My very first customer was 21 years ago. I just got my very first shipment of Avon products.
She seen them come and be delivered on my porch. I felt her eyes watching as I drug those boxes into my apartment.
I swear I felt her peeping through my livingroom window as I sorted through everything in unbelievable excitement.
Being a direct sales person back then had so much more value in the words themself.
I put all the "orders" in their respected bags. Paperclipped all the orders to the bags with name and address showing.
Loaded them into boxes per neighborhood and set the finished boxes on my porch to be loaded into my car once I was done prepping all boxes.
Loading the car I had such a creepy feel. You know that feeling when someone is watching you... Boy do I wish I had more then that brick of a Motorola pager back then. (Not so much a brick but sure was a rock on my side. Lol)
Off I drove it was just after dinner time. My child strapped in her car seat and we were off.
Single mom life...
Oh we loved our customers.
Sabrina always came home with a box full of goodies. (Good thing I had boxes in the car. Lol)
This went on for maybe 3 campaigns. It actual was more comical at this point. That my one friend actually came over and watched from my bedroom window to see if what I felt was actually happening. Or was it losing my cotton pickin mind...???
I would say to my friend through the apartment... "I FEEL IT" (meaning I felt the neighbor was peering at me from her window.)
We barely spoke this Neighbor and I. She was older and not the most friendliest.
Very quiet and to herself.
But to me she was great. I never had a real problem and new Sabrina and I were always being watched. So as a single mom... I never truly felt alone.
Normally I would of given this lovely woman a brochure at the first sign of interest. But she was different.
There was something in me that wanted this to follow through and unfold.
--- Here we are campaign 4 with Avon. The boxes were piled on the porch. My toddler was like a crazy cat pouncing on their favorite toy.
This peeping Tom old lady from next door out of nowhere came down and played with Sabrina. She was so happy to help me and even more happy to play with my child as I hoofed each box up those steps. This dear woman held Sabrina's hand as they walked up those amazing wooden Victorian steps one by one. They walked at the same speed with the same shakiness, step by step. ♡
My heart was growing as my mind was thinking "Lord, I am carrying this box, it is so heavy. Please, please, please don't let them fall back on me."
That wonderful old woman blossomed in my eyes that very day.
She became the highlight on my coming home.
We started going to the grocer together.
Playing cards while Sabrina napped.
It was like having the best roommate ever as we only lived a hallway apart.
Helen became a vital person in my every day. She also became a great helper in my Avon business. She loved seeing everything that came in my Avon boxes and would tell me these fabulous stories of her years with Avon. She melted my heart.
Helen loved what we did so much family new everything tho I never really met them till she passed.
My heart hurts till this day. How this wonderful woman lived her life till Avon brought us together.
I still wonder why this Helen never had family visit her home till after she passed. Yet they new everything about us and all we had been doing the years prior.
__ __
/ \ / \
| HELEN |
| & |
\
AVON /
\ /
\ /
Always in our hearts and memories Sweet Helen.
My K-mart walker. Apple Dumpling lover.
Sweetest little old woman who broke through her own shell. I wish you were around for my grandkids, they would simply love you.
No this wasn't my first direct sale order.
But she was the first person interested as that first shipment was actually my kit.
Those bags I was preparing were mere catalogs and samples. ....
Years later I am back with
Avon. You are welcome to join me.
http://wfhc-lorieannbishop-af16.thewfhc.com
