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I have a couple of things that I want to share with this message board. I'm a new consultant (just a couple months new) and I've recently made the decision to start working toward DIQ. I've appreciated seeing a lot of the posts on here that have been informative. They've given me a lot of insight and that coupled with my experience thus far has lead me to a lot of conclusions that I've shared below.

1) Inventory: My director explained to me that inventory is OPTIONAL. "You can keep an inventory or be an order-taker. Its up to you." I bought the 1800 inventory package, which my director recommended AFTER we examined REALISTICALLY (as in, with me working a full-time management position in a healthcare company) how many classes/week I was willing to teach. We AGREED that having inventory makes the job easier, but is NOT a requirement. Now, she did customize my package somewhat by making sure that I dont have any off-the-wall colors that nobody ever buys, but in hindsight, I would have customized more. Did I really need the sunless tanning lotion? Probably not, but I sold it, so it was nice to have at the time--this is an exception. I have so much in the way of make-up and colors and I dont know how possibly to get rid of them all. Looking back I would have plugged this $$ into skin and body care, which I'm regularly having to order. Looks like I got some makeovers to do!! Oh well, it will be fun...and by the by, I've already done enough in retail to pay off my inventory. This is because it was the right inventory-decision FOR ME. Plus, if I quit, they buy back at 90%. Very fair. SO, if I every quit, at least I can still get rid of those colors!

When I become a director, I will apply this knowledge and be sure to customize my new recruits OPTIONAL inventory with the "right stuff." As far as the inventory concept, the response that I've gotten from my customers (when they receive their order on the spot) has been outstanding. I DO believe that keeping an inventory is generally a good idea, but the decision should be based upon your own reality and the plan for your business. A good director, who does work this business the way Mary Kay intended, would do the same.

2) DIQ (now and forever): Well, I did decide to go for the gold and I'll be hell bent on making it work...honestly. So, far I feel like my director has been very straight with me. She said "it takes 8 recruits to enter DIQ, but they have to be real stars for that to work for you. You're better off entering DIQ when you have 15-20." Reading a lot of the posts on here, it seems like most people are saying not to even THINK about DIQ without having 20 recruits. I agree. I wont even attempt this status, until I've reached that level. In fact, maybe I'll wait unti I have 30. I think DIQ will be much easier to adjust to and work with if my future unit is already on the up and up. I'm glad that I saw that info on here. Very helpful. Instead of trolling for recruits and pushing my unit to order, order, order, my efforts can be placed on making my unit sucessful through training (to sell product--which I think we all agree is excellent), and running a successful and smart business. Hopefully, by building a strong unit and applying my lessons learned, I will maintain my team and not have to troll endlessly for recruits.

Is it possible that the 10 people leave, 10 on their way out, and 1/3 really work (I hope a got that right) could change for the better, if more directors were focused on the success of the each member of their unit, instead of their own fortune? Would people still want to leave? Or would they take their director's example and work by it?

One other thing I did learn through this board is that there are significant costs associated with being a director--I need to look into this much more. I appreciated seeing this.

3) Car or Cash?: OK, I saw a lot of posts on this and I have a few thoughts. When I was looking into possibly getting myself into a career car, the first thing I saw was that I had to keep my numbers at a certain level or else I co-pay--it was in plain text, in the agreement. And quite frankly, I fully expected this and see it as sensible. For that reason, I would opt for the cash. I drive a nice car right now, and I'd rather get a smaller check than to worry about having to co-pay, should I fall short on my numbers. As far as having to meet those numbers, look at it this way. I received a nice bonus this year for doing great work at my full-time every day job. I would absolutely expect NOT to receive the same if I worked below the standard that got me that bonus in the first place. I see this as greedy. And the fact that it is taxed and taxed heavily is also common sense. The bonus that I just talked about was taxed at 48%, and yes, I fully expected that too. Anyone on this board who doesnt think that they have to pay taxes, go ahead and respond.

If people are angry because they feel that this is just another one of those tantalizing carrots that Mary Key waves in front of them, well...you're correct. But its also a gift...a reward...look at as a privlege, not a right. It's not something the company owes ANYONE. In my case, I'll take the cash, appreciate it, and not lose any sleep if its smaller than usual the next month.

