Before I start on today's topic, I want to mention that condensing 90 minutes of video into 5 or 6 is going to be a real challenge. It's going to be a while before I have it ready to show. Be patient please!!
Lately I've been hearing so much from people who aren't doing as well with their business as they'd like. With nearly 32 years of serving customers under my belt, I'd like to make a few suggestions.
1) To be successful in Avon you have to work. Hard. Yes, people know all about Avon but most of them don't know about our skin care and color products. YOU need to learn about them and share with your customers. Get educated.
2) Buy brochures. Every campaign. Buy at least ten more than you think you'll need. Don't skip a campaign. When you do, you miss out on brochures for that campaign. Once you get behind you'll find it very difficult to catch up. Even if you're just in this for yourself, show continuity and be consistent in your orders. Send in your order on time every two weeks.
3) Wear makeup. We're a beauty company. If you don't wear it, you can't show others how amazing our color items are. If you don't know how to apply it, or aren't sure what colors to use, ask someone. You'll find someone like me who's very willing to help you earn more money wearing makeup, AND...
4) Use Avon's skin care. With the introduction of Skinvincible, no one will have an excuse NOT to use our skin care. We have something for everyone, including those of you who say you're allergic or need extra SPF. USE IT. If you do, you'll sell it. I promise.
5) Attend meetings. Attend trainings. Go to every event you can get to. I do and I swear that I learn something new every time. And by sharing with others, we really do learn from one another. I have a wonderful manager. Some don't. But if you share, you'll learn. GO GO GO to meetings!!
6) Build your customer base. The other day someone said they didn't have any orders this campaign. You need at least three times as many customers as you think you do. If you have 100 customers, about 30 or so will order. If you want higher earnings, you need to sell to more people. Set a goal and make sure EVERYONE on your list gets a brochure every campaign. (See #2.)
7) NEVER, and I mean NEVER say anything negative to a customer about this company. Once in a while we all need to vent. When you do, make sure you vent to another rep or call your manager if she's someone who doesn't mind a good complaint session!
8) Always dress as if you're going to run into the CEO of Avon. I don't mean that you have to dress up formally, but make sure you are NEVER embarrassed by the way you look. Don't go to the store in sloppy clothes thinking you'll never see anyone you know. That's the day you run into your best customer OR that woman you've been trying to sell to for the past three months. About the time you try to sneak in and out of a store, you'll regret it. Besides...do you really want the clerk that knows you sell Avon to see you looking like something the cat dragged in? Think about it.
9) Buy demos and SHOW them. If someone goes into Macy's and looks at the products there-touches them and SEES them, they're likely to buy them. If you carry your three favorite items in to see each customer, you can usually sell at least one of them to each person. And just to make sure your profit stays high, carry only items you earn full profit on. You'll thank me.
10) Last, but certainly not least, have fun. Enjoy your job. Making women beautiful is a happy thing. Smile, dress well, wear makeup and talk to everyone you know. It's easy to drop an "I sell Avon" into conversations. The holidays are coming and now is the time to build it all up so that in January you'll still have a lot of people on your list who'll buy from you.
Happy Selling!!!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Color Clinic #1
Well, the big day has come and gone.
Last Saturday was the makeup clinic that I'd had planned for well over a month. The Makeup Maven from a neighboring district, Mellisa Brownawell, helped a lot and because she did, I think things turned out really well.
Our DVM was aware that we were doing this but offered us no help or support. I created a basket to use as a raffle to help defray the costs, and brought some of my own new makeup for the attendees to test (with cotton swabs) if they chose. Some did, most didn't. Mellisa did two makeovers and brought all of her own makeup, samples and did a very professional job on each of the young women.
We had two DSM's in attendance and I introduced them as guests. We had 11 representatives there and one brought a guest. I'd had RSVP's for around 30. I was disappointed but the people who were there said they enjoyed it and said it was a great afternoon!!
My manager videotaped the entire thing and when I have a day, I'm going to download it, and edit it down to five minutes. I'll attach it here, post it on youtube if I can figure it out, and will get it out to several other places. I know many of my fellow Mavens haven't had much help from either their managers or DVM's and one of the reasons I did this was to show that it CAN be done.
My biggest challenge was this...I had to pay for the location. I did the raffle hoping to offset the cost. It didn't. So financially I took a small hit. Can I charge a small fee next time? I don't know. I would love to do these throughout the division, with or without the assistance of my DVM, but frankly, I simply can't afford it. Our division is large-some areas are five hours away-and I can't afford to have someone find a place, pay for it, pay for my samples etc to do small makeovers, and gas for a one or two hours class. I hope that as this program moves forward, we'll have more suggestions and help as to how to get color information out there to the masses.
I've been asked, as the "skin care guru", to come to a neighboring district to do a class on skin care (not as a maven) but I can also do an hour on color. Two classes, educating more and more women. If we can work this out so I don't lose any money, I'd love to do it!! We'll see how it goes!
Unfortunately, no one took pictures of the event in progress. Once I do my video, maybe I can take a few stills out to post. We'll see how it goes.
So one event down. More to go, I hope!!
Last Saturday was the makeup clinic that I'd had planned for well over a month. The Makeup Maven from a neighboring district, Mellisa Brownawell, helped a lot and because she did, I think things turned out really well.
Our DVM was aware that we were doing this but offered us no help or support. I created a basket to use as a raffle to help defray the costs, and brought some of my own new makeup for the attendees to test (with cotton swabs) if they chose. Some did, most didn't. Mellisa did two makeovers and brought all of her own makeup, samples and did a very professional job on each of the young women.
We had two DSM's in attendance and I introduced them as guests. We had 11 representatives there and one brought a guest. I'd had RSVP's for around 30. I was disappointed but the people who were there said they enjoyed it and said it was a great afternoon!!
My manager videotaped the entire thing and when I have a day, I'm going to download it, and edit it down to five minutes. I'll attach it here, post it on youtube if I can figure it out, and will get it out to several other places. I know many of my fellow Mavens haven't had much help from either their managers or DVM's and one of the reasons I did this was to show that it CAN be done.
My biggest challenge was this...I had to pay for the location. I did the raffle hoping to offset the cost. It didn't. So financially I took a small hit. Can I charge a small fee next time? I don't know. I would love to do these throughout the division, with or without the assistance of my DVM, but frankly, I simply can't afford it. Our division is large-some areas are five hours away-and I can't afford to have someone find a place, pay for it, pay for my samples etc to do small makeovers, and gas for a one or two hours class. I hope that as this program moves forward, we'll have more suggestions and help as to how to get color information out there to the masses.
I've been asked, as the "skin care guru", to come to a neighboring district to do a class on skin care (not as a maven) but I can also do an hour on color. Two classes, educating more and more women. If we can work this out so I don't lose any money, I'd love to do it!! We'll see how it goes!
