08.31.12
• Mary Kay’s getting younger. The shortage of job opportunities and rising debt are two primary factors driving young adults and college grads to look for options to earn money while finding that first big job. Many are turning to Mary Kay, according to the Dallas-based beauty company.
In the past three years, Mary Kay has reported both an increase in sales and an increase in the number of people starting to sell Mary Kay beauty products.
More than 36% of new independent beauty consultants in 2012 are from the Gen Y (18- to 30-year-olds) segment, and Mary Kay reports that 94,000 total new independent businesses were started last quarter and more than 34,000 by Gen Y.
“Gen Y has a unique set of talents and career expectations,” said Sheryl Adkins-Green, chief marketing officer. “They are tech-savvy and digitally connected. They want to control their destiny and are not excited about a 9 to 5, one-size-fits-all position…Plus, Mary Kay’s social media presence and digital tools have proven to be extremely attractive business-building tools for Gen Y.”