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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count:100
PINK DREAMS ON EAGLE’S WINGS
Back aching, Mary boxed up a vacuum sweeper. After a lucrative evening she was weary and ready to go home.
She coaxed a smile. “You’re a lovely hostess, Mrs. Spoonemore.”
“Thank you for demonstrating Stanley products, Mrs. Rogers.” Ova handed her a jar with a penciled label. “A token of my appreciation.”
Mary opened it and sniffed. “What’s this?”
“My daddy’s hide-tanning formula. Keeps skin smooth and young-looking.”
Years later, tired of being passed over for promotions, Mary Kay bought the formula from Ova’s family for $500 and struck out on her own. The rest is pink history.
***
That’s a master class in compressing a life into 100 words, Rochelle
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Thank you for such high praise, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for informative fiction!
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My pleasure. Thank you for the appreciative words, Reena. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An interesting and lovely well-written tribute to Mary Kay, Rochelle. Thanks for the link to the additional information. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
My experiences as Mary Kay consultant weren’t exactly the pink pinnacle of success, but that doesn’t negate what Ms. Ash did. Thank you for your kind words. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Intriguing tale, m’lady, even for one who has never heard of any of the people or products involved.
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Dear CE,
Perhaps I’ve broadened your horizons a smidge? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was a smart business-woman!
When one gets opportunity, one must grab 🙂
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That she was, Anita. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another informative story based on real life. Loved it!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It takes courage to start out on your own after working so hard for others.
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Dear James,
It’s for sure and certain, Mary Kay had courage. Or as we say in Yiddish, chutzpah! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well told tale. I’m sure the initial formula helped, but a big part of her success was her business model.
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Dear Trent,
No denying she had a good product, but she was a business woman, first and foremost. I was actually thrilled to find out where she first acquired the hide tanner’s formula. It was something I shared as a consultant but never knew the origin. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was quite a business woman. I remember your venture into the Mary Kay world. Good story and history lesson.
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Dear Jan,
Some women had great success with it. I just wasn’t one of them. Better luck making signs. 😉 Thank you re my story, m’luv.
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Another hero! I love the grab on PINK.
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That’s the beauty of Mary Kay. 😉 Thank you, Genia. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, what a life! Determination and luck seem to be the key. Another tiny slice of history, well done Rochelle.
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Dear Tanille,
When I see a pink vehicle, I can’t help but think of MK. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Pink history, ha!
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Why not, pink? 😉 Thank you for reading, Paula Sue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Had never heard of her till today! Thanks for sharing this story, Rochelle 🤗
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Dear Priya,
Mary Kay was and is an American institution. It seems her fame isn’t worldwide. 😉 Always happy to share. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an extraordinary story Rochelle, thank you. I’ve learnt about a person new to me.
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Dear Francine,
Always happy to share something new. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Here’s another person I’ve never considered beyond the company name. She seems to have been a pretty amazing person.
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Dear Nobbin,
Apparently she was amazing and driven. I think every woman in America is familiar with Mary Kay cosmetics. Truly a good product. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, my, yes! Mary Kay is still a household name, isn’t it? Many years ago I indulged in one of her skin care regimens, including a jar of pink goop that smelled pretty good. But I couldn’t afford to keep it up.
Obviously, lots of others could 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I used it and I tried to sell it. Being a consultant just wasn’t a good fit for me. 😉 Now I’m using products that aren’t quite as expensive. Thank you for the read and the comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think we all thought about it, or actually tried it. I don’t like selling. Makes me itchy 🙂
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Rochelle,
A friend of mine was given a Mary Kay pink Cadillac and wherever she drove it, it got a whole lot of attention: Mary Kay was her model in a lot of ways. Enjoyed this new nugget of information on this trailblazer in the business world 🙂
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
It takes a lot of effort and chutzpah to earn that pink Cadillac. Your friend has my admiration. I never had what it took to climb that ladder. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, so well done! And, thanks again for expanding my education! 🙂 Loved it! Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Happy to expand that education any time I can. You’re welcome. 😉 And thank you, my friend.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 Me like learn.
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🖖🏻😎😘
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An opportunity grabbed and voila! Look what happened. Lovely tale, Rochelle
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Dear Neel,
Mary Kay definitely wrote her own success story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nicely told, Rochelle. I like the way you start with a little of Mary Kay’s early life.
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Dear Penny,
I love to write about famous people before they were household names. It makes them feel more accessible. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Truth is always stranger (and more interesting) than fiction. Great chapter in history.
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Dear LIsa,
I’m a big fan of biographies. Always have been…since I could read. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Rochelle,
As a very short-lived member of the Mary Kay (Whooooooo!) family, I truly appreciate what you’ve done here. You truly are the master of the genre.
Shalom and lotsa pink love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It takes a special kind of person to make a success at sales, doesn’t it? It most certainly wasn’t for me. (I like my blue jeans 😉 ) Besides, I’d rather have a purple mini Cooper than a pink Cadillac. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom and lotsa rose-coloured hugs,
Rochelle
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Nice historical tale. I actually met her once!
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
You met her? I’ve heard she was a sweet lady. She certainly did a lot of so many women. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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hide tanning formula… who could have guessed. Now I have a clue as to why MK stuff always breaks my skin into an awful rash. Interesting historical footnote, though. Shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
Sorry MK makes you break out. I loved the product, I just wasn’t meant for sales. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never imagined it went anything like that. Awesome Rochelle. You bring history to life.
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Dear Eric,
I love finding obscure bits of history. 😉 Glad you came along for the ride.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for yet another fascinating educational story!
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My pleasure, Anne.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another neat slice of history, though I’ve never heard of her.
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Dear Liz,
Apparently her fame didn’t jump the pond. Glad you enjoyed the history. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ambition, determination and persistence exemplified in 100 words. Not familiar with the lady or the products myself, but an inspiring tale nonetheless.
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Dear Sandra,
She’s a household name here in the States. I’m glad the story came across in any event. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again I leave your site knowing something I didn’t know before! Thank you, Rochelle!
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Dear Keith,
I’m always happy to send you on your way with new bits of knowledge. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve never heard of her or her brand, but it sounds like she had her head screwed on! Presumably she renamed it from “hide-tanning” formula 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Long ago, I did a stint as a Mary Kay consultant…selling cosmetics on the party plan. Part of the sales pitch was the story of the hide tanner’s formula. I didn’t know exactly where it came from until recently. Apparently she and her brand never jumped the pond. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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if there was some kind of shark tank tv show at the start of her career, she’d be the star. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
A star indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story Rochelle. Fascinating that she started her company in her mid forties and turned it into a colossal success. As they say you make your own success.
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Dear Subroto,
Mary Kay Ash definitely wrote her own success story. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, I love these stories! I remember a friend of my mom’s who owned a Mary Kay pink cadillac.
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Dear Brenda,
During my time as a consultant I never had the drive to earn a pink Caddy. I admire those who do. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an interesting story!
Beautifully told. That jar was quite the gift.
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Dear Laurie,
In this case, truth is more magnificent than fiction. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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