Part-time Job Finder: Consider Mary Kay

It’s hard to call your own shots at work, especially in this economy.

But being your own boss and setting your own hours are two of the reasons Pamela Cheeks, an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay, is a fan of her job.

Cheeks left her development position at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1996 after deciding to further pursue a job that grant her more independence, but also that earned enough money to help put her twin sons through college.

She found Mary Kay.

“Four months into my position as an independent contractor, I realized, ‘nothing and no one other than yourself can stop you,’ and Mary Kay opened me up to opportunities,” says Cheeks.

Whether you are interested in a new career, or a part-time way to make more money, Cheeks says, Mary Kay is one company to consider.

MainStreet recently spoke with her to learn more:

MS: How did you discover Mary Kay?
PC: I met a woman at the grocery store who asked me to have a Mary Kay facial. I gave her my name and number and the first few times [she called] I didn’t answer. She was persistent, though. I was interested in starting a business with Mary Kay, but cautious, too.

MS: What convinced you to seriously consider Mary Kay?
PC: It was something I had never thought of. My background is in counseling and international development, so before working with Mary Kay I subcontracted with U.S. Agencies to work with host countries and develop student programs.

I began researching the company and saw that at that point, it was around for about 33 years. I was impressed with the company’s priorities and philosophies. I saw that I could start a business and it would be my business. At that point, I needed a job that allowed me to [call the shots].