It’s where you finish that counts. “It’s not where you start, but where you finish,” Independent National Sales Director Emeritus Sonja Hunter Mason says as she recalls the words to the familiar Seminar tune. “And, that’s exactly how I feel.”

“And the groundwork you lay on the way to finishing is so important,” she adds. Sonja defines that “root system” – following Mary Kay Ash’s principles of God first, family second and career third as what sustains you through the struggles. She speaks from her experiences of being an Independent Executive Senior Sales Director three times. But, she emphasizes, “I never lost sight of being an Independent National Sales Director since I made it my goal in 1988 when I debuted as an Independent Sales Director!”

And, through it all Sonja has had the support of her personal family – as well as her Mary Kay family of Independent Sales Directors, Beauty Consultants and adoptees. She enjoys a particularly special bond with one of those people in her area – her daughter, Independent National Sales Director Mia Mason Taylor. They reside close by each other, and they plan on becoming the first African-American mother and daughter National Sales Directors .

Sonja advises Beauty Consultants to do two things: never give up! No matter how dim the future may seem. And to give unselfishly. No amount of money could ever equal the love you will receive in return. You have the opportunity to help build people and truly live by Mary Kay’s principles. She finishes, “And that’s my legacy to pass on!”