I’m excited to share with you my interview with Jessica Heller, beauty guru and Avon Representative, who at the ripe age of 24 has transformed her love of makeup into a full time business with big time results! Jessica graduated from University of South Carolina and could have pursued any career, but she went for one where she knew she would love her work, get to interact with women daily, where she would be her own boss and where her days would be filled with lipsticks and lotions.

Jessica Heller

In this interview Jessica Heller talks to Marta Walsh about her first memories of loving makeup. What made her deiced on a career with Avon. What does it take to be successful as an Avon Representative and at anything in life really. What keeps her driven and inspired. Her Favorite Avon products and future plans. A little secret: Marta Walsh is now inspired. Thank you Jessica!

Marta Walsh: Where do you call home?
Jessica Heller: I live in Columbia, SC.

MW: When did your fascination with makeup and beauty begin?
JH: I have always been into makeup.  My mom always tells me the story of when she entered her bedroom and spotted me putting on makeup.  I turned and looked up at her and had purple eye shadow all over my face!  I also had been experimenting with makeup since I was 3 because we got all done up for my annual ballet recitals!

MW: Why have you decided on career with Avon? How did you start?
JH: I started Avon at the age of 16 when I joined the mark. program. However, I decided to really go full force with my Avon business when I was a junior at the University of South Carolina.  I took a look at the advantages of having a corporate marketing position versus being the CEO of my own business.  I didn’t want to sit at a desk all day from 9-5, have limited vacation time, look up to a boss I may not be fond of, and do the same repetitive tasks everyday.  With Avon I am able to meet people of all personalities everyday so it is always eventful!  There are also so many different creative ways you can earn money and build your business: such as fundraising, door to door, business to business, home parties, having your customers order through your own personalized website, e-events, cash bonus incentives and the most profitable would be building your own team!

MW: What are some of the reasons that you became so successful as an Avon Representative? What keeps you driven?
JH: The main reason I have been a success so far with my Avon business is due to personally working on myself.  Graduating from college does not signal:  Stop Learning.  I am constantly reading and listening to books and attending seminars/conferences on marketing techniques, social networking, inspiration and personal development. This daily 15-20 minute routine can really make a difference in a person’s career and life.  I always recommend starting with the library and finding what interests you!  This is a great place to start!

Another reason I have had success is because of hearing of other Avon Representatives personal success stories as well. Top representatives in Avon are incredible because we are so driven and it’s so fascinating to hear other’s stories and how they got to the top.  Most of us are just ordinary people, just like you, who had a drive to be someone and get somewhere!

MW: What advice can you give anyone interested in a career as an Avon Representative? What are the must-have keys for excellence?
JH: There are 3 simple traits a person needs to have if they want to excel.  First is patience.  You can make quick money with your personal sales, however, if you want to go big and start building your team this will require your patience. Second is persistence. Persistence is required because if you keep doing what you are doing you are definitely going to keep growing. Sometimes people give up right before they would have really started making lots of money so you have to keep going and don’t quit!  Third is personal development.  I highly recommend this because we are our own bosses and we need to make sure we have something to motivate ourselves. Setting your own goals and achieving them is extremely powerful!

MW: What did your business journey with Avon has thought you professionally and personally?
JH: Honestly, if it weren’t for going full force with my Avon business I may never have continued to work on myself personally. I would have been so subdued in my daily 9-5 and wouldn’t have seen a reason to read inspirational books by speakers such as Tony Robbins and Les Brown. I have really grown exponentially as a business professional and a leader since I have graduated in 2008 because of the reading material I have chosen to immerse myself in.

MW: What do you love most about your job?
JH: I love inspiring others in my team and helping them succeed to the level they choose!

MW: What are some for your favorite Avon products and why?
JH: My favorite Avon product would be the Clearskin Professional skincare line.  It is similar to Proactiv but works better and is a lower price!  I also love the mark. line of products because they are so incredibly up to date on the trends!

MW: What and who inspires you?
JH: My mom has been my largest inspiration because without seeing how simple it really is to be your own boss I might not have taken this step in my career.  Many people think that people sell Avon to make a little extra money on the side.  Watching her I was able to see that you really can make this a career and earn a six figure income if you have it in your heart to do the work.  I have also been able to see that there is really nothing huge and difficult that she is doing to be such a success.  It is just a bunch of small tasks that add up to a huge success!

MW: When you are not busy working where can we find you?
JH: You can find me in yoga class or at a local coffee shop.  Yoga helps me expand my mind and gives me more energy.( As if I don’t have enough already haha!)  I also love going to a local coffee shop to treat myself and relax with a great book!

MW: What’s next for Jessica Heller?
JH: What’s next…do you really want to know? I am striving to be one of the Top 20 in Avon.  I understand this will take time but this is one of my huge goals I am going to achieve! I also would love to buy my first home and pay for it outright!  Wouldn’t it be nice to have no mortgage at all? While working on these goals I will of course spend my time traveling since this has also been a passion of mine!

To learn more about Avon visit: www.avon.com

To learn more about mark visit: www.meetmark.com