Proof of an open window! Mary Kay Ash and her son, Richard, at the 25th anniversary of Mary Kay Inc. in 1988.
Editor's Note: We adapted this article from a book of essays that Mary Kay Ash wrote and had printed. In 1990, she sent it as a Christmas gift to Independent Sales Directors. In 1991, the book became a prize for independent sales force members.
During World War II, a company made a hair preparation called Wild Root Hair Tonic. Its major ingredient was alcohol. Suddenly during the war, there was a severe shortage of alcohol.
Now, what would you do if you suddenly were unable to obtain the main ingredient of the product you manufactured? Shut down operation until it was available again?
Not so with Wild Root. The company executives called an urgent meeting and changed the entire formulation labels to read: guaranteed non-alcoholic and achieved greater success than ever.
I learned early in my life that when God closes a door, He always opens a window. At the age of 27, I was told I would be crippled in six months. Seventeen doctors agreed I had rheumatoid arthritis. I was newly divorced with three children to support and simply could not put them in my precious mother's lap to raise.
I refused to accept the diagnosis and prayed. Within one year, all symptoms disappeared, my health returned, and I could provide for my children.
All through my life, I've seen situations in which I thought all was lost. But God stepped in and changed everything.
In the late 1950s, my left eye began to twitch. Now, everyone has an eye twitch every now and then, so at first it didn't worry me. Soon the tremor made my face go into a contortion about 20 times a minute.
After several years and many tests, I was led to a fantastic neurosurgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. James Gardner, who diagnosed the condition as a hemi-facial spasm. He had devised an operation to correct this condition, I became the 18th person to undergo the procedure, which was a complete success. Once again, God opened a window. Had this not happened, I would never have had the confidence to start Mary Kay Cosmetics the next year.
Another momentous time in my life was when my husband and I were planning this company. He was to handle the administration since I had no experience in that area. I was to handle sales. Our plans were well under way, and every single penny was either spent or committed. Then, one month to the day before we opened, he died of a heart attack at the breakfast table.
Suddenly I had half a company. Those bottles and jars unsold were worthless. My two sons and daughter sat down after the funeral to discuss the situation.
My daughter, Marylyn, decided to represent us in Houston.
My oldest son, Ben, handed me his savings book containing $4,500 and said, "Mother, I think you should go on with this. You can do anything."
My youngest son, Richard, said "I'll move to Dallas tomorrow to help you!" I certainly did not see Richard taking my late husband's place at the time.
But God in His infinite wisdom had given Richard the seeds of financial greatness. Just five short years later, Richard was named the American Marketing Association's "Man of the Year." Today, he is recognized from coast to coast as a financial genius. When God closes a door, He always opens a window!
How has God opened a window in your life?