Direct Selling With Mary Kay: Some Direct Answers

Mary Kay Cosmetics takes a remarkable approach to selling, offering unlimited earning potential to MK sales consultants. Rather than promoting the Mary Kay products women love in store fronts, Mary Kay uses the direct selling method.

Direct selling, unlike retail sales, is a way to market products or services directly to potential clients or customers, rather than placing them in shops and showrooms. Direct selling allows sales consultants to go to buyers rather than waiting for the buyer to come to them. Connecting with customers face to face, online, through catalogues, mailings and by phone are just some of the ways direct sales are achieved.

Typically, direct selling includes an opportunity involving the sale of a product or service directly to a consumer by way of a small start-up investment. The individual sales consultant then owns their own business and becomes their own boss. The business owner is able to set their own hours, earn based on their own aspirations and is in charge of their own life, and, ultimately, their success. Internationally, the direct selling industry produces more than $100 billion in sales every year.

Not surprisingly, more than 75 percent of the independent sales force is made up of women. The Mary Kay business opportunity is available to women of all ages, income levels and ethnic backgrounds. The benefits of direct selling include unlimited income potential, flexibility, a more relaxed working environment and the ability to supplement income with a small financial investment.

Mary Kay allows Independent Consultants to set their own pace on the Road to Success. The requirements to be profitable in Mary Kay are simple and straight-forward. An entrepreneurial spirit, a positive attitude, a desire to work with people, perseverance and enthusiasm are the necessary ingredients for a thriving Mary Kay businesswoman.

The Direct Selling Association, or DSA, is a well-respected national trade association. It collaborates with companies that manufacture and distribute goods and services directly to customers through the independent sales force. The DSA holds its members to the highest standards, ensuring ethical business practices and quality consumer services. Mary Kay has been a proud member of the DSA since 1993 and has built a lasting relationship with the organization.

In fact, the DSA has awarded Mary Kay with numerous prestigious awards. To name a few, Mary Kay received the Vision for Tomorrow Award for the companys community service efforts in 2002, 2006 and 2007. The 2002 award was given for Mary Kays television documentary, "Breaking the Silence: Journeys of Hope," which raised awareness about the issue of domestic violence. MK was the recipient of the Education for Life Award in 2006 for its investment in the training and education of its sales force. In 2001, Mary Kay also received the Industry Innovation Award for the Personal Web Site program, which supports the independent sales force with their business.