUR DISCOUNT. THAT $200 WILL LAST 3 MONTHS.. BUT IT CAN'T BE STRETCHED ACROSS 3 MONTHS, YOU HAVE TO ORDER THAT AMOUNT WITHIN THE SAME MONTH.NIF YOU FAIL TO DO THIS, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED INACTIVE, AND LOSE YOUR DISCOUNT...WHICH MEANS IF A CUSTOMER WANTS TO ORDER SOMETHING, IT BETTER EQUAL UP TO $400 RETAIL, OR ELSE YOU WILL NOT MAKE A PROFIT!***
There you have it. Those are the facts, I personally could not keep up with that monthly quota, and I was in no way going to spend the additional amount for the sake of my discount. Do what you like with this information, but I will tell you this, unless you are a true salesperson, you will not succeed.. it is alot harder than they lead you to believe. ... Good luck

Here is just one more thing:

the quality is not what it used to be. The products feel great, they don't harm your skin.. but they don't do anything to better your skin either. since I quit Mk, I have started my own skincare line, which btw.. ( I have made more money on my own line in a WEEK then I ever did with MK) If you research the ingredients in Mk products, they contain basic skin carevremedies... vitamins, minerals, and essential oils (all stuff you can buy your self... INCLUDING Alpha-Lipoic acid, L-Acsorbic acid and retinol (all of which i use in my products.heres the problem with MK- asside from those few basics, they ARE FILLED WITH PRESERVATIVES! to increase the shelf life, (remember ladies you are buying lots of inventory right? lol) preservatives not only weeken the potency of the active ingredients, but most people have an adverse reaction to the products. Do the research, you will see,... MK products are nothing special.. spend a little more on a better product, or even better.. do what I do, make it yourself

HaHa Mklee89!

To answer your question,
because Tracy is a fraud investigator an Mary Kay is a fraud! It's as simple as that.

MKlee- try reading the site before you ask a question. Then get back to us. If then you're not sure, we'll take the time to spell it aaaaallllllllllllll out. Until then, happy reading!

I started my MK "business" in December 09. I work a full time plus plus job. The SD said, "Just sell $200 in a quarter, and you get the discount. No pressure to come to meetings, if you're happy, then I'm happy." I knew she was reeling me in, but I did unfortunately fall for the $200 in a quarter BS.

I did not stock inventory. Thank God! Although the pressure to do so was pretty intense. I ignored her insinuations about "building my business." Especially considering my "real money" job was requiring about 50-60 hours a week. I am a sales manager in my "real" job and run sales meetings weekly. Not MK style sales meetings (which are a huge waste of time-and proves that because someone is a SD doesn't mean that she knows how to run a sales meeting worth a darn), but real meetings with agendas, objectives, motivation, and goals.

Things were going along okay until two weeks ago. I got a phone call from her-"Ummm, you are an A3." I laughed and told her that I didn't know what that meant. She replied, "Oh, that isn't important. What is important is that you need to order $200 by the end of the month." I told her that I was goign to be put in an order by the weekend, not to worry. She said, "Well, you need to do the same thing in the next two months." I was shocked. I told her that was NOT the conversation that she and I had during my "marketing" call. And that as a Christian woman, she should really think hard about our current conversation.

You know, I got the feeling that someone else was listening to our conversation. Or at least her side of it. She sounded like it pained her to have this conversation with me. Does she feel that way with every pressure conversation she has? I doubt it. But, given that I am sales manager in my field, she had to know that I knew this was all a pile of poo.

I became a MK "Consultant" because a friend of mine was a consultant, and had stars in her eyes about the MK Career Path. This poor gal went into debt to purchase inventory then our SD had the same conversation with her three months about A3 status.

MK doesn't care about its consultants or its SDs. It cares about money. Do I like the product? Heck yes, or I wouldn't have agreed to become a consultant in the first place.

Did I know going in that MK is a pyramid? Yes. Didn't matter to me. I wanted product at a discount and to make a little (emphasis on little) bit of money on the side selling MK to my friends and family.

So, the best advice I can give any potential consultant is not to stock inventory. And DO NOT go into debt. And DO NOT believe everything your SD tells you without doing your own investigation.

It is just like anything else in life-be informed. And be your own advocate--no one else will advocate for you.

