“God first, family second, career third” (Mary Kay)

“God first, family second, career third” was a belief of Mary Kay Ash (1915-2001), the Dallas-based founder of the Mary Kay cosmetics company. Her third priority (career) certainly did well.
 
The phrase appears on the Mary Kay website and in her 1981 autobiography. The phrase also appears in print in 1975, spoken by Colonel Heath Bottomly.
 
 
Mary Kay
Mary Kay on Faith
“My priorities have always been God first, family second, career third. I have found that when I put my life in this order, everything seems to work out. God was my first priority early in my career when I was struggling to make ends meet. Through the failures and success I have experienced since then, my faith has remained unchecked.”
 
Google Books
Mary Kay
by Mary Kay Ash
New York: Harper & Row
1981
Pg. 56 :
God first, family second, career third.
Pg. 58:
God first, family second, job third.
 
Wikipedia: Mary Kay Ash
Mary Kay Ash (May 12, 1915–November 22, 2001) was a U.S. businesswoman and the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.. Born Mary Kathlyn Wagner in Hot Wells, Texas, Ash worked for several direct sales companies from the 1930s until the early 1960s, achieving considerable success as a salesperson and trainer. Frustrated, however, at being passed over for promotions in favor of men, she retired in 1963, intending to write a book to assist women in business. The book turned into a business plan for her ideal company, and in September 1963, Ash and her son, Richard Rogers, began Mary Kay Cosmetics with a $5,000 investment. The company originally operated from a storefront in Dallas but grew rapidly, particularly after Ash was interviewed for CBS’s 60 Minutes in 1979. The famous pink Cadillacs awarded to top sales people were the most visible sign of the company’s success.

Ash was widely respected, if not always understood, for her unconventional approach to business. She considered the Golden Rule the founding principle of Mary Kay Cosmetics, and the company’s marketing plan was designed to allow women to advance by helping others to succeed. Unfailingly supportive and enthusiastic, she advocated “praising people to success,” and her slogan “God first, family second, career third” expressed her insistence that the women in her company keep their lives in balance.
 
4 November 1975, Mountain Democrat (Placerville, CA), “‘Conversion of Colonel Bottomly’ to be shown at Baptist church,” pg. C4, col. 4:
“Now,” say Colonel Bottomly, “It’s God first, family second…and my job, third.”
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark MARY KAY
Goods and Services IC 003. US 051. G & S: CLEANSING CREAMS, NIGHT CREAMS, FACIAL CREAMS, SKIN FRESHENERS, MASQUES OR FACIAL PACKS, BATH OILS, PERFUMED BATH OILS, BUBBLING BATH OILS, COLOGNES, EYE AND LIP PALETTES OR EYE AND LIP MAKE-UP AND MAKE-UP KITS, BODY LOTIONS AND MEDICATED FACIAL CREAM MAKE-UP SOLD IN INDIVIDUAL SALES TO SALES CONSULTANTS, DEMONSTRATORS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS CARRYING ON SALES BY MEANS OF PERSONAL HOME AND PRIVATE DEMONSTRATIONS TO THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER, SALES “PARTIES,” AND LIKE GROUP GATHERINGS OF INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS. FIRST USE: 19630912. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19630915
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Design Search Code
Serial Number 72204266
Filing Date October 19, 1964
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Registration Number 0817516
Registration Date October 25, 1966
Owner (REGISTRANT) MARY KAY, INC. CORPORATION TEXAS 1220 MAJESTY ST. DALLAS TEXAS
(LAST LISTED OWNER) MARY KAY COSMETICS, INC. CORPORATION BY CHANGE OF NAME FROM TEXAS 8787 STEMMONS FREEWAY DALLAS TEXAS 75247
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 19861025
Other Data “MARY KAY” IS THE NAME OF A LIVING INDIVIDUAL WHOSE CONSENT IS OF RECORD.
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE