National Sales Director
Darlene Ryan-Rieux
Vankleek Hill, Ontario

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Began: August 1980; 
• Independent Sales Director: October 1981; 
• Independent National Sales Director: July 2006; 
• Mary Kay Millionaire; 
• Queen's Court of Personal Sales: seven times as part of the Top Ten Independent Sales Directors; 
• Circle of Achievement: 17 times; 
• Circle of Excellence: 5 times; 
• Miss Go-Give 1991; 
• earned 14 career cars; 
• ten-time Cadillac driver.

Motivated by: The endless possibilities for success in life

My best asset: My perseverance and my people-skills

Favourite vacation spot: Hawaii

An old Chinese proverb simply states: "The journey is the reward". For Independent National Sales Director Darlene Ryan-Rieux, this sentiment couldn't hold more truth.

That's because this self-proclaimed Ontario farm girl – who started her Mary Kay business in August 1980 – probably never thought her leap of faith would have led her right to Mary Kay's doorstep before her journey as an Independent Sales Director had even begun.

"I started my business as a young wife and mother trying to raise a family. When I entered into my Independent Sales Director-in-Qualification (DIQ) period, I had the chance to meet Mary Kay Ash," she says. 

And it was heartfelt words from Mary Kay that carried Darlene through the obstacles she experienced in her Mary Kay business – including overcoming her chronic shyness and lack of self-confidence – and has enabled her to mentor others and help them overcome their own obstacles.

Flash forward 25 years and this confident, determined woman has reached the pinnacle of her Mary Kay business as an Independent National Sales Director. One might think that after reaching the pinnacle of success, there's nothing left to accomplish. Darlene believes otherwise.

"Mary Kay taught us that in realizing the accomplishment of one goal, you must move on to the next one. My next goal is to focus on helping those who want to become Independent National Sales Directors. I want to take the torch Mary Kay entrusted to us as Independent National Sales Directors and use the words Mary Kay once did: ‘If I can go to bed and know that one more woman discovered just how wonderful she really is, then it's a great day'."
 
 

Darlene is another Newbury National Sales Director who pioneered the Quebec market,originally from her home in Pincourt, near Montreal. Darlene and her husband Claude became our good friends on numerous Top Director trips we took around the world. I have always admired Darlene's spirit. She is the mother of many children and has still managed to find the time to build a successful business. Darlene's children were her reason for success, not an obstacle to success. Darlene is a true Mary Kay success story and I was so proud to welcome her to the sisterhood of Nationals. I am happy to have her with us this weekend.