Mary Kay is a cosmetic giant...a $2.2 billion giant based in Dallas, TX. Just over half of that was sold in the US by its sales force of 715,000 reps.
In 1995, Mary Kay added China to its list of 36 countries where it sells its products. The sales force in China has grown to 400,000 and $300 million in 2005.
China is Mary Kay's second largest market.
The Houston Chronicle reported about two Chinese women, Wang Di and Xiangu Jun Mei who have reached the pinnacle of Mary Kay success = $100K/yr salary.
Xiang says, "If my whole family worked a lifetime, they would not make what I make now in one month."
Mary Kay is not only sensitive to skin but culture as well.
The Chinese value smooth white skin as beautiful. Consequently, sunless tanners and bronzers are not in the catalog.
Those products have been replaced by skin whiteners. Mary Kay also plans a line of botanical lotions made up of Chinese herbs.
Being a Mary Kay rep requires risk - buying at wholesale and selling at profit. But, then no serious money is made without risk.
And some ladies in Pink, in the land of the Red China have learned that lesson well. Others will surely follow.
What do you think?
go to 老毕看中国
As annoying as I think the Mary Kay representatives are, I think that its good that Chinese women are allowed another opportunity to become financially successfeul on there own. I'm sure that most women don't make nearly as much as Wang Di and Xiangu Jun Mei, but I think just earning your own income is empowering.
I dislike Mary Kay. I would never touch their products, but they make many women feel beautiful, and they encourage independance for women, which I support.
Posted by: Robin Tafel | August 8, 2006 9:36 AM | Permalink to Comment