The Mary Kay way. Independent National Sales Director Emeritus Mary Beissel says that “the secret to her success” is her optimism, unyielding belief and her faith. From humble beginnings, as the daughter of Lebanese immigrants who ensured their six children knew faith, had a Christian education, a roof over their heads and good food on the table, her young life was balanced with the drive and competitive edge her mother instilled and the ability to laugh at herself, with encouragement to always enjoy the journey, from her father. “We had each other and we had faith,” Mary recalls.

Providing for her own children’s strong educations was always Mary’s “why” in her Mary Kay business. With a total of 35 years of private school tuition for daughter, Joy, and sons, Jordan and Christopher, that “why” was answered threefold as college educations – two from Notre Dame and one from Boston College – were made possible through earnings, working her Mary Kay business. Mary and her husband, Jeff, raised Joy, Jordan and Chris to be independent, but close-knit.

“In my Mary Kay journey, I saw Mary Kay model courage in the face of grief twice: once when Sue Z. Vickers passed tragically, and then, when her beloved husband, Mel Ash, was taken from us.” Mary Kay modeled joy and sorrow, courage and hope, laughter and so many more traits and skills. “I am a better person because Mary Kay showed me how.” I pray those lessons are indelibly printed on my heart to pass on to those I encounter as I journey forward,” Mary says.

“The most important legacy is to keep faith, family and career in balance and to pass it on for generations,” Mary explains. “Enjoy the journey, lead by example, stand in gratitude and pass it on!”