Mary Kay: The Success Story of America's Most Dynamic Businesswoman

by Mary Kay Ash

About the Author It could be said that her legendary status comes from creating a brand that's a household name, or from the marvelous marketing prowess by which she virtually owns the color pink. She could be lauded as one of the greatest executives to ever lead a company. Indeed, all of those plaudits would be true. But what endears the late MARY KAY ASH far beyond cosmetics, business genius, or financial success is her role as a champion of women. It is a role now celebrated by four generations of women on five continents who are part of an independent sales force family that numbers more than one million. In 1963, Mary Kay Ash set out to change women's lives for the better. In 1981, she wrote this autobiography to provide a personal perspective on her remarkable journey. Not only was it a bestseller but today there are more than two million copies in print. Her other two books also achieved bestseller acclaim. A self-described "ordinary woman with extraordinary determination," Mary Kay Ash often said that she aimed to provide opportunities for women that did not exist during the twenty-five years when she was a working mother struggling to make ends meet. "When we began in 1963, we meant to change the lives of a few people. Instead we are changing the world," she wrote in her company magazine in 1989. After decades of success, Mary Kay was asked what it was that motivated her now that she had achieved so much. Her words spoke volumes about her quest and the company's mission to enrich women's "If today one more woman learns how great she really is, then for me it has been a great day." What Mary Kay did for the economic liberation of women is what truly secures her legacy and extends it past the vast boundaries of her beloved native Texas. How she did it is a success story that has captured the hearts and minds of the world. This is her story in her own words. It is followed by an epilogue that reflects on the life of this most remarkable woman.

206 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1981

About the author

Mary Kay Ash was an American businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.

Reviews

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Mary Kay is an engaging writer and brilliant businesswoman. She lays out her ideas, processes, and values in this book. There are later editions, but the text has been changed to reflect more modern ideals. I found a lot of value in reading this older edition that had her advice written in her own words.

I found this book at a thrift store. Best $0.50 I ever spent!

[Faith Farris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be a memoir but it ended up being a sales pitch for Mary Kay. Wish she would’ve shared more about her life!