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	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

2009-11-07

2009-11-04

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Monday, July 06, 2009 11:28 AM

Photo by Elliot J. Sutherland/The Ottawa Herald

Nellie Davis, Rantoul, talks Friday to Cynthia Dryden about new Avon products at The Main Attraction hair salon in downtown Ottawa. Davis says that Avon is not just for middle-aged women; she has customers of all ages and genders.

Savvy selling keeps woman in touch with communities

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Staff Writer

RANTOUL — As she travels from place to place, Nellie Davis meets people.

She meets customers looking for perfumes and lotions, others searching for shoes or jewelry.

But most of all, Davis, a Rantoul resident who sells Avon products, meets friends on her selling route through Franklin County and surrounding areas.

“Some of my customers are my best friends,” she said. “I never would have met them if I didn’t sell Avon.”

‘Selling territory’

October will mark Davis’ 23rd year selling products for Avon, a company that specializes in beauty products and other gift items.

“The kids were gone, and I just thought I needed to do something to get away from the house,” she said.

And so began Davis’ stops to neighbors and local businesses.

“Back then, you had a territory, and you had to stay in your selling territory,” she said. “Mine was east of Rantoul toward Osawatomie. It wasn’t a get-rich-overnight deal.”

Since then, Davis has expanded the areas she sells to, which now include parts of Rantoul, Ottawa, Princeton, Richmond, Louisburg, Osawatomie and Paola.

“My area is really spread out now,” she said.

‘For all ages’

The products Avon offers have changed quite a bit over the years, Davis said.

“Now there is clothing, shoes and all kinds of gifts,” she said. “At first, I thought no one would buy fine jewelry from Avon, but they do.”

And the types of customers have changed as well, she said.

“It’s for all ages,” Davis said. “It’s also for men now, and I do have some men customers.”

Davis’ granddaughter would agree.

“It’s a lot trendier now,” Katie Ouellette said.

Ouellette helps Davis sack orders when they arrive every other Wednesday. Davis’ husband stamps product books with contact information, while a close friend helps with placing orders on a computer.

“I couldn’t do it without them,” Davis said.

‘Great company’

Davis’ selling schedule is based on a two-week period — known to her and customers as a campaign.

“Avon is convenient,” she said. “You don’t have to go into the city, park in the south 40, walk a mile and wait in line an hour. If you don’t like something or it’s broken, you don’t have to go to a service department.”

Avon’s return policy is something that appeals to its customers, Davis said.

“It’s been a great company to work for,” she said.

But it’s the customers and the friends she’s made who are Davis’ favorite part of her job.

“I can’t say enough about my customers,” she said. “My customers are the ones who make my business.”

Jenalea Myers can be e-mailed at jmyers@ottawaherald.com.