Enthralling ... Gavenas is a stylish writer with a knack for spotting telling details. The bewigged and bejeweled Mary Kay, forever spouting aphorisms,...is a vivid presence in these pages, even if her inner life can be difficult to fathom ... While the author acknowledges the distinction between the accounts of a few high-flying sellers and the reality of what most consultants earn, her generous account prefers to see the story of Mary Kay through pink-colored glasses.
Who was this wonder-worker? To find out, Mary Lisa Gavenas had to clear away a lot of debris ... She spoke to millions of women with an almost telepathic intuition, and in sales she found, bizarrely, a celebration of life.
Lively, extensively researched ... I was with Gavenas for most of the way with this book. It’s immensely readable; she has a gift for storytelling and the revealing anecdote ... What it lacks, however, is a level of skepticism.
Fascinating ... This title is comprehensive, updated through 2023, when Mary Kay’s grandson became president and CEO of the still-thriving company. Plenty of colorful details boost the compelling narrative, and readers will certainly enjoy the brisk pace and playful tone of the book. Well-written and thoroughly researched, this title is recommended for business collections.
Anyone who enjoys biography, and particularly those interested in feminism or the history of American business, will want to read this account of a woman who 'stands shoulder to shoulder with titans of industry.' Wry and perceptive business biography.
