Working for Mary Kay- Independent Sales Consultants

Updated on: by Amy Kennedy

The Truth about Being a Mary Kay Sales Rep

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We’ve all heard of Mary Kay. I’m sure many of you have even considered becoming a sales consultant for them yourself.

Mary Kay, a leading cosmetics company, operates by having independent sales ladies promote and sell their product. In 2011 Mary Kay was the sixth largest direct selling company in the world with over 2.9 billion dollars in sales [wiki]. Hardly needing an introduction- this company has been around since 1963!

However, because Mary Kay reps not only profit from their own sales but also from sales made by reps they recruit- it can be tough to find trustworthy information online. When trying to decide if you want to take the plunge and become a Mary Kay rep its best to do a lot of research and ask questions.

So, I have asked a fellow reader of WAHA, Renee Solomon, to answer some of our basic questions to get her personal view and experience.

If you have further questions- I am sure she would be glad to follow up through the comments below.

 

How and Why did you get started with Mary Kay?

Answer:

I was looking for something different than my day job that would bring me in a bit of money on the side. I actually went to a party at a friend’s house, determined not to buy anything and to just enjoy the snacks and company. After talking with the consultant about how she got started, it dawned on me that Mary Kay would be a great adventure and most likely a lucrative business decision. The investment to get started was only $100 and the consultant was not pushy, she just told me how she got started and how much she loved it. She was glowing and very genuine…I wanted that glow, too 🙂

 

Have you ever worked in Direct Sales before?

Answer:

I have never worked in Direct Sales before. It was scary to just jump in, sign up and start my business, but I have been completely supported throughout my journey. They say that in Mary Kay that you work FOR yourself, but not BY yourself…and it really is true.

 

What did the $100 start up fee include?

Answer:

Our starter kit is $100 and it includes everything you would need to have parties for 30 people or more. It contains full sized products for demonstrations, mirrors, samples to share with your friends and new clients, brochures to pass around, inspiring DVDs to teach and encourage you. It also all comes in this fantastic bag. There is a daily planner to keep you on schedule, too. All of this is a $410 dollar value that you would get for only $100!

(**Get $15 off your starter kit by mentioning this post!)

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[View Flyer for More Info about the Mary Kay Starter Kit]

 

Do you have a minimum sales requirement?

Answer:

In order to be considered active and to receive the 50% discount and earn 50% profit, you must sell $200 wholesale ($400 retail) every 3 months. This is quite easy to do!

 

What happens if you don’t meet the minimum?

Answer:

Once a consultant places a retail order of $400, she is active for three months. After those three months, if there has not been another retail order of $400, then the consultant is considered “inactive” which is not as bad as it sounds. The consultant just will not get her 50% discount until she places another qualifying retail order of $400 ($200 wholesale). If a consultant chooses, she can be inactive for a few months, but once she has been inactive for 6 months–then she ‘terminates’. This is the same as inactive–she would become active by placing a $400 order, but if she had a team -she would lose them. Once she is inactive for a year, then she is no longer a consultant and must sign a new agreement if she wanted to to be a consultant again.

But if you have been a consultant before and quit while still being on good terms with the company…you have the option of purchasing a “second chance” starter kit for only $25 bucks—you wouldn’t have to buy the big kit all over again.

 

Do you have to be a good sales person to be successful?

Answer:

No way—sales people tend to be pushy and nobody likes a pushy person! Our skincare and make up lines are fantastic—they do all the selling for you. I focus on customer service. During my skincare parties, I simply listen to what the woman wants, what her skin worries are and I show her products that can fix those problems and make her feel awesome. I take great care of my customers and find their perfect shades, offer them great prices and deliver straight to their house.

 

What if you don’t know people- how do you find customers?

Answer:

If you don’t know *anyone*, then there are ways to find people that would like a free skin care class (sometimes called facials) and makeovers. For example, creating fliers for around your neighborhood introducing yourself, placing fishbowls at a local business (after you ask 😉 ) for people to place their name/phone number/address if they are interested in a skin care class that also offers a giveaway. I have reached out to blogs to hold giveaways, I have hosted fundraisers and reached out to different groups on Facebook. You could ask Facebook groups if they would like to have their own fundraiser. If you know a few people (friends, family, coworkers)—then you can ask them to hold parties for you. If they don’t want to, then maybe they will give you names of a few people that you can call to see if they want to hold parties. There are so many ideas on how to find people—you just have to be willing to look!

 

If I wanted to learn more about being a Mary Kay Sales Rep- what should I do next?

Answer:

Renee SolomonThe best way to learn more is to contact me at [email protected]. When I was thinking about signing up, I had TONS of questions and I bet you do, too. I would love to set up a time to talk on the phone to chat about your questions and worries. It can be scary to start something new, but it is so exciting—I encourage you to ask questions and get all of the information before making a decision. A saying in Mary Kay is that you are in business FOR yourself, but not BY yourself. I stand by that and would love to help you on your Mary Kay journey.

 

Additionally, if you want to learn more there are some thorough reviews from people who have experience working as an independent sales rep for Mary Kay over at GlassDoor.com! or feel free to leave Renee a comment below so your question can be answered publicly for others who are also researching.

**Get $15 off your starter kit by mentioning this post!

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Comments

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Regina

October 30, 2014 at 1:17 am

I really want to sale avon

lizzy

November 5, 2014 at 8:42 pm

I love marykay, love to be a consultant but am a Nigeria. How do I start?

Ashley

January 21, 2015 at 9:43 pm

I am only 16 is there a certain age you have to be to work as a direct sales consultant?

Carine Dongmo

March 25, 2015 at 1:16 am

I love Mary Kay products and would like to be an independent sale consultant.