Mary Kay

Overview

Founded by Mary Kay Ash in Dallas, Texas in 1963 (with the help of her son Richard Rogers), the company built its business around independent sales consultants who demonstrate and sell products directly to customers, often through in-home parties or one-on-one appointments, rather than through retail stores. Ash's original approach emphasized product education and personal skin-care consultations over high-pressure selling. Mary Kay is privately owned and has been controlled by the Ash/Rogers family since a 1985 leveraged buyout led by Richard Rogers and Mary Kay Ash. The company operates a global headquarters campus in Addison, Texas, along with a manufacturing/R&D facility in Lewisville, Texas and additional facilities in China, plus regional distribution and market offices supporting sales in dozens of countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The company's product line centers on skin care, color cosmetics, fragrances, and body/personal-care items, sold exclusively through its independent consultant sales force rather than direct retail.