Unfortunately, no one took pictures of the event in progress. Once I do my video, maybe I can take a few stills out to post. We'll see how it goes.
So one event down. More to go, I hope!!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
After the Pneumonia
I can't believe it's been a few weeks since I last posted.
As many of you know, I was literally struck down with pneumonia about two weeks ago. I was sick for nearly a week before it was diagnosed, but thankfully, my doctor started me on precautionary antibiotics. I think that her doing that saved me a week or two of more serious illness.
As a result, I have done very little Avon. I am very fortunate that my husband helped take over and a customer who's a former rep came by and helped him sort and bag my entire order. It was nearly $2000 worth of products. I also had two customers drive me around to drop off all my orders. I made calls and my customers had their money and orders ready when we got there. And my drivers actually did most of the going to the door to drop things off.
I'm blessed to have a husband who cares enough about me (and my business) to keep it going. I'm blessed to have customers who were accomodating and as a result, with all this help, I was able to send in an order last night of nearly $1700. My order comes back this Thursday and I'll work that evening and Friday morning and then take the weekend off to get more rest in before I really dig into deliveries!!
During this illness, I had a lot of time to think and plan the Makeup Clinic Mellisa Brownawell and I are having in early September. Because we aren't charging anything to the reps/customers, we'll be having a raffle to help offset the cost of our location. I'm excited! We're going to talk about the new makeup items and allow time for Mellisa to show some of the new makeup trends. I'm looking forward to helping the attendees use a makeup item they either don't know how to use or don't use well. That's always a fun thing-they can go back to their customers with a bit of hands-on knowledge under their belts.
If this event goes well, I'd like to do another one in a month or two, perhaps in another area if the managers in my division would like to do it. As a divisional Maven, I really want to spread the word on how to look good!
Pictures and maybe even a video to follow!!
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and get ready to start your fall color (and skin care!) sales!!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
The Maven is Back!
I've been MIA for a while. I know I need to stick with this because there are a few people out there who read and enjoy my blog. But it's been a challenge and I'll tell you why.
We've all had difficulties with doctors but last week I dealt with two of them, and walked out of one office nearly in tears because he reminded me that I'm getting old and everything is going to fail on my body one day. I know that, and don't need reminded. Thank goodness he's not my regular doc.
Then I had a very difficult Avon situation that hit me hard and after 31+ years made me wonder if I need to keep doing this-selling, not blogging! After I vented, and talked with a couple of people, I now realize it wasn't ME that was the issue, it was the other person who tried to make me feel less than I am.
I'm over it now and back on track. Next month, my friend Mellisa and I are going to do a makeup clinic for our districts (she's the Maven for her district) and it's going to be fun and educational!! I have an agenda tentatively set up but I have a question for my readers.
If you were coming to a clinic, either as a customer or a rep, what would be the single most important thing you'd like to hear or discuss? We have several things firmed up, but we have a little space for something else makeup-related. We're hoping to tape this meeting and if I can figure it out, I'm going to see if we can make a 3-4 minute video to send to NY and to share with customers and other reps.
So let me know what you think. Mellisa and I would LOVE some ideas!!
We've all had difficulties with doctors but last week I dealt with two of them, and walked out of one office nearly in tears because he reminded me that I'm getting old and everything is going to fail on my body one day. I know that, and don't need reminded. Thank goodness he's not my regular doc.
Then I had a very difficult Avon situation that hit me hard and after 31+ years made me wonder if I need to keep doing this-selling, not blogging! After I vented, and talked with a couple of people, I now realize it wasn't ME that was the issue, it was the other person who tried to make me feel less than I am.
I'm over it now and back on track. Next month, my friend Mellisa and I are going to do a makeup clinic for our districts (she's the Maven for her district) and it's going to be fun and educational!! I have an agenda tentatively set up but I have a question for my readers.
If you were coming to a clinic, either as a customer or a rep, what would be the single most important thing you'd like to hear or discuss? We have several things firmed up, but we have a little space for something else makeup-related. We're hoping to tape this meeting and if I can figure it out, I'm going to see if we can make a 3-4 minute video to send to NY and to share with customers and other reps.
So let me know what you think. Mellisa and I would LOVE some ideas!!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
A GREAT Nail Tip!
This is just a quick tip I learned today from another Maven...
Get some Elmer's glue and paint it all around your nail with a brush. Let it dry and then polish your nails. When they're done, just peel the glue off! Why didn't someone think of this a LONG time ago? I just hope I can paint my non-dominant hand with the glue!!
One more quick tip-always use the non-dominant hand first to do the DOMINANT hand! You're less likely to smudge this way!!
I'll be back soon with more information on the new Mega Effects mascara!!
Have a great day, everyone!!!
Get some Elmer's glue and paint it all around your nail with a brush. Let it dry and then polish your nails. When they're done, just peel the glue off! Why didn't someone think of this a LONG time ago? I just hope I can paint my non-dominant hand with the glue!!
One more quick tip-always use the non-dominant hand first to do the DOMINANT hand! You're less likely to smudge this way!!
I'll be back soon with more information on the new Mega Effects mascara!!
Have a great day, everyone!!!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
My Radio Show!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lisamonoson/2013/07/18/avon-wwify-motivational-radio
Just a reminder that tomorrow night, 6:30 Eastern, I'll be live with a radio show! We'll be talking about skin care and if you have questions, you can come back here and comment with your questions!
It's going to be fun and exciting-a half hour full of knowledge!!
See you there!
Just a reminder that tomorrow night, 6:30 Eastern, I'll be live with a radio show! We'll be talking about skin care and if you have questions, you can come back here and comment with your questions!
It's going to be fun and exciting-a half hour full of knowledge!!
See you there!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
It's been a while. As I mentioned before, sometimes life gets in the way!
I'd like to remind everyone that this Thursday, I'll be doing an online radio show on skin care. Please listen in and if you have any questions, come back here to let me know! Here's where you'll find me at 6:30 Eastern time!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lisamonoson/2013/07/18/avon-wwify-motivational-radio
Someone recently mentioned that she wished Avon would go back to "warm and cool" designations. I totally agree. Even though the market out there is telling us that anything goes, it's important to remember that most of us deal with customers who want a good everyday look. And if you're not a rep, I'm sure that you like something that will easily take you from day to night. I'm sure there are times that you want a really dramatic or special look, but from day to day we want to look good without all the frills.
Soon, Avon is coming out with a great new line of color with terrific technology. One day soon, I'll blog about that. But for now, everyone needs to know about the brand new Mega Effects mascara. Yesterday it was shown on the Today show and it was a great promo for us. And for non-reps, you are going to want this mascara! Here's what it looks like, and it's only $10!! Contact me to order it NOW!!
