The Oklahoman

Avon calling

TULSA SALES REPRESENTA­TIVE IS FEATURED IN ICONIC BEAUTY BRAND’S NEW CATALOG

- BY LINDA MILLER

Tulsa sales representa­tive is featured in the beauty brand’s new catalog.

TULSA — Tara Grna, of Tulsa, is one of 21 Avon representa­tives nationwide chosen for the company’s new catalog featuring representa­tives as role models.

It’s real people with real dreams having real success with Avon, Grna said.

Campaign 19 launches Aug. 21, and it’s the iconic beauty brand’s firstever, all-representa­tive catalog showcasing top sellers to skillful leaders.

Grna was selected to help bring attention to the Espira line of health and wellness products, especially fitting since she’s a Zumba instructor, too. Representa­tives also are featured for fashion, makeup, skin care and fragrance.

Her Avon story began five years ago when she left a stressful and often 80-hour-a-week job as a district sales manager in the corporate world. She started a new journey as a Zumba instructor but needed to fill her day with something else.

“With the encouragem­ent and help of my husband to try something new … I just decided I wanted to join Avon,” she said.

It offered flexibilit­y to make her own schedule, to be her own boss and do things on her own time. “I love that aspect of it,” she said.

Plus, Avon offers rewards and recognitio­n for hard work, along with health insurance that helped Grna with doctor bills at a fertility clinic. Last summer she finally got pregnant, but she said life came crashing down when she had a miscarriag­e. It was a disappoint­ment, but she also acknowledg­es that if it wasn’t for Avon, she would not have even gotten to that point.

She said Avon gave her the opportunit­y to take time off — time she needed to be with her family, to recuperate and to get herself back together.

“I’m happy to say that we are going to try again. We can’t wait to have our very own family. I didn’t realize that this little direct sales business five years ago would be so huge for me now.”

GOING FOR IT

In all areas of her life, Grna doesn’t sit back and wait for opportunit­ies. Her philosophy is that good things happen to those who go for it.

She’s an independen­t sales representa­tive and mentor in a leadership role with about 100 people on her team. Different people look for different reasons to join Avon, she said. If they’re wanting to grow their own sales or they’re interested in becoming a more business-minded entreprene­ur, she works with them.

Today, she’s part time Zumba and full time Avon.

Grna said the catalog experience was life changing and a huge privilege. “I’m very humbled and thankful and proud of this opportunit­y.”

She believes the Campaign 19 brochure will make an impact because it is all representa­tives featuring real products. Role models and real people. Not models.

She said it’s a reminder that anyone can be successful in the business. “I’m just an ordinary Tulsa gal who sought out an opportunit­y and made it happen.”

Put yourself out there, work hard and anyone can do it, she said.

And that’s what she thinks the campaign showcases.

Grna’s hard work paid off. She’s a top sales leader and recruiter in the area. She’s an advocate for the new health and wellness line. Then Avon learned more of her story and that she was a Zumba instructor, all of which played into her being chosen for the brochure.

She’s happy to share more about the company. Avon offers plenty of benefits, including lucrative earnings, education, business plans, free online websites for customers, along with the opportunit­y to earn free vacations.

Avon also makes available fundraisin­g programs for teams or organizati­ons. Avon is a national sponsor in the fight to find a cure for breast cancer.

Locally, Grna likes to help her community. “My passion is to build others up and to make them feel good about themselves inside and out.”

Through Avon she often helps with fundraisin­g efforts for different organizati­ons, including one to support local teachers. Through the partnershi­p with the American Cancer Society, her enthusiasm for Zumba and Avon have come together. Last

year she led a Zumba warm-up for the Avon walk for breast cancer in Tulsa. She has plans to raise funds and develop her own team for future walks.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Grna grew up in Oklahoma City and with her corporate job relocated to Dallas and Little Rock, Arkansas, then Tulsa.

She likes to remind all that she’s just a Tulsa gal, nothing special, but she decided to take a leap of faith. She wanted more out of life and took action. “Though the grace of God, he has helped me and now I’m here.”

Here’s her advice to help others find success:

• Know that entreprene­urship is deeply rewarding and can transform lives.

• Don’t be scared to take a leap of faith. Dream big. Get started, take risks, network and empower others.

• Get out and embrace yourself. Consistenc­y in action, commitment and applying yourself are keys to being an entreprene­ur. There will be bumps in the road but keep on keeping on. Never give up. Just be relentless about it.

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 ?? [PHOTO PROVIDED] ?? Avon representa­tive and Zumba instructor Tara Grna, of Tulsa, is featured in Avon’s new catalog.
[PHOTO PROVIDED] Avon representa­tive and Zumba instructor Tara Grna, of Tulsa, is featured in Avon’s new catalog.
 ?? [PHOTO PROVIDED] ?? Tara Grna, of Tulsa, wearing a red and black floral dress in the middle of the group, is shown with some of the Avon representa­tives in the new Campaign 19 brochure.
[PHOTO PROVIDED] Tara Grna, of Tulsa, wearing a red and black floral dress in the middle of the group, is shown with some of the Avon representa­tives in the new Campaign 19 brochure.
 ?? [PHOTO PROVIDED] ?? Avon representa­tive and Zumba instructor Tara Grna, of Tulsa, is featured in Avon’s new catalog.
[PHOTO PROVIDED] Avon representa­tive and Zumba instructor Tara Grna, of Tulsa, is featured in Avon’s new catalog.

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