Chapter: Laurel Highlands
Business: Sr. Sales Director Mary Kay
At Women’s Business Network, we are surrounded by women who are building businesses, leading with purpose, supporting their communities, and creating opportunities for others. Our Women to Watch at WBN series celebrates those women and the stories behind their success.
This month, we’re highlighting Katie Duez, a WBN member, longtime Mary Kay Independent Sales Director, entrepreneur, mentor, and community advocate whose 24-year journey is a story of resilience, personal growth, leadership, and service to others.
A Business That Became So Much More
Katie’s Mary Kay journey began for a reason many women can probably relate to: she wanted to earn a discount on products she loved and put self-care back on her list.
What she found became much bigger.
She stayed for the income opportunity and the freedom and flexibility to build a business around her family. Over the years, Katie’s life changed from being part of a military family to navigating military retirement, divorce, and life as a single mom. Through each season, her business continued to grow alongside her.
Katie describes the past 24 years as one of the greatest personal growth and self-improvement experiences of her life.
Today, her Mary Kay organization includes consultants across 28 states, along with multiple generations of leadership. She has also earned the use of 14 Mary Kay Career Cars and is preparing to take delivery of her third Pink Cadillac.*
Yet some of the accomplishments Katie values most aren’t measured by business numbers or awards.
Receiving Mary Kay’s Miss Go-Give Award
Katie recently received the Miss Go-Give Award, Mary Kay’s highest honor, and the recognition holds tremendous personal meaning for her.
“There are no words, really,” Katie shared. “It is beyond an honor to be nominated and recognized by my peers. It was like getting a hug from Mary Kay Ash herself.”
For Katie, receiving the award isn’t simply recognition of what she has already accomplished. It comes with a responsibility to continue carrying forward and amplifying the Go-Give philosophy.
That philosophy—helping, encouraging, and serving others—has shaped the way she approaches both business and life.
As a Pittsburgher, Katie connects it to a familiar saying from former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: “The standard is the standard.”
“At Mary Kay, the standard is Go-Give,” Katie said. “It isn’t just something we do. It is who we are in every area of our work and lives.”
Success Measured Differently
Ask Katie about one of the most rewarding accomplishments of her journey, and her answer isn’t a sales goal, a car, or an award.
It’s her daughters.
She is most proud of raising them to become strong, independent, critical-thinking women who use their gifts and talents to serve others.
“Mary Kay made that possible,” she shared.
Her business also became a source of strength during one of the most challenging periods of her life. After leaving a financially abusive marriage, Katie operated her business entirely on cash for 15 years, without relying on credit, while raising her daughters on her Mary Kay income.
The experience reinforced a lesson that has stayed with her:
“Work wins when wishing won’t.”
More importantly, it allowed her daughters to see perseverance, independence, and work ethic modeled firsthand.
Relationships That Empower Women
Relationships have always been central to the way Katie approaches business, which makes Women’s Business Network a natural extension of what she values.
She sees networking as much more than exchanging business cards or making professional connections. It is about building genuine relationships and creating opportunities for women to empower one another.
“I love networking and relationship building, and bringing the work I do in Mary Kay into WBN,” Katie said. “They work hand in hand to create a bond of empowerment for women.”
Her feelings about WBN itself are just as personal.
“I love these women. It is a sisterhood. We aren’t just here for business; we are here to support each other.”
That spirit of women supporting women is at the heart of WBN and exactly what our Women to Watch series is designed to celebrate.
Her Advice to Other Women
For women working toward the next level in their business or career, Katie offers a powerful reminder:
“You were not made to stay small. Walk into every room like God sent you, because He did. Walk in to serve, and you will be greatly blessed in return.”
It’s advice that reflects the philosophy she has carried throughout her own journey: lead with confidence, but enter the room looking for ways to serve others.
Beyond the Business
Katie’s commitment to service extends beyond Mary Kay and WBN. Her family has also opened Keys2Caring, a nonprofit created to help people in their community and beyond who are experiencing transportation insecurity.
Learn more about Keys2Caring
And when Katie does take time away from business and community work, her ideal day is much slower.
Picture a quiet Sunday strolling through the streets of a small town like Ligonier, coffee in hand, her boyfriend by her side, possibly their dog joining them, and plenty of time to stop at a locally owned bookstore.
As she looks ahead to 2027, there is one word she wants to define the year:
Curiosity.
After 24 years in business, countless life changes, leadership milestones, and a commitment to helping other women succeed, curiosity seems fitting.
Because being a Woman to Watch isn’t only about where you’ve been.
It’s also about being excited to discover where you can go next.
Only the top 1% of Mary Kay independent sales force members earn the use of a Mary Kay Career Car through their Mary Kay businesses. To learn more about the Career Car Program, visit the Mary Kay Career Car Program page.
Connect with Katie Duez
Sr. Sales Director Mary Kay
Website: www.marykay.com/katieduez