I'd like to remind everyone that this Thursday, I'll be doing an online radio show on skin care. Please listen in and if you have any questions, come back here to let me know! Here's where you'll find me at 6:30 Eastern time!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lisamonoson/2013/07/18/avon-wwify-motivational-radio
Someone recently mentioned that she wished Avon would go back to "warm and cool" designations. I totally agree. Even though the market out there is telling us that anything goes, it's important to remember that most of us deal with customers who want a good everyday look. And if you're not a rep, I'm sure that you like something that will easily take you from day to night. I'm sure there are times that you want a really dramatic or special look, but from day to day we want to look good without all the frills.
Soon, Avon is coming out with a great new line of color with terrific technology. One day soon, I'll blog about that. But for now, everyone needs to know about the brand new Mega Effects mascara. Yesterday it was shown on the Today show and it was a great promo for us. And for non-reps, you are going to want this mascara! Here's what it looks like, and it's only $10!! Contact me to order it NOW!!
Be the first to own this awesome product! I'm waiting to hear from you!!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Working Your Business
Today's message isn't about color or skin care. It's about how to keep your business up and running when it's summer/tax time/back-to-school/bad weather. And it's not just for Avon reps. Anyone who has a home-based business might learn something here.
In the Avon world, this is supposed to be one of the worst times of the year to get orders. Kids are just out of school and customers are thinking about everything from the pool to vacations, and everything costs money. You can change that sentence to fit any "bad" time of the year in your business. Even "right after the holidays when no one has money" can turn into a decent time for you to make money.
I thought about today because my order gets sent tomorrow night. I have the same two weeks to sort and deliver my orders that everyone else has. I've heard people say that they send in an order every two campaigns or even less frequently. I don't care if you're a skin care junkie like I am or you love every single color item we sell. You need to send in an order EVERY campaign in order to have what I like to call "continuity".
Are you in direct sales to make pocket money? Pay the bills? You can't miss a single campaign. You need to order your brochures-they ARE your store after all. If you don't have them, you can't sell. DO NOT EVER miss a campaign. In over 31 years I have never missed an order (and yes, life does get in the way, like five surgeries, two kids and their sports lives, my husband's jobs and the usual flu and brochitis) and have never sent in a payment late.
I made PC in six months. I made HS the next year and I've never looked back. I have the determination to do two things...be the best sales person I'm capable of being, and make the most money I can. Can you look at your business and say the same thing? Maybe you ARE in this for pocket money, and that's great. But you still need to be an effective sales person in order to keep the customers you have AND the ones you want.
The reason I decided to do this is because last night I looked at my total, and it's about $500 higher than it was last year. How did that happen?? I work this business. I contact EVERY customer every campaign. I see most of them in person and the ones I don't are the ones I contact by other means. I have cultivated helpers who get me orders in offices that I can't personally get in to. I usually get about a third of my total orders from helpers. I sort and bag everything, and it's worth it because even after the discount I give them, I make money.
Please think about how you run your business. Do what's best and you'll end up with your goals intact. My goals? At first it was just earning enough to buy the groceries. As time passed, I paid for a wedding, new furniture for the entire house (bit by bit) new flooring in every room. Vacations to Africa, Europe and here in the US. Just because you have a small goal doesn't mean that you can't take it further.
And you know what? Sending in big orders makes me feel good because I know that in two weeks, I'll have money in my pocket. Can you say the same thing??? What do YOU do to keep things going during the "bad" times of the year??
In the Avon world, this is supposed to be one of the worst times of the year to get orders. Kids are just out of school and customers are thinking about everything from the pool to vacations, and everything costs money. You can change that sentence to fit any "bad" time of the year in your business. Even "right after the holidays when no one has money" can turn into a decent time for you to make money.
I thought about today because my order gets sent tomorrow night. I have the same two weeks to sort and deliver my orders that everyone else has. I've heard people say that they send in an order every two campaigns or even less frequently. I don't care if you're a skin care junkie like I am or you love every single color item we sell. You need to send in an order EVERY campaign in order to have what I like to call "continuity".
Are you in direct sales to make pocket money? Pay the bills? You can't miss a single campaign. You need to order your brochures-they ARE your store after all. If you don't have them, you can't sell. DO NOT EVER miss a campaign. In over 31 years I have never missed an order (and yes, life does get in the way, like five surgeries, two kids and their sports lives, my husband's jobs and the usual flu and brochitis) and have never sent in a payment late.
I made PC in six months. I made HS the next year and I've never looked back. I have the determination to do two things...be the best sales person I'm capable of being, and make the most money I can. Can you look at your business and say the same thing? Maybe you ARE in this for pocket money, and that's great. But you still need to be an effective sales person in order to keep the customers you have AND the ones you want.
The reason I decided to do this is because last night I looked at my total, and it's about $500 higher than it was last year. How did that happen?? I work this business. I contact EVERY customer every campaign. I see most of them in person and the ones I don't are the ones I contact by other means. I have cultivated helpers who get me orders in offices that I can't personally get in to. I usually get about a third of my total orders from helpers. I sort and bag everything, and it's worth it because even after the discount I give them, I make money.
Please think about how you run your business. Do what's best and you'll end up with your goals intact. My goals? At first it was just earning enough to buy the groceries. As time passed, I paid for a wedding, new furniture for the entire house (bit by bit) new flooring in every room. Vacations to Africa, Europe and here in the US. Just because you have a small goal doesn't mean that you can't take it further.
And you know what? Sending in big orders makes me feel good because I know that in two weeks, I'll have money in my pocket. Can you say the same thing??? What do YOU do to keep things going during the "bad" times of the year??
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Gold or Silver?
I've done a couple of blogs before. This one is the first, though, during the Facebook era. What I'm finding is that people are reading my blog, but instead of leaving comments here, I get them either by private message or on Facebook. If you're reading this, please try to comment here. I don't always get to Facebook, even if you think you see me there! Sometimes I forget to turn it off!
Yesterday, a good friend of mine suggested something great for me to write about. Back when I was a trainer, she was a district manager, and when I did classes locally, she often volunteered to assist. We got to know each other pretty well. She retired as a manager, but came back as a representative so our connection goes on. She'll very knowledgeable and gives me great ideas!!
Today we're going to talk about something new representatives struggle with. And that's how to determine what shades of makeup to choose for their customers. When I was teaching, we made it pretty easy. We used swatches of gold and silver lame fabric. You can even go buy a quarter of a yard of each of them and use it with YOUR customers.
