Avon has reported a significant increase in UK Representative sign-ups since the lockdown as the company helps to mitigate the impending 'pink collar recession.'
Avon, which has five million reps globally, supports women to sell products directly to friends, family, acquaintances and neighbours using their social networks and digital tools - while enabling flexibility to work around a full-time job or other life commitments.
There are also opportunities for Avon representatives to work full-time and run their own business.
New flexible ways to earn
Angela Cretu, Avon CEO, said: “As the recession tightens its grasp on communities in the wake of Covid-19, people are looking for new ways to earn.
Avon has been providing an opportunity for our Reps to earn and learn by selling through their social networks for nearly 135 years, and we’ve reinvented our model of social selling for the next era. Helping our community of Avon Reps to embrace online opportunities, we have supported our them with video workshops on building their business online, as well as tips and insights on how to make the most of social media.
“As people look for new flexible ways to earn, we are ready for a tidal wave of new sign ups and hope our Rep recruitment drive will help female entrepreneurs break through these difficult times.
“In addition to the financial benefits of owning your own business, Avon Reps play a crucial role within their communities. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, we’ve seen our five million Representatives pivot their businesses to provide support to the most vulnerable by picking up prescriptions and shopping, to checking in on neighbours. The beauty of Avon is that our Representatives are able to develop a meaningful relationship with their customers which is far more than skin deep.”
Helping women find new ways to earn
Avon says the surge in sign-ups correlates with predictions that financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic would be “disproportionately felt by women”.
Tracy Powers of Avon UK says people see it as a good way to earn extra cash. "The majority of people who are joining the business at the moment are those who've been affected by the global pandemic and are either being furloughed or are worried about their jobs," she says.
Online businesses proving successful
Carolyn Haywood, 37, from Wigan, has been an Avon Rep for six years, five of which she has been a Sales Leader with a team of more than 850 Representatives. Having started her business after leaving her job in the police to seek more flexible work, Avon is now her main source of income. Since the Covid-19 outbreak she has moved her whole business online.
Nadine Flint, 55, from Tibshelf in Derbyshire, became an Avon Rep and Sales Leader in 2016, building a team of 500 that continues to grow. Having moved her business online, Nadine has seen personal sales grow 1150% from £200 per campaign to £2,500 since lockdown measures were announced.
Sian Erith, Norfolk, kickstarted her Avon business during lockdown as restrictions forced her to take a break from a career in hairdressing. Using social media to drive online sales, at a time when door to door sales were not possible, Sian earned £600 in her first three weeks.
Read more about Avon's growth success here.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.