Here is an extract from an article in Every Woman (advancing women in business) about a lady who started her Avon business in her 40's, as I did:
"After my eldest son was born, I dipped in and out of the workforce, making a bit of extra money here and there by taking occasional cleaning jobs and work in a supermarket. But by the time my youngest was about to start secondary school, I was a stay at home mum. My daily uniform was leggings and a t-shirt, and as I scoured the local newspaper for part time jobs, my sole aim was to use my newly acquired free time to make some extra cash for Christmas. It was with that attitude that I applied for a position as a freelance sales representative for a retail organisation.
The role would push me out of my comfort zone, forcing me – an unconfident driver – to venture beyond the local streets I felt comfortable in, and go off to sell to complete strangers in their own homes. I returned from my first round resolute that I was going to quit. But then the orders started coming in - £400 on my first attempt, £2,000 on my second. My confidence bolstered, I began to get in touch with strengths that had been asleep for years. As a recovering alcoholic, I’ve had my fair share of struggles, but out of all that came an ability to relate to people and their histories. Building rapport, so essential to sales, came easily to me.
More orders followed and soon the organisation knocked on the door, inviting me to step up into a more senior position. I agreed, relishing the chance to grow my income. The lady who’d originally recruited me was lovely, but she hadn’t really inspired me to see that this was a bigger opportunity than just making some extra cash. Then along came my fabulous mentor, who not only shone a light on what was possible, but also made me believe I could absolutely achieve whatever I set out to.
I started setting myself goals beyond just what I wanted in that month’s pay packet – items I wanted to be able to purchase come bonus pay-outs, and positions within the company I wanted to rise to. Within two years, I’d achieved what some of the best representatives achieve in ten, and six years after first starting out, I’ve made the cut as a top nationwide seller.
Success has seen me stretch myself, grow as a person and in confidence, and become comfortable with so many things that once frightened me. It’s also made me go easier on myself in many regards – I focus less now on past mistakes and more on future potential.
But success hasn’t come without its challenges. Being that bit older starting out meant that picking up new things doesn’t come quite as automatically as it used to. My youngest son gave me a crash course in computing, and since then, I’ve had to put in the time to grapple with new technology. Unfortunately, I’ve also had to deal with some unpleasantness from people who were affronted by my success and the spotlight it put me under. Most surprising of all was that they were often senior figures. My mentor’s advice was to rise above it. As she says: It’s a sure sign you’re doing something right!
I’ve also had a tackle my tendency to go overboard. My addictive personality drew me into a trap of working every hour I could – always wanting to do more and push myself harder, reaching the next goal in record time. As relationships and work-life balance suffered, I had to set boundaries. After all, the main reason for choosing this path was the flexibility it offered, so I had to learn to tell the difference between an evening or weekend text message that needed actioning right away, and one that could wait until Monday morning.
With that came a lesson in delegation. I’d made the rookie manager mistake of trying to do everything for my delegates. I soon realised that the stars in the team shone much brighter when I gave them information and support when they needed it, then stepped away and let them get on with it. My 400+ team is now all the more powerful for it.
I always tell people I couldn’t have done this without my amazing mentor. This job came along at a time when I was about to have more time on my hands and could easily have fallen into old, unhealthy habits. Her belief in me, her openness and willingness to share information, enabled me to see the true possibilities. She made me see that a business without goals is just plodding along and I’m more determined than ever to keep forging ahead, growing my team and being the best possible mentor I too can be to those coming up behind.
Now that spring is here I am posting once again, as I did last year, about the many uses for this amazing product from Avon cosmetics!
BEAUTY USES
It’s a bath oil and after shower moisturiser.
It can be used to remove makeup.
Great tanning oil (no sunscreen).
Hot Oil treatment, to soften cuticles.
Great massage oil for tired muscles.
Cleans tape marks from the skin.
Cleans ink off the skin.
Helps relieve itching caused by dry skin. Helps retain elasticity.
Use to remove paint from the hands (instead of turps).
Cleans oil and grease off the skin.
Insect Repellent
It soothes light sunburn.
Rub hands with it before washing, it helps get them cleaner.
Rub on dry, cracked skin…helps heal skin in 2-3 days.