The silver swatch will help you recognize "cool" customers, and the gold swatch is for "warm" customers. This is your first step. Spread the cloth out under the chin of your customer. If you're using the gold one and she looks terrible she's likely not warm! Try the silver one. If it brightens her face up and makes her look healthy, then she's cool. If you use them both and can't see a significant difference, then she's probably neutral. Sometimes the gold one will KIND of look good, and the silver doesn't look good at all. That means she's probably neutral/warm. You could get the same results with the silver one. This is kind of tricky, but once you SEE that one is better than the other, you'll get more confident.
There are other "clues" when determining warm or cool. Does she prefer cream or white shirts? Cream is warm, white is cool. How about her very favorite color? That can be a clue to whether she's warm or cool because MOST people tend to wear their best colors. For me, my best color is an orangy/red. I am definately warm. How about their makeup? Mostly warm or cool colors? Or do they have a lot of everything? Neutrals tend to have the most makeup because they look good in most colors. Do she have yellow or blue undertones in her skin? And don't be fooled by the makeup she's wearing or the veins in her wrists. Check her eyes? Does she have yellow or brown flecks? She's warm (or neutral warm). If she has clear blue eyes with no flecks, she's likely cool. How about her hair? Ask what color it was in her early 20's. Her NATURAL color. Did she have natural yellow or gold highlights in her hair? Did she get silvery or ashy highlights? Are you seeing the point here? The most important thing to remember is that you will not likely get accurate "results" with every person, meaning warm eyes, warm undertones and warm hair. Go by the eyes and the hair if you're not sure!! It works, I promise you!
I know that a lot of young women today have the "anything goes" attitude and that's great! But most of your customers will want to know what YOU recommend for them.
Here's the tricky part. How do you learn warm and cool colors? Warm colors have more yellow. Think coral, peach, greens. Cool colors have more blue. Think purple, lavender, mauve. If you have any red lipstick samples, line them all up and then try to put the one with the most blue at one end, and the one with the most yellow at the other. With practice you'll be able to just LOOK at a lipstick, especially red, and tell if it's warm or cool. Avon has a lot of neutral lipsticks, and a lot of cool ones...not too many good warm colors. Look at the lipstick charts in the brochure. I bet you can learn which are warm/cool/neutral with practice!
If you know if your customer is warm or cool you'll be able to suggest the correct colors for your customer. That means fewer returns for you and more money in your pocket!!
I know some of you will have questions. If you do, please leave them in the comment section and when I do my next blog entry, I'll answer them as best I can!!
Yesterday, a good friend of mine suggested something great for me to write about. Back when I was a trainer, she was a district manager, and when I did classes locally, she often volunteered to assist. We got to know each other pretty well. She retired as a manager, but came back as a representative so our connection goes on. She'll very knowledgeable and gives me great ideas!!
Today we're going to talk about something new representatives struggle with. And that's how to determine what shades of makeup to choose for their customers. When I was teaching, we made it pretty easy. We used swatches of gold and silver lame fabric. You can even go buy a quarter of a yard of each of them and use it with YOUR customers.
The silver swatch will help you recognize "cool" customers, and the gold swatch is for "warm" customers. This is your first step. Spread the cloth out under the chin of your customer. If you're using the gold one and she looks terrible she's likely not warm! Try the silver one. If it brightens her face up and makes her look healthy, then she's cool. If you use them both and can't see a significant difference, then she's probably neutral. Sometimes the gold one will KIND of look good, and the silver doesn't look good at all. That means she's probably neutral/warm. You could get the same results with the silver one. This is kind of tricky, but once you SEE that one is better than the other, you'll get more confident.
There are other "clues" when determining warm or cool. Does she prefer cream or white shirts? Cream is warm, white is cool. How about her very favorite color? That can be a clue to whether she's warm or cool because MOST people tend to wear their best colors. For me, my best color is an orangy/red. I am definately warm. How about their makeup? Mostly warm or cool colors? Or do they have a lot of everything? Neutrals tend to have the most makeup because they look good in most colors. Do she have yellow or blue undertones in her skin? And don't be fooled by the makeup she's wearing or the veins in her wrists. Check her eyes? Does she have yellow or brown flecks? She's warm (or neutral warm). If she has clear blue eyes with no flecks, she's likely cool. How about her hair? Ask what color it was in her early 20's. Her NATURAL color. Did she have natural yellow or gold highlights in her hair? Did she get silvery or ashy highlights? Are you seeing the point here? The most important thing to remember is that you will not likely get accurate "results" with every person, meaning warm eyes, warm undertones and warm hair. Go by the eyes and the hair if you're not sure!! It works, I promise you!
I know that a lot of young women today have the "anything goes" attitude and that's great! But most of your customers will want to know what YOU recommend for them.
Here's the tricky part. How do you learn warm and cool colors? Warm colors have more yellow. Think coral, peach, greens. Cool colors have more blue. Think purple, lavender, mauve. If you have any red lipstick samples, line them all up and then try to put the one with the most blue at one end, and the one with the most yellow at the other. With practice you'll be able to just LOOK at a lipstick, especially red, and tell if it's warm or cool. Avon has a lot of neutral lipsticks, and a lot of cool ones...not too many good warm colors. Look at the lipstick charts in the brochure. I bet you can learn which are warm/cool/neutral with practice!
If you know if your customer is warm or cool you'll be able to suggest the correct colors for your customer. That means fewer returns for you and more money in your pocket!!
I know some of you will have questions. If you do, please leave them in the comment section and when I do my next blog entry, I'll answer them as best I can!!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sometimes Life Gets in the Way
The past couple of weeks have been crazy. First, let me say that I've been working hard at selling beauty to anyone who'll sit still for ten seconds or longer!! Second, I've been helping my sister get settled in at her new place, our other sister from NC flew in for three days and then we had Jubilee Day last Thursday, which happened to be delivery day. (Jubilee Day is the largest one-day street fair east of the Mississippi!) This is all my way of explaining why I haven't been blogging!
I've been reading that some of the other Mavens are getting to test products early. I would LOVE to have the opportunity to do that. What I'm hoping to do is test some things on my own. I plan to order a new product or two every campaign and do some testing to see how I like things, and even better, how my customers might like them. Once I decide what they'll be, I'll let you know here, and then I'll do before and after shots. I hope I can manage pictures without any problem!!
Because of Jubilee Day, I'm a bit behind on my deliveries. My campaign was small (for me) so the sorting and bagging wasn't so bad, but I contact every customer every campaign whether they have an order or not so the amount of work I need to do is the same.
Now that I've committed, on paper at least, to do some "independent" testing on my own, I'll get started on it as soon as I can.
Thanks for being patient. I'll be back soon!!
