Gloria Mayfield Banks makes history at Mary Kay
It’s a position that’s quite challenging to attain. In fact only three women working with Mary Kay in the US hold the Independent Elite Executive National Sales Director rank.
“What it means to me to be the first African American to achieve the number one position within Mary Kay's independent sales force is hope and possibilities,” says Gloria Mayfield Banks.
“Whenever someone you know or someone that looks like you achieves something that no one else has done, it just opens up a possibility. I tell people that I joined Mary Kay for the money but I fell in love with the recognition,” she explains in a company press release about the milestone.
Banks goes on to credit the company’s culture as one of her top inspirations: “Being around ambitious women who kept God first, family second and career third was intoxicating because I didn't have that anywhere else.”
Leadership
Banks’ work with Mary Kay entails much more than selling makeup, skin care, and fragrance. Sales directors serve as mentors and pass along best practices and business strategy to their colleagues.
“Throughout her Mary Kay journey, Banks has traveled the world to inspire and train future leaders within the company's independent sales force, which exceeds 3.5 million people in more than 35 markets around the world,” notes the press release.
Mary Kay brings in $4bn in sales annually and credits leaders like Banks with that level of success.”Gloria has been instrumental in helping our company grow by enriching women's lives in the United States and throughout the world," Darrell Overcash, president of Mary Kay US, tells the press. “Her leadership, dedication and passion for Mary Kay has influenced and encouraged countless number of women.”
Acknowledgment
Right now in Dallas, Texas, the direct-sales beauty company is holding its annual seminar, a “convention…focused on recognizing Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants for their achievements while also providing education, inspiration and motivation for the year ahead.”
The seminar is quite extensive and can be thought of as four distinct conferences held one after the other During the event, Banks will be formally recognized by her peers and the Mary Kay corporate team for her outstanding accomplishments in the beauty business.
Banks lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and is a graduate of both Howard University and Harvard Business School. Additionally, she holds an Honorary Doctorate from University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
