This year, Avon International celebrates its 125th anniversary of fulfilling women’s dreams. Also this year, Avon Philippines celebrates its 33rd anniversary in the country. And, most importantly this year, Go Negosyo and Avon celebrate the beginning of a great partnership. Together, with many reasons to celebrate, we do encourage Filipinos to believe to succeed.

In the Philippines, a majority of micro-entrepreneurs are women. A lot of successful companies and businesses out there were also founded and are currently run by women of different ages. I think people would agree that women have this natural entrepreneurial inclination.

There are also so many Filipinas out there who would like to start their own businesses but are constrained by a busy lifestyle — of being a professional or a full-time mom at home. Thus, they think of alternative ideas. With this, Avon presents diverse entrepreneurial opportunities (for both women and men) that guarantee success, as long as you put in hard work and dedication.

Let me share the stories of women whose lives have changed because Avon has opened the doors that have led to their journey toward success.

Lorna Banzon used to dream of putting her four children through school. But, with her husband’s income as a taxi driver, she knew that she needed to think of other ways. Then, Lorna tried doing laundry and sewing garments for extra income. But after encountering Avon ladies in their area, she was drawn to the products and the system of selling.

Step by step, Lorna climbed Avon’s ladder to success. She started selling the products as a beauty counselor, then became a franchise dealer, and soon became a franchise manager. This was when she slowly reached her dream of sending her children to school. But, Lorna was also determined to earn more. She rose to become a service center operator and later on became an Avon business partner running her very own Avon branches in Bataan. An Avon business partner is a person or entity that is given the opportunity to earn by managing and operating an Avon branch, of course, in accordance with company standards.

“When I was starting, I would leave my children at home, leave food and give them instructions on when to eat. My husband and I would go to offices and barrios to recruit,” shared Lorna. From an initial capital of P100, the money she used to buy the kit when she started selling Avon products, Lorna now grosses more than P10 million from her outlets in Bataan.

Lorna’s suggestions to aspiring entrepreneurs in any field: “Focus on the business. Stick to your dream. Industry, hard work, and discipline are important. Maintain good relationships with customers. Stay focused and work hard.”

“By being an entrepreneur through Avon, I learned to delay gratification in order to prepare for bigger things to come,” said Helen Mangubat, a successful and proud Avon business partner for eight years.

Helen used to be a teacher and a saleswoman before becoming an employee of Avon for 22 years. She worked in the manufacturing and other areas. At the age of 47, despite her career growth in the company, Helen already wanted to retire to spend more time with her husband and two kids. But, she also wanted to continue contributing to the family income. The solution presented itself. Because of her outstanding performance as an employee of Avon, she was given an opportunity to be an Avon business partner.

“Being a negosyante is really something that is one of a kind, because you realize that this is your money and this is what you will pass on to your children,” Helen shared. With the support of her family, she is profitably running her Guadalupe and Tondo branches. “I get satisfaction out of giving service. This is my passion,” Helen added.

Helen is also proud of her realizations along the way as an entrepreneur. She is proud of herself for taking risks and being prepared to invest in the business. She recognizes that with good work, the return of investment will even be greater than her sacrifices.

With her success, Helen would like to share some words of wisdom to those who are aspiring to be Avon Business Partners or to those who would like to put up their own negosyo. “Know the business you would like to enter. Analyze yourself. Will you find happiness in what you want to do? Give your all and have passion to do things. Don’t forget to reward yourself and the people who work for you.”

Avon business partner Michelle Moralde of Ormoc, on the other hand, grew up with parents who were full-time Avon entrepreneurs. “I saw how Avon changed our lives. I was able to study because my parents were selling the products. In fact, when I was growing up, I told myself that I wanted to be like my parents who were entrepreneurs,” she said.

Michelle was fascinated by the concept of selling ever since she was little. When she entered college, she was already helping her parents with the business. When she graduated, Michelle tried her hand at being an employee but it didn’t take long for her to discover her true passion — selling. It was when she began her career as an Avon business partner. Michelle has been running the Maasin and Ormoc branches for eight years.

“I never stop to think about ideas. Even when I’m taking a bath, I’m still thinking about business matters. Top of mind are my consumers. As an entrepreneur, I am hands-on. I also prioritize time and people management,” shared Michelle. She is also proud of how being an entrepreneur changed her life. Michelle is happy to have the chance to travel and meet different types of people. She said that being an entrepreneur gives her a sense of achievement and self-fulfillment.

For those who would like to follow in Michelle’s footsteps, she shares some words of advice: “Maintain a good relationship with people. Master your craft. Devote time, passion and love for your work. Of course, hard work should be a constant.”

At 65 years old, Dulce de Leon is reaping the rewards of her sacrifices. She used to do clerical work in offices until she realized that the demands of her work were causing her to neglect her family and duties at home. Then, Dulce joined her friends in Avon. There, she realized the difference between being employed and being an entrepreneur. “In business, the harder you work, the bigger the return,” she said.

Dulce now runs four Avon branches. Her whole family is also either involved in their branches or engaged in their own Avon endeavors. She is also proud of her achievements. “I was very shy before, but Avon really gave me the training. My children studied in exclusive schools and one of them even studied abroad,” Dulce proudly shared. Aside from those achievements, Dulce also owns the buildings where her branches are located. She also owns a resort and has begun putting up a school. Aside from her personal accomplishments, Dulce is also proud to provide employment to 80 people. She is happy to help her employees and dealers change their lives for the better.

For the aspiring and starting entrepreneurs out there, Dulce shares her three Ds –“desire, determination, dedication.”

And, for those who would like to be Avon entrepreneurs: “Avon gives trust to those who would like to succeed. Work hard to keep that trust, and you will go a long way…”

Aside from Lorna, Helen, Michelle and Dulce, there are six million Avon entrepreneurs worldwide, making the company No. 1 in the direct selling industry. These are six million who chose to believe, and with hard work, they continue to succeed.

Contact me: feedback@gonegosyo.net or Joey Concepcion Facebook account. Visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the top-rating entrep show Go Negosyo: Kaya Mo! on GMA News TV, Saturday and Sunday 8-8:30am. Get daily Go Negosyo Text Tips on your mobile phone by sending GONEGO to 2910.