Mary Kay Ash created a successful cosmetics company by and for women by utilizing a direct sales force and creative motivational sales techniques. At the end of its first year, Mary Kay Cosmetics boasted $198,514 in sales and 318 salespeople. By 1977, the company had over 150,000 sales consultants and $50 million in sales. From 1973 to 1983, the company’s stock rose by 670%.