Put 1-2 capfuls in liquid soap and use when shaving legs and underarms. Helps razor glide and leaves skin feeling smooth.
Pour a little into your foot spa to help moisturise your feet while you relax them.
It removes chewing gum from hair, skin and most non porous surfaces.
Works great on head lice. Saturate hair and let is set for 15 minutes then rinse. You will need to shampoo a couple of times to remove the oil, but the lice will be gone and will stay gone.
Wash hair as normal and after it dries use a small amount of skin so soft and rub into your hair. It goes straight in and leaves hair shiny with no greasiness.
It clears mild cases of psoriasis.
HOUSEHOLD USES
Sponge it around doors and windows to keep crawling insects out.
It kills ants instantly.
Cleans permanent ink off stamps.
It’s a good wood cleaner and conditioner for natural wood.
It removes glue and gum left from price tags and labels from glass, metal and most plastics.
It removes soap scum from shower doors, screens and curtains, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
It removes lime and hard water deposits from fixtures, tiles, shower doors and windows.
It’s an oil lubricant for fitting pipe joints that won’t slip together.
It cleans ink of most vinyl and painted surfaces.
It cleans heavy oil and grease from non porous surfaces.
Use on curtain tracks to help your curtains glide with ease.
It takes fur off clothing.
Rub on brass ornaments and figures to keep them turning dark.
Removes crayon from appliances and most painted surfaces.
Wash cupboards with it mixed in your cleaning water to keep ants off and out of your cupboards.
Use it to discourage hornets and wasps from building their nests. After removing the nest keep the area sprayed with SSS, they won’t rebuild there.
Use it to clean leather, it will also keep it soft and supple.
Use on your air conditioner screen (filter), your incoming air will smells fresher and the screen will be easier to clean.
Rub over all windowsills to keep ants out.
It cleans paintbrushes easily and leaves them as soft as new.
It removes gum from carpets.
It removes scuff marks from patent leather shoes.
Use on running rails on sliding glass door and windows.
It removes ‘ring around the collar’.
It removes liquid nail (panelling glue).
Two glass bowls stuck together? Drizzle SSS down the sides and they’ll come apart easily.
It removes candle wax from furniture, carpets and clothing.
Spray on rose bushes and flowers to stop deer and other animals from eating them. Also works on flowers left in cemeteries.
It’s a great furniture polish.
Spray on your back yard to cut down on ants and other creepy crawlies.
Kills spiders.
It cuts grease and cleans dirt from range cookers and cooker hoods.
Add a capful to wash water of clothes… acts as a fabric softener and keeps bugs off clothes.
Spray on orchids and other flowers for moisture and to keep bugs away.
Cleans baseball caps, just spray on and rub with a toothbrush.
Use one part SSS and two parts water and spray on tomato plants to keep tomato worms off.
Cleans cherry wood cabinets.
Put a little in your mopping water to keep crawling bugs out. Not too much or your floor will be slippery.
Use in oil burners for a fresh smell and to deter flying insects.
Use to clean windows.
Removes crayon from most surfaces.
It kills earwigs instantly, great for people with caravans.
If you make candles, use clear wax and put SSS in it and garden, great for outside in the summer, no mosquitoes!
As a deodoriser, spray into the air and let settle, it kills those nasty pet odours.
If your child wets the bed, spray the bedding and sheets before washing it will leave a fresh clean smell. PET USES
It’s a great insect repellent for your pet. (As recommended in ‘Outdoor Life’ and ‘Field and Stream’.
Mix 5 parts water, 1 part SSS and mist on animals. Brushing it in makes their coats gleam and keeps insects off so the animals don’t fidget in the show ring.
Mix in your pet’s bath water. It takes the fleas off them… and in between spray with the above to help keep them off.
Rub on your hands before and after working with pets and farm animals. It will remove the strong smells.
For dogs with dry skin mix one tablespoon of SSS with a gallon of water and use as an after bath rinse. Alternatively spray your pets coat once a week.
To remove tar or asphalt from a dogs feet, rub on SSS and wipe off.
SSS can be used as a hoof polish. This will put a nice shine on the hoof without drying it.
SSS can be used as a muzzle, eye and ear enhancer. It works great and keeps the bugs away.
Use mixed with water to mist your horses in the hot weather, it keeps away the bugs and keeps their coats shiny.
