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.

More than 36% of new Independent Beauty Consultants in 2012 are from the Gen Y (18- to 30-year-olds) segment, according to the firm, which was started by the late Mary Kay Ash back in 1963—long before any of those consultants were born.


The company said that 94,000 total new independent businesses were started last quarter and more than 34,000 were started 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.”