Mary Kay [Hardcover]

Mary Kay Ash (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1981

The Story of America's Most Dynamic Businesswoman

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

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 lives: "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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Harper & Row; 1st edition (October 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060148780
• ISBN-13: 978-0060148782
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What An Inspiration!, June 13, 2001

By 

Julie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary Kay (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book to inspire you and help you to set your priorities for life, this is the book for you. Not only is Mary Kay's writing addictive, her message is wonderful. I keep this and a few other of her books in a convenient spot so I can go back and read portions regularly. I find that her writing keeps me on track in life. Her idea of God First, Family Second, and Career Third; really made an impact on me. I would recommend this book to any woman or man of any age, religion and social status.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up From the Ashes, July 22, 2006

By 

Red (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mary Kay - 3rd Edition: Miracles Happen (Paperback)

With limited time for reading, I choose books that will motivate and move me forward. This book tells the story of a woman who turned her frustration into a dream and helped other people along the way. I just heard that her company is number one is America for skin care for 15 years in a row and was number 1 in lipstick sales in America for the first time. This empire was built by a woman who kept being underused by her employers. Some companies really missed out on a huge future by passing her over. After reading her story...you can bet I am motivated to move ahead in my life.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for women entrepreneurs, November 27, 2009

By 

Tanya S. (Antwerp, Belgium) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mary Kay - 3rd Edition: Miracles Happen (Paperback)

A wonderful book. Love the writing style and the personality of Mary Kay Ash. Mary Kay described how she built her cosmetic empire,
but there is much more than that.

How to build a career without sacrificing the family is often a very sensitive question for women with children. Mary Kay created her company with an idea to solve this problem for the working mothers. She did not agree with experts who predicted that her business was doomed to failure, she just kept building her business on her own principles.

I think this book is one of the "must-read" books for a woman entrepreneur.