Building world-class leaders of leaders worldwide. Independent Senior National Sales Director Emeritus Phyllis Pottinger is from a family of teachers and people who lead others. She made the very natural transition from being the Director of Dietary Services, Nutrition Instructor, and pursuing her doctorate, to becoming a leader of leaders with her Mary Kay business. Originally from Jamaica, Phyllis speaks of her mother as a revered seamstress in her tropical community home where she taught women to sew and empowered them to start their own businesses. Her father was a skilled tiler with many apprentices, who provided guidance for men to be able to provide for their families. So, mentoring others to realize their dreams was something that had been exemplified to Phyllis all her young life. She identifies her commitment to excellence in everything she does and her supportive family as the secrets to her success.

“I don’t just talk about God first, family second, career third,” Phyllis says, “I live it and I follow the Golden Rule. As she recalls, it was Mary Kay herself who validated Phyllis’ vision to bring the Mary Kay opportunity to African American women and help build leaders in that realm. “She held my hand, looked me in the eyes and said, “Ruell Cone needs company.” Phyllis realized that vision. Phyllis remembers another mentor early on in her Mary Kay business who provided consistent encouragement along the way. “The late Independent National Sales Director Emeritus Luella Gunter always believed in me and would send cards that meant the world to me. She always signed those ‘the best of the best.’ They were my source of inspiration.” Phyllis’ special words of encouragement to new Independent Beauty Consultants bear that same message of inspiration and reflect her commitment to excellence. They are: “Set goals, develop plans, climb the ladder of success, believe and NEVER quit!” She is living testimony that you can make a significant difference. It pays to run the race as a champion for your dreams.

As an Emeritus, Phyllis says, “I’ll never miss an opportunity to reach out, touch lives, make a significant difference by doing good and making this world a better place. I’ll keep on passing the torch. Mary Kay’s dream lives on!”