It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!: The Success Secrets of a Top Member of the Mary Kay Independent Sales Force [Hardcover]

Gillian Hennessy-Ortega (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471709743 | ISBN-13: 978-0471709749 | Publication Date: May 6, 2005 | Edition: 1

PRAISE FOR It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!

"Along her journey, [Hennessy-Ortega] has inspired, motivated, and encouraged thousands of women to believe they too can turn their dreams and goals into realities. You will love this book; it will produce incredible results in your life."
--Rena Tarbet, Independent Senior National Sales Director Mary Kay Inc.

"With a refreshing style all her own, Gillian Hennessy-Ortega uses her down-to-earth wit and wisdom to ignite your belief in what's possible, raise your level of expectation for your future, recognize your potential, and empower you to take a step ahead of the crowd and into a lifetime of success. A must-read for anyone committed to living their dreams!"
--Lisa Diane, author, When You Can Walk on Water Why Take the Boat?

"Gillian inspired me to reach for the level of excellence I had dreamt of. This book will encourage you, at all levels of your life, to reach for your highest accomplishments. You won't be able to put this book down. Inspiring!"
--Albert Pujols, First Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals 2001 National League Rookie of the Year

"In It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!, Gillian shares the nuggets of truth that ensure both starting and finishing with results and excellence. As someone who uniquely knows what it means to live the American Dream, she has made herself a master of life and business. Now, as master teacher, she is passing it on to you."
--Pamela Waldrop Shaw, author, Design Your Life 90-Day Planner Independent National Sales Director, Mary Kay Inc.

"Gillian inspires people to reach farther and stretch beyond the comfort zone and into greatness. She has practical, straightforward ideas and tools to help any organization or individual move to the next level of success. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires success in their life."
--Guy F. Hulen, Director of Human Resources Hong Kong Shanghai Banc Corp. (HSBC)

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In 1979, Gillian Hennessy-Ortega moved to the United States from Ireland with nothing but twenty dollars in her pocket and the American Dream in her heart. In less than twelve years, she realized that dream, becoming a National Sales Director for one of America's best-known and most iconic businesses: Mary Kay. Since then, her personal story of hard work, persistence, and ultimate success has served as inspiration and motivation for thousands of men and women around the world—and now she shares her story with you.

In It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!, Hennessy-Ortega shares her life's journey from sales consultant to National Sales Director, and from helpless immigrant to empowered businesswoman. Along the way, she highlights the lessons she learned from the strong women mentors who inspired and motivated her—her mother, who sacrificed so much to give her children a better life; the childhood nanny who encouraged her to succeed; her National Sales Director, Asenath Brock; and successful entrepreneur Mary Kay Ash herself.

More than that, this book presents the proven, effective advice of a superstar saleswoman. Explaining the ten sales principles that helped her achieve her dreams, Hennessy-Ortega shares real-world advice that will help every salesperson sell more and sell better. These ten principles—from a positive attitude to personal discipline to good business ethics—give salespeople plenty of food for thought and fuel for success.

But as much as Gillian's story is about business and sales success, it's even more about personal success. And that means so much more than just money. As her story reveals, money alone is never enough—true success comes when we respect and are respected by others; when we rejoice in the blessings we have; and when we reach for all that we are capable of achieving. Gillian achieved her dreams, and you can too. With timeless lessons on perseverance and hard work, as well as proven sales principles from a master saleswoman, this inspiring story will help you achieve your American Dream.

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!

"Along her journey, [Hennessy-Ortega] has inspired, motivated, and encouraged thousands of women to believe they too can turn their dreams and goals into realities. You will love this book; it will produce incredible results in your life."
—Rena Tarbet, Independent Senior National Sales Director Mary Kay Inc.

"With a refreshing style all her own, Gillian Hennessy-Ortega uses her down-to-earth wit and wisdom to ignite your belief in what's possible, raise your level of expectation for your future, recognize your potential, and empower you to take a step ahead of the crowd and into a lifetime of success. A must-read for anyone committed to living their dreams!"
—Lisa Diane, author, When You Can Walk on Water Why Take the Boat?

