Putting The Best Face On A Bad Economy

CBS Evening News: In Midst Of Declines In Other Industries, Cosmetics Are Taking Off

(CBS)  Kelly Canzone knows first hand how to put the best face on a bad economy.

"A woman can't afford to go out a buy a new suit or a new outfit or weekly therapy, but she can afford a $13 lipstick," Canzone said.

She sells make-up for the Mary Kay cosmetic company - lots of makeup, CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports.

How does the economy look from where he stands?

"Wonderful. My husband and I joke sometimes that there's a recession happening, but not in our house," she said.

She was a full time psychotherapist making $60 an hour, when she decided to shrink her practice and grow this business. Start up cost was just $100 for her first supplies.

She now helps train other sales ladies.

Is she making much more money?

"I would say probably not quite double what I was making as a therapist, but probably about a third more," she said.

In the midst of declines in almost every other industry, make-up - at least affordable makeup - is taking off.

At the same time the economy started tanking last year, mass-market skin care sales were up as much as 11 percent. Grooming products were up 15 percent.

All that helps makes make-up an attractive way to make up for fading prospects in other businesses, like construction. Laura Grieco is an electrician trainee struggling to make it. So, she's started selling make-up too.

"It's just nice to see that extra money throughout the week that can help supplement for hours that I may not be getting," Grieco said.

They say to look good is to feel good. And these days when there's very little about the economy that feels good, selling cosmetics still looks good.

[beksterone]

I am a new Mary Kay Consultant. The products are top notch, but the main reason I am in the business is the women in the biz. These business women are the most encouraging positive people onthe planet and I feel priveledged to get involved with such a first class organization. I have owned motels, hotels, restaurant and other retails businesses and I already know I will be wealthier, happier and less stressed inthis venture. Viva la Mary Kay and long live capitalism!!! I need no Bail Out money, I am my own source and Mary Kay Cosmetics is the tool!!!!!

[tamyra1]

I do realize that there are some disgruntled ladies out there who dislike Mary Kay for whatever reason. I am sorry that you didn't have a good experience with it, or decided it wasn't for you. As consultants, we make our own way and choose our own destiny. We can either choose to grow in and because of the opportunity, or we can let it consume us. There are many facets to the whole picture, so many in fact, that I cannot cover them all. The money end of it can be great when we work at it. But more importantly, it's the personal growth of ourselves, and the lives we touch that has impressed me. I came to the company with skin issues, not even interested in the sales end of it. When I saw what the product did for my skin, that changed my whole outlook. I then decided to share my experience with others who have skin issues.
My consultant was not high pressure about signing me, nor did the director push a large inventory purchase on me. they encouraged me to have a debut. My debut paid for my initial order and I was able to build inventory from there. Yes inventory is important, as when you buy something, you want to take it home with you. That is how it is at this time in our lives.

So those of you who have had a bad experience with it, or have decided it is not for you, I would strongly encourage you to find what is right for you, and go for it! Put your passion into something positive and move on from the negativity that all this is generating.

[asiseeit1]

shaunerlynn, it seems you are having a problem comprehending English and the difference between truth-telling and lying. None of us every said anything about expecting a company to discourage growth.

We object to the company and recruiters telling untruths and lies. Some examples have already been spelled out for you; just re-read the comments. Another B-I-G lie is that the MK business plan is taught at Harvard. Never was and never will be. I don''t know where this outrageous rumor started, but it is nonsense. Harvard is sick of it, too.

The 90% buyback on your $100 showcase would lead a reasonable person to believe they will receive $90 back if they change their minds about this business. Not so. The buyback will leave you with around $40-50. It only covers the repurchase wholesale price of the retail product in your sales kit -- not everything else in your kit.

MK cannot claim to be the #1 selling skin care company b/c it does not track retail sales -- ever. It only tracks wholesale sales to consultants. I never once had to prove to anyone that I sold product to another human being.

Need I continue with this pink charade?

