Mary Kay Cosmetics in the Springfield Sun News

Now the Springfield resident focuses her time on the business of beauty as a Mary Kay sales representative, which has proven to be a good second career. And the pay isn't bad, either.

While Stevens, an independent sale director, doesn't drive a Cadillac, she does sport a Pontiac Grand Prix, thanks to her 5-year-old business and the 75 consultants she manages.

As a director, Stevens earns income from her own direct sales and receives a commission from the sales of each consultant working under her.

"I came to Mary Kay at the right time in my life," she said. I enjoy meeting people and making them feel good about themselves. This just works for me."

Mary Kay Cosmetics, with headquarters in Dallas, was founded in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash. She had a background in direct sales and a desire to establish a direct-sales business that would provide opportunities to women and product lines women were comfortable selling.

The company's independent sales consultants number more than 1.7 million and operate in more than 30 markets worldwide.