MKlee strangely writes: [quote] b]why does the lady who runs pink truth being so immature and posting up all this information about Marykay? just because she failed it doesn't mean she has to tell every women out there a whole bunch of BS not to join[/quote]

I don't understand the syntax of the first few words, but let's assume what's she's trying to say is, "Why is the lady who runs Pink Truth so immature? Why is she posting all this information about Mary Kay?"

What, dear little Mklee, do you mean by immature? what a silly word to use. Perhaps you meant something else. Do you believe that the lady who runs Pink Truth is the only person posting here? Did it occur to you that perhaps there are over 6,800 users at this site who have been, and might be even as we speak, contributing? Seriously, do you really think the lady who runs Pink Truth could possible come up with all the information contained at this site on her own? Hmm. Something for you to ponder the next time you sit on the throne.

Now, let's try to interpret the next portion of your rather odd post. I believe what you're poorly attempting to say is, "Just because she failed doesn't mean she has to tell women not to join." In what way did Tracy fail? More importantly, how did Mary Kay fail her? Now remembering there are over 6,800 registered users at this site - at what point are the numbers such that it's not just one person's failure? Is that too complex a sentence structure? Yes, I see that it is. Well, then, let's make it easier for you. There's more than just one woman who worked herself to the bone and never made one red cent doing Mary Kay. There's more than just one woman here who was ridiculed, shamed, humiliated, lied to, front-loaded, conned, etc. etc. I'm sorry, I know this must be very difficult for you to understand, so once again, let's make it simpler. The Mary Kay business structure is set up to take money from good women who truly want to make a difference and make a decent living while doing part-time work, as advertised by the Mary Kay upline. Mary Kay is a Multi-level-marketing structure. It's impossible to make money. The numbers will never be in the consultant's favor. Mary Kay uses outdated marketing that hamstrings anyone trying to sell the products. Mary Kay forces good women to do make immoral choices. Mary Kay puts women in debt. Mary Kay is a financial and emotional pit. There, perhaps that last sentence sums it up perfectly.

BS? I hardly think so. However, if you would like to prove us wrong I will tell you about the Magic Form. The Magic Form is called Schedule C. If you can find a Sales Director to post one (please have her remove her ss# and other personal information) then we will all pitch in to get you a ribbon, a pin, and maybe a shiny ring. How does that sound?

Do keep in touch.

MojoRox07 wrote:
[quote]Things were going along okay until two weeks ago. I got a phone call from her-"Ummm, you are an A3."[/quote]
[quote]What is important is that you need to order $200 by the end of the month.[/quote]
First of all, you didn't have to put in an order b/c you were A3. It's a lie. If you did not put in an order then you're status would have only been I1 (inactive 1 month) but you would not have lost you're consultant #. She lied to you to get you to put in a $200 order, to benefit her production.

[quote]So, the best advice I can give any potential consultant is not to stock inventory. And DO NOT go into debt. And DO NOT believe everything your SD tells you without doing your own investigation.[/quote]

Actually, the very best advice to give anyone is to "Run for your life as far away from MK as possible".

No one is immune to the skilled deception and brainwashing.

Mojo said herself:
[quote]I am a sales manager in my "real" job and run sales meetings weekly. Not MK style sales meetings (which are a huge waste of time-and proves that because someone is a SD doesn't mean that she knows how to run a sales meeting worth a darn), but real meetings with agendas, objectives, motivation, and goals.[/quote]
But even she fell for a lie:
[quote]I knew she was reeling me in, but I did unfortunately fall for the $200 in a quarter BS. [/quote]

It does not matter what you think you know or what you do for a living, you will be deceived and lied to and will most likely fall for it. You are subjecting someone to these kind of people. I would tell them to run b/c their odds of getting ripped off/conned are much greater, then not getting conned.

Welcome to PT and thanks for sharing, MojoRox07. I'm glad to hear that you were barely burned, by MK.

MKlee ... BS, yes, much of the information here is the self-serving BS spread by the recruiters and directors and NSDs.

If you can provide facts, verifiable facts, to disprove anything on this site, please do so. We will correct anything that you can prove to be false. (yes, it has happened)

However, when the information being posted comes from NSD's training material, and Mary Kay corporate publications, it's hard to call it false.

oh, well said EWON..
(clapping)

recently I had a serious accident that caused me to not be able to walk or drive for some time. I received a message from my sales director asking me about attending an event. I explained to her that I had the accident which included broken bones. Her response was sorry to hear that but could you get on 3 conference calls. R U kidding me ? Ive always felt it was beginning to be a cult but this was the last straw. So insensitive.
Im in inactive status now I plan to stay that way. Thank you for this site. I enjoy the MK product but the brainwashing,false friends and BS I can do without so I will pass on the business as well.

