Avon’s still calling for Carrie

THE Avon lady has been knocking on doors for nearly 130 years and selling the beauty products still provides a useful way to earn income.

It began with bookseller David McConnell, who first recruited Mrs P.F.E. Albee, of Winchester, New Hampshire, in America, to the California Perfume Company, selling the Little Dot perfume set to women in their homes.

After a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, in England, McConnell introduced a new toiletries line under the name Avon. The company’s name was changed accordingly in 1939.

Avon allowed women to shop, socialise, sell – and earn their own money at a time when they were largely confined to home and domestic chores.

One modern-day Avon lady is Carrie Twining, a mother of two who used to work as a shop assistant.

After having her first child, Finlay, now five, there were no part-time positions available. With childcare so expensive, she could not justify returning to work full-time.

‘It wasn’t financially viable,’ says Carrie, 33, who is married to general manager Paul, 36, and lives in Rugby, Warwickshire.

Next came a struggle to find work. Eventually, she worked part-time in a bar, earning £44 a week, something she says she found ‘demotivating’. An acquaintance suggested Avon.

Four years ago she tried it, starting off with a couple of hours a week that were fitted around looking after Finlay.

She built up more hours when Finlay went into childcare at the age of three.

Carrie then established her own network of sellers, which last year was voted ‘Team of the Year’ by Avon.

She was among the top 20 sales leaders in the country for year-onyear business growth and last year took home an income of more than £18,000.

‘Sometimes people are sceptical and think of this as a little business for bored housewives,’ says Carrie. ‘But this is a serious business and I earn more money than in my last full-time job.’

Direct selling is regarded as a potential solution for parents who need work to fit around family; people who want to supplement income from another job; or retired workers who want to continue working part-time.

The Direct Selling Association, a trade body that oversees the industry and enforces standards, counts Avon among its hundreds of members – as well as jewellery company Stella & Dot and kitchen tool business The Pampered Chef.