Have you ever woken up, looked in the mirror, and asked yourself, "Is this as good as it gets?" Have you felt a quiet, persistent nudge in your soul, a whisper that there must be more to life than the daily grind? If so, you are not alone. This feeling, this yearning for a profound life transformation, is the first step on a powerful spiritual journey toward your true calling.

In a world that often values safety over passion, many of us find ourselves living a default life, meeting the expectations of others while our own dreams gather dust. But what if we told you that it's never too late to make a dramatic pivot to purpose? That the entrepreneurship path, often seen as a young person's game, can be the very vehicle for your personal growth and ultimate fulfillment?

This is the powerful story of Mary Kay, a woman who went from being, in her own words, "very broken" and "simply surviving" to leading a global community of 15,000 people. Her story is a masterclass in finding your purpose, and it all began with a single, courageous decision to listen to that inner voice.

The Default Life: Surviving, Not Thriving

Mary Kay’s early life was a blueprint for what she "should" do, not what she desired. "I was just living this very default life of what others expected of me," she recalls. The messaging was clear: be seen, not heard. This well-intentioned protection from her family, meant to shield her from failure and hurt, inadvertently dimmed her inner light. She went to the college she was told to attend, cultivated the "right" friends, dated men who were "acceptable on paper," and landed a prosperous job on Wall Street through family connections.

On the surface, she was successful. But internally, she was empty. "I wasn't living a life of purpose. I was waking up every day and doing the grind... and just saying, 'I guess this is as good as it gets, right?'" This lack of fulfillment is a common symptom of being off your true path, a sign that a spiritual journey is necessary for authentic personal growth.

A devastating tragedy became the catalyst for her awakening. The loss of her brother on September 11th, 2001, forced her to confront life’s biggest questions. "It's a moment of asking, what is this all about? Is this as good as it gets? Is this what I'm going to do for the rest of my life?" Yet, even in the face of such loss, the fear of the unknown kept her stuck for years. This is a critical point in any life transformation; the nudge is there, but the mindset shift hasn't yet occurred.

The Awakening: Listening to the Nudge and Making the Pivot

The true pivot to purpose began in her 40th year—a powerful reminder that it is never too late to change your life. She started asking the difficult questions: "Who am I? What do I want? Am I happy?" The answers were unsettling. She wasn't happy. She wasn't feeling joy, even with her three small children. This dissonance between her outer life and inner world became unbearable.

This is where the practical work of a spiritual journey began. She started to get quiet through meditation and journaling, creating space to hear her own soul above the noise of expectations. Then, an unexpected opportunity for entrepreneurship appeared. Her initial reaction was pure fear: "How dare you even think I can do this? A leader? Me? I don't know anyone who would follow me when I don't even know myself."

But here lies one of the most crucial lessons in finding your purpose: sometimes, others must believe in us before we can believe in ourselves. Mary Kay had people who saw her potential, and their faith became the bridge she needed to cross from fear to courage. This external support is invaluable, but what if you don't have it?

The Lone Wolf's Guide to Transformation: Staying the Course Without a Cheer Squad

When asked what to do without a support system, Mary Kay is candid: "The journey becomes longer." This is the reality of personal growth for many. Her own family told her the business idea was "horrible." But entrepreneurship, at its core, is about betting on yourself.

For those walking this path alone, she emphasizes mastering your mindset. This is non-negotiable.

• Curate Your Inputs: Start your day with positive podcasts and books that fuel your vision.

• Practice Affirmations: Use "I am" statements to rewire your belief system.

• Meditate and Get Quiet: Connect with your heart, because "your head is a liar" designed to keep you safe. Your heart knows the way to fulfillment.

• Trust Your Heart: "Anything that is placed on your heart is meant for you. It is absolutely meant for you. And the only one that can keep you from it is yourself."

This journey requires grit, hustle, and immense patience. You must trust the process, even when the timeline is frustrating. "Isn't your vision worth it? Isn't your dream worth it?" she asks. If the answer is yes, then you must stay the course, trusting that your pivot to purpose is unfolding in divine timing.