Unpink1,
So sorry your SD was so awful.

I am glad you found your way here. Also glad you're getting out of MK.

You can protect yourself by calling MKC and telling them to terminate your consultant number. That way your SD can not place an order with your number.

You may already know - you can send back the amount of inventory you have ordered in the last 12 months.

Welcome to Pink Truth.

i think im gonna quit mary kay....the truth hurts

lisabrown, for all the hype these ladies deliver, very few of them actually work in the trenches, discovering the real obstacles and objections a regular consultant faces. Directors make crap up, and then sell it to you to do...they use ficticious sales scenarios, as if they routinely pull off the activity they say is just happening everywhere.

Directors hold appointments here and there primarily looking for recruits. They have no earthly idea how to run a profitable business or they would NOT front load new IBC's and dangle stupid prizes to bait for orders.

But boy it all looks so good! Hit and miss selling, always on the hunt for new targets, always asking guests, always stalking for prospects. That's your life in MK, with much of the female world AVOIDING you-unbeknowst to you- because they know mary kay is MLM and you still think its "duel marketing".

Welcome. Hope we saved your financial future.

actually this site opened up the truth...i did purchase some things, but i got them mostly for me(lol)...i really appreciate this site..i did'nt get too deep...including kit maybe 250-300.00....now i didn't include stuff i got for myself...lol...figure not gonna be pushing it too much might as well get something out of it...

another holiday and most of it spent there @ work , not voluntarily. What MK says about family first is BS. the truth be known... its MK first...MK second ...and MK third If you can find time for God or your family, good luck. And as management says, if you dont agree with us , there's the door... find another job! What a Great Life! Now there is July 4th ... another holiday shot to hell!

billyb2009, do you work for MK corporate?

yes, billyb, do tell!

No .... I'm not telling. you may be a MK ceo looking to plug the truth from being known. My identity will always be unknown. But know this , wherever in this organization I am , I speak the TRUTH! The materials are of lesser value , components are cheaper and someone is always looking to make a name for him or herself by cutting costs and ordering substandard! That Is The TRUTH!

billyb..that's really nothing new. What's her name...the madison avenue CEO "AMY" Digeso let us all drown in those stinky lipsticks on the launch of a MEGA lipcolor product change....and we got stuck with THOUSANDS of dollars worth of rotting emulsifiers...

Look at the Tristrata lawsuit...we all bought the miracle set off of CORPS shelves...just in time to have them change the formulation away from alpha hydroxy...to DITCH the product, and we were all screwed.

WE WERE BAITED TO BUY MIRACLE SETS that were going obsolete in ONE QUARTER!!!!!!!!!!
Some of my Unit members bought 50 sets to "win" -knowing- they could always sell skin care.....BUT THE PRODUCT BOOK NO LONGER SUPPORTED THE PRODUCT!

Don't tell me they are using substandard crap...because they have been undercutting the sales force and the consumer as long as I have been in...I just made Director excuses for it!

Mary Kay is NOT the company it pretends to be.

God do you know that when I look at the whole thing...all I have seen..and some of the Veteran Directors here can attest...The WHOLE thing stinks to high heaven.

They get away with this abuse because we all have to be happy happy happy in front of peers and consultants and each other and put on a good front cause Mary kay is SOOOOOooo Wonderful!!!!! We Love our "pink bubble".

I can list 40 Directors off the top of my head that have over 20K in Debt before they DROWNED in MK, while their Seniors looked on, their NSD's looked on, and avoided their situation because they didn't want to know.
The List of DIQ's is just as long. Now we have a Corp emp. letting us in on a loss of product integrity and ethical behavior on the part of some brand VP's?? Who's surprised. Seriously. WHO'S SURPRISED?

Billyb, you are welcome here...but their ain't a PT member who is even shocked that crap product is masquerading as quality.

Masquerading is what Mary Kay does best.

Yes pinkpeace, I have a position @ MK. For fear of retaliation from people like Ken there, he's a corp lawyer, looking to silence ones like me, I cant say precisely. Hope you understand. Its people like that, well , we must be civil. To you K.P.