Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay Ash was an American entrepreneur who founded Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963. She built the company around independent beauty consultants, direct selling, and sales incentives.

Mary Kay Cosmetics: An American cosmetics company founded by Mary Kay Ash in 1963 and known for direct selling through independent beauty consultants. Ash founded the company as the vehicle for her approach to selling cosmetics.
Multi-level marketing: A sales structure in which participants can earn from personal sales and the sales of people they recruit. Mary Kay's consultant hierarchy is often compared with this broader recruitment-based model.
Richard Rogers: An American businessman who co-founded Mary Kay Cosmetics with his mother, Mary Kay Ash. Rogers helped establish and lead the company Ash founded.
Cosmetics industry: The sector that develops, manufactures, markets, and sells products intended to enhance or alter appearance. Ash built a major direct-selling business within this industry.
Stanley Home Products: An American direct-selling company that marketed household products through in-home demonstrations. Ash worked in direct sales there before launching her own company.
Party plan: A direct-sales method that uses social gatherings to demonstrate and sell products. Group demonstrations offered a social format related to the company's personal selling.
Ben Rogers: Mary Kay Ash's second husband, who supported the founding of Mary Kay Cosmetics and died shortly before its launch. Ash credited his encouragement with helping her pursue the company idea.
Entrepreneurship: The creation and development of ventures that organize resources to offer products or services. Ash's company grew from her decision to build a business after leaving sales work.
Direct selling: A sales method in which products are marketed directly to consumers outside conventional retail stores. It was the business model Ash chose for her cosmetics company.
Sales incentive: A reward offered to motivate sales performance, such as a bonus, prize, or recognition. Ash used recognition and rewards to motivate independent consultants.

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Brownie WiseRelated: Her later company also relied on independent women selling products through personal relationships.