The Secret Sauce: Surrendering the "How" and Allowing the Magic

A central theme in Mary Kay’s life transformation is the concept of surrender. For her, the word "how" is disempowering. "I don't know how I'm going to do anything," she says, referencing being a single mom and sole provider. "But I trust that I will."

This trusting the process is the bedrock of her success. In her business, she didn't know how she would attract 15,000 people. Instead of getting stuck in the "how," she focuses on the "who"—who she is being and the energy she is emitting.

"This word ['how'] is just very disempowering for me because if I sit in that... it's exhausting. It's energetically low vibrating. It's not where any magic lives. I can promise you that."

The magic, she explains, lives in the allowing. It’s a mindset shift from controlling to surrendering control. It's pivoting towards faith and leading with gratitude. "I'm so grateful. I'm grateful for this challenge right now. I'm grateful for not knowing how, but I trust that this is meant for me."

This doesn't mean the path is easy. "Greatness is sometimes a snotty box of tissues," she laughs. The challenges are part of the process. But by allowing vs. controlling, you open yourself up to a support system greater than yourself—for Mary Kay, this is God. This deep faith allows her to see challenges as exciting moments for learning and growth, essential for creating a remarkable life.

From Lip Gloss to Legacy: Building a Sisterhood on Human Connection

Mary Kay’s vehicle for change was a network marketing company in the beauty industry. But for her, the makeup and skincare were merely the platform; the real product was personal growth and human connection.

She intentionally built a culture of "collaboration over competition" and "servant leadership." This focus on building community transformed her business into a global sisterhood. "It really is a sisterhood that, in my humble opinion, comes around once in a lifetime."

Her coaching philosophy is not about sales targets, but about one powerful question: "How is life occurring for you today?" By understanding her team members' individual journeys and challenges, she builds profound trust. "It's not about dollars and cents. It's not about titles. It's not about paychecks. It's about human connection."

This approach to servant leadership—focusing on "pushing up" everyone in her organization—has created a magnetic community. "I cannot be in my greatness without all of them in their greatness."

The Ultimate Key: Embodying Your Future Self Now

So, what is the ultimate secret to this incredible life transformation? It’s about energetic embodiment. Mary Kay shows up every day as if her biggest dreams have already come true.

"Show up as that person with millions of dollars in the bank. If that's your dream, show up as that person with thousands of people following you... Show up as that person. Go into that Starbucks like that person and watch heads turn."

This isn't about pretending; it's about aligning your energy with your vision. "Someone who's on a mission, people cannot ignore... It's a universal law." This high-vibrating energy, rooted in purpose and joy, is irresistible. In a world where many are walking around "joyless," someone filled with authentic joy and mission stands out. People are naturally drawn to it; they want to "attach a string to that kite."

Your Invitation to a Remarkable Life

Mary Kay’s story is living proof that a pivot to purpose is possible for anyone, at any stage of life. It requires courage, a steadfast mindset, and the willingness to trust the process even when the path is unclear.

The journey to finding your purpose begins with listening to that quiet nudge in your soul. It’s nurtured by betting on yourself, even when others don't understand. It’s accelerated by surrendering control and allowing the universe to conspire in your favor. And it is fulfilled through genuine human connection and servant leadership.

Remember, your story is powerful. Your journey toward fulfillment can be the very thing that gives others hope. As Mary Kay concludes, "You are loved, and you are enough, and you have everything you need."

It's never too late. Your spiritual journey awaits. Take that first step toward your remarkable life today. Stay the course.

 

Transcript:

Neeti Keswani: Welcome to Luxury Unplugged. If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, creativity, and maintaining a sane mind, you've found your tribe. At Luxury Unplugged, we are dedicated to exploring the world of luxury living, from the most extravagant experiences to the hidden gems that make life truly exceptional.

I'm Neeti Keswani, author of the bestselling book Live Your Dreams and your host for Luxury Unplugged. Every week on Tuesdays, we bring you incredible stories of successful entrepreneurs and artists who are crafting a life full of luxury, and we explore the intriguing spiritual thought process that fuels their accelerated growth.

So, get ready to dive deep into the minds of CEOs and creative entrepreneurs who are shaping the world of business and spirituality.