Spray onto barn and dog kennel walls to deter flies and insects and to keep them smelling fresh.
Sponge horses with Sweet Itch or other allergies with a capful of SSS mixed with 5 gallons of water. It stops the itching and leaves the coat soft and shiny.
Use Skin So Soft when braiding horses manes. It holds the braids better and they don’t try to rub them out. CAR USES
It removes tar spots from the car without damaging the paint.
Use to clean vinyl and leather dashboards, seats and tops. It not only cleans but also keeps it soft and prevents any cracking.
After washing your car use as a tyre dressing to keep them looking new.
Put some SSS on a small cloth and leave in your car to keep it smelling fresh and clean.
Wipe down surfaces in the car to clean and eliminate smells left by cigarette smoke.
Cleans oil and grease from hands, great for mechanics.
It removes tree and insect residue from paintwork.
Prior to travelling, rub SSS on headlights and grill. It makes insects and bugs easier to remove.
I make no secret of the fact I am a massive fan of Avon. It's no coincidence that Avon has been selling beauty products under the brand name in the UK since 1939. Their constant innovation and quality ingredients have built a level of trust with the general public that has really stood the test of time. I grew up with it, and it is still the only brand I turn to for certain products, such as the AMAZING Avon Clinical Eyelift, which is so much cheaper than other eyelift products and is so effective. It's great to have a product that you can use on the eyelid. It works, too, I always look more awake after I've used it. Another great product is the one illustrated below. Avon's Dark circle eraser. One of my customers did a test on this and said her dark circles had improved after just 1 week of use!
Over the years, Avon have branched out way beyond skincare and beauty. They stock an impressive range of clothes, including fitness wear, nightwear and lingerie, as well as beautiful watches and jewellery, and they often collaborate with many designer brands. They cater for children too, with their own character merchandise, toys and clothing.
One of Avon's most iconic brands is Avon Skin So Soft, and an enduring favourite from the range is the Dry Oil Spray. Available in Original, Fast Hydration or Silky Moisture, there are five of these versatile wonder products sold every minute. Just how versatile is it though? Take a little look at the list below. You will be absolutely amazed!!
BEAUTY USES
It’s a bath oil and after shower moisturiser.
It can be used to remove makeup.
Great tanning oil (no sunscreen).
Hot Oil treatment, to soften cuticles.
Great massage oil for tired muscles.
Cleans tape marks from the skin.
Cleans ink off the skin.
Helps relieve itching caused by dry skin. Helps retain elasticity.
Use to remove paint from the hands (instead of turps).
Cleans oil and grease off the skin.
Insect Repellent
It soothes light sunburn.
Rub hands with it before washing, it helps get them cleaner.
Rub on dry, cracked skin…helps heal skin in 2-3 days.
Put 1-2 capfuls in liquid soap and use when shaving legs and underarms. Helps razor glide and leaves skin feeling smooth.
Pour a little into your foot spa to help moisturise your feet while you relax them.
It removes chewing gum from hair, skin and most non porous surfaces.
Works great on head lice. Saturate hair and let is set for 15 minutes then rinse. You will need to shampoo a couple of times to remove the oil, but the lice will be gone and will stay gone.
Wash hair as normal and after it dries use a small amount of skin so soft and rub into your hair. It goes straight in and leaves hair shiny with no greasiness.
It clears mild cases of psoriasis.
HOUSEHOLD USES
Sponge it around doors and windows to keep crawling insects out.
It kills ants instantly.
Cleans permanent ink off stamps.
It’s a good wood cleaner and conditioner for natural wood.
It removes glue and gum left from price tags and labels from glass, metal and most plastics.
It removes soap scum from shower doors, screens and curtains, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
It removes lime and hard water deposits from fixtures, tiles, shower doors and windows.
It’s an oil lubricant for fitting pipe joints that won’t slip together.
It cleans ink of most vinyl and painted surfaces.
It cleans heavy oil and grease from non porous surfaces.
Use on curtain tracks to help your curtains glide with ease.
It takes fur off clothing.
Rub on brass ornaments and figures to keep them turning dark.
Removes crayon from appliances and most painted surfaces.
Wash cupboards with it mixed in your cleaning water to keep ants off and out of your cupboards.
