“I envisioned a company in which any woman could become just as successful as she wanted to be. The doors would be wide open to opportunity for women who were willing to pay the price and had the courage to dream.”
- Mary Kay Ash
In 1963, Mary Kay Ash started Beauty by Mary Kay. Ash’s goal was to allow women to become successful while elevating their self-image. Ash’s dream had become a reality; approximately five hundred women worldwide have become Independent National Sales Directors.
One woman within this company has set high standards for herself and her staff. She is a woman who knows that making one’s goals a reality is based on hard work, perseverance as well as high self esteem, encouragement, and acknowledging one’s support system. Gloria Mayfield Banks is this woman, a graduate from Howard University who also holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an Elite Executive National Sales Director for Mary Kay cosmetics. Banks brings in annual gross revenue of more than one million dollars, has sixty-five thousand women in Mary Kay worldwide and is the first African American woman in Mary Kay cosmetics worldwide.
Banks joined Mary Kay cosmetics in 1988; she wanted to achieve success on her own and helping other women do the same, became one of her primary objectives. Friends and family were confused and questioned Banks’ direction; few of them could understand why a woman who graduated from an esteemed institution such as Harvard would be working with Mary Kay. In an interview with Andy Barth from ABC News, Banks states, “It has been very well worth it.” Gloria’s career has been influenced by both her personal and professional past. She has had to learn how to manage her time, evaluate people and the roles they have had in her life and to assess the cost of drama within her life. Banks gets to the heart of the matter when she states, “My past is my educational environment.”
Banks also attributes her savvy business sense to the information she garnered from different courses she took at Harvard Business School; the courses aiding her to properly differentiate a promising career from a useless one. She states, “I understood the company…where it’s going…not just where it affects me. If I was going to be with Mary Kay for a while, I wanted to know that they were able to carry me as a company.”
Banks has established herself as a very successful and charismatic businesswoman. Reaching her female audience through her business requires hard work to attain her goals. Gloria finds it imperative to train and to enable these women to construct their own circle of influence that is able to be made, changed and maintained. Banks emphasizes confidence and its impact on her eager pupils. She also centers on setting the correct goals by adopting the attitude of “keeping the main thing, the main thing.” Her final step in reaching fellow women is to teach people skills. Banks believes that hard work should definitely be a driving factor in gaining success; “Desire alone will not bring results.”
Banks can definitely be considered a strong role model for the African American community, specifically women. However, she prefers to be recognized as a smart woman, stating, “I don’t have to be Afro-centric to be relatable to African Americans.” She embodies hard work, determination and epitomizes the notion of an indelible work ethic. She also makes many women realize that they too can make a better life for themselves; promoting higher self-esteem, respect and motivation to do the same for others, as well as financially. Banks serves as a leader and role model for the African American community primarily through her children who are ages 27, 25, 23 and 21; she has frequently spoken at her children’s schools and she considers herself to be a role model through association. Banks also has many cds and tapes that women and their children listen to.
Banks states that the qualities that she found helpful when obtaining success was a major sense of self-esteem and becoming knowledgeable in the industry she pursued. Gloria states, “There’s no problem with women working together. Women have worked together for years. Women worked together in families, they work together in church. They work together in all kinds of environments.” Banks can certainly relate to other women who are struggling balancing family and managing a demanding career.
In addition to being one of the top Executive National Sales Directors within Mary Kay, Gloria is also considered a world-renowned motivational speaker; discussing a myriad of topics in addition to attaining success such as people skills, team management and leadership, goal-setting and how to not only get people to work for you, but how to hire them, keep them and enable them to be effective. Notes Banks, “You have to become a risk-taker.”
Banks has truly continued to allow Mary Kay Cosmetics to remain as Mary Kay Ash envisioned when it was first started in 1963; as a conduit through which women can find their niche in the corporate world, help pay their success forward and to become as affluent as they one day had dreamed. “I’ve really been working on my life purpose and I got it. It is to greatly impact others to get what they want and to become who they’ve imagined. That’s what pushes me now.”
Sources:
www.charismafactor.com
www.cnbc.com
www.alicepirola.com
www.marykay.com
www.turningpointmagazine.com
www.youtube.com
Steps to Success
If I were told that I could become successful (and I mean really successful) with five easy steps that were far from rocket science; I would be eternally grateful. Lucky for me, (and the rest of society), I have been. Gloria Mayfield Banks, an Executive National Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics appeared on the “The Big Idea” with Donny Deutsch and provided the public with the five key steps to success.
1. Become a People Magnet
The more people are comfortable being in your presence, the more effective you are as an individual, an aspiring entrepreneur, a mentor and co-worker. “People want to be Celebrated, not Tolerated,” Banks states. Also, a positive physical appearance demonstrates that you are affirmative and confident which speaks volumes to the people you surround yourself with. Creating a positive environment where people can win is also paramount to ensuring upbeat feedback. “Become expert at finding people’s needs and filling them when you can.”
2. Short Term Clear Strategic Goals backed by Big Thinking
Banks mentions that it is imperative to not just dream but to support your visions with specific short-term BIG goals; this places your objectives into perspective while building confidence. Being organized also aids in reaching your aspirations. This can definitely be accomplished by compiling lists. Notes Banks, “Clear goals create passion; passion drives the creativity that pushes you to a place you have never been before. To get the fruit, you must go out on the limb.”
3. Create a Powerful Circle of Influence
Surround yourself with positive people. Tell people who share their negative vibes or personalities, goodbye; it is only temporary while you work toward success. Take advice from people with whom you could trade places with – avoid taking advice from people who just offer it. “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.”
4. Work the Numbers
Focus on asking people the next step instead of just assuming their reactions; which is often based on your fear. Also, concentrate on the numbers not just the answers. Do not take no’s personally – keep in mind that the person you are asking does not know you well enough to form an accurate judgment. “Once you are clear that you have something that will make a positive impact on others be willing to asking enough people, make enough presentations, deliver enough explanations so that you are in front of enough decision makers that yes’ will come in volumes.”
5. Study hard to become Skill-based
Know the industry in which you are interested. You cannot educate or lead others if you have not educated or led yourself. Awareness makes change easier to deal with. “Being skilled and knowledgeable turns a professional into a problem-solver and leader; which in turn increases their effectiveness and quickens the pace of moving towards the goal…Put the time in book study, internet study, people study – Class is never out for the pro.”
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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