Mary Kay Cosmetics: Destroying half a million women a year
To many, my fight against Mary Kay Cosmetics is puzzling. Why would I want to waste my time with it? After all, they’re only selling lipstick. It’s a harmless company started by a little old lady 45 years ago who wanted to give women an opportunity.
WRONG! Mary Kay Inc. is anything but harmless, and that’s why it’s so important for me to continue to educate people about the company. They are running a scam that brings in $2 billion in sales to headquarters each year.
Where does this money come from? Often from those who can least afford it. The name of the game is recruiting and frontloading. Bring her in and get her to buy an inventory package of $600 to $4800 right away. (If she doesn’t buy within the first couple of weeks, the chances that she will buy anything at all go down exponentially.)
Start with the largest package and work your way down. All the while, tell the new Mary Kay consultant that she can’t be successful without a “full store” of products. Tell her that if she wants to be at “profit level” and really start bringing in money for her family, she needs a lot of products. After all, you can’t sell from an empty wagon!
Mary Kay is a recruiting scheme. The vast majority of the products sold to the consultants is never resold to an actual customer. Is it because the consultants really don’t try to sell? No! It’s because the products are of mediocre quality and are overpriced. Besides that, women have oodles of choices on the internet and in the stores. There’s just no need to go through the hassle of dealing with a Mary Kay lady, especially when you know that she’ll eventually try to recruit you and never let up!
Here are some numbers and facts that I pulled together for Pink Truth, my consumer education site about Mary Kay. Word on the street is that recruiting figures are way down in the past year, but the below numbers are the most recently reported numbers from Mary Kay Inc.
From Pink Truth:
I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some real figures regarding Mary Kay and consultant turnover. We often hear pro-Mary Kay women (and their brainwashed husbands) rave that there are millions of women who have had wonderful experiences as consultants, so the company must be fantastic.
Now here’s my theory. Are women quitting Mary Kay because it was everything they wanted and more, and because they were making money doing it? Or do they quit because they are dissatisfied and are not making money? I submit to you that the reason women quit being independent beauty consultants for Mary Kay Cosmetics is by and large because of failure in the business.
I do understand that some may be perfectly happy in Mary Kay, but quit because of family circumstances or other reasons. I’m just saying that the vast majority likely quit due to a negative experience.
Over time, Mary Kay has been increasing its beauty consultant count. Now it’s important to note that this is the count of consultants at any given time, such as the year end total. The number disclosed by Mary Kay does NOT include all the women who may have come and gone during the year. Mary Kay simply picks a point in time and says “Today we have X consultants.”
In the United States, there were 500,000 consultants in 2001. In 2005, that number was 715,000. Worldwide the numbers have been growing quite a bit faster. (Hence the push to open new markets like India and the Czech Republic.) In 2002, there were 950,000 consultants worldwide. In 2005, that number was 1.6 million.
Here’s where it gets interesting and where we find out the truth about the number of consultants that Mary Kay Cosmetics churns each year. I’m using United States figures below, because of the disclosures that Mary Kay made last year.
In 2006, Mary Kay disclosed that the company had over 700,000 independent beauty consultants in the United States. This was similar to the 2005 reported figure of 715,000 consultants in the United States. This implies that at the current time, the number of consultants is staying relatively stable. (i.e. For every consultant recruited, one drops out.)
Mary Kay stated in its response to the FTC’s proposed Business Opportunity Rule , that there are 2,400,000 “disclosure opportunities” (meaning interviews) per year. That’s 200,000 women interviewed per month. Mary Kay Cosmetics further stated that there are 40,000 new recruits per month. (Thank God those other 160,000 per month said no… a total of two million women per year who turn Mary Kay down.)
At 40,000 new recruits per month…
That means that during 2006, Mary Kay Inc. recruited 480,000 women in the United States, and 480,000 women in the United States quit. Add the 480,000 quitters to the 700,000 (or so) U.S. consultants on the books at the end of the year, and we’ve got a total of 1,180,000 (yes that’s over 1 million) women in the United States who were “in” Mary Kay at some point during 2006.
What a staggering churn rate, though, isn’t it? Depending upon how you look at it… 41% of the 1,180,000 involved during the year quit. Or of those 700,000 on the books at the end of the year, 69% of them will quit in the following year. 480,000 women churned and burned in 2006.
During 2007, Mary Kay will burn through another 500,000 American women. And in 2008, they’ll burn through another 500,000. And so on every year….
Mary Kay, destroying half a million women’s lives every year.
