 Over the years, there have been many successful business leaders but none as unique as the legendary Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Inc. Even though she passed away in 2001, her words of wisdom and life lessons continue to inspire and remain a source of encouragement around the world. Mary Kay Ash left an indelible mark on American business and on opportunities available to women.  Growing up in Houston, Texas, Mary Kathlyn Wagner, born on May 12, 1918, began building a foundation for believing in herself. At age seven, she cared for her seriously ill father while her mother worked 14 hours a day in a Houston restaurant. Mary Kay cooked, cleaned, brought home straight-A report cards, won trophies in typing and debate, and outsold every other student from Girl Scout cookies to school-event tickets. "My mother's words became the theme of my childhood," she said. "They have stayed with me all my life: 'You can do it.'"  As a mother with three children of her own to support, Mary Kay sold part time while taking premed courses at a local college – until an aptitude test showed her selling ability outranked her science ability. After deciding to tackle sales full-force at Stanley Home Products, a direct sales company, she began her success story starting with weekly sales goals written in soap on her bathroom mirror. By scheduling three home-demonstration appointments a day, Mary Kay won so many sales awards she had to cram them in a box in her closet. She broke even more sales records at a company called World Gift, where she became national training director. But eventually, as the male colleagues she'd trained were promoted ahead of her – and at twice her salary – Mary Kay had had enough. After 25 years in direct sales, she retired.  Retirement in 1963 lasted all of one month. "To me, work and growth were the same thing," she said. Within a week, she started writing a how-to career book for women. The book then turned into a marketing plan for a "dream company." "Before long," Mary Kay said, "I began asking myself, 'Why are you theorizing about a dream company? Why don't you just start one?'" After buying a formulation for a skin care cream she had been using, Mary Kay enlisted her husband to handle operations and began recruiting friends to be independent beauty consultants for the venture she called "Beauty by Mary Kay."

 The launch almost didn't happen. Mary Kay's husband died suddenly just a month before the scheduled opening. But strengthened by the encouragement of her two sons and daughter, Mary Kay formally launched her company on Friday, September 13, She wrote, "I knew I would never have a second chance to put my dream into action." Based on the principle, "The more you give, the more you receive," the Company ended the year with a profit. In the first calendar year, sales reached $198,000. Within five years, the cosmetics powerhouse went public and then became private again in Mary Kay Inc. today remains one of the largest privately held firms in the United States. Mary Kay is fondly remembered for creating an award system designed specifically for women, including expensive feminine items and the famous pink Cadillac.  In 1980, Mary Kay's husband, Mel, died of cancer. Having witnessed his suffering, she became committed to the fight to find a cure. Involved in fundraising for more than 20 years, she established the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that provides funding for research of cancers affecting women. In 2000, her Foundation expanded its outreach to include violence against women. Mary Kay authored three books, all of which became bestsellers. Her autobiography, Miracles Happen, has sold more than 2 million copies and appears in several languages. Her business philosophy, presented in her book Mary Kay on People Management, continues to be a great source of wisdom and has been included in business courses at renowned business schools like Harvard and the Wharton School. Mary Kay Ash's third book, You Can Have It All, launched in August 1995, and remarkably achieved best-seller status within days of its introduction. Her speeches and quotes continue to inspire the women of the Mary Kay independent sales force and people around the world.

 Achievement. Success. The realization of dreams. Mary Kay Inc. was created from one woman’s desire to enrich women's lives. She began by offering quality products to enhance a woman's image and a perfect business opportunity to help women earn extra money, enjoy more flexibility and grow as independent business owners. The result is a company that, more than 40 years later, still embodies the core philosophies of its founder: to use the Golden Rule as a business guide and to help women live a balanced life by placing God first, family second and career third.  Mary Kay Inc. is one of the largest direct sellers of quality skin care and color cosmetics in the world. Company Facts:  The Mary Kay independent sales force exceeds 1.6 million Independent Beauty Consultants in more than 30 markets worldwide. Mary Kay Inc. has averaged double- digit annual growth since the company’s founding in In 2005, sales of Mary Kay® products exceeded $2.2 billion in wholesale sales. From an initial nine-item collection, the Mary Kay® product line has expanded to include more than 200 premium products in six categories: facial skin care, color cosmetics, nail care, body care, sun protection and fragrance. Richard R. Rogers, Executive Chairman, is the youngest son of Mary Kay Ash and co-founder of Mary Kay Inc. He has held numerous positions within the company including General Manager, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer. David B. Holl is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay Inc. He joined Mary Kay Inc. in 1993 and has held numerous positions within the company, including Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis and Treasurer; and Chief Financial Officer. Mary Kay World Headquarters is located in the Dallas suburb of Addison, Texas. Mailing address: P.O. Box , Dallas, TX

STARTING A BUSINESS Enriching women’s lives through an unequalled business opportunity is the mission of Mary Kay Inc. Unlimited earning potential, flexible hours and a unique support system of fabulous women allow you to create the home-based business of your dreams.

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