I'm Australia's longest-serving Avon lady!
After 50 years of doorknocking, Margaret is sad to say goodbye to the iconic brand
Five decades and around 75,000 doorknocks later, Avon veteran Margaret Cook delivered her last order this month, and she says it was with a heavy heart.
The 84-year-old grand-mother-of-four began her career in door-to-door sales way back in 1968 when she wanted to earn extra money to take her three little ones on a beach holiday.
“Times were tough and I wanted something with flexibility while the kiddies went to school. I never missed one single campaign in 50 years!” Margaret proudly tells Woman’s Day from her home in Brisbane’s North.
When the global beauty company, which first hit Australian shores in 1963, announced in February it will withdraw by the end of this year both here and in New Zealand, Margaret and more than 21,400 other Avon representatives were filled with great sadness.
“I still have a couple of my original clients. My husband left me when I was very young, so as a single mum it was a wonderful way to make friends and earn a living at the same time,” she says. But while she’s heartbroken to say goodbye to Avon when it officially shuts later this year, Margaret admits she almost didn’t make it through her first day. “I parked our ’67 Holden, and I had my two-year-old, Warren, at my side. We got as far as the gate and a growling boxer dog came at us. I ran like the wind!” she says. Margaret says she’s always been proud to sell cosmetics that don’t break the bank. “Avon must be doing something right – I’m almost 85 and I look pretty good!” she laughs.
Her skincare advice? “Cleanse and moisturise twice daily, drink lots of water and apply sunscreen.
“I also love a cheeky glass of bubbles!”