The cost of living is impacting millions of people, with many looking to put a bit of extra money in their pocket. This was the case for Laura Thurlow, a 33-year-old woman from Derbyshire, who previously worked as a receptionist.
With the cost of living crisis raging on, she soon took the leap to start her own Avon beauty business in 2020.
At the time, Ms Thurlow went on maternity leave and fell pregnant with her second child – and it was at this point she realised her current income would only be just sufficient enough for childcare costs.
Worried about how to supplement her income, she recalled how her uncle and his girlfriend had been successful in becoming Avon representatives.
Reaching out, she started up her own Avon business and, in her best month, earned £3,000 from this income stream.
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Ms Thurlow explained: “I calculated how much I’d be earning an hour after childcare and tax – and I was never going to be able to live off £1.35.
“It was here I realised there wasn’t much point in me going back to work as I’d be losing precious time with my kids to work and pay for someone else to look after them!
“Avon’s Rep opportunity meant I’d be able to not only look after my children, but also work for myself on my own terms and schedule.”
Ms Thurlow is now able to be relatively flexible when it comes to her new role, with her responsibilities and workload changing on a day to day basis.
With “no two days the same”, the ex-receptionist has expressed her excitement about running the business and seeing the results.
She continued: “You work whenever you like and set your own hours, so there’s no pressure or targets to meet.
“You’re in total control of your schedule and able to work around any commitments you have. Whether it be an hour or day or a full-time job, you’ll be successful as long as you’re consistent and put the hard work in.”
Ms Thurlow’s Avon business has enabled her to be a stay-at-home mum to her two children, which she describes as the “biggest benefit I could have asked for”.
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With childcare costs continuing to increase, she can bypass this expense while making her own money.
She added: “The cost of living crisis has taken a toll on everyone’s finances.
“My Avon earnings have helped me not feel the impact of this as much as I would have and continues to put food in the cupboards and clothes on my kids that would otherwise cost a lot. It’s the simple things that have truly made the biggest difference in our lives.”
Ms Thurlow urges others who are considering becoming an Avon representative to investigate the matter further.
She said: “If you don’t try, you won’’t know what you’re missing!
“It’s completely changed my life – women who were in similar positions to me are now joining my team and becoming stay-at-home mums too! Go for it!”
Ms Thurlow’s story comes as new research from Avon has shown women’s career choices are often being negatively impacted by gender stereotypes.
A quarter of those asked said their career progression has slowed due to taking on childcare responsibilities – as workplaces fail to offer adequate flexible working options.
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