Francis’s story

About a year ago, a fellow school mom complimented me on my necklace. Next, she tells me that she just started her own Mary Kay business and could I please help her out by letting her do a facial on me. The goal was to do 30 in 30 days! Always willing to help out, I said sure. The next week, she nearly begged me to come to her Debut, at which I would get a door prize. Again, I went. A week later, I'm on a conference call with her and the director. They were asking really one-sided questions about my job (I'm self-employed as a medical transcriptionist) and making Mary Kay sound like an "opportunity" that someone such as myself should not pass up.

Their arguments are solid; the potential for income is there. It has benefits that a 9-5 job does not. I hung up the phone however, because I was simply too busy with the kids, business, and getting my other hobby/business (photography) off of the ground. "But having a Mary Kay business will afford you that extra time to devote to photography" and "Mary Kay is a great way to meet potential photography clients." Mary Kay is the answer to most everything, and if you argue or disagree, there is this feeling they give you as if to say "you are not positive enough" or "you are not seeing clearly if you turn down this opportunity."

I continued to use the skin care products because I thought they were probably as good as they said they were (ugh), even though they were pricey. I still bought some basic drug store makeup and was happy.

Somehow, I don't remember, I was convinced to go to a "function" at the Success Center. Oh yes. It was Spa night, the first one they had ever had and you'd get to go around and be pampered at each station.

There were ladies in suits everywhere. Lots of smiles but lots of tension as well. Finally, the 30 minute pitch and testimony time. "I'm a real estate agent single mom with three kids. I own my own home now. . .etc. .ladies, you can do this!"

"Sell once, make money on reorders to infinite!"

I bought my starter kit. But you won't believe what happened before I got my starter kit. I IMMEDIATELY was asked for the phone numbers of three women whom I would like to share the "Pearls of Wisdom" opportunity with, over the phone, with the director!

HOW IN GOOD CONSCIENCE DO I OFFER WATER TO OTHERS THAT
I HAVE NOT MYSELF TASTED? Argue with that, Director! That was "Strike One" for Mary Kay. I was very taken aback by that.

15 facials in 15 days power start! I did not want to approach strangers.

Use the Mary Kay In Touch personal web space to organize and run your business! I started entering the email addresses of my friends and family who I thought would understand. I don't know why I put my mother-in-law's address in there! A few days later, I get an email from her---"I didn't know you joined Mary Kay? Don't you know that my sister sells it wholesale to anyone who asks?' Yes, I did know that. MARY KAY'S WEBSITE took it upon itself to send form emails to everyone in the address book SIGNING MY NAME! I'm sorry. I do not enjoy being spoon-fed or impersonated. That was Strike Two.

I received my starter kit. That was kind of fun. I liked the bottles and bags and little applicators. It was a lot of stuff for the price. Even if I couldn't use it all because it was, for example, foundation colors I couldn't use.

PHONE CALL WITH DIRECTOR
This is the first time I was introduced to the INVENTORY issue. No, you don't HAVE to order an inventory, BUT the woman was very articulate, strong willed, and basically made me feel like I was choosing failure if I ordered anything less than the $3600 full store inventory package! A 100% God's Truth quote from her was, "I think you're over-analyzing too much" when I discussed with her my reasons why I did not want to make an investment that size. Ouch. Strike three.

I was VERY strongly encouraged to order by the end of the month, to HELP THE UNIT. I was VERY strongly encouraged to go to the brunch, go to this, pay to go to that retreat, buy samples (NOT included in the inventory purchase), etc.

I don't know why, but against my better judgment, I went with the "lowest" inventory package they appeared to offer of $600. If I sold it all, I made $1200. The problem? I can't lie. I can't inconvenience other women by making them take pity on me so I'll give them a facial, throw a party, listen to a sales pitch on something I no nothing about. The problem is, so many women are willing to "help" that they become sucked in. They are bombarded with very naturally presented hype.

I tried to convince myself that I would learn how to sell from the best, go with the motions, then take what I had learned and modify it to learn how to confident and promote my photography, which I actually DID believe in.

Then life continued to happen, my very intelligent girlfriends supported me but asked lots of questions, used their critical thinking skills and helped me explore what I was learning and explore what I really wanted in life. THANK YOU WENDY AND CHRISTINE!