Arbonne and MK are not a “business.” They are multi-level marketing, which is a fancy name for a recruiting scheme. I have not found an MLM whihc is respectable.
I am very sorry to hear your unhappiness with Mary Kay. I have used the product for over 30 years and have been a consultant for years. I find that Mary Kay offers woman a chance to expand not only themselves, but to build a business to be proud of. So many times it is better to keep our thoughts to ourselves. Possibly you have hear that it if is not nice, keep it to yourself. Sometimes bad mouthing others only makes you look bad.
Good evening Lori.
I don’t refer to it as “bad mouthing others.” Rather, I believe it is more accurately referred to as “sharing the truth with innocent bystanders.” You know, those women standing in the churn line about to enter the Mary Kay Cosmetics grinding machine. If you let your mind wonder for a moment it’s not difficult to hear the sound of these excited, sharp looking queens of whatever as they’re sucked through the MK MLM grinding machine. Think of that spine-tingling noise made by the Asplundh Tree Trimming Company as they run trees through their gas powered stump grinders. To add authenticity I guess you’d have to add the sound of groups of women screaming… No, wait, the screaming part comes when they realize they can’t sell all the drek frontloaded upon them and realize the amount they’ve been manipulated into charging on credit cards. Yea, now there’s a truly spine-tingling noise.
WWWOOOOAAAA!
First, I must say I do not sell and have not ever sold MK products; however, I am a very loyal customer. I have used MK for over 10 years. I have friends and family members in the business, and they have had nothing but positive things to say about their experiences. I have been to meetings, parties, etc. It is always a lot of fun. I think it’s great for women who are “cut out” for this type of business. This is not for everyone. Yes, I do believe it’s an MLM, but at least they sell products. Pyramid schemes are pyramid schemes because their focus is on recruiting and not products or services. In fact on the Securities and Exchange Commission website it says that “In the classic “pyramid” scheme, participants attempt to make money solely by recruiting new participants into the program.” MK focuses on their products, recruiting is desired but not required to make money. If you’ve ever noticed MK doesn’t do much commercial advertising, it is done through the consultants; therefore, recruiting is essential to the growth of the company. MK is a top-selling skin care line, not some fly-by-night pyramid scheme. If you believe in the product and want to sell it, by all means SELL IT! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t agree with pressure tactics toward recruiting, but most people have the ability to say “no” and to take time to think the opportunity through before succumbing to any pressure.
I just happened across this blog while searching for a Mary Kay site. I was formally a consultant for MaryKay and would like to share my experience. I was recruited by a friend who was a consultant and thought it would be fun to sell a product I already use. Little did I know the push my recruiter and her director would give me to invest big chunks of money on inventory. It’s a great product but their recruiting tactics are a bit shady.
This article is absolutely stupid!!! If you get into any business and dont work, it wont pay you. Try and start a business on $100. I have 3 girlfriends who are in Mary Kay they own no inventory it is all sold out of corporate stock. They all do this together and have a blast doing it. They make about $500 a month working about 12 Hours. Not huge money but they love it. Your article is a joke.
I am a consultant and no one ever forced me to buy 4800.00 worth of anything. I am willing to read anything or listen to anything but when it is all lies then it just does not sit well with me. Let’s be truthful please. Even if you bought the 4800.00 (full store) of products and you turn around and do not want to be a part of it anymore, MaryKat refunds you 90% of the value. If you were trying to be honest like you said then you should have included that in your write up.
If you are the kind of person that cannot push yourself to get things done then MaryKay might not be for you. It could be why people fail at it. If you think you will come in and not do the work and buy a mansion in a year then you came in with the wrong attitude. I hate lies and your write up just irritates me.
My director has a masters degree and I have a bachelors and until February this year was a stock broker. So do not try to give the impression that we are just a bunch of helpless women that MaryKay is preying on. I have been around long enough to know when I am being swindled. I looked at what I was going to get from this not what Mary Kay was going to get from me.
If you really want to help people then tell the truth.
As a consultant you can never make money, do you know of any business that stocks up on invertory even though they are not selling product.
How can the average person become a business person without training?
They want you to become a star, which means you have to spend $600 every month, I have been to these meetings, the average person sells less than $200 a week.
Mary Kay’s sales are based on how much product they sell to consultants not to customers, does Mcdonalds base their sales on product sold to the franchise or to the customer? The average consultant has inventory in their homes, no one knows what MK is selling to customers.
This is just another instance of people taking advantage of people that are poor and not very educated. How many of these consultants know how much they are making in profit?
