Reading reflection 3/ Assignment 27a

For this last reflection, I chose to read the book Miracles Happen, by Mary Kay Ash.

1.

• What surprised you the most?
• The thing that surprised me the most about the book was how Mary Kay wasn't a specialist with makeup.  She was a marketer and a salesperson but had a passion for beauty and for women to have a career.  So she took her skills and her passion and combined it into one.
• What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?
• The most admirable thing about Mary Kay Ash is her persistence and courage.  She was a trailblazer for women in business and she created a path for women everywhere to follow in her footsteps.
• What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?
• I didn't particularly like how she acted as if her brand and the makeup and products would change families.  I think everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin, but I do agree makeup is a self-confidence boost if women choose for it to be.
• Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?
• Mary Kay did encounter adversity.  In the beginning, she only had 5000 dollars in savings which is not nearly enough to start a brand new business and live off of it.  But nonetheless, she went for it and made a hugely successful brand.

2.  What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited?

• The main competency I noticed from Mary Kay was that she is a massive massive businesswoman.  She created a brand from quite literally nothing.  And she did it all without selling her soul or losing her dignity in the process.  She also wanted women to feel good about themselves which makes her a great woman as well.

3.  Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

• There wasn't anything too confusing for me.  I understand the brand as I actually use Mary Kay products today, and I get how makeup can change a person's view of themselves.  So nothing was particularly confusing.

4.  If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

• I would ask what her family thought of the business, and if they thought it was a good idea to put her savings on the line for a risky prospect.
• I would ask this because it is nice to have a women's perspective and see if she felt judged or anything from her closest supporters.

5.  For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?

• Mary Kay's opinion of hard work is wild.  She clearly knows what needs to be done and is willing to do it.  And I do share that opinion to some extent.