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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © C.E.Ayr
Click the pink froggie to join the fun.
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.
***
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
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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