Today, our guest is Mary Kay. She is an entrepreneur, mentor, fashionista, business leader, a trailblazer for women, and she's also someone who's chasing change and growth as she discovers and steps into her power. In her former life, she has led a multi-million dollar beauty team and now she's coaching and mentoring over 15,000 people globally.

So, welcome, Mary Kay.

Mary Kay: Ah, thank you so much. It's such a pleasure to be here.

Neeti Keswani: Thank you for being here, taking some time out for us and our audiences. Alright, so Mary, your entire experience is so intriguing. You are a motivational and keynote speaker and a coach to many women around the world. Coming from a background in the beauty industry, what's your story like? How did you make the shift? Why did this transformation happen for you?

Mary Kay: Oh my goodness. I'm going to try to condense this for your listeners. My journey to the shift in my own life really started when I was in my 40th year. What's really interesting is it's never too late. And I really want all of your listeners to understand that it's never too late to make a shift, to make a pivot, to make a change in your life.

For me at that time, I was not thinking that I was capable of making a change. The person that I was prior to going on this spiritual journey was somebody that was very broken and somebody that was simply surviving.

I grew up in a home that kind of kept me very safe, and lovingly so, but I never really was exposed to failing or trying something and seeing what I'm into, or knowing what I desire, or knowing who I am. The messaging was really "be seen, not heard," so I really didn't have a voice for most of my childhood and leading into my teenage and young 20s.

I was just living this very default life of what others expected of me. And that's the best way I can describe it. It's not right, wrong, or good, or bad. It was just the way that my parents wanted to keep me safe. And to them, that was loving me, right? Because the world is a scary place and who wants to send their child out into the world to fail, you know, or in their minds to get hurt or to suffer.

I just kind of was going through the motions. I went to college where I was told to go to college. I had friends that I was told I should have. I dated men that were acceptable on paper.

I went into Wall Street when I graduated college because that's where my family all worked. My aunt said, "I can get you a job," and I was like, "Great, I got a job." And it was great and it was prosperous and I did well, but I wasn't living a life of purpose. I was waking up every day and doing the grind. And I was waking up every day and just saying, "I guess this is as good as it gets, right?"

I really went on like this for many, many years. I got married, started to have a family. It was one of those things like, "This is what I'm supposed to do, right?" And I lost my brother on September 11th of 2001. He was in the World Trade Center. It was a devastating moment in my life, as anyone who's been through tragedy can understand.

It's a moment of asking, "What is this all about? Is this as good as it gets? Is this what I'm going to do for the rest of my life?" I really went on that journey of trying to find myself. But it was also many, many years after that tragic day that I really was even able to embrace thinking about, okay, I felt this nudge in me. There was an absolute nudge in my soul of, "You've got to go find it. There's a purpose for your life."

And that in and of itself became really scary because, "How? Now what?" And as I just told you, I was kind of brought up to just not ask those scary questions and not go down those scary roads. So I spent even more time just not really paying attention to those signs. I think we all get them. I think we all have moments in our lives where we're feeling that nudge, where we're seeing something or we're hearing something, or sometimes it's physical. Sometimes we feel physically sick when we're not on our path, when we're not living a life of purpose.

It was in my 40th year, and I started asking these difficult questions of, "Who am I? What do I want? Am I happy?" Simple things like, "Am I happy?" And I wasn't. I was not finding joy, even in my three small children at the time. I just was not feeling joy.

I just really listened. I started to get quiet with myself. I started to meditate. I started to journal, which I hate to do, but I did. And the opportunity of stepping into entrepreneurship, which again was never something that I... I don't even know if I knew how to spell the word, to be honest with you. I was told, "This is what you do." I wasn't brought up to dream. I wasn't brought up to think that there isn't anything I can't do.

But when the idea of starting my own business, becoming an entrepreneur was presented to me, I wanted to say no so bad. I wanted to say, "How dare you even think I can do this? A leader? Me? I don't know anyone who would lead me, who would follow me, when I don't even know myself, right?"

But other people believed in me before I believed in myself. And I think that's super important for somebody that is stepping out in courage and saying, "There's a passion, there's a dream, there's a desire in my heart and I'm going to go try to seek it." The first thing you need to do is find people that believe in you probably more than you believe in yourself to start.