4) Recruiting: I can definitely see where people start to see MK in everything and everyone. I got lucky...I was recruited because I asked my consultant, not because she asked me--I recruited myself. She didn't pressure me and answered all of my questions. She told me the pros and cons. She was straight-up that this business does require some degree of work, but I didnt need her to tell me that---thats a common sense thing. I have done the same with my 2 recruits. I've been honest and up front about everything. When they didnt want to start an inventory, I didnt pressure them and neither did my director.

Going forward, I do quickly mention this opportunity at every class and every facial, but only because I see potential, and not dollar-signs. If they are meant to do this, then by God's will, they will ask me to tell them more. And if that honest method keeps me from reaching drirector status in 5 minutes, so be it. I'll wait as long as I have to, in order to build a strong unit of people who WANT to do this. I mention the opportunity, and allow them to approach me if it sparked some interest, end of story.

5) Prizes and recognition: Not all that interested, myself. My prize is my paycheck. Now, I don't turn down the the earrings of the month, if I like them, but I'm not buying thousands of dollars of inventory to be a star consultant. Not at all necessary, in my eyes. But that might be because I grew up with a positive self image. My applause come from within.

6) Dress Code: Dress or skirt, hose, closed toed shoes...I'm sorry but they can shove the dress code. I feel like a company who empowers women really could empower them to wear pants every once in a while. I remember getting death glares when I wore open toed shoes one time. I'm a working 27-yr-old professional and quite frankly, I look nicer in pants than most of these people. It is possible to look professional and wear pants, but I just suck it up. Not that big of a deal, but I do think its a bit silly.

All in all, when I read these posts, I felt sorry for the people who have been pressured or misled by a dishonest director. I feel bad for people who have thousands of dollars of inventory collecting dust (why don't you try selling it at half price--just a suggestion that might work if it hasnt expired already) I do believe that Mary Kay had a vision for the way that her company should be run, and maybe this has gone awry somewhere in corporate; but, I think that there are people out there who really do work by the set of values that this company pruports.

Anyway, just some thoughts from a new consultant. The biggest piece of advise I can give anyone thinking about a MK business is

1. Make YOUR OWN SMART decisions and goals. SMART stands for--Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timebound.
2. Don't enter into this if you're looking for something easy. This, like any business, takes time and effort. Especially at the beginning.
3. Be wary of a director who seems to be pushing you to buy an exorbitant amount of inventory when you have clearly explained that you want to take orders. Inventory IS good to have, but is also optional.
4. Dont feel like you have to order order order to get recognition. A good director encourages all of her team, no matter how much they order.
5. If you feel like you are in a bad spot with your director, why not become an adoptee with someone else? Attend their unit meetings and see if they are more your speed.

I had stopped using the products, because it was getting to costly for me. With my husband the only one working, and me being at home with the kids, I wanted to pitch in some money each week. I have always enjoyed using their products and figured why should I pay her full price, when I can pay 1/2 the price and offer these terrific products to others I know. The start up of about $100 isn't bad, and what you get in return is really worth it. I researched different opinions on the web for about a week and when I read one that sounded like I wrote it, I decided that was who I wanted to look into. Once I talked to her diretor and got a feel on how she was, I signed back up. I have a director who lives in Texas,(I'm in Pa) and I feel that's the best thing I could have done. She has a website that has all the teaching tools you'd need. She calls me about once every 2/3 months and emails weekly a newsletter. She's wonderful!

This time around, I started out with about $300 in wholesale inventory which was super easy to sell. It was totally my decision. I figured that $300 was a good amount to see if I could move it, and I did. You don't have to place an order right when you sign your contract. Think about it. Let people see The Look books. Get an idea before you react.I currently only order what I need for orders. It's nice having a lipstick for someone when they need it, but I am lucky to have customers who don't mind waiting a few weeks. Usually they always end up adding to their orders.

I have earned my sapphire star (yeah). I didn't chase anyone down at the mall, or knock on doors, it just happend with reorders and people just being curious and asking me. Sure some of the prizes are really nice, but I have the self control not to go and put myself if thousands of dollars in debt just for a leather purse or a diamond bee pin. Sure, if it happens terrific, but I'm not going to pressure any of my customers into handing me their paycheck just so I can have a pin, or tell them that I think they'd be great at this just so I can have a car either. Honesty is the key.

I think it not only depends on the director you sign up under, I think you - yourself need to have some type of control over yourself and know your limits.

I wish you luck with your DIQ and your MK career!

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