How to Juggle a Career While Being an Entrepreneur

Each month, you may have noticed that I spotlight a different AVON representative who is making their mark in the world in their very own way. Because we all have different ways that we shine, I feel it is important that we hear from women who are leading by example while helping other women tap into their fullest potential.

This month, I am featuring Special Education teacher and AVON representative Wandy Dargan from New York, who is finding the right balance between her career, her family, and being an entrepreneur.

How did you get started with AVON?

The first time around I needed a little extra cash and signed up online. However, the 1st time around didn’t go as planned due to unforeseen circumstances. The 2nd (and last time 😉 ) my husband (Danny) asked if I had given up on Avon and I told him that I felt that I needed to join a team that would be supportive and if I had any questions or concerns, there would be someone I could reach out to. I immediately thought of Team Destiny (Lynette & Gary Bledsoe). When I reached out to Lynette and Gary, I told them that my husband wanted to join Avon to start our own home business and they immediately helped him sign up. Soon after, Lynette helped me become his co-applicant on the account and our business has been doing well ever since! 2nd time is a charm with the right people on your team!

You are a Special Education Teacher. How do you balance that with selling AVON?

Being a Special Ed teacher, you learn how to “balance” what comes naturally in the classroom. Since I also speak Spanish and a majority of my students are Spanish, I also get to practice speaking Spanish every once in a while. I treat my Avon business the same way that I look at my students. Everyone needs their own allotted timeframe. Although it’s usually family first after work, my daughter is my best sales associate. As we walk to and from work/school, we distribute brochures. My customers are great. They know how to reach me during my regular work/school hours and know that I will contact them the moment I leave my school building. I also check in with them via email or text messages during the day.

AVON sells items or the entire family. What products do you like that they sell for the younger set?

I have a 7 year old daughter (Briana, who also has ADHD) who is in love with the Natural Kids products. She wants every scent available. She also loves whatever products Avon has, as she says, “for girls my age!”.

Work Life Balance is important. How do you juggle your life, your work, your family, and being an entrepreneur?

Balancing my life, work, my family and my business is not easy. It takes some getting used to. I’ve learned how to incorporate my Avon business into my daily schedule. For example, if I have to make a supermarket run, brochures come with me. I carry my Avon tote bag with about 10 brochure packets and a few samples. I even purchased magnets for the side of my car so that people know I’m an Avon rep. Briana and I also have Avon buttons that we purchased. So I guess you can say Avon now fits in any time of the day!

What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with starting their own business?

Stay positive, determined and reach out to others in the Avon community! Not everyone can build their empire in a day or in 30 days. I’ve learned that consistency is key. There are webinars, Independent Representative made videos, forums/communities in which we can share ideas. Reach out, Stay Consistent, AND DONT GIVE UP!

It’s Back to School time. What are some BTS tips you can share with my readers?

Again, consistency is key. I try to keep bed time, homework time and dinner time the same time every night. Ask your children about what happened in school today. Don’t ask “did anything special happen today,” they might think that you only want to know the “special stuff.” It is important to know what happens in our children’s lives. Don’t just ask questions, listen to their answers! And finally, from the teacher’s perspective, become involved however you possibly can – whether its reaching out to the teacher to see if help is needed in or out of the classroom. But most importantly, thank you son/daughters teacher for all of the work that they do!

How has AVON changed your life?

Avon is still changing my family’s life. I’ve learned that life is what you make it. It’s funny because you always hear that statement and it’s doesn’t necessarily resonate until you actually live it. I’m used to talking to children every day – It’s what I do. Avon has helped me with my adult people skills. Yes, that’s right, adult people skills. I’ve come to find it easier to approach adults with the experiences/products Avon has to offer. Not only has it helped with my people skills, but Avon has also helped my family pay for family outings and has helped us buy things “just because” we want too.

How can AVON help busy moms buy for their family?

AVON is a great business that goes where you go! I take my Avon business with me everywhere! The playground, doctor’s appointments, supermarkets, anywhere! Everything just fits in. I got tired of telling my daughter “sorry hun, mommy and daddy don’t have money for that now” or “sorry, food and bills first then the extra stuff later.” I make Avon work me. Avon helps me create that extra family time every other night. I ask my daughter to help me stamp and pack my brochures or separate products that we have to deliver, and she loves it!

Finish this sentence. In five years, I want to be _______________.

In five years, I want to be an Avon Senior Executive Unit Leader! I am also studying to be an Administrator (principal) but that won’t stop me and my Avon business. I’ve learned that the only limit we have is the one we set for ourselves!

As you can see, having it all doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you attempt to be the greatest person you can be while striving for your personal best. Wandy is a prime example of this.

To connect with Wandy, you can reach out to her on her media channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WandysAvon
Instagram: @wandyc01

Blogger: http://wandyshomebusiness.blogspot.com

Twitter: @WandysAvon