[riley2009]

Oh Shaunerlynn...you poor thing. You are so lost in the pink fog you can''t even think critically any more. When you can honestly see both sides of this (and there are ALWAYS 2 sides to everything) then we can have a meaningful conversation. I was in for 31 years and VERY successful, I might add. However, the things that I observed being done to earn the so-called executive income turned me inside out so I quit. The tactics, scripts, arm-twisting, half-truths and downright lies told to recruit and frontload IBC''s are pervasive in the upper levels of this company and condoned by MK Corp. How long have you been in and how high up the food chain are you? When you have walked in my shoes, come on down from your pedestal and we can "talk".

[shaunerlynn]

Well, it would say that Mary Kay is structured like most of the other companies in the world--and the Fortune 500 companys it ranks with--and those responsible for others (and the training of others, which Mary Kay rests entirely in the hands of consultants and directors) are in higher positions within their company. Thats just traditional coporate structure.

Also, for those of you saying Brand Keys skewed their data, that''s a pretty tough claim to make--especially since the same survey created the data for every major cosmetics company in the US, as well as other major companies such as Google. Brand Keys is a prestigious survey firm and wouldn''t be in business if their results could be bought. CHECK YOUR SOURCE. That kind of statement shows exactly how far skewed some of these posters are.

Bottom line--It''s unreasonable to expect a company to discourage growth of the sales force (recruiting), cover independent contrator''s overhead (time, gas, and business supplies), and disallow inventory (especially when you are competing in "instant gratification" markets). Any business person would laugh at you if you presented these expectations.

Mary Kay is a great wholesaler and provides much more support to its consultants than most wholesalers. Don''t expect Mary Kay to act like an employer. Those who understand this manage their money well and are happy in their businesses.

[tscribb]

Terbear, we already know that the only way women have even a remote shot at making big money in MK is to recruit. You could sell a truckload of lipstick and not move one inch up the career ladder, but recruit one body and BAM, promotion. What does THAT say about the company?

You''d be surprised to learn that MANY of your top leaders are teaching things that are flat-out filthy. For example, it''s said that in MK, inventory is optional. But NSD Dacia Wiegandt teaches her recruiters to "Pull inventory as soon as they sign. Have a sense of urgency." If inventory is supposedly optional, then why do we have a top MK leader teaching her recruiters to PULL inventory ASAP?

How long are you going to stay silent for fear that you''re not "enhancing" someone, Terbear?

[asiseeit1]

One poster stated that consultants make 50% off everything they sell. Not quite. She forgot to deduct her unbillable time to find the customer and drive to the appointment. She forgot to deduct the cost of the gasoline. If she met the customer through a skin care class, she didn''t count the unbillable two-plus hours of prep work it took to set up the class (both at home and on site). She also didn''t count her unbillable time after the class of paperwork. And let''s not forget all the product she had to either discount or give away in order to bribe customers to purchase anything at all.

Easy to sell? Hardly. Most ladies can''t run away screaming from you fast enough. The only reason most purchase is out of guilt and so that they can get back home to their families where they belong.

Now, about that jockstrap party..........hmmmmmm!

[cheetah-man7]

This sounds like a great idea for women. But, how about us men? What do we do? Host jockstrap parties?

[terbear45]

A wonderful opportunity exists in Mary Kay Cosmetics, a DIRECT SALES company. The dual actions of selling and "recruiting" or offering the opportunity, is what can earn you a six-figure income over years of work, if you so CHOOSE.

As with ANY BUSINESS, you will only SUCCEED to the point that you CHOOSE to. Your investment into YOUR business is YOUR business and your CHOICE.

At the same time, I need to ask the "PinkTruthers" what gives them the right to defame one of the best opportunities for women today?

Tell me, when you go to the grocery store, do you verify whether or not the produce was grown in the US? Chances are, it is not. Do you open a web site called "Green Truth?" I didn''t think so.

We do not have a Mary Kay Police to follow each and every member of it''s worldwide 1.5 million independent sales force, either. If an individual director, consultant or someone else is utilizing tactics not prescribed by the company, they are are breaking their own conract with the company.

Finally, I think it would be great if we all think about what we say. Is it something that enhances or tears down?

Thank you.

