DICK WHITTINGTON, FLECKNEY, LEICESTERSHIRE
Fleckney is a small village in Leicestershire with two pubs and two shops. It will shortly have a Lord Mayor however, as the basic Dick Whittington pantomime story has been adapted by local amateur theatre group the Duckpond Players to one where Dick has to go travelling the world for a year and a day before returning to Fleckney to reclaim his inheritance and become Lord Mayor.
‘There’s something really special about having a panto in a small community like this,’ says Sarah Atherton, 33 who plays Barry Botchit, one half of a comedy duo that are trying to capture Dick. Sarah is a full-time mum of three and so committed to the panto that she’s back at rehearsals 4 weeks after the birth of her last baby. ‘It brings together people in the village who might not otherwise get to know each other. The age range of our performers is from 73 to 8 and they come from all walks of life. People also like it that there are local in-jokes that they can get – for example, about the head teacher at the primary school or our parish council.’
The panto has a loyal following within the village, and sells out most of its shows. ‘Last year we won the Best Panto award in the Pantomime Alliance of Leicestershire competition,’ says Peter Henton, 57 a domestic appliances repairman who plays Bob Botchit. ‘This might be a small village but that’s no excuse for putting on something ramshackle. We set high standards when it comes to sound and lighting and want the panto to be as entertaining as we can make it.’
I talk with Peter about the uniquely British appeal of panto. ‘It’s strange when you think about it,’ he admits. ‘You’ve got men dressed as women, girls dressed as boys, corney jokes and catchphrases, and lots of audience interaction. I brought some overseas friends along and although they enjoyed it they didn’t really understand it at all. But it’s become a much-loved part of our Christmas tradition. Parents who loved going to the panto as a child now want to give their own children that experience. It’s great family entertainment.’
Police officer Steve Morely, 39 has lived in the village all his life and has personal experience of dressing as a woman. ‘I was the Dame in last year’s panto. It was weird during rehearsals, but by performance time I’d got really into it. Afterwards everyone in the village recognises you. I’ll call into the post office and someone will say, ‘You looked lovely in that dress.’ Being the Dame is a great role because you can be so over the top, bantering with hecklers and dragging members of the audience on stage for a community song. I think the audience enjoy interacting with someone they know when they’re in character as well – they’re seeing a different side to people they’re familiar with in everyday life.’
Lots of people in the drama group joined after seeing the panto. ‘Nicola Scholey, 15 who plays Samantha, Dick’s romantic interest says, ‘People in the audience feel more connected than they would to a big expensive production in a city theatre and realise they could take part themselves. Even if they’re shy, there’s still the option of doing backstage stuff like wardrobe and lighting. My whole family is involved with this panto - my dad is playing lots of small roles, my younger twin sisters are in the dance troupe and mum helps out with costumes.’
Nicola gets on stage to rehearse a scene with Fleckney-born Gordon Dainty, 73, who’s playing King of the Leprachauns and some other cast members. They all launch into a tuneful rendition of ‘We’re in the Money’ as I have a final chat with Peter. ‘Apparently Leicestershire has more amateur dramatic societies than anywhere else in the country,’ he tells me. ‘I suppose it’s partly because we’re so far away from the big cities like London and Birmingham which have major theatrical productions – it keeps us in touch with the village tradition of people making their own entertainment.’
CINDERELLA, CITADEL THEATRE, ST HELENS, MERSEYSIDE
The Citadel Theatre is tucked away in the backstreets of St Helens, Merseyside. When I visit an early rehearsal of their pantomime, Cinderella, read-throughs are in full swing.
Carmel Baines, the director obviously runs a tight ship. Everyone, children and teenagers included are sitting quietly while Buttons and Baron Hardup go through a scene full of outrageous puns and misunderstandings.
I spirit a group of the youngsters off a neighbouring room and chat to them about being involved in the panto. I’m really impressed by how enthusiastic and articulate they are.
‘It’s great,’ says Patrick Roberts, 13 who plays a milkmaid. ‘People often mess about in drama at school but here everyone really wants to do it. It’s good working alongside adults as well – it’s not like there’s the teachers and the pupils, we’re all working together. Wearing a dress and playing a girl can be embarrassing but I don’t mind because it makes the scenes funnier.’
Cinderella is played by 15 year old Hellie Cranney, who’s been taking part in the panto since she was 7. ‘I couldn’t bear not to be involved – it’s not just the performance that appeals to me, I love the rehearsal process too. You get to know people really well and I’m sure I’ve made some friends for life here. Some of the younger ones can be a bit boisterous to start off with but once the show has been cast and they’ve got parts they’re a lot more focused. Everyone wants to do a good job and shine on stage.’
