Ask ME About Mary Kay : The true story behind the bumper sticker on the pink Cadillac

Ask ME About the Author Jackie BrownI've waited for over 30 years to hear "the true story behind the bumper sticker on the pink Cadillac." Like thousands of women across the country, I sold Mary Kay products in 1969 but only for a few months. I remembered showing before and after photos to prospective customers, demonstrating "the formula" mentioned throughout Jackie Brown's book. I now know why these photos are missing from Mary Kay Cosmetics shows.A decade later I had the good fortune to meet Jackie Brown after she sold her interest in Beauticontrol, a company that owned the original formula and the skin care marketing photos. By 1979, I had two college degrees under my belt and several years' teaching experience. Fortunately, my life changed after meeting Jackie as she launched a new direct sales company. I soon discovered the importance of God and family in Jackie's life. For three years my mentor taught me how to turn "lemons into lemonade" in promoting a successful nail care and cosmetics business that fit my schedule as a new mother.When I received a copy of "Ask ME About Mary Kay," I found it difficult to take a break from reading this story. The behind-the-scenes details in building a cosmetics empire are shared by a woman who taught me many life lessons, contributing to my personal successes over the past 30 years.Jackie deserves an A+ in her writing skills as a master in foreshadowing the events that unfold in a story revealing manipulation, lies, deceit, tears, laughter, respect, and friendships...lost and renewed. The final chapter of this "tell-all" book does not surprise me at all when Jackie scheduled an appointment with Mary Kay in her office, years after their courtroom battles ended.Personally, my favorite part of the book is Jackie's response to a "Texas Monthly" reporter: "Beauticontrol got its millions, and Mary Kay got her billions. What did you get?" It's definitely worth buying this book to learn the rest of the story.

Jackie Brown's brilliance, boldness, and beauty shine in this account of her tenacious search for success without sacrificing her deeply embedded sense of "rightness." As one who has known and idolized this beautiful lady from childhood until the present, it was not difficult to believe her descriptions of mind-boggling odds overcome, though they might read like top-rate fiction to one who has not known her personally. Incredibly inspiring, not just to women, but to all who want to reach beyond the "lip service" paid to the cliche': "money isn't everything," and to truly live this philosophy. The heart-rending details Jackie provides are so beautifully delivered that the reader must surely feel she/he is living them personally. My recommendation: read this book! You WILL be a better person for it; you'll gain insight into your own actions, and find encouragement to make the right choices while pursuing your own dreams. Well done, well done, Jackie!

I will first disclose the fact that the author is a family member. The CD Franks that she mentions in her book are my aunt and uncle. Jackie Brown is a great lady. She loved my aunt and uncle like they were her own parents and treated them like a king and queen! Not your usual daughter in law. I will always love her for that.Now, that said, I loved this book. Not only does it give a really good look into the world of sales and the competitiveness involved, but it also reminded me so much about the era in which this story took place. She mentions not only the trend in cosmetics of the day, but the fact that women loved wearing wigs and also detailed the style of dress of the day. I found this a very easy read and thoroughly enjoyable. Very well written. Highly recommend it.

This book read very well in that it kept me captivated enough to finish it in one setting although it did drag on in parts.Still, I am always uneasy when people write of those who are unable to defend themselves and it always draws more questions than it does satisfy them.I found myself asking: Why wasn't this book written while Mary Kay was alive? And if you're earning megabucks with a company why then would you say you needed the money and couldn't leave that company even though you desperately wanted to? If you're an independent contractor, why would you feel compelled to work during a dangerous pregnancy right up until the birth and blame the boss...but I thought you had no boss? And if you're so Christian, then why write a book which effectively wipes the floor with a (dead) person's reputation? I mean, isn't that a sin? :)Just quietly, I thought the suggestion that MK was a slovenly woman because she got married more than once was in very poor taste. As was implying that she was an inherently dishonest person by suggesting there were "rumours going 'round.." but not actually naming what they were and never investigating them. Casting aspersions on a person's morality is a bit rich when you're living off the very lucrative pickings provided to you by her company. And I think that's what ultimately turned me off the author. By all means, if you feel hard done by, write about it but don't present yourself as being squeaky clean while performing a hatchet job on someone else. It's not a good look.There were a list of questions that popped into my mind while reading and, towards the end, I felt I was embroiled in a high school gossip session and the more I read, the more things just didn't add up. What I ended up tasting was sour grapes.All in all, though, while I think the author lacks credibility, the book was still a good read.

this is a gift and the recipient will be pleased

I am a collector of Pink Cadillac and Mary Kay items since being bought a 64 Pink Caddy by my husband which turned out to be an ex Mary Kay rep car from Floirda. I am currently reading this and - so far - it is very interesting.