“I have failed and missed many times; however, what matters is how fast I get back up and keep moving forward to my next win.”
Bounce back ability. It is what success is made of, according to Independent National Sales Director La’Keshia Chisholm. Raised in Virginia Beach and the daughter of a military man, La’Keshia initially chose a similar career for herself and excelled as a US Army officer, leading hundreds of soldiers as she oversaw the repairs of Army electronics.
In her teens, La’Keshia recalls that her mom was a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. That’s when she began using Mary Kay® skin care and was introduced to the Mary Kay Opportunity and culture. For all the rewards the Mary Kay Opportunity offers, including the ability to prioritize her faith and family, while working her business from home with her younger children, she earned her way to becoming a Mary Kay Independent Sales Director while in the military. She served 20 years and one day in the US Army before focusing solely on her Mary Kay business.
La’Keshia and her husband, Dr. Christopher Chisholm, enjoy a blended family of seven beautiful and talented young adults and children – Amelia, Erica, Courtney, Yasmeen, Noah, Crisette and Christopher, II. “We have a fabulous grand dog named, Kia!” La’Keshia adds. Quality time with family is important to the Chisholm’s. Family game nights and movie nights are their favorites. La’Keshia and Christopher love to vacation together, as well.
La’ Keshia attributes a large portion of her success as a Mary Kay entrepreneur to her bounce back ability. “In order to be a great leader, you must be able to bounce back quickly,” La’Keshia says. “I have failed and missed many times; however, it’s all in how fast I can get back up and keep moving forward to my next win that matters.” La’Keshia further explains that internalizing the Army’s seven core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage prepared her for her Mary Kay journey. “Whether I was in a winning season or overcoming obstacles, I could always rely on those core values to keep me grounded and moving forward,” La’Keshia explains.
“Personal courage has allowed me to overcome my fears and do what it takes to earn each new goal. I believe that doing the very thing that scares you will give you the edge later. I was terrified to warm chatter and now, I can warm chatter anytime, anywhere,” La’Keshia says.
Of her National Sales Director, Independent Elite Executive National Sales Director Gloria Mayfield Banks, La’Keshia says, “She taught me how to have a passionate ‘right now’ goal that builds momentum to create a quantum leap for all who choose to participate. I’ve learned, through her influence, that everyone will not play in your playground and that’s totally okay. Those who choose to play are the ones that will be driven to win and achieve their goals. Gloria inspires me to set and break records with grace and excellence.”
La’Keshia did not have an opportunity to meet Mary Kay Ash, but describes how she is moved when she hears her voice or speeches. “Sometimes, when I call the company and hear recordings of Mary Kay Ash, as I wait for the representative, I feel energized and positive after that,” La’Keshia says. “Mary Kay philosophies have greatly impacted my life,” she expands. “I used to think about just having enough to take care of my family. This business has changed me from small-minded thinking into a visionary, full of big dreams that are coming true,” she explains.
Of her mission as a sales force leader, La’Keshia says, “It’s important to me to protect and preserve the legacy of Mary Kay Ash and the Independent National Sales Directors who have paved the way before me.” She believes that all women deserve outstanding leadership. And maybe it’s from her years of military training and leadership or maybe it simply is who La’Keshia Chisholm was called to be, but she is known by the women in her Overflow National Area as a passionate leader who leads by example with a touch of tough love. “In the Overflow Area, we all bring our gifts and talents to the table and are always willing to share them with each other,” she affirms.
When asked what special advice or words of encouragement she would give to a new Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, La’Keshia said, “Show up, to go up and never give up. Quitters never win and winners never quit.”
Last and certainly not least, La’Keshia adds, “I love my Mary Kay business because this is an equal opportunity for everyone to succeed and be celebrated.”