I've been reading that some of the other Mavens are getting to test products early. I would LOVE to have the opportunity to do that. What I'm hoping to do is test some things on my own. I plan to order a new product or two every campaign and do some testing to see how I like things, and even better, how my customers might like them. Once I decide what they'll be, I'll let you know here, and then I'll do before and after shots. I hope I can manage pictures without any problem!!
Because of Jubilee Day, I'm a bit behind on my deliveries. My campaign was small (for me) so the sorting and bagging wasn't so bad, but I contact every customer every campaign whether they have an order or not so the amount of work I need to do is the same.
Now that I've committed, on paper at least, to do some "independent" testing on my own, I'll get started on it as soon as I can.
Thanks for being patient. I'll be back soon!!
Friday, June 14, 2013
A Maven Goes To A Party
Yep...last night we went to a party! It was our annual President's Club event and it's always a party!!
My husband is usually my guest and I told him which hotel to go to. I felt uneasy because I didn't see one single car that had anything even remotely related to Avon. So...we walked up the stairs and what did we find? About a million Mary-Kay reps!! Obviously we weren't in the right place. Side story...many years ago I did a training in Ohio and in the very next room was a Mary-Kay event. At our break we went out and discovered that they had eaten nearly all of our break food. They were milling around and I mentioned that this particular table of food had been paid for by Avon! They looked at me, looked at each other and just walked away without saying a word. During the makeup session I pointed out that we should never look like we have a mask of makeup on, and one woman wisely mentioned that nearly all of the women next door looked WAY overdone. The class laughed!
Anyhow, we decided that the hotel across the street was the most likely place to go and we were lucky! I saw Avon cars in the parking lot and we were only five minutes late. The party really hadn't started yet so we got to mingle a bit. Since we were late, our brand new divisional manager Stephanie had time to chat with us for a couple of minutes. She is wonderful and I can't wait to partner with her on makeup events in the division!
The "party" was really fun and shortly after we discussed the new amazing mascara, one of the women in my district went up and asked Stephanie if I could apply it on her. Mary has nearly invisible lashes. Stephanie was all for it. I spoke for a minute or two, telling everyone about all the great feedback I'd gotten on the Maven FB page. Then I applied one coat (they'd warned me that time was limited) and the difference was nothing short of amazing!! She still has little lashes but you could see them!! I suggested that she try a couple of additional coats at home to see how it looks. Here's a picture of us right after we did the little demo.
My manager is so wonderful...she told me that she couldn't reveal any secrets ahead of time...when I got my award for #2 in the district in total sales, she said she had to surprise me with it!
And I don't know if this is a national thing or not, but Stephanie asked all of the former Spirit of Avon recipients to come to the front of the room to welcome the new people to the group. We had two districts there and the first "winner" has been with Avon over 40 years and she's such a wonderful, nice woman. The second one was one of our really terrific leadership reps. She's kind and truly deserves this award. Then we all signed a poster with Spirit of Avon on it and it'll have every new Spirit of Avon winner on it forever! What a nice touch!!
Dinner was great, after they took my dinner back because it had crab meat on it. I can't eat any kind of fish. I don't know if I'm allergic but it really bothers me. SO...dinner was excellent and the chocolate cake was just yummy!!!
Every person who won an award deserved it. These districts work hard and because of that, our division was #1 in the country last year in sales. We're working hard on leadership too.
I know that many of you reading this aren't Avon Reps, or if you are, you haven't made PC yet. If you ever get the opportunity to go as a guest (or when you MAKE PC) you'll understand what a real celebration is. I don't know of any other direct sales company that does something like this for their representatives. It's wonderful and we all look forward to it.
Now onto some Maven stuff! Next week we're to do our faces with Avon products that cost $20 or less. It's to show you that you can have a quality full-face of makeup for less money than you'll spend in the drug store or Wal-mart. And if you shop at high end stores, this will prove that Avon's quality and results will be much less than you'll spend in the expensive places.
Hopefully, I'll be able to post my face first thing Monday!!
Have a great weekend everyone!!
My husband is usually my guest and I told him which hotel to go to. I felt uneasy because I didn't see one single car that had anything even remotely related to Avon. So...we walked up the stairs and what did we find? About a million Mary-Kay reps!! Obviously we weren't in the right place. Side story...many years ago I did a training in Ohio and in the very next room was a Mary-Kay event. At our break we went out and discovered that they had eaten nearly all of our break food. They were milling around and I mentioned that this particular table of food had been paid for by Avon! They looked at me, looked at each other and just walked away without saying a word. During the makeup session I pointed out that we should never look like we have a mask of makeup on, and one woman wisely mentioned that nearly all of the women next door looked WAY overdone. The class laughed!
Anyhow, we decided that the hotel across the street was the most likely place to go and we were lucky! I saw Avon cars in the parking lot and we were only five minutes late. The party really hadn't started yet so we got to mingle a bit. Since we were late, our brand new divisional manager Stephanie had time to chat with us for a couple of minutes. She is wonderful and I can't wait to partner with her on makeup events in the division!
The "party" was really fun and shortly after we discussed the new amazing mascara, one of the women in my district went up and asked Stephanie if I could apply it on her. Mary has nearly invisible lashes. Stephanie was all for it. I spoke for a minute or two, telling everyone about all the great feedback I'd gotten on the Maven FB page. Then I applied one coat (they'd warned me that time was limited) and the difference was nothing short of amazing!! She still has little lashes but you could see them!! I suggested that she try a couple of additional coats at home to see how it looks. Here's a picture of us right after we did the little demo.
My manager is so wonderful...she told me that she couldn't reveal any secrets ahead of time...when I got my award for #2 in the district in total sales, she said she had to surprise me with it!
And I don't know if this is a national thing or not, but Stephanie asked all of the former Spirit of Avon recipients to come to the front of the room to welcome the new people to the group. We had two districts there and the first "winner" has been with Avon over 40 years and she's such a wonderful, nice woman. The second one was one of our really terrific leadership reps. She's kind and truly deserves this award. Then we all signed a poster with Spirit of Avon on it and it'll have every new Spirit of Avon winner on it forever! What a nice touch!!
Dinner was great, after they took my dinner back because it had crab meat on it. I can't eat any kind of fish. I don't know if I'm allergic but it really bothers me. SO...dinner was excellent and the chocolate cake was just yummy!!!
Every person who won an award deserved it. These districts work hard and because of that, our division was #1 in the country last year in sales. We're working hard on leadership too.
I know that many of you reading this aren't Avon Reps, or if you are, you haven't made PC yet. If you ever get the opportunity to go as a guest (or when you MAKE PC) you'll understand what a real celebration is. I don't know of any other direct sales company that does something like this for their representatives. It's wonderful and we all look forward to it.