"Gillian inspired me to reach for the level of excellence I had dreamt of. This book will encourage you, at all levels of your life, to reach for your highest accomplishments. You won't be able to put this book down. Inspiring!"
—Albert Pujols, First Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals 2001 National League Rookie of the Year

"In It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!, Gillian shares the nuggets of truth that ensure both starting and finishing with results and excellence. As someone who uniquely knows what it means to live the American Dream, she has made herself a master of life and business. Now, as master teacher, she is passing it on to you."
—Pamela Waldrop Shaw, author, Design Your Life 90-Day Planner Independent National Sales Director, Mary Kay Inc.

"Gillian inspires people to reach farther and stretch beyond the comfort zone and into greatness. She has practical, straightforward ideas and tools to help any organization or individual move to the next level of success. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires success in their life."
—Guy F. Hulen, Director of Human Resources Hong Kong Shanghai Banc Corp. (HSBC)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471709743
• ISBN-13: 978-0471709749
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, I QUACK like a Mary Kay Duck!, June 14, 2005

By 

Linda A. Matkovich "Hope_momma_mac" (State Capitol of Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!: The Success Secrets of a Top Member of the Mary Kay Independent Sales Force (Hardcover)

18 years ago, I joined the world of Mary Kay. Many were skeptical - mostly, my husband, who then worked 12 hrs shifts, 7 days/week. His misery for his job affected the rest of his life. Thanks to the efforts I put into my Mary Kay business, he now is able to work 3 days/week for 12 hrs/each which counts for his 40 hrs and has started his own business so he is positioning himself for a meaningful life after retiring from the job he formerly hated.

What I have learned from the Mary Kay organization helped raise my family to learn the meaning of COMMITMENT.

I GAINED THE TIME to spend many years in God's word so I could truly live by the company's values of God 1st, Family 2nd, and Career 3rd.

I was able to UTILIZE THE SKILLS learned from working with people to form a 2nd career that assists persons with disabilities and the elderly to remain living independently.

Did I have times of struggles? YES
Did I sometimes question what I was doing? YES
Do I believe that God knows His plan for me? YES

Mary Kay is an opportunity and for some it is the life-changing & financial opportunity of a lifetime (like Gillian)! It has been this for myself too. We may not have achieve the millionaire status that Gillian has, but we have been able to afford so much more than we would have ever been able to had I given in and given up.

Yes...I am proud to be affiliated with Mary Kay!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt Guide to Success for Anyone, September 6, 2005

By 

Joanne V. Price "MK Ind.Sr.Sales Director" (Davenport, IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!: The Success Secrets of a Top Member of the Mary Kay Independent Sales Force (Hardcover)

What Gillian Ortega writes is who she is. This wonderful young woman spells success with her openess, caring and Go-Give need to help anyone who wants to be more than average, not just in sales but life in general. She shares the importance of making everyone feel special and helps them realize that by following the advice shared in this book that they, too, can be a positive influence in the lives of others - family, friends and business contacts. Her story, and the real life stories of others bring home the importance of self-responsibility, integrity and a positive attitude. Keeping her priorities in order - God, Family and then career made her the success she is. We all can gain from this wonderful book.
Words of advice are a dime a dozen, but shared knowledge backed by action are priceles. Thank you, Gillian for making time to write this book.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Looking This Book, July 24, 2005

By 

M. E. Strickland "Book Diva" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!: The Success Secrets of a Top Member of the Mary Kay Independent Sales Force (Hardcover)

I'm reading this book and loved it! I am not finished yet! But what I have read is awesome. I read the other reviews and was slightly concerned that one bad review would overshadow the opportunity of others to find this book refreshing and inspirational. I hope you will read this book for yourself and enjoy the inspirational stories and let it inspire you in your own dreams those dreams may not be Mary Kay. They could be dreams of going back to school, starting a business of his own, or whatever your dreams and goals maybe.