Neeti Keswani: This point that you're mentioning about people believing in you, I would say that you were pretty lucky in that. There was another guest on our podcast, Kevin, who talked about anxiety and depression issues and how he faced a lot of challenges because of a partner that was not very encouraging. So yes, I do agree with you when you say that you have to have that confidence in yourself. But what do you do if you don't have anybody around you who's going to support you and your dreams? What do you do then? How do you pull yourself up in that scenario?

Mary Kay: The journey becomes longer.

Neeti Keswani: The journey becomes longer?

Mary Kay: Absolutely. And this is such... I'm so glad you brought this up. I always say to everyone, and if anyone has been on any of my coaching calls, I end it the same way every single time: "Stay the course." Stay the course because it does take time.

I think this is where people sort of abandon their dreams because it might not be happening in the timeline that they wish. It's never on our time, and this is where my spiritual journey really came in. It's not on my time, and these things we can't control. What we can control is our mindset.

If they don't have that support system around them—and I get it, I didn't either. My family told me this was a horrible idea when I told them about the business I was going to go into. And that's scary because these are people you love and you trust and you respect, and they're telling you that's the most ridiculous idea they've ever heard.

So, it takes patience and it takes a lot of grit and hustle. But on top of that, if you don't have somebody in your circle that is supporting you, start with your mindset. Every morning, listen to a podcast that's going to put you in a positive place. Read a book. Do those "I am" affirmations. Meditate. Get quiet. Get into your body because your head is a liar. Your head is there to just keep you safe and show you all the scary things that might show up if you go on this journey.

But your heart knows. And anything that is placed on your heart is meant for you. It is absolutely meant for you. And the only one that can keep you from it is yourself. There's not a soul in the world that can take away our dreams and take away our desires except ourselves. I have been a witness to that. I have been there, done that. So I know that to be true.

You might have to wait a really, really, really long time. But isn't your vision worth it? Isn't your dream worth it?

Neeti Keswani: Absolutely.

Mary Kay: Then go for it, right?

Neeti Keswani: Yes. In terms of the challenges we've talked about, how did that pivot really happen for you? You also worked in a beauty business. Are you still in that?

Mary Kay: That is what I do. That is my full-time job. I started with a network marketing company doing skincare and makeup, and I've been doing that for over 10 years. I've built an extremely large organization of nearly 15,000 people globally, selling an average of $50 million in makeup and skincare a year.

That is really my love. That is my passion because I get to work with these humans every day that are simply looking for more, and they're using makeup and skincare as a platform. But we've really built an incredible community of doers and dreamers and believers. They single-handedly have helped me with my spiritual journey, which ultimately is really where the shift came in my success—when I sort of surrendered a lot of control.

After losing my brother, I wanted to control everything. Everything became heightened for me. It really is my tribe of men and women in my organization that have really shown me that spiritually, we have so much support out there if we just see it and we surrender to it. Whatever that is for your viewers, for me it's God. I really have a very strong faith and a very strong relationship with God.

I wake up every single day with just gratitude. Gratitude for everything that I have, gratitude for the things around me, the life that I've built, and also gratitude for all that is to come. And that doesn't mean just the good things. That means being grateful through the challenging times, too. That's also something that has really shifted everything for me—to truly look at the challenging times as one of the most exciting moments because that's when you get to learn. That's when you get to see what's next. How do I peel another layer of this onion? Because when you get through a challenge, it's really when you start to learn who you are and what you're made of.

We all do well in good times, but it's really how do we do in the not-so-good times. And that is all the glory to God for me, because I can just turn to Him.

Neeti Keswani: True. So, from there we come to the question of allowing things to happen. You've mentioned that a couple of times. How do you define that? How do you allow things to happen when you're in the midst of a stressful situation where you desperately want results?

Mary Kay: First and foremost, I'm a firm believer that there is magic all around us. And everything you need is within you.

I think some people look through a lens of life with, "This is hard," and that's a choice. Others look through life as, "Okay, what's coming next? How am I going to tackle this? How am I going to get through this?"

