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Area Sales Manager, Alpan Cosmetics (Avon)

Family: Married, with six children

Background: In 1998 I opened a women’s fashion shop. At the time my eldest child was 14 and my youngest just one year old. Apart from managing the shop, I was also an Avon sales Representative and a member of the Avon Diamond Star Club. Through the long working hours of the shop and caring for six children, Avon was my escape and amusement. With Avon Cyprus, as a Diamond Star Club member, I have travelled to 13 countries.

What attracted you to Avon?

At the time, even though the shop was doing quite well, I needed to increase my income to meet the demands of a growing family, such as university, extra lessons and activities, as well as other expenses. When an Area Sales Manager position became available I immediately applied. Being fully satisfied with Avon for so many years, I thought this was a good way to progress, since I have trust in the company.

Describe a typical day.

My day begins at 05.30, preparing breakfast and sandwiches for the children. At 08.30 I’m in the office followed by visits to Representatives to work on training and development. I also recruit, deliver orders and maintain respectful and trusting relationships, which is highly important for me. I am home at around 19.30, when I prepare dinner and do some day-to-day housework. At 21.30 I take an hour to organise my next day’s work – after that, some relaxation!

What motivates you?

Income is important, but on the other hand, being a woman and offering the Avon opportunity to women is also very motivating and rewarding. A lot of patience and understanding is needed, but our choices in life, to help us achieve our dreams, are a motivation in themselves.

Has Avon helped you achieve your ambitions?

I think it is still too soon to judge if I have fulfilled my work ambitions. The only sure thing is that with cooperation and effort I can bring to life the power and potential of my team, which makes me feel very worthy.

What is your proudest Avon moment?

In my first year as an Avon Representative I attended a product launch when I was pregnant with my fifth child. It was a very proud moment when the Managing Director, Mr Stelios Taki, announced the five top-selling new Representatives and I was No 1. The applause and recognition was extremely moving and the memory has stayed with me. In my first year as an Area Manager I achieved second place! This was another proud moment, not for the recognition and prizes, but for the satisfaction of achieving my goals.

What do you like most about Avon?

Avon offers me the chance to continuously meet new people – women with different needs, for whom I’m privileged to help achieve high goals.

What do you like least?

In most businesses, there are sometimes colleagues who may look at you as a ‘number’ and not a human being. I always try to be positive, but hypocritical behaviour in others disappoints me, as it undermines honesty.
If you were Managing Director for the day, what new rule would you introduce?

I would offer the chance for Representatives who nearly achieved Diamond Star level to be part of a draw, with the opportunity for one of them to attend the Diamond Star incentive trip. This would surely motivate them to try harder next time.

If you could go back, would you make the same choices?

I don’t think I would make the same choices, since I spend a lot of time on my work, even though I enjoy it very much. Above all are my obligations to my family, and my job supports me in this. On the other hand, I am sure that if I had done something else, it would not totally satisfy me. As my zodiac sign is Cancer, both options must coexist for me to be satisfied!