[debbie85]

I''ve been with Mary Kay Cosmetics for 13 years. I''ve had nothing but great expierences with the company. How well you do or don''t do is all up to the individual. And that is the truth! I''ve had good years and bad years but its all linked with the amount of effort I put into it. The products are terrific and easy to sell. Mary Kay consultants make 50% off of everything they sell which is way better than another direct selling. Those who want to bad mouth this company need to take a hard look at themselves. Its time to take responsibility...

[exaf74]

Gotta keep that booty lookin good ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tscribb]

It''s worth mentioning that if - according to Shaunerlynn - Mary Kay''s consultants are not their biggest customers, then why does the company track its numbers in terms of WHOLESALE amounts, not retail ones? Mary Kay''s contests, car, and promotion quotas are all based on the amount of product a consultant ORDERS, not sells. And that tends to make me wonder, "Why doesn''t Corporate track retail?"

I have a nagging feeling that it''s because MK''s retail numbers would be considerably lower than wholesale ones. Do a search for "Mary Kay" on almost any city on Craigslist and see how many listings come up for women trying to unload Mary Kay products - it''s not a small number.

[riley2009]

shaunerlynn, I appreciate your right to post anything you choose, I just get riled when people like you post lies. All of the products sold in the US by MK are NOT manufactured in the US! Also, the key word missing in the blurb on brandkeys is "randomly" drawn. Anyone can set up a survey and get the results skewed whichever way they want to satisfy the company that pays them to do the survey. You need to get in the game, girl! Get your facts before you blog a bunch of dribble that is full of holes.

[tscribb]

"Women who are interested in Mary Kay should look at the facts from both sides, successful and unsuccessful consultants."

I do agree with this. And Pink Truth''s owner has every right to present the side the recruiters aren''t giving - women can go to PT to get that angle. Directors and NSDs can continue to give the same fluffy, scripted speeches, and women can go to those sites to get THAT angle = both together, bingo, balanced look. But if you ran across an AA recovery board, I highly doubt that the board''s owner would permit Budweiser''s CEO to post about how magnificient and wonderful it is to get blasted on their raccoon whiz. See the similarity in the Pink Truth instance? If you want to gush about how many women''s hot buttons you pushed that week or how many times you used the line, "That''s exactly why you need Mary Kay!", PT is not the place for that. Go crow in your NSD''s guestbook.

There are more than a few active consultants and directors who post on PT - and you may be surprised to learn that I fully support the consultants that choose to sell only. Recruiting in Mary Kay, however, is a filthy game of manipulation that every consultant in the business needs to shun.

[shaunerlynn]

By the way--Pink Truth says it tells the "whole story". That would require fairness towards women who have had great experiences with Mary Kay. But we aren''t allowed to post on your site, which definitely prevents you from sharing the whole story! Those who love Mary Kay should be welcome to share it and those who hate Mary Kay should as well--THAT''s real information and balanced information. Honestly, pinktruth is for women who hate Mary Kay and that''s fine--but don''t make the mistake of calling it "the whole story." The site itself admits it can''t be considered "balanced".

Women who are interested in Mary Kay should look at the facts from both sides, successful and unsuccessful consultants. I think we all agree that would create the most balanced perspective.

And yes, many happy, successful consultants exist, such as the women in this news story. Mary Kay is a business just like any other, requires work, and is NOT get rich quick. I think we forget that very few women make 6 figures in corporate America--especially compared to those who make lesser incomes--and those who do work very hard. So it would be logical to assume that the same laws of reality would exist in Mary Kay. But the reality is that, just like in the real world, if you are willing to work hard you can make great money in Mary Kay--without having to get a master''s degree to do it (nice perk!).

[shaunerlynn]

That''s just false information. Brand Keys Loyalty Survey surveyed CONSUMERS, not consultants.
Results:
http://www.brandkeys.com/awards/leaders.cfm

Ans source:
From their site-- "The sample is made up of men and women 18 to 65 years of age drawn from the nine U.S. Census regions. Respondents (50:50 M/F and an even-age-spread representation) are screened according to category particulars, then asked to assess the brand for which they have been determined to be a "customer." The screening varies from category to category, but generally respondents fall into the top 20 percent of the customer base. Eighty-five percent of the interviews are conducted via telephone. The remaining 15 percent are collected via central-location intercepts among "cell phone only" respondents."

