Cosmetic career leads to cars

For the fourth time, a Green River woman has earned a car for selling cosmetics.

Barb Casper, Mary Kay sales director, was excited when she picked up her 2016 Chevy Equinox last week.

Casper, who has been selling Mary Kay supplies for the past 12 years, was first introduced to the product when she was in college. Casper said she can recall how she had a huge dry patch on the side of her face; and a facial she received from a Mary Kay consultant really made the difference.

She never bought any Mary Kay products then; and didn't for several years. She said over the years she just kept trying different products until finally she remembered how great her skin felt from that facial. She set to work finding a consultant in her area.

"I actually just loved the skin care and didn't know much about the business, but I had a hard time finding a consultant," Casper said.

Casper did find a consultant, but then that consultant would move away or quit selling the product. This kept happening to Casper until she finally decided she would just sell it herself.

"I could always get the product," Casper said. "I went to my first Mary Kay event shortly after I started and just fell in love with the camaraderie of the women."

Twelve years and four cars later, Casper still enjoys the business. Casper said although she has only brought home two cars, she earned four and she decided to take the cash option for two of those times.

She said that is what is great about the company. If a consultant or director doesn't want the car, they can always choose the cash option.

"It's the rewards program the company offers," she said.

But for Casper, the car is only one of the company's many perks.

"It's so much more than selling a product," Casper said. "Mary Kay is a culture. It's a place for women to really find themselves and learn basic life skills in a more loving and compassionate environment."

Casper is proud to say that selling this product is all she does and she just couldn't even think of what it would be like to work an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. She, as does any another Mary Kay director, has the flexibility to work as much and as often as she wants.

She said it is all up to a person's work ethic and how far they want to rise in the ranks. Although the flexibility is nice, Casper really likes the self development and the ability to write her own paycheck.

Casper also believes this company has allowed her to become more aware of herself.

"I'm a way better people person; and I've learned so much more about my personal self," Casper said.

As with anyone starting out in this company, Casper started as a consultant. She worked up to senior consultant and now is a sales director. Even though she has about 24 team members, she never considers herself to be above them.

She said they can work through the tiers as fast or as slow as they want to. Casper said it wouldn't surprise her if some of them passed her by.

As a sales director, it is Casper's responsibility to teach and educate others in the skin care and color artistry that the company has moved onto. Like any other item in fashion, makeup changes.

She also helps them to become successful at any level they choose to be successful at. Casper said some women are fine with staying consultants, while others can't wait to move up another tier. She said that is what is great about the company. It is really up to the person selling the product on how much they do.

"It's more of a mentorship," she said. "They can advance as far as they want."

Casper said anyone who works for the company can earn a car, it is all up to them. Every two years, the work is reviewed and based on the numbers a person can move up a tier or down a tier, she said. In this area, that can happened easily. If the economy is doing well, so is the company and vice versa. Casper's goals are to always move up.

As for those who think Mary Kay is just a get-rich quick scheme, Casper said that is simply not the case. There is no selling pyramid. There is a wholesaler and the retailer, who in this case is a consultant or director. Everything is brought directly from the company. It is just sold differently than other cosmetics. Instead of going to a store to buy the products, the consultant will deliver them to the client and give them important tips on how to use them properly.

"Your efforts are directly related to your success," she said.