I talk to Carmel during the break and she agrees. ‘Drama is great as a way of building communication skills and a sense of teamwork. I’ve heard from schools that children who’ve joined the panto have gone on to overcome behavioural problems and their general performance has improved. It gives them a sense of achievement and a group to belong to which doesn’t involve hanging round street corners making trouble.’
There are about 60 people involved in the pantomime including cast members and backstage and wardrobe staff. ‘We start off with a basic script, but during rehearsals people work on their characters and chip in with ways things could be improved or suggest local jokes,’ explains Carmel. ‘Everyone helps out with building and painting the set as well, and we’ll beg, steal and borrow to get the right props. Then we’ve got volunteers, aunties and grandparents all working away putting costumes together. Basically we’ve got an open door policy and feel everyone has got something worthwhile to contribute.’
District nurse Robert Boyle 35, plays Baron Hardup and really appreciates the inclusive feel of the panto group. ‘I’m a recovering stammerer and being on stage is something I’ve always wanted to do but I never felt confident enough. I joined the group when I first came to St Helens and it’s given me a ready-made social life. People of all ages and backgrounds mix in together and no-one gets sidelined.’
When rehearsals are over and everyone is helping pack up I ask the younger cast members why they feel pantomime still has such an appeal. ‘I think it’s because people love being able to interact rather than just sit there,’ replies Hellie. ‘You can’t shout back at the TV screen. But here you can heckle the baddies and join in with the songs. And the little ones are in awe of the way the transformations – such as Cinders changing from being in rags to her beautiful ballgown – happen in front of them. You look down from the stage and can see how their faces have lit up. Also it’s the first time many children have been to the theatre. Last year we gave a free performance for a primary school in one of the poorer areas who couldn’t have afforded to come otherwise. It was really touching how thrilled they were – they all wrote us letters afterwards saying how much they’d loved it. And you can tell that the adults are enjoying it too. Christmas is such a busy time for many people but going to the panto gives everyone the opportunity to have a break from all the stress and escape into a fairytale world for a few hours.’
BABES IN THE WOOD, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ACCOUNTANTS, LONDON
It’s Sunday afternoon and I’m watching a chorus line of accountants in Merry Men costumes high-kicking to ‘I’m a Believer’ by The Monkees. During the week they may be sober and sharp-suited, but this is a rehearsal for PricewaterhouseCooper’s annual panto, performed by a cast drawn entirely from the workforce and including accountants, IT professionals and marketing managers. It will be performed in January 2008 at the Peacock Theatre in London and then at The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, giving 6,500 children from inner-city schools and charities the chance to experience what will be, for many, their first ever trip to the theatre. There are also limited tickets for the paying public.
The rehearsals here are further on than the other two productions, so I settle down to watch a complete run-through of Act 1. Babes in the Wood isn’t as well known as some of the other pantos, but as it unfolds it’s clear the plot is based on the legend of Robin Hood, with the ‘Babes’ being a young brother and sister, played very convincingly by Helen Kershaw, a 27 year old leisure executive and tax manager Paula Knight, 43, whom Robin rescues from the scheming Sheriff of Nottingham. And accountant Stephen Moyneux-Webb, 25 who plays the Sheriff could certainly give Alan Rickman a run for his money for leather-trousered dastardlyness!
During a break Stephen reveals that he hadn’t done any acting before joining the panto chorus the previous year. ‘I wanted to do something other than work, study for my accountancy exams and collapse in front of the TV in the evening. Fitting in rehearsals means I’m ridiculously busy, but it’s great to have a creative focus and feel that you’re putting something back into the community as well.’
Victoria Green, 25, who’s also juggling the notoriously demanding accountancy exams with playing the lead role of Robin Hood agrees. ‘I love my job. But I also love the fact that being involved in the panto gives me the opportunity to express the dramatic, artistic side of myself and get to bond with colleagues at the same time. As the performance date draws closer there’s a real buzz throughout the firm – everyone from colleagues in my office to the ladies in the canteen is interested in how rehearsals are going. Lots of staff come to see it and are amazed by how many creative people there are in the company.’
