Mary Kay Ash

Date of Birth: May 12, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: November 22, 2001

Biography

Mary Kay Ash was an American businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc. Born in Texas, Ash started her career in direct sales after World War II. Dissatisfied with the way women were treated in the workplace, she founded her own company in 1963 to give women better opportunities for success. The company quickly grew to become one of the largest direct sellers of skin care products and cosmetics in the world. Known for her motivational leadership and innovative business strategies, Ash fostered a culture of empowerment and support among her sales force, whom she referred to as “beauty consultants.”

5 Interesting Facts about Mary Kay Ash

1. Mary Kay Ash started her business with a life savings of just $5,000.

2. She wrote several books, including her autobiography “Mary Kay,” which became a best-seller.

3. Ash was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984.

4. Mary Kay Cosmetics operates in nearly 40 countries and has millions of independent beauty consultants worldwide.

5. She was known for her “Pink Cadillac” incentive program, awarding top sales directors with pink Cadillacs.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Kay Ash

1. “Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know that, so it goes on flying anyway.”

2. “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”

3. “The speed of the leader is the speed of the gang.”

4. “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.”

5. “A company is only as good as the people it keeps.”