I have a psychology degree and became very disheartened with this Mary Kay "opportunity." I saw first hand that they make it sound like a hole in one, then as soon as you sign the dotted line, they accuse you of being a simpleton or being lazy or not "faithful". Maybe the reason I have only sold 2 items in the past three months is because I cannot prey upon other innocent women! My consultant has no trouble sleeping at night, knowing that I have about $700+ on my credit card with 19% interest, because it helped her to get closer to DIQ! How can you purely "care about women" all the while profiting from them spending money, whether it is a good financial move for them OR NOT? Either way, THEY BENEFIT!

Feeling used, I contemplated digging myself out of the debt by jumping into the role and selling, booking, and spieling like crazy. That lasted a few minutes. I realized that I was compromising my integrity and reputation as a really talented, friendly photographer by buying into the Mary Kay system of success.

I was having one of those days, feeling claustrophobic by the three boxes of inventory in my hall. I called my recruiter-chick and told her I had made a decision to take the 90% buy back. Her response? "Are you aware that this will count against me on my efforts to attain DIQ?" That did it. I tried to make up a reason that she could not argue with, as to why I wanted to stop. I told her my checking account was about to overdraft. Her response? "How much do you need?" I am not joking. She was inferring to me that she would rather LOAN ME MONEY than have me get a refund!! I started thinking that was really psycho.

She told me that I obviously was very stressed out (I was) and that I shouldn't make decisions rashly (funny, a few weeks ago I was "overanalyzing"). She wanted to have the director and her "conference call" me in a few days because she "wasn't familiar with the refund process herself." They did not seem concerned that my transcription business was booming. They did not encourage my interest in real estate, stocks, financial management classes, and franchise ownership. The did not want me to follow my dream of building my photography business, or to spend time developing an exit strategy for my established transcription business. There ONLY concern was getting me to meetings, getting me to recruit, and getting me to place an order by the 31st!

The good thing is, I have gained so much more confidence from just having to match wits with These well trained women. The constant influx of Mary Kay inspirational emails is enough to drive me CRAZY, as well. The truth is, they act like they are trustworthy, so you trust them. I have come to the conclusion that these women either believe they are really helping you, or in desperation sold their soul and became determined to beat their recruiter at their own game, at the expense of you, Miss sharply-dressed-woman-ahead-of-me-in-the-checkout-line!

The director, realizing that though I may have lacked a little confidence, I did not lack self-esteem with which to manipulate me by, decided to offer me this advice/these options:

If you sell back your inventory, you may NEVER JOIN MARY KAY AGAIN!!

I can help you absorb your inventory through other consultants, but you will sell it for the same price you bought it for (time consuming).

I will throw you a party myself, we can even do it at the success center (not my place or a friend's), and you can still make a profit and not have to buy any more inventory! Just invite everyone you know.

So, because I thought it through, I came to the conclusion that the holidays are upon us, and if they want to throw me a party so I can make 50% selling all this stuff I bought, I'll do it. ONE TIME ONLY. On MY TERMS, however:

Number 1: I will invite every woman I know, but I will guarantee that this is my "quitting business" party and they will NEVER be asked to attend another function again. I will NOT be coerced into purchasing any more inventory.

Number 2: I will tell them that I'll have gift baskets set up to buy as gifts for people and I will NEVER CALL THEM AGAIN regarding any purchase they may make.

Number 3: I will advise them against writing down their name and phone number on ANYTHING, while at the success center!

Number 4: I will be raffling off a portrait session for the holidays to one lucky person who attends my "quitting Mary Kay" party. Bring a friend. :)

Number 5: I will warn them of the probable pitch they will hear, and advise them to come prepared with a lively topic to entertain their mind with while the director is "sharing the opportunity" with them.

I'll definitely report back on how well I have gotten through this coming "party" experience. Hopefully with most of my dignity, integrity, and FRIENDSHIPS still intact.

I'm so glad I found this site. Mary Kay is not for me. Period. But they don't care and don't take no for an answer. It doesn't matter if I've got the potential to be the next Oprah-gal-darn Winfrey or Nobel Peace Prize winner. In their eyes, I failed. In my eyes, I got to use intestinal fortitude that I forgot I even had. I'm glad there are other women out there who have said "No" and see that they are only seen as a number to these women. The director told me herself, "Mary Kay is purely a numbers game." So what she was revealing was that I represented a number to her. I could make her thousands of dollars. My job would be to find others like me to do the same. I was her diamond in the rough. But in my quest to become financially independent, I chose not to use my precious energy and potential for earnings on making money for someone who is comfortable with putting on this "caring Christian" façade in order to profit.

Stay Tuned!

Francis Photographer