I also grab the opportunity to chat to Nigel Haynes, a 40 year old tax manager who is playing the Dame, Nurse Jemima Jollop. He’s wearing a purple and yellow dress with a blue wig and I’m transfixed by his insanely long silver false eyelashes. So he seems the right man to ask about how the stuffy reputation of accountants can be reconciled with the over-the-top approach required by pantomime. ‘We have to exude a professional and even staid and responsible attitude in working hours,’ admits Nigel. ‘But after being constrained between 9-5 – or more likely 8-6 these days – we’re maybe even more inclined to let our hair down with a vengeance when off-duty.’
The performance started up again, and sitting with some of the stage management crew I found myself getting drawn in. Feeling sorry for the lonely ghost in the West wing of Nottingham Castle, laughing at the interplay between the amorous Dame and the reluctant Sheriff, uplifted by the chorus song and dance routines. I even joined in calling out to the good fairy who was foiling the villans’ evil plans and of course the ‘it’s behind you’s!’.
Whether it’s Liverpool, London or Leicester, there’s clearly something about the eccentric, anarchic, funny and heartwarming quality of pantomime which is locked firmly into the British psyche and still appeals to us regardless of age or background. So to anyone who might think that the competing demands of playstations, satellite TV and multi-screen cinemas means that the tradition of British pantomime is behind us there’s only one answer – ‘Oh no it isn’t!’
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Sunday Express, Avon Ladies
Katy Impey, 35 is married to Mark, 33, an company director. They have a daughter, Holly, 4 and live near Barnstaple in North Devon.
I've always been quite a girlie girl, and I really love make-up. I don't go out of the house without it on, and even when I was in hospital having my daughter I was re-applying lipstick between contractions because I wanted to look nice in the photos we were planning to take afterwards!
So given that I'm such a cosmetics fan and enjoy meeting people, becoming an Avon Lady seemed the ideal solution when I was looking to make some extra money in a way that would fit around family life. Before my daughter arrived I'd been a part-qualified accountant and run a cleaning business, but that didn't allow the flexibility I was looking for. I already knew what it would involve as my mum had been an Avon Lady and I had fond childhood memories of getting really excited when the sample boxes of make-up arrived and we'd try them out together.
I got started with Avon in 2007, when my daughter was 2. We'd just moved from Wiltshire to North Devon, so I thought it would also be a good way of getting to meet new people. I was given an area to cover and set off knocking on doors, handing out the brochure and letting people know I was their new Avon Lady. When you do that, you'll find that most people are interested whilst others aren't, but we log the latter and don't call there again. Lots of people are really keen though, so you feel welcomed far more times than not and it doesn't feel like a hard-sell job at all. In the time I've done it, I've found my Avon round has come to take me longer and longer because I've made friends among my customers and we don't just talk about Avon, we catch up on each others news as well. It's given me a real sense of being part of our local community. Some of the older customers joke and say 'Ding Dong, Avon Calling' when I arrive – I don't mind at all. It means the original advert has stood the test of time, which is pretty amazing really!
Of course, door-to-door selling isn't everyone's cup of tea, but there are lots of other approaches, such as being an Avon Lady through your workplace, through other mums at playgroups or simply having a local territory and putting brochures through letterboxes. I'm a sales leader and as well as having my own Avon territory, I recruit and train other representatives. And I always say that to be an Avon Lady you don't need to be a saleswoman because the products sell themselves. They're good quality, good value and come with a 90 day no quibble guarantee. All an Avon Lady needs to do is to love make-up, be approachable and have a smiley face!
In terms of making money, you get as much out of Avon as you put in. The basic guidelines are that representatives earn £1 for every £4 worth of goods they sell. My own earnings fluctuate as sometimes I'm able to put more hours in, but other times I want to spend more time with my family. The fact that it's flexible enough for me to do that is one of the real pluses of the job – being an Avon Lady fits perfectly around being a mum.
It's interesting to see how the image of Avon has become much more fashionable in recent years. The products have always been great, but now they're also investing hugely in advertising and getting celebrities such as Bond girl Gemma Arterton, Tess Daley and Reese Witherspoon on board. They're all beautiful, talented women rather than undernourished beanpoles, which I think makes them great role models for our younger customers. It's like the company is entering a new age, and you can be proud to be an Avon Lady!
Lorna Lawlor, 57 is widowed, has two children Mark, 39 and Joanne 38 and four grandchildren. She lives in Newcastle and works as a sales advisor for BT.