Junior,
I don’t believe Mary Kay Corporation and its minions are merely, as you say, “…taking advantage of people that are poor and not very educated.” There are multitudes of very well educated, very intelligent women who’ve been injured through participation in the Mary Kay Cosmetics MLM. The idea that only stupid or unrefined women get exploited by this nightmare is a purposely perpetuated misnomer; it’s right up there with the “…they failed in Mary Kay because they’re just lazy” stuff. Not true.
This confidence scam is masterful at exploiting women for profit, any women. Yea, as I’ve suggested in the past, the Mary Kay Corporation bumper stickers which now read:
“Mary Kay Cosmetics
Enriching Women’s Lives”
Should more accurately read:
“Mary Kay Cosmetics
When it Comes to Exploitation of Women for Profit,
We’re Second Only to Pornography”
Blessed
Everything I have seen involving MK has been great.
Tracy, if you would just state once more on this site I am pretty sure half of these conversations and name calling would not have to have taken place. If you stand behind your website pinktruth whatever then you should know your information well enough to answer people’s questions. it seems to me that the “99% of all women in Mary Kay lose money” statement seems to be questioned in most of these comments. so just give them the answers they are trying to get. i personally love Mary Kay products. I use them all the time and I find no fault in them. I am not a consultant but i trust the company and the people that work for it. Mary Kay was a great lady and she has started a great business. I and lots of other people stand behind that and we will until you give the proof you are demanding from everyone else that is defending Mary Kay.
“Lulu” – I’ve linked to the proof over and over in this thread. Scroll through and have a look. It’s all here for your viewing pleasure. And everything is on Pink Truth multiple times as well. I’ve stated the facts and pointed to the proof often enough on both sites.
just because you have it linked doesn’t mean it is accessible. i just tried and it didn’t go through so it might not hurt.
All of the links work for me!
Okay heres the truth about the world. Its all a recruting sceme. One way or another you re always trying to get to the executive level and trying to get people under you. You spend lots of money going to any job. Clothes, cars, food, and some therapy. Mary Kay is just another business and if it was a bad one it would have gone under long ago. Some Mary Kay consultants will admit it wasnt all that good when they started but business improves like any other business out there. Aompare it to the automotive industry. They make cars to sell you cars. They make better cars to sell you CARS. Oh my god what a consept. Do you spend money to get a job in the automotive field? Yes! Doesnt matter where the money goes whether its on steel toe boots, lunch box, ect. or a demonstration kit to sell women and men products for the health of their skin. Get with the program its all a sceme to make money and spend money. Its what makes the world go round.
Sadly, people in MLMs spends hundreds (actually, usually thousands) to participate. That’s hardly the same thing as buying steel toed shoes or a lunchbox.
And I suppose the corporate world does “recruit” but not for your own job. If you’re the manager, you recruit other employees to do different work than you do. In MLM, it’s about recruiting someone who has the exact same products and services for sale to the exact same customers.
Furthermore…. MLM doesn’t really exist to sell a product or service to an actual end-user. That’s been established over and over. Their real purpose is to sell the “opportunity” to potential new recruits. The product itself is just the thing that is supposed to make the “opportunity” look like legitimate.
Talk about women being duped…it sounds like women are being convinced here that MK invented evil. People can be seduced. Some to believe lies and some to lie. MK didn’t create that. It’s a beautiful thing to find a consultant who has been doing it for a while and knows her stuff. Unfortunately that’s overshadowed by the sales tactics of a “few”, which is probably motivated by some change in company policy…as well as our economy.
The company seems like it was originally sculpted in such a way that a woman wouldn’t have to sink to the level of a man (by encouraging the golden rule) in order to make a living. Very few americans have values other than greed now anyway, so joining MK isn’t going to change that. If a greedy person thinks they can join MK and make a killing, a greedy person will think that about (insert company here). The problem is greed. The problem could also be ignorance (lack of knowledge). I am glad MK consultants, directors, etc. have a place to tell their experiences both good and bad.
I also realise there are some women who claim to be looking out for women’s well being, but they don’t sound any different then men. Short on facts, long on bullying . I think maybe the real goal here is to eliminate any alternative to the major department store cosmetics by emotionally abusing women by telling them if they sell or heaven forbid actually use MK, oh I don’t know, because they have sensitive skin and need fragrance free products, they are STUPID. If enough women are convinced of how stUpid they are to USE the stuff then maybe it will go away and we will all be left without this skincare as an alternative to the common department store stuff which contains fragrance and soap and SLS etc. I am sensitive to soap and fragrance. What should I do then Tracy? Should the world be made a much better place and all evil in the world be eliminated by the removal of the evil empire of MK, what would those of us who actually use the products do? I know, it’s not your point or your problem. MK is evil. Rah rah rah. What do you win if you get more people on “your side?” Dermatitis? Women please don’t believe the hype. You can join MK to get products at a discount for yourself and family/friends.
