I'm considering becoming a Mary Kay Consultant to earn a little extra money. Have any of you done this or are currently a working consultant? I realize a business takes work and I'm fully prepared for that aspect of it. I just want to know how you liked it, or any other helpful insights before I take the plunge :)

I guess I have some misconceptions about Mary Kay consultants, such as them being cut-throat or too pushy... and I'm wondering why/how they got that reputation. Did you have support or a mentor from anyone in the company?

I know I will ask all these questions later when I actually talk to my sales director when I sign a contrat, but I wanted to hear first hand (and third party) experiences that might give me a little more insight.:)

I've seen quite a few people try it and spend a ton of money on inventory only to try and sell it back to MK in the end at a loss. You really have to have the salesman personality and not be intimidated to go up to people and push the products to people. There's just no other way to sell if you want to be good at it. Also do you have lots of contacts...that helps a lot too. You really have to have a big network of contacts to do well. I like some of MK's stuff...it's actually pretty darn good but there's a whole lot of competion out there as far as make up goes and MK is NOT cheap! You just really have to believe in what you are selling to do well with it. Well that's my take on it anyway. OH and I forgot to mention that the sucessful people don't necessarily make the money selling make up, they get other people to sell it and that's how the real money is made.

ILYF is right. Mary Kay works by trying to get their consultants to recruit more consultants so the company can make more money. I worked for Avon and they did that too. On the other hand, I really like my own personal Mary Kay lady. She's a sweet person. I don't order from her regularly, because I'm still trying to find products that work for my skin. But I love that she takes the time to talk about my concerns with me and focus on what I want, instead of just trying to sell me something. Yes, you have to work hard to be a consultant and of course it helps if you have lots of contacts because those later become your customers. But I think the real questions are 1. how much are you willing to learn about the products? 2. do you love and use the products yourself? 3. would you recommend the products to your friends and family even though they're pricey? 4. Can you take the time to listen to what your customers want and need and find what will work best for them instead of just trying to make money from them? I hope all that helps and doesn't sound like a lecture. As a former Avon lady and a picky customer, I have a little experience on both sides of the fence. Best of luck if you do decide to become a consultant or if you pursue a different path to your dreams.

Some people get in it and do wonderfully, but most who try just never progress much in it. And there is far more work to it than they tell you when they are trying to recruit you.