Mary Kay Ash, the first woman on the New York Stock Exchange, was born in 1918 in Texas and became the first female-chaired company to go public in 1968, with her company, Beauty by Mary Kay, becoming one of the world's largest direct-selling companies. Born in 1918, Mary Kay Ash was born to Alexander Wagner and Lula Hastings, a poor itinerant farmers who lived and worked all over Texas. Despite her responsibilities at home, Mary was a top student known for her straight-As and debater, and married her boss' boss when she was 29. She had three children with whom she could support and a house that she could no longer afford, but sold harder. Her company, which initially sold wigs and skin care products, made $198,514 in sales within two years and reached nearly $1 million in 1968. Mary Kay's first “beauty show” netted a meager $2.50, signed on eight women as consultants to sell her wares and recruited other consultants to join the team. She also received 50% commission and received lavish gifts from the company.