In our ongoing series dedicated to Avon representatives, we got the chance to meet Tina Upton, a stay-at-home mother of three who joined Avon in January of 2009 as a means to make extra money to supplement her family income. Her husband works very long hours and his salary alone was just not enough to cover all of the family expenses during these tough economic times.
Tina knew that she was going to have find a job, but she wasn’t looking to work a standard 9-5 and Avon was the perfect solution. She works during the hours that are most convenient for her and even uses social media to sell to customers. She changes her Facebook status on a daily basis to offer new deals and engage potential customers to buy quality product at an affordable price.
RM: Why did you decide to become an Avon sales representative?
Tina: I’m a stay at home mom and had a career before I decided to raise a family. My mom was an Avon lady from the time I was little and worked full time and always did Avon on the side. When I was looking for something for myself, I decided Avon was the right thing for me.
RM: How easy is it to get started?
Tina: Avon costs 10 dollars. You get your kit and you make it what you want and that’s why it has been perfect for me. If you don’t sell a certain amount, you’re not charged for it. If you don’t make a quota – Avon doesn’t penalize you.
RM: How do attract customers?
Tina: I do a lot of my business on my website and my Facebook page. They can view my catalog. I don’t go door to door at all. I use the Internet to run my business. Avon has a lot of free shipping. It’s an affordable company, and doesn’t make people pay astronomical prices for items and they do a lot for philanthropy – that’s why I feel so good about representing them.
RM: How much do you earn?
Tina: I make anywhere from $50-$300 per month. Being an Avon representative affords me the opportunity to get the girls extra things, to put things away for Christmas and a lot I use for myself. It gives me a lot of freedom.
RM: Do you one day want to devote more time to Avon?
Tina: I’m always reading the Avon newsletter about going to seminars and I really want to go. The great thing about Avon is that I am my own boss. I have my own hours – no one is checking in on me. No one is nagging me about my sales. They are there to support me and that feels great.
RM: You said your mom was an Avon Representative, what do you remember most about that experience?
Tina: I remember my mom going door to door and having friends over and throwing parties. They’d all sit down around the table and try out products. She spent the money on us. Even though she’s retired, she revisits it from time to time and even picked it up again a few years ago. That’s the amazing thing about Avon – anytime you want to pick it up, you can. You’re your own boss and you make your own hours.
RM: Tell us about your mommy group and how you’ve included them in your business.
Tina: With my mommy group, they are so supportive of my business. I was afraid they were going to think that I was hounding them, but they were so supportive. I have lots of friends starting small businesses – I think it’s great that these circle of women are supporting each other with these businesses that are popping up. If they’re going to purchase something and they see me, they like to give me the business and it’s great.
RM: What do you love most about Avon’s products and deals?
Tina: When Avon has a sale – they have a sale! They have a lot of jewelry packages; bath and body products – I’m getting all of them for kids teachers and bus drivers. There are so many gifts under $10 and under $5 – jewelry surprisingly is such wonderful quality. They have sterling silver, cubic zirconia – you can get something for $200 or $5 jewelry at Avon. They also have a featured item – the Wii a few years ago; digital video camera – partner with Sharper Image. There’s a wide selection of price. Last year, four of my friends got the Sharper Image camera. Their holiday gifts are wonderful.
To do your last minute holiday shopping with Avon or to find out how you can become a representative, visit their site today.
*This compensated post was sponsored by Avon.
Jason Lee Chats with Role Mommy
Rolemommy sat down with Jason Lee reprising his role as Dave, father to the Chipmunks and Chipettes in ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED opening in theaters this Friday, December 16th to discuss weight loss, filming and giving your kids a little space…..
RM We really enjoyed the movie, how did you feel about Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked? Was it different than the others?
Jason reveals “This one, I think it’s the best one personally. I think it’s very focused. It’s sharp. It’s tight. I think Mike Mitchell did a great job as a director. Certainly I had the most fun. The second one, Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel, I could only do a little bit in the movie. The first one, Alvin and the Chipmunks, was great. Now, the relationships are solid with the boys and Dave and everything’s just kind of tight and in. And it’s been years of doing this now, so everything just worked for this third one, I think, in a slightly elevated way.”
RM Do your children ever ask you where the chipmunks are, or do they have any issue with that illusion?
Since Jason’s son is now 7 years old but in the past he didn’t want to ruin the magic of moviemaking, “When I was filming the first one, Alvin and the Chipmunks, my son very much thought they were real and so I tried to keep him away from the set. But, the couple of times that he did come to the set, I would have to say, “Oh, the chipmunks are on a break,” or “They’ve gone back to the hotel or something to get massages.” Well, now he knows it’s all computer. My daughter (age 3) probably doesn’t care one way or the other.”
RM: When you did the first one, Alvin and the Chipmunks, did you envision that you’d end up doing three, or did you have any idea?
Jason was honest, “No. No, because some movies work and some don’t. You really never know. And then, the second one and then they said there would be a third one, and there probably will be a fourth one, I think.”
RM: Do people ask you to do the, “Alvin?” They do but does he oblige?
Jason laughed, “I do. Yes. It’s strange, because it’s just me yelling Alvin. It’s not like Homer Simpson. The guy who plays Homer’s voice, who puts on the voice. It’s just me yelling Alvin, right? It’s certainly really adorable when the kids recognize me on the street and say, “Are you Dave?”
RM: Without sounding insulting, we asked Jason if he lost a lot of weight when you were in Up All Night. Did he just grow or does he have some sort of new routine?
Not insulted at all (Phew!), Jason let us in on his little secret, “Yes, I changed my lifestyle. I gave up a lot of things and started exercising. I used to smoke cigarettes and, we all like our wine and beer and things like that. I gave all that up and I just got on a very strict diet and started exercising, cycling and running. And I dropped about 35 pounds. Just trying to be a little bit more fit and healthy. I’m 41 now and I have kids and I want to keep working. And I like being able to be fit enough to be diverse as an actor.”
RM: With your year old, how much room do you give him?
Jason reveals, “I think the greatest success I’ve had as a parent is treating my kids like they’re my friends, in that I kind of look at it like they’re just like us but smaller, and they have points of view, feelings, opinions. They have things to say. They get upset and frustrated just like we do when things don’t go our way. My son is very mature for his age and he’s very much his own little dude. And he comes to me and says, “Dad, I’m having a hard time with this.” And I say, “Okay. Well, let’s talk about it.” I think if you open up dialog with your kids it does enormous things versus sort of just treating them as kids. And all of those weird things that have trickled over from generation to generation from my mom’s era, which was kids are to be seen and not heard, all that weird stuff that still has trickled over into this generation even. I try to do everything but that. And as a result, we feel like we’re a part of a family, a group. And it’s not like we’re up here and the kids are down here. And it’s done a lot for their character, absolutely.
Well we think that Jason Lee did a great job once again as Dave Seville in ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED opening in theaters this Friday, December 16th. It’s rated G and fun for the whole family! For a sneak peak, check out the trailer below…