One more thing. When I say I am sensitive, I don’t mean I get a little irritation or redness occasionally by soap or fragrance. I mean inflammation bad enough to cause my face, neck and body to swell. The swelling doesn’t leave unless the offending product is removed from my skin. Synthetic fragrance in products stops me from smelling ANYthing. Most skincare (even at Target for less than MK) is going to have fragrance or soap or SLS. Even Cetaphil has SLS. I’ve tried very expensive skincare brands as well as drugstore. MK works for me. I am not the only one. If you really have a problem with the marketing tactics, perhaps you should put your vast MLM knowledge to work inventing a different plan (original ideals please) and sell it to MK. Help women. All of us. Even the sensitive skinned ones. Don’t try to eliminate what we need, help us out with a better direct distribution plan. (Direct distribution offers less compromise in the product.) They only have to please the people that actually use the product. (No bowing down to the common vat.)
The Mary Kay product simply is not that good. And it is certainly not fragrance free. There are literally thousands of products on the market. Mary Kay is not your only alternative.
But if someone DOES want MK products, they’re much better off getting them from eBay than signing up to be a consultant. MK requires minimum purchases, and eBay does not. The prices on eBay are many times even better than you’ll get buying wholesale from MK anyway.
Tracy you are correct about 1 % of the time the rest of us 99% consultants are doing Mary Kay the right way. We are building businesess. This wonderful company has allowed me to stay home with my children, not having to put them in day care while I worked. I have received 12 FREEE cars and 15 diamond rings. I have NEVER forced people to buy ANYTHING! I love the products and would continue to use them even if I wasn’t associated with the company! So I really think you need to get the chip off your shoulder and put all your negative energy into something positive in your life!
Newsflash Karen – You’re either “at home with your children” or you’re working. You can’t do both at the same time, and I’m tired of people like you perpetuating these lies. You certainly aren’t “at home with your children” when you’re out stalking new victims, going to unit meetings, and holding classes. You certainly aren’t “at home with your children” when you’re calling women to nag them about booking a class or signing up to be a consultant.
Those cars weren’t free, and those diamonds were of poor quality. Sure, you had the use of a car. And to get it you had to put hundreds of women in debt by encouraging them to order products they couldn’t sell and add to their ever-growing inventory. How do you sleep at night knowing you took food out of their children’s mouths?
I find my crusade to get out the truth about Mary Kay to be very positive and uplifting. I have literally had thousands of women thank me for my efforts. And many millions of women have visited pinktruth.com and had their eyes opened. That is a very worthy pursuit, and one to which I will continue to devote my time.
Tracy,
Get a life, start a hobby, help save the whales, do something constructive with your time. The problem with people like you is that you want to blame everyone else for poor choices made. If a consultant offers a job opportunity it’s up to the individual to make that decision. If someone can’t afford the initial kit or gets talked into buying more than they can afford, shame on them. YOU feel the product is inferior, that’s your opinion. I am not a consultant but I do like the skin care and I have used top of the line products. Again this is MY choice, no MK consultant put a gun to my head. It’s truly a shame someone with the resolve and education you have doesn’t put your energy to something important like feeding the hungry, finding homes for the homeless, or help to stop domestic abuse. Bring MK down is far more important than helping a child in need.
When did I say I’m trying to “bring MK down”? I’m simply providing a public service to women considering MK. I think it’s important for them to have the WHOLE story on MK before they start up. Women are losing millions of dollars each year to MK. I love helping to reduce that waste of money.
I became a consultant in MK to help out a friend. I really tried to make it work. I drove 100 miles round trip 1-3 times weekly for meetings and training. I did refuse to buy $3600 worth of product that my director wanted me to. I wore the clothes, make up, nylons, and heels. I walked the walk and talked the talk. I told them that I would only sell to consumers and not recruit. They tried for 6 months and when I refused I cannot tell you how many times I was admonished for not being a team player. For being selfish and not helping others become successful. I returned what I could and thanked my lucky stars that I came away only losing a couple hundred instead of the thousands that many do. I could not convince my directors that if I could not sell $500 worth of product that there was no way I could sell $5000 worth.
