A passion for self-improvement. “A Mary Kay business will show you what you’re made of. It builds self-confidence. And it helps you look inside yourself and see where you can improve,” says Independent National Sales Director Crisette Ellis. Wise words from a leading lady who used to struggle with her leadership role in her husband’s church. “As a minister’s wife, I used to get up and walk away when I knew I was going to be introduced. My Mary Kay business helped show me what was inside me. By attending functions and education, I was able to get rid of those fears and become all that God wants me to be.”

Crisette is many things to many people. She is the wife of a nationally televised minister, a mother of two wonderful children and now a leader of hundreds of businesswomen who are seeking to achieve success for themselves in a Mary Kay business. “My goal is to get all of my area Independent Sales Directors to earn the use of Cadillac Career Cars. I want to see them pick up their keys and diamonds onstage so they can cast their own shadows not walk in mine.”

Her passion for self-improvement encourages everyone around her — especially her children. They often use “Mary Kay” tools like goal posters to help them in their schoolwork. Her husband even seasons his sermons with Mary Kay Ash-isms to give hope and encouragement to his congregation. Most important, her Mary Kay business has given her the flexibility to be an integral part of her family’s lives. “I’m so glad I put in a lot of time and energy on the front end of my business when the kids were young. Now that they are older, their homework gets harder and the conversations get harder. They need me more as teenagers, and now I have the freedom to give them all the time they need.”