Now onto some Maven stuff! Next week we're to do our faces with Avon products that cost $20 or less. It's to show you that you can have a quality full-face of makeup for less money than you'll spend in the drug store or Wal-mart. And if you shop at high end stores, this will prove that Avon's quality and results will be much less than you'll spend in the expensive places.
Hopefully, I'll be able to post my face first thing Monday!!
Have a great weekend everyone!!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Honestly, I don't know how some people have the time for everything.
As I mentioned before, I'm pretty well organized and I rarely forget things. Of course I use a lot more post-it notes than I used to be I remember things.
Yesterday, for the first time in YEARS I simply forgot to go deliver an order. I had a post-it note, a reminder in my computer, and I still forgot.
I'm amazed at how the other Mavens seem to get so much done. We have a Facebook page and there's this challenge going on where we do one makeup item per day, and then post pictures. I simply can't find the time to do it. I get up, work out, shower and then put on my makeup, all before 8AM. There isn't a time during the day where I can take off all my makeup and then just use the one item for the day. My hat is off to all of my fellow Mavens who get this done, and I try to keep up with all the wonderful posts.
This week I had to reschedule several customers because tomorrow night we have our PC Tribute dinner. They were fine with it, as they always are, but it's really harder for ME to do it than for them to accept the change. It's that old organizational person in me! I'm looking forward to my husband and I going, and getting the chance to meet our brand new Divisional Manager. Fun night ahead!
I have to admit one thing though. I've been trying some of the colors I thought I'd never try-and all because of the Mavens and what they're doing. Most of the techniques and colors don't work but some do! And that makes it fun. Next week we're to do a full face with under $20 in products. I plan to do this one and I'll post the results here for everyone to see.
If YOU had to do your face with just $20 in products, at brochure sale prices, what would you choose?
As I mentioned before, I'm pretty well organized and I rarely forget things. Of course I use a lot more post-it notes than I used to be I remember things.
Yesterday, for the first time in YEARS I simply forgot to go deliver an order. I had a post-it note, a reminder in my computer, and I still forgot.
I'm amazed at how the other Mavens seem to get so much done. We have a Facebook page and there's this challenge going on where we do one makeup item per day, and then post pictures. I simply can't find the time to do it. I get up, work out, shower and then put on my makeup, all before 8AM. There isn't a time during the day where I can take off all my makeup and then just use the one item for the day. My hat is off to all of my fellow Mavens who get this done, and I try to keep up with all the wonderful posts.
This week I had to reschedule several customers because tomorrow night we have our PC Tribute dinner. They were fine with it, as they always are, but it's really harder for ME to do it than for them to accept the change. It's that old organizational person in me! I'm looking forward to my husband and I going, and getting the chance to meet our brand new Divisional Manager. Fun night ahead!
I have to admit one thing though. I've been trying some of the colors I thought I'd never try-and all because of the Mavens and what they're doing. Most of the techniques and colors don't work but some do! And that makes it fun. Next week we're to do a full face with under $20 in products. I plan to do this one and I'll post the results here for everyone to see.
If YOU had to do your face with just $20 in products, at brochure sale prices, what would you choose?
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Why I Disappear Sometimes...
Because I'm an Avon rep, you'll all have to understand when I disappear from time to time.
I started selling Avon, for the first time, when my daugher was 3 and a half. She's 42 now. I sold for three years, almost exactly, and then we moved. I was about four weeks from my due date with my son and gave up my business because it was the thing to do at the time. We'd bought our first house, I had one going to kindergarten and another nearly born. My days were about to become very full.
Fast forward about five years. My son was ready to start kindergarten and the part-time job I had just wasn't cutting it. On New Year's Day, I called my Avon rep and asked her to send over her manager to sign me up. Too bad leadership wasn't started yet or my Avon rep would've been a bit wealthier. I made PC in six months and never looked back.
There are good and bad things to a business the size of mine. One of them is being able to attend every swim meet, every soccer game, and during my son's senior year, football AND soccer. (He was the after-point kicker in football, and a goalie in soccer.) If one of my kids was sick, I could be here and catch up later. The bad thing is that with a business this size, it requires complete organization and fortunately I'm good at that...but I have to keep a schedule. Sometimes I have to give things up to let my customers come first.
Because I see my customers at the same time every campaign, I'm locked into that schedule. It's VERY hard to vary it because I only have two days to play catch-up if I miss a day or two if I'm sick. I remember back when I was only a few years into my "new" time with Avon, I got the flu. Oh boy. I was sick. I did a lot of phone calls from my bed and my husband took orders around to my customers so I could collect all my money since my bill had to be paid, as it turned out, five days before I ever thought of getting out of bed. But I got paid, and didn't lose any orders.
Now...here's the thing. When it's time for my order to come, I have about a half day of prep work to get ready for it. And then on a day like today, I sit and wait for my driver to get here. When he does, it takes between five and six hours to get everything unpacked, sorted, bagged and ready for deliveries, which will take me a week. During delivery week, I don't have a lot of free time so I might not be here as often.
Boy, that was a long story to explain why I go AWOL from time to time!
One of the best things about being a rep is that I get to see some things ahead of time, and as a Maven, I get some new products even further in advance. Yesterday I got one of those boxes. One thing is especially interesting. It's a brand new mascara! There's nothing on the market like this anywhere. If you're a customer, or maybe someone who'd thinking about buying Avon, keep your eye out for the C17 brochure. I guarantee that if you wear mascara, you will want this new one. I have it and it's nothing short of amazing!!!
Our Maven group has been doing a lot of photos of products we own. I haven't been able to do any of them yet, but I'm learning a lot from so many different people. Tricks, and just thinking out of the box when it comes to makeup. And there are a LOT of good-looking women in the Maven group!! Every picture is awesome!
I'm still looking for questions I might be able to answer. And if you need help choosing the right color, let me help!!
I started selling Avon, for the first time, when my daugher was 3 and a half. She's 42 now. I sold for three years, almost exactly, and then we moved. I was about four weeks from my due date with my son and gave up my business because it was the thing to do at the time. We'd bought our first house, I had one going to kindergarten and another nearly born. My days were about to become very full.
Fast forward about five years. My son was ready to start kindergarten and the part-time job I had just wasn't cutting it. On New Year's Day, I called my Avon rep and asked her to send over her manager to sign me up. Too bad leadership wasn't started yet or my Avon rep would've been a bit wealthier. I made PC in six months and never looked back.
There are good and bad things to a business the size of mine. One of them is being able to attend every swim meet, every soccer game, and during my son's senior year, football AND soccer. (He was the after-point kicker in football, and a goalie in soccer.) If one of my kids was sick, I could be here and catch up later. The bad thing is that with a business this size, it requires complete organization and fortunately I'm good at that...but I have to keep a schedule. Sometimes I have to give things up to let my customers come first.
