A mum who quit her job as a primary school teacher to focus on her own beauty business has said it was the best decision ever after getting ready to launch her own line of products.
Annie-Lisa, 43, from Radcliffe, started her own Avon beauty business three years ago to earn some extra money while working as a teaching assistant at a primary school.
The mum of three says she has always dreamt of working in the beauty world, but it was the pandemic that led her to make the giant leap to pursuing it on a full-time basis.
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“I became an Avon Representative in 2019 as a means to supplement my main income as a support teacher at a primary school in Manchester,” Annie explains.
“After the pandemic took hold and the schools closed temporarily, I decided to let my SEN licence expire so I could focus more energy on my family and pursue my own ventures.”
With many shops closed during the lockdown, the business opportunity became a lucrative one for Annie - who sells around 120 products a month.
Annie says she earned more than £350 over the festive period.
“I mainly used canvassing cards when I started and, as people really enjoy the Avon experience and talk to their friends and family about it, it helps me grow my community,” she explains.
“Throughout the pandemic I started using their new app which allows me to share digital brochures directly with people I interact with.
“The products I was selling through lockdown didn’t really change, my customers were still putting in their regular orders.
“I even gained some new ones when the shops were selling out of hand sanitiser and face masks, which people could easily order from me.”
Coming from a dual-heritage background, Annie said she has always felt there were gaps in the beauty industry in terms of the products available for all skin tones and skin types.
When she heard of the Beauty In Colour competition, which encourages beauty entrepreneurs of colour who identify as female to pitch their own product idea to Avon, she knew it was an ideal opportunity for her.
Annie reached the final of the competition last year, which she says has empowered her to take the leap and become an entrepreneur.
“I was surprised – but so happy - to reach the semi-finals, let alone get to the final stage of the competition,” she added.
“It has really changed my life for the better and given me such a boost of confidence.”
Annie hopes to launch her own ‘Mix it Up’ product, which consists of a number of facial mists which are inclusive of all skin tones, along with other inclusive beauty products.
“I thought it was the perfect fit for me,” Annie said.
“I have always wanted to start my own business and already had an idea in mind for a product - it was the perfect time for me to explore my dream.
“I’ve sometimes found it hard to find the right products for my skin which is why I wanted to create something that would cater to everyone, regardless of skin tone and gender.”
In fact, the money Annie has earnt from her Avon business has already been put towards not only spoiling her children but also signing up for coding classes to help build her own website.
“The extra money I earn means I can afford little luxuries for my children and make special days like birthdays and holidays even more special for them,” Annie says.
“The earnings have also helped me pay for my coding classes which I am extremely grateful for.
“I joined a support group for women and non-binary people in Manchester called Code and Stuff Manchester – I’ve not only learned so much but have met some incredible people through the course.”
Annie says she will always be grateful for the opportunities she has been given from working with Avon and plans to continue working with them while launching her own products.
“I have my eye set on becoming a sales leader,” she confesses.
“I would love to have a team under me and teach them all the things I learned as a representative and see them thrive as I did.
“I have no plan on slowing my business down anytime soon, it’s helped me get out of my shell and talk to like-minded people which has had a positive impact on my mental health.
“Although I plan to launch my own business in the near future, it will always be a part of my professional career.
“I would tell anyone looking to start their own beauty business to take a leap of faith and do it.
“It has had such a positive impact on my life, from building strong relationships with people I would have never have met otherwise to building my confidence.
“It is brilliant for your mental health and extremely flexible, meaning you can make it work around your life and schedule as well as getting to work with some incredible and inspiring people.”