Use it to discourage hornets and wasps from building their nests. After removing the nest keep the area sprayed with SSS, they won’t rebuild there.
Use it to clean leather, it will also keep it soft and supple.
Use on your air conditioner screen (filter), your incoming air will smells fresher and the screen will be easier to clean.
Rub over all windowsills to keep ants out.
It cleans paintbrushes easily and leaves them as soft as new.
It removes gum from carpets.
It removes scuff marks from patent leather shoes.
Use on running rails on sliding glass door and windows.
It removes ‘ring around the collar’.
It removes liquid nail (panelling glue).
Two glass bowls stuck together? Drizzle SSS down the sides and they’ll come apart easily.
It removes candle wax from furniture, carpets and clothing.
Spray on rose bushes and flowers to stop deer and other animals from eating them. Also works on flowers left in cemeteries.
It’s a great furniture polish.
Spray on your back yard to cut down on ants and other creepy crawlies.
Kills spiders.
It cuts grease and cleans dirt from range cookers and cooker hoods.
Add a capful to wash water of clothes… acts as a fabric softener and keeps bugs off clothes.
Spray on orchids and other flowers for moisture and to keep bugs away.
Cleans baseball caps, just spray on and rub with a toothbrush.
Use one part SSS and two parts water and spray on tomato plants to keep tomato worms off.
Cleans cherry wood cabinets.
Put a little in your mopping water to keep crawling bugs out. Not too much or your floor will be slippery.
Use in oil burners for a fresh smell and to deter flying insects.
Use to clean windows.
Removes crayon from most surfaces.
It kills earwigs instantly, great for people with caravans.
If you make candles, use clear wax and put SSS in it and garden, great for outside in the summer, no mosquitoes!
As a deodoriser, spray into the air and let settle, it kills those nasty pet odours.
If your child wets the bed, spray the bedding and sheets before washing it will leave a fresh clean smell. PET USES
It’s a great insect repellent for your pet. (As recommended in ‘Outdoor Life’ and ‘Field and Stream’.
Mix 5 parts water, 1 part SSS and mist on animals. Brushing it in makes their coats gleam and keeps insects off so the animals don’t fidget in the show ring.
Mix in your pet’s bath water. It takes the fleas off them… and in between spray with the above to help keep them off.
Rub on your hands before and after working with pets and farm animals. It will remove the strong smells.
For dogs with dry skin mix one tablespoon of SSS with a gallon of water and use as an after bath rinse. Alternatively spray your pets coat once a week.
To remove tar or asphalt from a dogs feet, rub on SSS and wipe off.
SSS can be used as a hoof polish. This will put a nice shine on the hoof without drying it.
SSS can be used as a muzzle, eye and ear enhancer. It works great and keeps the bugs away.
Use mixed with water to mist your horses in the hot weather, it keeps away the bugs and keeps their coats shiny.
Spray onto barn and dog kennel walls to deter flies and insects and to keep them smelling fresh.
Sponge horses with Sweet Itch or other allergies with a capful of SSS mixed with 5 gallons of water. It stops the itching and leaves the coat soft and shiny.
Use Skin So Soft when braiding horses manes. It holds the braids better and they don’t try to rub them out. CAR USES
It removes tar spots from the car without damaging the paint.
Use to clean vinyl and leather dashboards, seats and tops. It not only cleans but also keeps it soft and prevents any cracking.
After washing your car use as a tyre dressing to keep them looking new.
Put some SSS on a small cloth and leave in your car to keep it smelling fresh and clean.
Wipe down surfaces in the car to clean and eliminate smells left by cigarette smoke.
Cleans oil and grease from hands, great for mechanics.
It removes tree and insect residue from paintwork.
Prior to travelling, rub SSS on headlights and grill. It makes insects and bugs easier to remove.
If you don't have a representative who comes to your door, it is still possible to take advantage of the great bargains and cutting-edge products Avon have to offer. Avon representatives can now send you their link to their Avon Online brochure and you can buy on there! Here is my link to my online brochure: BUY AVON HERE!
If you provide your email address, I will deliver an environmentally-friendly e-brochure to your inbox every few weeks, with no obligation to buy. You can pay online too, so you don't have to remember to have cash in the house when your delivery is due!