Are there a significant number of women who buy a career from MK? In other words, they don’t really need the extra income, they are in it for the appearance of a legitimate career, perceived status and/or self justification. I can’t fathom any other reason for so many of these women to defend this company. They sure as heck aren’t making (net) money. Only a secondary earner could afford to do this “for a living”.
I would say no. I bet almost everyone on this thread defending MK has lost money with it, or if they’re super lucky, they’ve made $5 an hour or less. They’re so under the spell of a company that pretends to help women, that they’re willing to defend it even though they haven’t gotten any tangible benefits.
I’ve dissected the numbers many times at pinktruth.com, and even the so-called big sellers of the product are making less than $10,000 a year for full-time efforts. And those are the TOP people… and those numbers are assuming they sell all the products that they order. They probably do NOT sell everything they order, making their real income even less than the $10,000.
The principal breadwinner of a family couldn’t afford to stick it out. I can’t imagine MK has too many single moms who last more than a very short time. They just couldn’t afford it, regardless of any brainwashing. That’s what leads me to my hypothesis.
Well there ARE plenty of women who need the income from MK, but don’t get it, and continue to purchase their tenure. They typically secretly run up credit card bills and/or stop paying regular household bills to finance this activity. I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard of this. It’s not an isolated instance or two.
I sold MKC back in 1995-’96 before the explosion of internet shopping had begun. I did establish some loyal customers who bought only from me because they liked my personality or service. I have noticed that people who appear to be expremely extraverted, high energy and who are able to embrace a positive attitude the majority of the time seem to be the ones who succeed at MKC. It also does not seem to hurt to be a religious person (which I am not).
I had begun MKC because I had been sexually harassed by the clinical director in my first social work position after I had completed graduate school. This left me devastated. I attempted to find an attorney to help me without success. I found myself isolated and black-listed due to the well-connectedness of this person and the double-standards our society has towards women. (I’d like to see a woman bounce back from things like David Letterman has done…and still maintain such high popularity….)
I needed to get back into the workforce. I developed confidence in myself with MKC and my director was a lovely, caring person who did much to help me to re-build my self-esteem, confidence and believe in me again. I was not pressured to buy what I did. I am not a natural extravert and was not great at MKC but I did see other women succeed who stuck with it and who were more outgoing on a consistent basis. Working with MKC helped me to establish my reputation again and get back into the workforce in my field. My experience with MKC served as a “stepping-stone”; it was a small investment to pay for what it provided to me professionally and personally at the time.
I am not disputing what you write about pyramid schemes. However, my experience proved to be mutually beneficial.
Yo girl who said your mom was a joke. You are right. She is a joke because she could have sold the product back to MK. Dude I’m 20 and sure I may not know as much as I should. I do know that I have an aunt who is in the Biz and a co-worker who does it to make a little extra. Don’t go spending your money on every opportunity, class, or w/e… If you are smart you can make money from this. If you jump at it w/o help then you will only fail. DUH Talk to a “real” director who believes in the product, spend a little extra for some classes that will help you be successful, and get out there! Make calls and set up facial appointments. Dude I just starts and IM DOING FANTASTIC! so if you are like 45 and didn’t do well.. IN YOUR FACE! I’m 20 and I went and made sure I got what I needed to know. Don’t Rag on MK cuz you suck. The products are great and you will be successful if you are smart. OH and once again…. if you happen to be a quitter and have product. Dont be a loser like that girls mom. SELL YOUR PRODUCT BACK. See you on the flip slide crazy! XD
I agree with both sides here. MK women are generally pushy, as I have been “called” (nagged) by all the leaders to sign up for MK since I started buying from my consultant about two years ago. It didn’t matter how many times I said, “No, I don’t have time,” Or, “No, I don’t want to,” I was still pressured to start selling at least once a week. I have just signed up, not because I was pressured (I can resist pressure as long as necessary), but because I realized I would save a lot of money by being a consultant. I love the products, and the sign up is half price right now, so for me it only makes sense. Now, of course the high inventory was pushed on me (to those of you who don’t believe this happens, I hear it every time I go to the center and get a facial and hear about the opportunity from the National Sells Director and the other consultants). But, being in control of myself, I am not signing up for that. Please, don’t blame MK because women don’t know how to be responsible with money. OF course, MK people, don’t pretend that the high inventory start up is not COMMONLY espoused as the BEST way to go (which may be true for some and not true for others). Also, MK people, you ARE usually too “relentless.” Please give everyone a break if they say no. MK is like a shovel, it is neither inherently evil nor good – it is simply a tool that can be used in different ways. MK is NOT for everyone. If you are on the verge of starving, get a job making dependable amounts of money (this should be obvious). Here is a lesson that most people seem to need to learn: If you make a bad investment, don’t blame anyone but yourself. Also, realize that what is a bad investment for you, might not be for someone else.
