pinkIDentity

In 2000 while shopping with a girlfriend for her wedding dress I was approached by a Mary Kay director, I instantly snubbed her not wanting to be sold anything. There I stood, detached, imperturbable. I wore in my faded Levis, a black leather jacket and a bad attitude. While she was talking, my lips parted, waiting for a pause, I quickly started thinking of the words to let her know I was not interested, however, my girlfriend stepped in and took the business card she was holding out asked a few questions and set an appointment for all of the bridesmaids to get skincare and color makeovers, within the next few days.
Reality set in… I was the maid of honor and this was going to be one of my obligations.

At the skin care class, I was impressed with the director. It wasn’t her diamonds or her $200.00 suit. It definitely was not the Pink Cadillac in the driveway. It was her presence, grace under fire, her composure and confidence. All that and she was really very sweet.
I had never had any problems with my skin so I only purchased a custom compact. She invited me to coffee and wrote the appointment in her book. The truth was, I wasn’t interested in selling Mary Kay, but she was very likable. And I knew she carried products in her car and I figured I could purchase a tube of mascara while meeting for coffee.

While meeting for coffee, we talked about me, and the reasons why people join Mary Kay. Then she held out a chart and asked me that question… you know the one. “Out of these reasons I have shared with you today, if you were to decide to sell Mary Kay what would it be for?” and without hesitation, I said “More money.” while quickly pointing to the dollar sign image on her chart. She pulled out an agreement and I signed.
During my time as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, I had lots of little successes and I had lots a great ideas. After I has run out of warm prospects, being an “I” and “C” personality, I would dream up these fabulous events, booth ideas and create these fantastic forms and invitations. My enthusiasm would sell the unit and my team on these ideas and everyone would run with it! That is everyone except for me. I was so scared, embarrassed, and humbled. I never could put my finger on it. What was holding me back? But clearly I was out of my comfort zone and I just couldn’t bring myself to follow through.
Week after week consultants would come in with success story after success story of how my great idea had worked for them. They were excited and they truly loved their careers. The unit urged my Director to give me some sort of recognition. It was their idea to all pitch in and to my surprise they gave me a $100.00 gift certificate to the new mall. I was floored! Previously I won the coveted Miss Go Give award for my unit. But this, it was straight from the heart of my colleagues.
I was content with my small successes, but when I relocated, finding and adoptive unit that could capture the magic I once had with my old unit wasn’t happening. So I quit.
I signed up once again a few years later to help a friend, but when my director stepped down, discouraged, I returned a $3000.00 inventory knowing I could not sell again.
Because of the way I ended my Mary Kay career, I never thought I would see anything positive come from it. But over time, without fully realizing how much information I had retained and the experience I had gained, I would learn the value of what I walked away with.

By applying the many aspects I had learned in Mary Kay to my corporate job, would later give me much earned respect from my associates and superiors. I received a fantastic promotion and company recognition for my successes. But more importantly, public relations and customer contact was something I was well respected for. Now I had to ask myself. “Why couldn’t I do this while selling Mary Kay? Why did I let fear take over?”
Unlike the products I had returned, the training was something I would never have to give back. It provided me with growth in more ways than I can describe. The impact Mary Kay had on my life was more positive than I can share. The problem now, is that Mary Kay was and is this huge part of my life and I had abandoned my dream.
If anyone reading this has thought about or is thinking about quitting Mary Kay, here is something to think about . . . While I was a consultant, I heard on more than one occasion, “Mary Kay isn’t for everyone.” But the truth is, if you look deep enough inside yourself, and give yourself a chance it can be for you. Before you quit, think of me. I often feel regret and think "Wow, it was there, inside me the whole time."