An Interview With An Avon Representative
Avon has many thousands of representatives around the world
selling its cosmetics. Most of the 'Avon ladies' (and many men!)
sell in their spare-time, although there is now an increasing
number who work at their business full time.
We have interviewed several Avon representatives to find out how
they have built up their Avon business. Their experiences may
help you to decide whether you would benefit from joining an
Avon team.
This week we are speaking to a man! Dave Carter is 31 and lives
in Sunderland, UK.
Q: Dave, why did you join Avon?
A: My partner Debbie joined first, about 18 months ago. I
had been selling another MLM company's products but I hadn't
been very successful. I like the idea of network marketing, also
known as multi-level marketing, and I could see the potential;
but it just wasn't working for me. Then Avon started network
marketing here in the UK about 2 years ago and getting in on the
ground floor seemed attractive. I never dreamt I would succeed
as well as I have.
Q: You say you have succeeded, how well have you done?
A: I don't want to be too specific about the money, but
to give you an idea, I achieved the top commission level just
before Christmas! Debbie and I run separate teams and she should
join me on the top level soon.
Q: That's great. You must be enjoying the job to reach the
top level in such a short time.
A: I really enjoy it. Although most of my team of nearly
100 is within 40-50 miles, I also travel, especially to meet
potential sales leaders. I love being my own boss and don't
think I could go back to working for someone else.
Q: So you think it's best to actually meet the members of
your team?
A: It's one of Avon's rules: I have to meet the potential
recruit face to face. We aren't allowed to sign up people by
phone.
Q: How do you manage to recruit so many people, especially if
some of them are a long way from you?
A: I have a website and receive a lot of enquiries from
visitors to the site. I then either arrange to meet the person
myself, or I pass the enquiry to one of my sales leaders. If I
don't have a sales leader nearby I know other people with Avon
businesses in other parts of the country and we swap leads.
Q: So I guess you would recommend others to join Avon?
A: I certainly would. I should point out that you wouldn't
be joining Avon as such: each one of us is a self-employed
representative and we are not employed by the company. But
anyone wanting to earn a few pounds each week by delivering the
brochures and then collecting orders is very welcome. Or you can
really build a great business like me by recruiting
representatives and sales leaders who, in turn, will themselves
recruit representatives. If you have a job now but don't enjoy
it, start part-time then build up the business until the income
from that is enough to pay all your bills. Then you can sack
your boss and work full-time for yourself!
Thank you Dave, best wishes for the future. It looks bright.