Tracy: Please try to listen with an open mind. You do not seem willing to listen to facts, only what you already believe. This is no way to live, as it seriously hampers you ability to intake truth. I do not mean you are wrong, just that you do not seem willing to even consider what the other side is saying. (Of course, some of the MK ladies are this way also) You don’t have to accept anything the other side says, just make that choice after honestly considering what they say and then seeing if there is truth to it. I have had to do this with some pretty big things, and am glad that I did.
I’ve listened to the Mary Kay garbage for over 10 years now. No amount of “listening” is going to change the fact that 99% of women who get involved with MK lose money. That’s too high of a failure rate to make this company worthwhile for anyone to try. So yes, I’ve been considering the “other side” for 10 years now… and it’s a side filled with lies guaranteed to help women lose money while a tiny handful at the top of the pyramid profit.
This is Pathetic. Fighting and complaining about whether Mary Kay is good or bad. Its their decision, their money. Let them learn the hard way if that is really how you feel about it all.
Well then, using that logic, I suppose we should say to hell with the victims of someone like Bernie Madoff, right? I mean all Bernie did was lie a little. And all MK consultants do when they recruit is lie a little. Those Madoff clients weren’t victims. They just learned the hard way. Same as you’re suggesting we should do with Mary Kay.
Sorry, but I don’t see it your way. I’ve been fighting the good fight to educate women about Mary Kay for nearly 5 years now. And I’m going to continue to do it. We may not be able to stop a company like this from misleading women and legally stealing the money out of their wallets, but we sure as heck can keep telling everyone we know about this legalized con. Education is our friend. The more women who know, the more who will avoid the pink trap.
It is a trap, an ingenious con. Built into the con is the MLM nurtured feelings of failure. Thus, those who try to work their “business” correctly too often end up, ultimately, getting out of this cult-like organization after experiencing a loss which the shills around them knew all along was on the horizon. These “failures” are largely not failures at all. Their “failures” were, rather, predictable and expected byproducts of the MK MLM churn process. Similar to the way one might admire the finesse employed by an accomplished racketeer, you’ve got to admire how the MK MLM is able to often (very often) successfully promulgate the falsehood which states their MLM victims were somehow not good enough or were in some other way a “failure.”
If a piece of wood goes through a stump grinder and ends up a pile of wood chips, it seems illogical to suggest the outcome was somehow caused by the inadequacy of the wood. In reality, most any wood that goes through the chipper will come out ripped up at the other end. It’s the way the wood chipper was designed to work! The MK MLM is like a wood chipper churning women; it operates as designed. To continue its viability, it must have a continuous flow of women being churned through it.
The Mary Kay Cosmetics MLM is comprised of participants who are either naive or complicit. All of us are naive in some form or fashion. We all can and occasionally do make mistakes because of a lack of information or poor judgment, etc. The difference in people becomes apparent when they transition from being a naive woman who was conned into becoming an IBC, to an IBC who now recognizes the churn nature of the MLM but for self interests continues to recruit victims for the pyramid or otherwise supports the MK MLM and its minions as they spread the scam.
If you’re reading this and you’re an IBC, ask yourself which are you? Naive or complicit?
My 10+ year experience with Mary Kay has been purchasing very good products at much less than department store prices, and never once being asked, much less pressured, to become a consultant. The lady I buy from works hard at the business – delivers if you need it and provides little gifts – and has a separate room in her house for her work. She’s just earned her 3rd car. She works it like any other serious business-person.
I personally know several people who have become “consultants” with no intention of making a living, but want to be able to pay the lower price and provide products for family members. That may account for some of the failures. But it would also be worth remembering that most small businesses fail, generally within the first three years.
Sheila – Unfortunately, MLMs try to use the “they don’t want to make a profit anyway” excuse to explain why so many lose money, but that’s a fabrication. Sure, there are some in this boat, but not so many. The fact is that the failure rate in MLM is far, far higher than in any legitimate business. Why? Because that’s how MLMs are set up. 99% must fail, but the owners and executives of companies still rake in the money.
Sheila K said: “But it would also be worth remembering that most small businesses fail, generally within the first three years.”