When I first became an Avon Lady at 20, I never imagined that I'd be starring in one of their TV recruitment ads 37 years later! I was one of six Avon Ladies to be chosen out of 150,000 representatives in the UK, so it felt a real honour. We all had to go to London to be filmed and it was a really fun experience. I was in two minds about doing it as I'd been widowed five months earlier and was feeling very down. But my family and friends encouraged me, and said it was what my husband Allan would have wanted. Since my husband passed away, my work with Avon has felt a real lifeline, as meeting people and staying busy helps keep my spirits up.
Growing up, I was the youngest of three sisters. We all loved make-up and I first became an Avon customer at 17. Then when the Avon Lady who used to serve us left, I took over her round and started delivering brochures and taking orders. I really enjoyed it, but had to stop as family commitments took over. At 35 I started up again and have now been an Avon Lady for 22 consecutive years! Rather than having a round, I sell to colleagues at BT, where I work as a sales advisor. I've always got a copy of the latest brochure with me in the canteen and find that people approach me when they spot it and are keen to find out more about the products. I take a relaxed approach to selling, but still find it generates a decent amount of pin-money and helps me buy treats and presents for the family which I otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.
2009 is Avon's 50th anniversary in the UK and it's been really interesting to watch Avon has changed over the decades. When it first went on sale in the UK it there were about 80 products, and now there's over 7,500 including new ranges such as of jewelery, underwear, fitness equipment. And of course we've got products such as moisturisers and skincare aimed especially at men, which wasn't the case when I started selling back in 1972!
Avon used to have a reputation for being old-fashioned, but I think it's often at the forefront of new developments. For example, back in 1989, Avon was the first major cosmetics manufacturer to ban animal testing, which many of my customers were really pleased about. In 1997, it was one of the first beauty companies to start selling over the internet. And it's always developing new products, such as the Clinical eye lift gel, which has a gel for the upper eye and a cream for below the eye, which I think is a really clever idea. But the fact that Avon has been around a long time means that it's part of our tradition now – everyone knows about it, and remembers the old advertising jingle – I have some customers who'll say, 'Oh, it's the ding-dong lady' when they see me.
Using Avon is something which often runs in the family. I've never used any other brand and often get complimented on my skin and make-up. My daughter Joanne is an Avon fan as well and my grand-daughters Lauren 8 and Caitlin, 11, Chloe 12, Laura, 16 all love the products. In fact, the 16 year old wears the same mousse foundation and mascara as I do – we're proof that Avon's appeal really does go across the generations!
Yogeeta Mistry, 33, lives in Birmingham with her partner, Tony, 45 a warehouse manager.
I'm young, drive a fast car, go to fashionable bars with my friends and probably don't conform to what most people's idea of what an Avon Lady is like. But I do the job full-time and feel very committed to being an Avon Lady. One in three women in the UK is an Avon customer and it feels great to be part of such a successful company.
I've always loved their make-up. When I was a teenager the brochure coming through the door felt like a real event – my mum and I would put the kettle on, turn the TV off and settle down together to decide what we were going to treat ourselves to.
I became a part-time Avon Lady in October 2006 and in my first four days I generated £500 worth of orders just through family and friends. Even though it was cold and dark I couldn't wait to get out and deliver my brochures and went round the streets I'd been assigned knocking on doors and introducing myself – the response was fantastic. A lot of new representatives feel daunted at the prospect of cold-calling. They're worried that people are going to be rude or slam the door in their face. But the fact is most people are lovely and if they're not interested they'll just say so politely. Lots are really keen though, especially if they haven't seen a brochure for a while, and will almost snap your hand off to get it!
Some customers are loyal to the same products, whilst others like to experiment. If a customer wants to see samples, then we'll sit down together and go through them. I'll also give beauty tips if I feel a customer is a rut with their make-up. I'm tactful about it and I feel the advice is appreciated.
I think that Avon has an appeal that transcends age. On the one hand, it launches products in vibrant colours in line with what's coming off the catwalks and that appeals to young people and students. They're often at a stage when they don't have much money but want to try out different looks. They know that Avon products cost much less than what they'd pay on the High Street, and enjoy building up a bulging make-up bag that can provide them with a look to go with every possible outfit or occasion. Then there are make-up ranges within Avon which have subtle colours and appeal to more mature customers who know what they like and what suits them.