For me, the word "how" is a very disempowering word. I don't know how I'm going to do anything. I'm now a single mom to three kids. I don't know how I'm going to continue to support them as their sole financial provider. I've got one in college, another one going to college in two years. I don't know how I'm going to do any of these things.

But I trust that I will. And that trust allows me to continue to move forward in my life in a faith-filled way. With my own business, I didn't know how I was going to attract 15,000 people. I have no idea how I'm going to find another customer. There's so many things that we don't have control over.

So, that word is just very disempowering for me because if I sit in that... "How am I going to put three kids through college by myself?" It's exhausting. It's energetically low vibrating. It's not where any magic lives. I can promise you that.

The magic lives the moment you get into the allowing of the situation. The idea is to pivot towards allowing it and bringing on the faith, full on, whatever faith you have, and lead with gratitude. "I'm so grateful. I'm grateful for this challenge right now. I'm grateful for not knowing how, but I trust that this is meant for me. And I don't know what I'm going to have to go through to get to it, but I'm going to do it. I'm going to allow what's going to show up to show up."

And I promise you, it doesn't mean there's not going to be tough times. It doesn't mean you're not going to have challenges. It doesn't mean you're not going to have nights and days where you take to the bed with a box of tissues, because greatness is sometimes a snotty box of tissues. That's part of the journey. That's part of the process.

But it all is what makes what I call a remarkable life. Nobody has a remarkable life who hasn't been through some stuff. You tend to value stuff more once you've been through some things in life. There's no better story than when you bet on yourself. Get with those people that are going to say, "Yes, you can do this. I don't know what this is going to look like. I'll bring the tissues, but let's go."

Neeti Keswani: True. So, when you are talking to women—are you coaching women only, or men as well?

Mary Kay: Both. Mostly women, but there are definitely some men.

Neeti Keswani: What sort of challenges do people bring to your sessions? Are they wanting to become the best version of themselves? How do you approach that?

Mary Kay: I think everyone wants to be the best version of themselves. I think the biggest challenge I have in my own coaching is really helping them see the pure gold that's within. They all think they need more skills or more training or more self-help books. And all of that is great, but I think people wait too long to actually just get into action.

What I've learned through the years is that people have a very different perspective on life. How life occurs for someone else is very different than how life occurs for me. So what they worry about, what they're fearful of, is very different. And that really shifted my coaching practice—to just understand that life occurs differently for people.

So now that's the basis of my calls. It's not, "How many lip glosses are you going to sell?" It's really about, "How is life occurring for you today?" Because what might be easy to me is also very disempowering for someone else. Some people come into a coaching session and they're looking at my chapter 20, and they're at chapter one. It's about putting myself back in chapter one, back in their shoes.

When you can grasp onto how life is occurring for the other person and put yourself in their shoes, the game is completely changed. It builds a very significant trust, and I think that's something I've absolutely mastered. Creating that trust between me and my team... they know I'm the person to come to.

I'm the visionary, and when they need to get re-ignited into that vision, I am definitely the one on speed dial. Having that vision of, "What does your life look like when you do get what you want?" and really living in that as if it's already here.

For me, that's my mindset when I show up to my desk every day. I show up as if we already are the most significant brand in the world. And if you want to know the secret sauce, it's really that. Because someone who's on a mission, people cannot ignore. It's a universal law. You can't ignore somebody who is a high-vibrating individual who's on a mission.

When you walk in a room, your head turns when somebody walks in. It's not because of the outfit they're wearing; most likely it's because of the energy that's coming out of that person because they're grounded and they're standing in their mission. And people are going to want to attach a string to that kite because they feel it.

And that is something that you can control. You can make a choice every day to say, "I know what I'm up to. I know the game I'm playing, and I'm going to show up as that person." Show up as that person with millions of dollars in the bank. Show up as that person with thousands of people following you. Go into that Starbucks like that person and watch heads turn. Watch people be like, "Who is she? She's up to something and I want it."

My experience is that most of the world is walking around joyless. Joy and happiness are two different things for me. Happiness is fleeting. Joy is something that we really embody in our hearts. I think there's a lot of people that are really lacking joy. And when they see somebody who's full of it, they want it.