What is more important to remember is that MLM is the only business model that is designed so that the top few percent (the maggots) feed off of the rotting corpses of the bottom 90 plus percent. The maggots must have the corpses to survive. The grand prize for moving up from corpse is to be a maggot.
My best friend is the daughter of a NSD. I have seen this woman work her was from making pennies to nmillions through GOD and the MK vision. I am a BC, however I do not make it a priority to recruit. I used to hate Mary Kay until I took off my judgemental eyes and saw that many women need someone to root for them even if they just want to be a BC for the discount. I have met women who pressure and women I wouldn’t want to eat dinner with again, however I have met amazing women who influence my life daily.
There are pros and cons to ANY buisness you want to do. Good and bad in everything and everyone has their own opinion… thoes who trash MK aren’t with happy with themselves… I used to get irritate because I didn’t do as well as I wanted… I realized my heart wasn’t in it and that is why I wasn’t doing better… I was HONEST with myself sounds like others need to aswell…..
STOP being so bitter…
Look to GOD for the things you need. It may be MAry
Kay it may not be…
I wanted the MK vision to be mine, the I realized it wasn’t for me. I love the products and the fun things I see when I go. I do dislike the women who are fake but the women who aren’t have been my best friends for year… There is not pink fog …. just thoes who try something and love what they do… it’s sad that thoes who love what they do and do it right and honest are trashed because of women who don’t follow what Gos sets before them…
God Bless
Tracey,
Thank you. I almost signed up. You saved me.
This report is rediculous. The first false hood is the implication that because someone quits Mary Kay their life is destroyed. In order to asume this is a correct statement we must all agree on the term Destroy. Another point to consider is that these woman are independant. They do not have top keep selling. They are not under any contract saying they have to buy anything. That is thir choice. Poor choices is the desroying facter. Creadit Cards are useful to those who have wisdom and use them correctly. In that same way Mary Kay is useful to those who it works for. This article savors of bitterness and purhaps envy. Please stop ripping other people and companies apart just because you have problems.
On the contrary, Delena, quitting Mary Kay does NOT ruin anyone’s life. It in fact ENHANCES their lives. I encourage everyone to quit MK. It is very positive.
This article is focusing on the financial devastation that MK brings to families. Almost everyone loses money in MK, and almost all of them got into MK hoping to make money. They come out poorer than they went in, and that is the problem.
tracey………australia is one of the laziest countries in the world don’t you know that. women have no hope. when they do try, people like you steal there dreams. how’s it feel to be a lonely dream stealer and happiness crusher. i bet this is all you do all day make sure that no one in the world can better them selves. you failed by the sounds of it and with that in mind you didn’t gain any self improvment skills that mary kay offers. your a negative failure and you sound like a self sentered person who relise on facts and figures rather than real facts. mary kay works if you work. it’s your business so it’s your responsability and you are responsable for the failure of your business. take responsability for your actions… rather than waking yourself feel good by putting women down all the time.
LOL – A dream stealer and a failure. Like I’ve never heard either of those before! Thanks for you insights!
I have used the products and they have worked perfectly for my face and I thank God for the lady who brought it into my life. At the end of the day I guess the selling is not for all as such one should think carefully before they decide to sell, and like any other product it is not for all.
This blog I think gives imbalanced views of MaryKay, balance it out and it will probably be more beneficial. Other cosmetic comanies are making much much more and are sure as hell not sharing it with anyone but those who can afford to be a shareholder, which from experience is not all.