"The annual Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Winners are those brands best able to engage consumers and create loyal customers." "The Brand Keys data paints a detailed picture of the category drivers that engage customers, engender loyalty and drive real profits."

[tscribb]

A question, Shaunerlynn: would you call Mary Kay "balanced?" If were to go to a director or NSD website, would I find both sides of the story presented? I didn''t think so.

That''s why Pink Truth exists. If directors and NSDs won''t tell women the whole story, someone else will, and recruiters have no right getting their big girl panties in a wad when that happens.

And FYI, the reason Mary Kay is #1 in customer loyalty in Cosmetics Companies is because its own CONSULTANTS are the CUSTOMERS. THEY - as new recruits - are the ones being deceived into making the 2400 and 3600 inventory purchases and being hailed as "successes" when they haven''t even held their first "class."

[shaunerlynn]

I would advise people to do their research before they look into any company; but Mary Kay is a good one. No company can exist long-term "running on inventories" only. There is a reason Mary Kay is #1 in customer loyalty in Cosmetics Companies (Brandkeys Customer Loyalty Survey 2008), and #3 nationwide next to Google (#1) and Avis (#2). Customers love the product! As for people who criticize carrying inventory, ask any consumer if she wants her cleanser today or next week. Consultants choose to carry inventory, they choose to carry a little, a lot, or none, and they can choose to return it to the company within 1 year of purchase for 90% of the investment. If I sink my money into opening up a coffee shop and it fails, I''m out everything. Mary Kay offers a nice option on your investment recovery.

As for pinktruth.com--take that with a grain of salt. Directly from their website-- "Pink Truth does not offer what some may call a %u201Cbalanced%u201D view of Mary Kay." On another page--"Comments that are openly hostile to our mission or our friends will not be allowed. Opposing viewpoints that are presented in a respectful fashion will be considered for publication, but may not necessarily be ultimately published... Those wishing to extol the virtues of these types of companies should not participate on Pink Truth." So, women who have had a great experience with MK will not be allowed to post on pinktruth.

[icpink]

You get what you put into it!! People go into Mary Kay, some with the expectation of instantly becoming successful! It is like any other JOB- you must WORK! Mary Kay works if you do! If you don''t it won''t.... So when it doesn''t work, instead of taking responsibility you blame your failure on Mary Kay! And as far as the comment on foreign made cosmetics, yes MK has manufacturing plants in other countries.. to supply the MANY Consultants and Directors over there, All of our Cosmetics that we purchase and sell are manufactured here in the USA. Mary Kay has been enriching Women''s lives for 45 years, Mary Kay the Company has donated Millions to charities for Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence, and pays commissions to their Consultants through Company profits! I am proud to be a part of this organization and I am proud of the fact that what I do makes an impact on women one face at a time! So if it makes you feel good to bash a Company who has done so much for so many, then go to that site previously mentioned with all the other women who choose to blame others for their failure at success!!!

[icpink]

You get what you put into it!! People go into Mary Kay, some with the expectation of instantly becoming successful! It is like any other JOB- you must WORK! Mary Kay works if you do! If you don''t it won''t.... So when it doesn''t work, instead of taking responsibility you blame your failure on Mary Kay! And as far as the comment on foreign made cosmetics, yes MK has manufacturing plants in other countries.. to supply the MANY Consultants and Directors over there, All of our Cosmetics that we purchase and sell are manufactured here in the USA. Mary Kay has been enriching Women''s lives for 45 years, Mary Kay the Company has donated Millions to charities for Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence, and pays commissions to their Consultants through Company profits! I am proud to be a part of this organization and I am proud of the fact that what I do makes an impact on women one face at a time! So if it makes you feel good to bash a Company who has done so much for so many, then go to that site previously mentioned with all the other women who choose to blame others for their failure at success!!!