And that to me is 99.9% of realizing your dreams.

Neeti Keswani: It is so beautiful what you just said. I'm resonating completely, not only because I believe in these ideas, but because my book, Live Your Dreams, with the tagline "Be You," is a fictional story of a young woman on a mission to break free from conventions. It all entailed the nuggets you talked about—the nudge inside, the feeling, trusting. It's beautiful and it's true.

Mary Kay: And it's every single human being has access to that. We really do. Whatever you make that to be is fine, but don't think that you have all the answers. Don't think you know how to do anything.

What we're looking for... how did I meet you? This is why you have to trust that when you put yourself out there, the people that are meant to find you will. And that is a power that is bigger than you. You must believe in it. You must trust it and you must have faith in it. Faith is blind, I get it. But it's such a beautiful, peaceful thing to live knowing that I have the faith that what I need will absolutely find me—not in my timing, and maybe not in the way that I envision it. Maybe it's even more beautiful.

I also realized that sometimes when things don't work out, it's because there's something better that is meant for me. And trusting that is such a peaceful way to live. I just encourage everybody to just really go on that journey.

It's not hokey. It's your starting point, and then you move on from there. You do the grind. Whatever you're supposed to do in the day, you have to show up. Nobody's going to come banging on your door. You have to show up for your life, personally and professionally. You've got to put yourself out there, get vulnerable, and share.

People's stories are so powerful. That's another challenge I have sometimes. People will say, "Well, I don't really have a story." You absolutely have a story. Every single one of you has a story. And your story is powerful, and your story impacts lives. And your story makes people not feel alone. And that's the greatest gift that we can give somebody.

When we share our story, we give people hope. And the world needs hope right now.

Neeti Keswani: And you also have a movement of sisterhood. Is that your community?

Mary Kay: That is my community. We are family. There's no other way to say that; my team is my family. When we set out to start the brand, it was very conscious and intentional that culture and community was going to be the basis of it. That servant leadership was going to be the basis of it. And collaboration over competition is what we strive for every single day.

We really collaborate. That became so evident to me in the beginning because where I was weak, others were strong. And when we came together is where the magic started to show up. None of us can do anything alone. Nobody wants to be on an island.

So we really do love each other deeply and care about each other. It's not about dollars and cents. It's not about titles. It's not about paychecks. It's about human connection. And we really made it that way from day one.

Pushing up people is all I care about. That's my intention every single day: How do I push up people? How do I make somebody way down in my organization realize that they are a very important piece of my puzzle? I cannot be in my greatness without all of them in their greatness.

These people are here voluntarily, and they work with me voluntarily, but I know we are impacting each other's lives. We go on vacations together. We get our families together. It really is a sisterhood that, in my humble opinion, comes around once in a lifetime.

I had no idea how these amazing human beings from all over the world were going to find me and say, "I want to do what she's doing." But every time I meet another member of my team, it's like I'm looking in the mirror. At this point, it's not even a coincidence. I'm like, "Yep, there's another person that's gonna change my life for the better."

If you have the faith and you show up like that, you really will attract because like attracts like. It's that simple. So, how are you being? Be who you want to be out there in the world. Be the change you want to see and watch everything just attract to you like a magnet.

Neeti Keswani: Beautiful. Lovely talking to you, Mary. I so much enjoyed each part of the conversation. Thank you so much.

Mary Kay: Absolute pleasure. And I have so much gratitude for you. I'm so glad to have met you and that you've come into my world. Once again, no coincidence. Thank you for this amazing way to start my day.

Neeti Keswani: For me also, to end the day, it's beautiful. God's love and God bless you.

Mary Kay: God bless you all. God bless your viewers and your listeners. Just stay the course. Stay the course. And you are loved, and you are enough, and you have everything you need.

Neeti Keswani: Wow. Thank you. Thank you so much. God bless. Wow.

[Music Outro: Uplifting and melodic]

Neeti Keswani (Voiceover): If you found this conversation inspiring and helpful, please consider liking this video, subscribing to our channel for more empowering content, and hitting the notification bell so you never miss another interesting video. We look forward to continuing this journey of self-discovery. Cheers.