A dream company

When Mary Kay Ash "retired" from a successful career in direct sales in early 1963, she decided to write a book to help women survive in the male-dominated business world. She made two lists. One contained things the companies for which she had worked had done right; the other included the things she felt they could have done better. When she reviewed the lists, Mary Kay realized that she had inadvertently created a marketing plan for a dream company - one which would provide women with open-ended potential to achieve personal and financial success.

With her life savings of $5,000 and the help of her 20-year-old son Richard Rogers, Mary Kay launched her dream company on Friday, Sept. 13, 1963.

Guiding philosophies

Mary Kay adopted the Golden Rule as her guiding philosophy, determining that the best course of action in virtually any situation could be easily discerned by doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. She also steadfastly believed that life's priorities should be kept in their proper order, which to her meant putting faith first, family second and career third.

She stressed the importance of recognizing the accomplishments of others. And she constantly encouraged both the corporate staff and the independent sales force to act as if each person they met was wearing a sign around his or her neck that read "Make me feel important."

Today, Mary Kay, Inc. remains true to the principles of Mary Kay Ash.

Mary Kay Ash’s honors

Countless business leaders, authors, politicians and members of academia have recognized the pure brilliance and determination of Mary Kay Ash. She received numerous prestigious awards during her lifetime and many more following her death on Nov. 22, 2001.

Some of her honors include:

• “100 Greatest Women of 100 Years” by the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas (2008)
• A&E Television produced “Mary Kay” which aired on the Biography Channel (2006)
• PBS and the Wharton School of Business’s “25 Most Influential Business Leaders of the Last 25 Years” (2004)
• Baylor University’s “Greatest Female Entrepreneur in American History” (2003)
• "Most Outstanding Woman in Business in the 20th Century." Lifetime Television (1999)
• National Business Hall of Fame, Fortune (1996)
• Pathfinder Award, National Association of Women Business Owners (1995)
• One of “America’s 25 Most Influential Women,” The World Almanac and Book of Facts (1985)
• Horatio Alger Distinguished American Citizen Award (1978)

MARY KAY ASH, THE WOMAN