A month after joining Avon, I became a Sales Leader, recruiting and managing other representatives and in January 2007 I left my other job and went full time as I realised I could build a better career with Avon. At the moment I've got 250 in my team and it's growing all the time. I work hard and I earn a good living from it. I can go to nice restaurants, buy nice clothes and I want my next car to be a BMW or a Mercedes! I've noticed that the current economic climate is creating even greater interest in Avon. Customers who in the past might bought make-up with a prestige brand name are trying out Avon because they're interested in saving money – and then staying loyal to us because they love the products. And there are more professional people interested in becoming Avon representatives as they see it as a fun way of supplementing their income. Last week I even signed up an accountant!
I'm so keen on Avon I've even recruited my partner Tony to become an Avon Man! He works as a warehouse manager during the day, sells to colleagues at work and also has his own round selling to customers locally. 99% of his customers are ladies, who are perfectly happy to order their lipstick and underwear from a well-built, six-foot bloke. Basically, times are changing, and Avon is changing with them!
I've always been quite a girlie girl, and I really love make-up. I don't go out of the house without it on, and even when I was in hospital having my daughter I was re-applying lipstick between contractions because I wanted to look nice in the photos we were planning to take afterwards!
So given that I'm such a cosmetics fan and enjoy meeting people, becoming an Avon Lady seemed the ideal solution when I was looking to make some extra money in a way that would fit around family life. Before my daughter arrived I'd been a part-qualified accountant and run a cleaning business, but that didn't allow the flexibility I was looking for. I already knew what it would involve as my mum had been an Avon Lady and I had fond childhood memories of getting really excited when the sample boxes of make-up arrived and we'd try them out together.
I got started with Avon in 2007, when my daughter was 2. We'd just moved from Wiltshire to North Devon, so I thought it would also be a good way of getting to meet new people. I was given an area to cover and set off knocking on doors, handing out the brochure and letting people know I was their new Avon Lady. When you do that, you'll find that most people are interested whilst others aren't, but we log the latter and don't call there again. Lots of people are really keen though, so you feel welcomed far more times than not and it doesn't feel like a hard-sell job at all. In the time I've done it, I've found my Avon round has come to take me longer and longer because I've made friends among my customers and we don't just talk about Avon, we catch up on each others news as well. It's given me a real sense of being part of our local community. Some of the older customers joke and say 'Ding Dong, Avon Calling' when I arrive – I don't mind at all. It means the original advert has stood the test of time, which is pretty amazing really!
Of course, door-to-door selling isn't everyone's cup of tea, but there are lots of other approaches, such as being an Avon Lady through your workplace, through other mums at playgroups or simply having a local territory and putting brochures through letterboxes. I'm a sales leader and as well as having my own Avon territory, I recruit and train other representatives. And I always say that to be an Avon Lady you don't need to be a saleswoman because the products sell themselves. They're good quality, good value and come with a 90 day no quibble guarantee. All an Avon Lady needs to do is to love make-up, be approachable and have a smiley face!
In terms of making money, you get as much out of Avon as you put in. The basic guidelines are that representatives earn £1 for every £4 worth of goods they sell. My own earnings fluctuate as sometimes I'm able to put more hours in, but other times I want to spend more time with my family. The fact that it's flexible enough for me to do that is one of the real pluses of the job – being an Avon Lady fits perfectly around being a mum.
It's interesting to see how the image of Avon has become much more fashionable in recent years. The products have always been great, but now they're also investing hugely in advertising and getting celebrities such as Bond girl Gemma Arterton, Tess Daley and Reese Witherspoon on board. They're all beautiful, talented women rather than undernourished beanpoles, which I think makes them great role models for our younger customers. It's like the company is entering a new age, and you can be proud to be an Avon Lady!
Lorna Lawlor, 57 is widowed, has two children Mark, 39 and Joanne 38 and four grandchildren. She lives in Newcastle and works as a sales advisor for BT.
When I first became an Avon Lady at 20, I never imagined that I'd be starring in one of their TV recruitment ads 37 years later! I was one of six Avon Ladies to be chosen out of 150,000 representatives in the UK, so it felt a real honour. We all had to go to London to be filmed and it was a really fun experience. I was in two minds about doing it as I'd been widowed five months earlier and was feeling very down. But my family and friends encouraged me, and said it was what my husband Allan would have wanted. Since my husband passed away, my work with Avon has felt a real lifeline, as meeting people and staying busy helps keep my spirits up.
Growing up, I was the youngest of three sisters. We all loved make-up and I first became an Avon customer at 17. Then when the Avon Lady who used to serve us left, I took over her round and started delivering brochures and taking orders. I really enjoyed it, but had to stop as family commitments took over. At 35 I started up again and have now been an Avon Lady for 22 consecutive years! Rather than having a round, I sell to colleagues at BT, where I work as a sales advisor. I've always got a copy of the latest brochure with me in the canteen and find that people approach me when they spot it and are keen to find out more about the products. I take a relaxed approach to selling, but still find it generates a decent amount of pin-money and helps me buy treats and presents for the family which I otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.