Because I see my customers at the same time every campaign, I'm locked into that schedule. It's VERY hard to vary it because I only have two days to play catch-up if I miss a day or two if I'm sick. I remember back when I was only a few years into my "new" time with Avon, I got the flu. Oh boy. I was sick. I did a lot of phone calls from my bed and my husband took orders around to my customers so I could collect all my money since my bill had to be paid, as it turned out, five days before I ever thought of getting out of bed. But I got paid, and didn't lose any orders.
Now...here's the thing. When it's time for my order to come, I have about a half day of prep work to get ready for it. And then on a day like today, I sit and wait for my driver to get here. When he does, it takes between five and six hours to get everything unpacked, sorted, bagged and ready for deliveries, which will take me a week. During delivery week, I don't have a lot of free time so I might not be here as often.
Boy, that was a long story to explain why I go AWOL from time to time!
One of the best things about being a rep is that I get to see some things ahead of time, and as a Maven, I get some new products even further in advance. Yesterday I got one of those boxes. One thing is especially interesting. It's a brand new mascara! There's nothing on the market like this anywhere. If you're a customer, or maybe someone who'd thinking about buying Avon, keep your eye out for the C17 brochure. I guarantee that if you wear mascara, you will want this new one. I have it and it's nothing short of amazing!!!
Our Maven group has been doing a lot of photos of products we own. I haven't been able to do any of them yet, but I'm learning a lot from so many different people. Tricks, and just thinking out of the box when it comes to makeup. And there are a LOT of good-looking women in the Maven group!! Every picture is awesome!
I'm still looking for questions I might be able to answer. And if you need help choosing the right color, let me help!!
Monday, June 3, 2013
What IS a Makeup Maven, anyhow?
It occurred to me today that I never explained exactly what a makeup maven is.
This is something new for Avon. As I explained the other day we had to do a video on color and ultimately, there could've been one Maven for every district in the country. As it turned out, there weren't enough entries and/or qualified entries so some districts don't have a Maven. Each division, all sixty of them, DO have a winner. Then each region has a winner, chosen from the divisional winners in that region.
Our job? Helping to spread news about color, helping our district and beyond learn about color and how to use it. Although I didn't get to attend the NYC event where they shared a lot of tips with us, I'm learning that we should be using social media as much as possible.
I've tried to use Twitter. Twice. I just don't get it. And as busy as I am, I don't know that I need to take the time to really learn it. I DO use Facebook, and I've started this blog. I'm hoping to spread MY word this way.
Every quarter the Mavens get a box of products. We're to use and share those products to help encourage our fellow reps to use them as well.
We have several very creative Mavens. They're always challenging the rest of us to work a little harder or share the products in a new and different way. This month, for example, we had to write down a list of 30 makeup items we own and use. Each day, a different number is drawn and we're to use that item and post it on our Maven website. We can also post it to blogs or FB or anywhere else we feel we can get the word out.
I have been SO busy that I was unable to do the first three days. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. I have MOST of the day free so I can play with my item and with any luck, post it here for everyone to see.
Maybe you've seen an Avon item but aren't sure how to use it. Maybe you can ask me to show you how to use it, and I'll do my best to help.
Look for some interesting products to show up here during the month of June!!
This is something new for Avon. As I explained the other day we had to do a video on color and ultimately, there could've been one Maven for every district in the country. As it turned out, there weren't enough entries and/or qualified entries so some districts don't have a Maven. Each division, all sixty of them, DO have a winner. Then each region has a winner, chosen from the divisional winners in that region.
Our job? Helping to spread news about color, helping our district and beyond learn about color and how to use it. Although I didn't get to attend the NYC event where they shared a lot of tips with us, I'm learning that we should be using social media as much as possible.
I've tried to use Twitter. Twice. I just don't get it. And as busy as I am, I don't know that I need to take the time to really learn it. I DO use Facebook, and I've started this blog. I'm hoping to spread MY word this way.
Every quarter the Mavens get a box of products. We're to use and share those products to help encourage our fellow reps to use them as well.
We have several very creative Mavens. They're always challenging the rest of us to work a little harder or share the products in a new and different way. This month, for example, we had to write down a list of 30 makeup items we own and use. Each day, a different number is drawn and we're to use that item and post it on our Maven website. We can also post it to blogs or FB or anywhere else we feel we can get the word out.
I have been SO busy that I was unable to do the first three days. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. I have MOST of the day free so I can play with my item and with any luck, post it here for everyone to see.
Maybe you've seen an Avon item but aren't sure how to use it. Maybe you can ask me to show you how to use it, and I'll do my best to help.
Look for some interesting products to show up here during the month of June!!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
I think this blog is going to work out. I have 31 years of color and skin care information floating around in my head. That should be enough to keep me going for a long time!
I know this is mostly about color, but today I think we'll talk about skin care. Why? Because you can't look great in your makeup unless your skin is in the best shape it can be.
Many years ago a very wise woman gave me this analogy. Imagine your skin to be a mattress. The mattress is lumpy. Then you take the best quality of sheets you can buy and put them on the bed. The bed is still going to be lumpy. If your skin isn't perfect (or as perfect as it can be), putting the best makeup you own on your face isn't going to make you look significantly better.
So how do you go about making a change? Start with a cleanser. No soap and water and no using the shampoo from your hair. And yes, I had a customer once who said she did that!! Avon has several cleansers, and one of them will suit your skin type. Then find good AM and PM creams. We have things for all ages and all skin types. I promise you that the first time you put them on you'll feel a difference. Change takes time, so don't expect perfect skin overnight. It doesn't happen that way!
Then think about what you don't like about your skin. Is it fine lines? Is it deep wrinkles in the marionette area around your mouth? How about discoloration on your skin due to sun damage? Once you determine which (or all!) of these you need "fixed", get the treatments you need. If you're not sure, ask me. Tell me what your problem areas are and I can advise you.
Now it's time to think about color. Do you need a foundation to even out your skin? How about blush? Do you have rosacea? Are you thinking about a daytime look? Something fancy for night? Or just helping to hide the problem areas? These are things to think about until I get the next blog post up.
Until then, think about questions I might be able to answer. Or just comment below if you like what I write. I appreciate any comments! Thanks for reading!
I know this is mostly about color, but today I think we'll talk about skin care. Why? Because you can't look great in your makeup unless your skin is in the best shape it can be.
Many years ago a very wise woman gave me this analogy. Imagine your skin to be a mattress. The mattress is lumpy. Then you take the best quality of sheets you can buy and put them on the bed. The bed is still going to be lumpy. If your skin isn't perfect (or as perfect as it can be), putting the best makeup you own on your face isn't going to make you look significantly better.
