Head to the make-up counter. The Wall Street Journal is reporting on one woman’s against the tide career change: As a teacher at a Montessori School (aka a fancy, alternative education-based school) in an Los Angeles suburb, Desiree Tordecilla, wasn’t exactly bringing home the bacon. When her husband decided to quit his job and go get his MBA, she needed to really get hustling on the income front (not to mention the health insurance situation, the family was without any form of medical backup). So when a cousin, who managed their local Nordstom Chanel makeup counter, mentioned there was an opening at the Dior counter across the aisle, Desiree applied. She interviewed and was hired not long after. Four years later she jumped to MAC and became an account manager which had her managing all the retail managers. Quite the steady climb—and all this while still teaching. Finally, long story short, she landed at Stila and has since become the vice president of global sales, artistry and international marketing. Oh and the MBA-seeking husband who left the family in a lurch? Long gone. She’s happily going it alone.

Next time you’re sprinting through the gauntlet of fragrance spritzers in your local department store, give the ladies a second thought. Just saying. [WSJ] Keep reading »