2009 is Avon's 50th anniversary in the UK and it's been really interesting to watch Avon has changed over the decades. When it first went on sale in the UK it there were about 80 products, and now there's over 7,500 including new ranges such as of jewelery, underwear, fitness equipment. And of course we've got products such as moisturisers and skincare aimed especially at men, which wasn't the case when I started selling back in 1972!
Avon used to have a reputation for being old-fashioned, but I think it's often at the forefront of new developments. For example, back in 1989, Avon was the first major cosmetics manufacturer to ban animal testing, which many of my customers were really pleased about. In 1997, it was one of the first beauty companies to start selling over the internet. And it's always developing new products, such as the Clinical eye lift gel, which has a gel for the upper eye and a cream for below the eye, which I think is a really clever idea. But the fact that Avon has been around a long time means that it's part of our tradition now – everyone knows about it, and remembers the old advertising jingle – I have some customers who'll say, 'Oh, it's the ding-dong lady' when they see me.
Using Avon is something which often runs in the family. I've never used any other brand and often get complimented on my skin and make-up. My daughter Joanne is an Avon fan as well and my grand-daughters Lauren 8 and Caitlin, 11, Chloe 12, Laura, 16 all love the products. In fact, the 16 year old wears the same mousse foundation and mascara as I do – we're proof that Avon's appeal really does go across the generations!
Yogeeta Mistry, 33, lives in Birmingham with her partner, Tony, 45 a warehouse manager.
I'm young, drive a fast car, go to fashionable bars with my friends and probably don't conform to what most people's idea of what an Avon Lady is like. But I do the job full-time and feel very committed to being an Avon Lady. One in three women in the UK is an Avon customer and it feels great to be part of such a successful company.
I've always loved their make-up. When I was a teenager the brochure coming through the door felt like a real event – my mum and I would put the kettle on, turn the TV off and settle down together to decide what we were going to treat ourselves to.
I became a part-time Avon Lady in October 2006 and in my first four days I generated £500 worth of orders just through family and friends. Even though it was cold and dark I couldn't wait to get out and deliver my brochures and went round the streets I'd been assigned knocking on doors and introducing myself – the response was fantastic. A lot of new representatives feel daunted at the prospect of cold-calling. They're worried that people are going to be rude or slam the door in their face. But the fact is most people are lovely and if they're not interested they'll just say so politely. Lots are really keen though, especially if they haven't seen a brochure for a while, and will almost snap your hand off to get it!
Some customers are loyal to the same products, whilst others like to experiment. If a customer wants to see samples, then we'll sit down together and go through them. I'll also give beauty tips if I feel a customer is a rut with their make-up. I'm tactful about it and I feel the advice is appreciated.
I think that Avon has an appeal that transcends age. On the one hand, it launches products in vibrant colours in line with what's coming off the catwalks and that appeals to young people and students. They're often at a stage when they don't have much money but want to try out different looks. They know that Avon products cost much less than what they'd pay on the High Street, and enjoy building up a bulging make-up bag that can provide them with a look to go with every possible outfit or occasion. Then there are make-up ranges within Avon which have subtle colours and appeal to more mature customers who know what they like and what suits them.
A month after joining Avon, I became a Sales Leader, recruiting and managing other representatives and in January 2007 I left my other job and went full time as I realised I could build a better career with Avon. At the moment I've got 250 in my team and it's growing all the time. I work hard and I earn a good living from it. I can go to nice restaurants, buy nice clothes and I want my next car to be a BMW or a Mercedes! I've noticed that the current economic climate is creating even greater interest in Avon. Customers who in the past might bought make-up with a prestige brand name are trying out Avon because they're interested in saving money – and then staying loyal to us because they love the products. And there are more professional people interested in becoming Avon representatives as they see it as a fun way of supplementing their income. Last week I even signed up an accountant!
I'm so keen on Avon I've even recruited my partner Tony to become an Avon Man! He works as a warehouse manager during the day, sells to colleagues at work and also has his own round selling to customers locally. 99% of his customers are ladies, who are perfectly happy to order their lipstick and underwear from a well-built, six-foot bloke. Basically, times are changing, and Avon is changing with them!
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