In Honor of Women’s History Month:
Long Live the Avon Lady
 By Robyn Hall

My mom was an Avon Lady.  I bet a lot of you can say the same thing.  That’s because today there are more than 6,000,000 Avon representatives serving 300 million women in more than 100 countries.

I admit that I was embarrassed by my mom bringing the famous “Ding Dong, Avon Calling” phrase to life.  Avon was (and still is) considered a low cost, less than prestigious beauty company.  I remember the countless hours of stuffing powder, polish and perfume into paper bags and piling into our Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser to help my mom deliver the merchandise.  My mom was a “single mom” back in the 1970s, when that phrase had yet to be invented, and the only jobs for women were as a nurse, teacher, or secretary.  With six kids to feed, clothe, and send to college, my mom had to do something to make ends meet. 

Avon was started in 1886 in New York City by a man, David McConnell, a salesman who switched from hustling hard covers to pushing perfume door-to-door. Thanks to his successful recruitment of “Avon ladies,” the company reached the $1 million sales mark by 1920.  His first Avon Lady was a widow named P. F. E. Albee.

Avon ladies have come a long way, baby.  On March 10, 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and other VIPs gathered to celebrate the annual International Women of Courage Awards.  Andrea Jung and Reese Witherspoon, representing the Avon Corporation, were also on the dais because Avon has partnered with the U.S. State Department to focus on the global epidemic of violence against women through the contribution of $500,000 to the Fund for Global Women’s Leadership.

Not many companies have the vitality, vision, and very deep pockets that it takes to reach the ripe old age of 125, especially in this economy.  While other businesses are closing their doors, Avon has actually gotten better with age and stronger during the recession.  In fact, there are 200,000 more Avon ladies ringing doorbells in the U.S. today, thanks to Jung’s savvy recruiting efforts over the past two years.  In addition, Avon has amped up its image by recruiting inspirational yet approachable celebs such as Black Eyed Peas frontwoman Fergie, Reese Witherspoon, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Hudson, Salma Hayek, and its newest face – one of the most famous made-up women of 2009-10 – Zoe Saldana, of the hit movie Avatar. 

 But the beauty of Avon’s success is that it actually translates into success for women all over the world.  The company helps empower women through its business model which promotes financial independence; in fact, Avon is one of the largest micro-lenders in the world, because every time a representative joins, the company gives her a small loan by supplying her with her initial products up front.  Avon has actually lent more money to women than any other business. Avon’s Foundation for Women has also helped improve the lives of women and their families through two key areas:  breast cancer and domestic violence.  Starting with the initial $400 scholarship in 1955, Avon’s philanthropic arm has awarded more than $725 million to organizations that help women in over 50 countries. 

Avon reported a 13 percent increase in revenue between fourth-quarter sales of 2008 and 2009—a cool $269 million dollars in profit.  Wall Street has new-found respect for this women’s company, and so do I. 

P.S.  To my favorite Avon lady:  Thanks for empowering me, mom!