Mary Kay 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues with Sales Record

When Mary Kay Ash opened a 500-square-foot store front in Dallas with five beauty products displayed on a single metal shelf in 1963, her goal was to enrich women’s lives. With the support of her family and the help of nine independent beauty consultants, “Beauty by Mary Kay” became the realization of her dream to provide women with an opportunity that offered personal growth and financial independence. Now, as Mary Kay Inc. celebrates its 50th anniversary, more than 200 Mary Kay products are sold in more 35 countries around the world by the Mary Kay independent sales force.

As Mary Kay kicked off its annual convention in the United States at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, the iconic beauty brand announced its independent sales force now consists of three million people around the world. The company reported a global independent sales force count of 2.5 million last year.

“Our 50th anniversary has been a record-setting year for our company,” said David Holl, president and CEO for Mary Kay Inc. “Women of all backgrounds and ages continue to turn to Mary Kay for the products they love and trust as well as the unparalleled opportunity.”

In the past year, 350,000 Mary Kay businesses were started by new independent sales force members around the world. In the U.S., 90,000 of those businesses were started in the first quarter of 2013, helping to contribute to the highest sales month in company history in March. Additionally, the months of April, May and June 2013 each set global company records in sales for their respective months.

“While the global economy continues to improve, women are still turning to Mary Kay to pursue their short- and long-term financial goals,” said Holl.

Mary Kay independent beauty consultants are also looking younger, and not just because of the skin care and color cosmetics they sell. Thirty five percent of new independent beauty consultants in the U.S. are from the Gen Y segment (18–30 years old) while approximately half of the Mary Kay independent sales force in the U.S. is aged 35 or younger.

“Gen Y has a unique set of talents and career expectations that go beyond the 9 to 5 setting,” said Sheryl Adkins-Green, chief marketing officer for Mary Kay Inc. “These women are tech-savvy and digitally connected and appreciate the training, flexibility and community a Mary Kay business offers as they look to enrich their lives in meaningful ways.”

Mary Kay is hosting its annual convention in Dallas from July 21 through August 7, 2013, where the success of the company’s independent sales force is celebrated. The seminar is focused on recognizing Mary Kay independent beauty consultants for their achievements while also providing education, inspiration and motivation for the year ahead. This year’s theme, in honor of the company’s 50th anniversary, “One Woman Can,” pays tribute to the enormous impact Mary Kay has had on the lives of women around the world.

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