Pros
This review is from someone who actually worked at the HQ as a full time employee, not by an independent sales consultant. Overall, MK is a good company with a senior leadership team who made decisions with employees in mind, at least when I worked there. The benefits were excellent and the pay was decent, though not top-tier. Profit sharing into the retirement fund was generous, while it lasted. For most departments, the work life balance was good. Turnover was low and people were in general happy, as long as you drink the pink cool aid. For a number of years, the company enjoyed excellent growth and sales in emerging markets. The HQ sits in a beautiful building in a central location in Addison, with underground garage parking and on-site cafeteria, clinic and gym. Many tenured mid-level employees have private offices. The dress code used to be stuffy business, but they have been relaxed in recent years. Every holiday season, the company would give employees gifts and small bonuses. Employees can buy cosmetic products at a significant discount.
Cons
With a highly tenured employee base, the company has a very change resistant culture. "The Mary Kay Way" is often used as an excuse not to adopt industry best practices. Career MKers are deeply entrenched in their ways and closely guard their limited knowledge and archaic systems and processes. Many old timers have figured out how to appear busy while slacking off. Any attempts to improve practices by fresher minds are bitterly resisted and fought. Some larger departments are polluted with toxic politics and long-running personal grudges. Promotions are pretty much based on tenure and popularity. The company's global sales have suffered significant setbacks in recent years. There have been a lot of changes in the top leadership. Competition in this space is fierce with a lot of new companies with trendier products. MK needs to revamp its product lines and shed the "grandma" image to attract younger generation consultants and customers. In the short run, it will have to cut some fat.