For Valley Stream saleswoman, customers come first

Angela Ogurick said that networking is the key to business success. The Mary Kay Cosmetics independent saleswoman was named the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce’s businessperson of the year for 2010.

Each chamber chose a local merchant or business professional to be honored at the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce annual awards breakfast on Oct. 15 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Ogurick was joined by her husband and more than a half-dozen members of the Valley Stream Chamber.

Ogurick began working as a Mary Kay Cosmetics saleswoman in 1991. As a single parent, she said it was a way to earn some additional income. A decade later, she was forced into retirement after 33 years working for TWA when the company was bought by American Airlines. “They didn’t have enough jobs,” she said, “because their people came first.”

Her husband, Don, who she married in 1997, suggested taking on the Mary Kay business full-time. So Ogurick did just that, and she runs the business from her home in Valley Stream.

“You can work your business many ways in Mary Kay,” Ogurick said, noting that some saleswomen do home parties while others go out and sell to strangers. Ogurick prefers to network, a practice that got her involved with numerous business groups. In addition to serving as member of the Valley Stream Chamber board of directors, she also belongs to the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce. Ogurick is a past president and vice president, and currently the secretary and treasurer of Business Networking International.

Ogurick said she likes the interaction with people everyday. It is also very rewarding for her to be able to teach women skin care and makeup application skills. “I like the idea that I can sit with someone,” she said, “and make her into someone she doesn’t believe she can be. My goal is to help people find solutions.”

Her slogan is: “How old you are is your business. How old you look is my business.”

Although she is in business for herself, Ogurick said she is not in business by herself. She noted that she gets tremendous support from the Mary Kay company. And although the top priority is selling products, Ogurick said she sees herself as more as a customer service representative.

Her experience running a home-based business has taught her marketing and advertising skills, finances, management and public speaking.

Ogurick first joined the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce in 2006. She interviewed for and received a job as then-President Frank DeMita’s assistant. Her primary goal was to recruit new members to the Chamber and Ogurick said she brought 46 businesses on board, more than half of which still belong to the group today.

With no product to sell, Ogurick said she told business owners why a chamber membership would be beneficial. “I went out by myself to every business that I could,” she said. “Instead of asking them to join, I invited them to join.”

During her time in the Chamber, Ogurick has planned the annual holiday party and also organized the first speed networking night, which was held this past spring. Ogurick said she likes to organize and create, but mostly have fun, which is why she brought a cow bell to the speed networking event to let people know when it was time to move to the next table. “Everybody was stunned,” she said, “but I got their attention.”

Ogurick, who grew up in Valley Stream and graduated from Central High School, said she was honored and touched to receive the small businessperson of the year award.

Chamber of Commerce President Debbi Gyulay said Ogurick was chosen for the award because of her success running a home-based business and her attentiveness to customer needs. But just as important, Gyulay said, is the support Ogurick lends to the local business association. “She’s a very active and supportive Chamber member,” Gyulay said. “Angela is well-deserving of her award.”