Mascara, lip gloss and pink Cadillacs

Nathan P. Moore ’89

It is no surprise that cosmetics and pink Cadillacs describe Dallas-based Mary Kay. However, many might be surprised to know that this company hosts the dream job of Nathan P. Moore ’89. Moore, who serves as the company’s Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, says he couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

“It’s a great environment that encourages people to maximize their potential,” Moore said during a recent speech to a group of Mays Business Honors students. “Everyone comes ready to work, ready to be their best and ready to help others become their best — just as Mary Kay expected.”

Along with overseeing Mary Kay’s legal functions around the world, several other groups report to Moore, including Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Communications, Risk Management, Government Relations and The Mary Kay Foundation.

When Moore started at Mary Kay in 1995, the company sold products in 10 countries. Today, the company operates in more than 35 countries. More than 3 million people around the world have Mary Kay businesses, and a large part of Moore’s job is navigating the legal issues that stem from the company’s rapid growth worldwide.

Mary Kay celebrated its 50^th anniversary in 2013 with the best year in company history. Moore credits the success of the company to the strong culture which follows the standards set by founder Mary Kay Ash.

“Mary Kay truly used the Golden Rule as her guiding philosophy in business,” Moore said. “She believed that you can’t go wrong if you treat others as you would like to be treated. She also believed in working hard and rewarding others for their efforts. Plus, she was known for having a big heart and for giving back.”

In addition to promoting beauty products and providing a business opportunity, Mary Kay also has outreach programs that have provided millions of dollars to organizations that help women and children. Some of the recipients include breast cancer research and educational campaigns to reduce abuse against women. The company lobbies for laws that benefit women, and it participates in sustainability efforts such as planting trees and creating outdoor classrooms at women’s shelters.

Moore said Ash’s book “On People Management,” written in 1984 and updated in 2008 and released as “The Mary Kay Way,” is a personal favorite because the values outlined in the book closely match his personal philosophy as a leader. Moore’s advice to the Mays students in seeking future employment was to look for companies where they can align their personal principles and values.

“Have a passion for your company and your job,” Moore said. “You own your personal development and your career path, so never stop setting goals. Mary Kay would often encourage people to decide to take leadership over your future and set goals. The difference between top and bottom people is the difference between the goals that they set. Strive to become a goal-setting, goal-inspired, goal-achieving person. And, one more thing — up that goal a little. It doesn’t cost any more to dream a little bigger.”

About Mays Business School

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School educates more than 5,000 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management. Mays consistently ranks among the top public business schools in the country for its undergraduate and MBA programs, and for faculty research. The mission of Mays Business School is creating knowledge and developing ethical leaders for a global society.