So how do you go about making a change? Start with a cleanser. No soap and water and no using the shampoo from your hair. And yes, I had a customer once who said she did that!! Avon has several cleansers, and one of them will suit your skin type. Then find good AM and PM creams. We have things for all ages and all skin types. I promise you that the first time you put them on you'll feel a difference. Change takes time, so don't expect perfect skin overnight. It doesn't happen that way!
Then think about what you don't like about your skin. Is it fine lines? Is it deep wrinkles in the marionette area around your mouth? How about discoloration on your skin due to sun damage? Once you determine which (or all!) of these you need "fixed", get the treatments you need. If you're not sure, ask me. Tell me what your problem areas are and I can advise you.
Now it's time to think about color. Do you need a foundation to even out your skin? How about blush? Do you have rosacea? Are you thinking about a daytime look? Something fancy for night? Or just helping to hide the problem areas? These are things to think about until I get the next blog post up.
Until then, think about questions I might be able to answer. Or just comment below if you like what I write. I appreciate any comments! Thanks for reading!
Friday, May 31, 2013
All About Me...The Makeup Maven
Several months ago, back in the fall, Avon had a contest for something called Makeup Maven. I talked with my manager about it and she thought I should go for it. Honestly? I thought I was too old. I figured that everyone who was entering, and likely to win, would be 30 years younger than I am. I put it off.
Then about a month before the deadline, I decided to give it a shot. After all, I thought, all I could do was lose to someone awesome. We had several choices and I decided to do full-face makeup. I practiced for days. Did I mention that we had FIVE minutes to do this? For those of you who do your makeup every day, think about how long it takes you. For me, it's normally 7-8 minutes. I had to do it in FIVE minutes.
The day arrived when we did the taping. My manager, Meredith Woolverton, offered to use my little Flip camera and we started. To save time, I used the concealer and foundation before the taping started. I smiled (which is difficult when you're nervous), and did every step perfectly. I left out a tip or two that I wanted to add, but I didn't have a script and wanted it to be natural. And it was. Take a look at my tape right now!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Ze6FeJXnw
I entered my video and waited. And waited, and finally decided to give up and I went on with my life, which includes being a Rose Circle representative. I work a LOT on my business, which includes lots of color and skin care sales.
Then in December I got an e-mail saying I was the divisional winner! (There was also an online voting contest for the four regional winners. I didn't win that, unfortunately.) I was so excited! The letter included information on the gathering in New York City in February. I signed up right away, sent them the information they required and I was set to go. We got an itinerary and I started planning what to wear right away. I was to be going by train so I could take LOTS of things to have some choices.
The month of January crawled by. February started and I was gearing up for this awesome experience. And then something happened. Six days before my trip I woke up with a tight chest. Six hours later I was down for the count with a serious case of bronchitis. Fever, coughing and loss of appetite. This went on for four days and then I went to see my doctor the day the fever broke. She told me I could make the trip in three days if I (a) didn't have a fever and (b) I didn't feel any worse. That weekend I got my stuff together, got my hair done, started packing and then Sunday night, about 10 hours before I was to go on this once in a lifetime trip, I started coughing. And I couldn't stop. And the fever came back. At 6:00 in the morning, two hours before I was to leave, I did one of the hardest things I've had to do lately. I sent e-mails to everyone, telling them I was sick and unable to be there. I cried the entire time. In fact, I cried most of the day. I was down for three more days. I knew I had made the right decision, but I missed out on all the tips, education and cameraderie that the rest of the Mavens have today.
But I'm taking advantage of my title. My manager has me teaching classes for our district...color analysis, color application, skin care, selling tips and professional image among others. I don't get paid but I enjoy sharing what I know with others.
So here I am. I'm going to post as often as I can and share my knowledge with Avon in all areas, but especially with color. If you have questions, ask me. If I don't know the answer, I'll find out. I'll share what I learn from other Mavens too. And I hope the other Mavens will read this and add to anything I share. This isn't all about me-it's all about sharing to help not only customers, but other representatives as well.
Welcome to my world of color and skin care!!
Then about a month before the deadline, I decided to give it a shot. After all, I thought, all I could do was lose to someone awesome. We had several choices and I decided to do full-face makeup. I practiced for days. Did I mention that we had FIVE minutes to do this? For those of you who do your makeup every day, think about how long it takes you. For me, it's normally 7-8 minutes. I had to do it in FIVE minutes.
The day arrived when we did the taping. My manager, Meredith Woolverton, offered to use my little Flip camera and we started. To save time, I used the concealer and foundation before the taping started. I smiled (which is difficult when you're nervous), and did every step perfectly. I left out a tip or two that I wanted to add, but I didn't have a script and wanted it to be natural. And it was. Take a look at my tape right now!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Ze6FeJXnw
I entered my video and waited. And waited, and finally decided to give up and I went on with my life, which includes being a Rose Circle representative. I work a LOT on my business, which includes lots of color and skin care sales.
Then in December I got an e-mail saying I was the divisional winner! (There was also an online voting contest for the four regional winners. I didn't win that, unfortunately.) I was so excited! The letter included information on the gathering in New York City in February. I signed up right away, sent them the information they required and I was set to go. We got an itinerary and I started planning what to wear right away. I was to be going by train so I could take LOTS of things to have some choices.
The month of January crawled by. February started and I was gearing up for this awesome experience. And then something happened. Six days before my trip I woke up with a tight chest. Six hours later I was down for the count with a serious case of bronchitis. Fever, coughing and loss of appetite. This went on for four days and then I went to see my doctor the day the fever broke. She told me I could make the trip in three days if I (a) didn't have a fever and (b) I didn't feel any worse. That weekend I got my stuff together, got my hair done, started packing and then Sunday night, about 10 hours before I was to go on this once in a lifetime trip, I started coughing. And I couldn't stop. And the fever came back. At 6:00 in the morning, two hours before I was to leave, I did one of the hardest things I've had to do lately. I sent e-mails to everyone, telling them I was sick and unable to be there. I cried the entire time. In fact, I cried most of the day. I was down for three more days. I knew I had made the right decision, but I missed out on all the tips, education and cameraderie that the rest of the Mavens have today.
But I'm taking advantage of my title. My manager has me teaching classes for our district...color analysis, color application, skin care, selling tips and professional image among others. I don't get paid but I enjoy sharing what I know with others.
So here I am. I'm going to post as often as I can and share my knowledge with Avon in all areas, but especially with color. If you have questions, ask me. If I don't know the answer, I'll find out. I'll share what I learn from other Mavens too. And I hope the other Mavens will read this and add to anything I share. This isn't all about me-it's all about sharing to help not only customers, but other representatives as well.
Welcome to my world of color and skin care!!
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