The £7,000,000 Avon Lady

Most of us will have come into contact with Avon cosmetics and fragrances at one time or another. Growing up with them over the years, we may remember 'the Avon look of glamour' in the 50's, 'ding dong - Avon calling!' in the 60's and in the eighties watching mothers and sisters lining their eyes in electric blue and pouting in bubble gum pink.

For one woman facing redundancy in Sunderland, England, however, Avon has become a life-changing career following sales of £7,000,000. Debbie Davis, 29, lost her job at a printing factory in 2004 and signed up with Avon to try to raise her £400 rent. She found however that in one three week campaign she turned over £18,800.

Debbie has now recruited a team of over 2,500 representatives and earns £250,000 per year. Today Ms Davis told British newspaper, The Telegraph "It's unbelievable. To go from nothing to this is amazing."

To watch the inspirational entrepreneur imparting business tips see below for a video masterclass featuring Debbie and Dragon's Den business woman Julie Meyer.


Avon began trading in 1886 as an American based company called the California Perfume Company. 28 year old David H. McConnell established offices in New York and hired his first agent, Mrs P.F.Albee. In 1928 a toothbrush, talcum powder and a vanity set were the first products offered under the brand name Avon.