KR
I am so sorry to hear your need to atttack a business like any other business that has a product to sell. Like anything we buy or jobs we take – no one is twisting arms and aren’t you more so attacking the female that have entered into something they aren’t capable of doing. I sold Mary Kay during my daughter’s teen years as a single along with a full time job and it kept food on the table and also without much support from a wealthy ex-husband due to a judge making a high dollar didn’t do his job – maybe you should take your attacks were it can make a difference to many females in a positive way. Also, after like most female I attempted to try new cosmetics and only found it to destroy my skin and back to Mary Kay with compliments again on my complexion which taken care of with very little of make-up but more so skin care. P.S. Apparently you don’t do your research, as Mary Kay is one of the most inexpensive make-up to buy
I TRIED SELLING MARY KAY IN THE 90′S. I AGREE WITH YOU THE PRODUCTS ARE OVER PRICED. YOU CAN GO GET MAKE UP AT THE DEPARTMENT STORES OR AT WALMART THAT DOES JUST AS WELL AND COSTS 1/2 OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR MARY KAY COSMETICS. THE EYE SHADOW IS CRUMBLY AND FLAKES TOO MUCH WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT IT ON. THE LADY WHO RECRUITS YOU WILL TELL YOU THAT THIS IS SO IT WILL BE USED UP QUICKER AND PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO BUY MORE FROM YOU. ALSO THE BLUSH IS THE SAME WAY. SO THEN YOU ACTUALLY END UP SPENDING 3 TO 4 TIMES FOR MARY KAY MAKE UP THAN WHAT YOU WOULD PAY AT THE STORE. THEN THERE IS THE PESTY RECRUITOR WHO JUST CONSTANTLY IS CALLING AND WANTING YOU TO BUY MAKE UP AND PERSONALLY I JUST DON’T WON’T TO BE BOTHERED BY HER. IT’S CHEAPER AT THE STORES AND YOU AREN’T ANNOYED BY SOMEONE TRYING TO GET A QUICK BUCK OFF OF YOU. I KNOW THERE ARE WOMEN WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL AT IT. MY LUCK WAS I PAID APPROXIMATELY $4,000 FOR COMPLETE INVENTORY SO I WOULD HAVE IT AVAILABLE WHEN I CAME ACROSS SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO BUY THE PRODUCT. MY EXPERIENCE WAS EVERYONE I CAME IN CONTACT WITH HAD EITHER A MOTHER, COUSIN, AUNT, GOOD FRIEND, OR SISTER SELLING IT. THE COMPANY IS TOO SATURATED AND IT IS HARD TO SELL. I HAD BORROWED THE MONEY FROM THE BANK TO BUY THE PRODUCTS AND I JUST HAD SUCH ROTTEN LUCK, I SENT IT BACK TO GET MY MONEY BACK IN WHICH I DIDN’T GET THE WHOLE REFUND AND THEN WAS STILL STUCK PAYING A MONTHLY BANK NOTE FOR THE LOAN I OWED. BUT I HAD LISTENED TO MY RECRUITOR WHO JUST MADE IT LOOK LIKE I WAS GOING TO MAKE THOUSANDS AND WOULD HAVE THAT NOTE PAID OFF IN NO TIME FLAT. WELL, IT MAY WORK FOR SOME BUT IT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME.
If you read blogs or boards about MLM’s, the defenders spout the exact same several diatribes, whether its Pre-Paid Legal, MK, Herbalife, Usana, etc. There is the kindly religious themed poster that wishes you well or prays for you; The calm reasoner who quotes numbers and success gleamed from testimonials or company disinformation, and allows that it’s not for “everyone”; and the angry attack soldier who spews venom. Often the words chosen are identical from MLM to MLM–there must be at least 2 books that are required reading for all: How to recruit (sell) and make a fortune, and how to defend against criticism.
I agree that MLM’s successfully recruit people from all socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, as do religious cults. But the adverse affect to survivors is more pronounced for people with lesser means. And to whoever rants against my comparison to a cult, you will probably prove my point with your rebuttal. Folks who like the company they work for may tell you it’s a great place to be, but will not spend hours trying to convince you to come aboard.
As a direct result of the indoctrination tactics well documented here and elsewhere, many survivors are too embarrassed or ashamed to speak up.
Other MLM’s recruit both genders; MK, because of the product, solicits primarily (or exclusively?) women.
It saddens me that MLM’s are “legal” pyramid schemes, and as such continue to operate. It amazes me that nary a one sells a great product–it might be okay and usable, but nothing to write home about. Oh wait–if it was a great product, then it would be sold by a traditional company who hires a finite number of “worker bees for their J.O.B.’s”. (The quoted phrase is from both MLM handbooks: recruiting and defending)
Honey,
You are trully wasting time. You sound like a vegan trying to convert and convince everyone to stop buying and eating meat. IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. You can not stop people from doing what they love and do nor from buying it either. There is a reason why it is called NETWORK MARKETING this is how these companies progress and make money. That is the way how all companies work, do you honestly think corporate america is any much different??? THINK ABOUT IT!! You could at least put yourself in the shoes of someone who started with nothing and has made themselves a something after beginning a network marketing business, they are amazing stories. alas I have nothing more to say every human being is entitled to their opinion, and thank you to those who are still positve minded and are loyal to Mary Kay.
I have no intention of “stopping” anyone from doing anything. I’m simply offering information on Mary Kay to anyone researching the company and the “opportunity.” Whatever they do with that information is completely up to them.