What is the name of your business and where are you located?
Rita Contreras- Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics - McKinney, TX
Give us a brief description of your business.
I have been with the company for 8 years and have mentored consultants as a Sales Director for over 6 1/2 years. I have extensive training in Skin Care and Color Cosmetic application, business etiquette and coaching, and dress for success. I offer one on one consultations, group classes, and workshops in all areas. My services also include teaching skin care and color application classes for business professionals, staff members, and teens, as well as wedding, prom, headshot, and special event makeup and planning. I am also very passionate about branding businesses with the “IT Factor” through customized gifting and appreciation options for clients, employees, referral thank you’s, closings, and holiday gifts for business and personal needs. I love helping you make a statement when words are not enough, bridging the gap in your personal and business relationships, and keeping you in front of your clients throughout the year. I can personalize, customize, gift wrap, hand deliver on your behalf, and create the vision that you desire. All of my services are free, but my impact is priceless!
How have you benefited from being an Ambassador?
Prior to moving to Texas, I was very involved in my community, in Georgia, serving as President over three different networking organizations, leading committees within my local Chamber, and actively being involved as an Ambassador. Moving across the country, starting my business over in a new town, and not knowing anyone, has allowed me to create a whole new network of relationships. I believe that being a new Chamber member and becoming an Ambassador has allowed me to connect with new and seasoned businesses very quickly, meet incredible leaders within the community, build power partners in my business, and to have the honor of welcoming and supporting local businesses on a weekly basis. I treasure my fellow ambassadors and the fun that we share, celebrating businesses together, and being a part of a team of servant leaders. It is my belief that when we support others on their journey to success, the relationships that are gained in the process reward our efforts tenfold.
Tell us about your involvement in the Community?
I take great pride in supporting my community and making an impact. As a new McKinney resident, I am constantly open to new opportunities. Currently, I am very active in the Chamber, serving on the committee for the Golf Tournament and New Teacher Breakfast, taking advantage of sponsorship opportunities and donating silent auction baskets to help support local events, and finding ways to be involved by volunteering. I regularly attend LINKS on Wednesday mornings at The Gather with my fellow Chamber members and love bringing guests to share in the fun. I am a member of several networking organizations including North Collin Netweavers, North Collin BNI, WAM, Leverage Your Network, and Women of McKinney Business Connection, which is a networking organization that I co-founded recently for local business moms. I also support fellow Veterans and Active Military through several fundraisers and charity organizations that I have sponsored for over 5 years. Having served this great country as a United States Marine, this is something that I hold very dear to my heart. In another organization, I was recently named the Chair for the BIBO Foundation representing the city of Dallas, focusing on donations to support women, teens, and children who are survivors of domestic violence. I am always open to building new relationships in different ways so that I can be a connector to others in the community. In a short time, I have fallen in love with McKinney and am so grateful to be a part of it.
What are your hobbies?
When I am not working and being a super mom, I love going to the gym, kickboxing, running, hiking in nature, reading motivational leadership books, music and going to rock concerts, and I am an excellent Gluten Free cook! I am enchanted by history, antiques, historical cities, and discovering the hidden stories that surround aged artifacts and heirlooms. I am currently reading The Miracle Morning and one of my favorite books is “Believe That You Can” by my pastor at Free Chapel, in Georgia, Jentezen Franklin.
Can you share a little about yourself and your family?
I am very proud of my family. I am driven in my daily walk because my family is my reason for all that I do. I have been with my husband Gerardo for 12 years. He works for PPG as a Sales and Technical support specialist, and often travels to service customers. We have three children, Emma, 11, Elena, 3, and my stepson Treston is 14, and we also have two rescue dogs, Sugar and Gigi. Emma and Treston have been huge soccer players for many years, and I coached Emma’s team for several seasons. Now in McKinney, Emma has recently committed to a 3 year program to earn her Black Belt in Taekwondo. Elena is a very joyful, outgoing 3 year old, and reminds me daily about the power of childlike faith. I have always taught my children that Mary Kay is our family business and allowed my children to work in my office, make deliveries, label products, and help with customers and small tasks to teach them about dedication, business and people skills, and how to build relationships by going the extra mile to service others. I always remind them of the Mary Kay principles of God First, Family Second, and Career Third and living by the Golden Rule. I call this “Growing Up Pink”. One of my favorite mottos is, “I may not always be able to control my circumstances, but I am always in control of my attitude while I am in them. Not only is this a gift I choose to give myself, but it is always a blessing to others”. I am so thankful that my family is now in McKinney. We love this community and we are here to stay.
