Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 9 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Hard work nets local woman a ‘sweet ride’
Published 12:00 p.m., December 17, 2008
Jen Enstad-Petersen’s 9-year-old loved his mother’s newest car the first time he saw it.
Dubbed “the sweetest ride ever,” Enstad-Petersen’s 2009 Saturn Aura isn’t the first car she’s earned in the 14 years she’s spent with Mary Kay, Inc. It’s her sixth.
What started as a job to pay her living expenses at Concordia College in Moorhead has turned into Enstad-Petersen’s career. She’s climbed the Mary Kay ranks from beauty consultant to sales director and has driven the vehicles to prove it.
“Women don’t get enough pats on the back,” Enstad-Petersen said from her Fergus Falls office. “It’s really my job to help them feel supported and encouraged.”
Those women are the 121 independent consultants Enstad-Petersen manages nationwide. Some are young adults, others are in their mid-70s. Some hold high school diplomas, others master’s degrees. But they all share at least one key quality.
“I’m really looking for people who are, number one, kind-hearted,” Enstad-Petersen said, “ because if they’ve got a serving spirit, everything else will follow.”
Mary Kay’s Career Car Program rewards consultants for recruiting other consultants, each of whom works independently and can go on to build teams of her own. Enstad-Petersen received her first Mary Kay car — emblazoned with a small Mary Kay logo on the sides and trunk — in 1997, a Pontiac Grand Am. She’s earned a car every two years since.
As part of the program, Mary Kay pays the vehicle’s taxes, title and most of its insurance. Drivers are guaranteed a rental vehicle within 24 hours of an accident. When a vehicle is no longer being used by a consultant, it is stripped of its Mary Kay logos and sold on the market.
In addition to providing training for her team, Enstad-Petersen still conducts personal sales and hosts parties. Despite the economy, she calls this fall her best ever. Women will sacrifice vacations and other larger purchases to stick with the products they’ve grown accustomed to, Enstad-Petersen said.
“You’re dealing with make-up,” she said. “What’s not to love?”
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by OtterMom (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jen is the best! Her personality is superior & she is loved by everybody, young & old. She is one unique lady & deserves so much more.
Posted by iloveottertaillake (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats, Jen! You're one of the most hilarious, kindhearted, lovely people I've ever met- our community is lucky to have folks like you as neighbors and friends!
Posted by FergusFamily (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jen is the greatest. I never feel pressured to buy products. It's about so much more than the packaged beauty - it's the beauty within. She always makes me feel that way. I went to her for ideas for my son's teacher (Christmas gift). I was stunned to have her ask who the teacher was for two reasons: 1. she keeps track of other parents buying for the same person so we don't duplicate, and 2. if it's a client, she knows what her wish list is. So GREAT! Congratulations
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 8:26 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ffccalum (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations on years of hard work. I have many friends that use the products and love working with you.
Posted by fester (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
watermelon, Merry Christmas. Cheer up. The world really isn't the terrible place you seem to think it is. Every time you post on here, you are so crabby. I'd feel sorry for you but I'm not going to waste the time. I'd rather think about people who make the world a better place.
Posted by WOWfactor (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Watermelon could use a Mary kay makeover!!
Congratulations Jen!! Well deserved.
Posted by SmartOne (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
watermelon- Grow up. These women love what they do...why is that so bad? She's obviously a good saleswoman and has great people skills, something you need to learn. Lighten up. Life doesn't need to be so serious!
Posted by mytwocents (Heather Sehm) on December 20, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Three cheers for the ones that are gettin on watermelon!! woohoo! It tis truely time for you to grow up watermelon! Stop being so negative
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)
You may also register to comment in our forums at www.fergusfeedback.com.