Yes, She Can, and So Can Her Downline
This Executive Unit Leader enjoys challenges, and motivates and trains others
to achieve and realize their potential, too.
Determined” might be the best word to describe Sherrie Bennett, an Executive Unit Leader from Elgin, Texas, with 400 people in her Downline, who also works full-time and is very involved with her community and family. In 1979, when she was a single mother looking to supplement her income as a state employee, she found Avon and it felt like the perfect fit.
Sherrie isn’t shy. She went door-to-door and did lots of follow-up, which built her sales level and grew her Customer base. Sherrie found Customers everywhere: at work, at local businesses, at church and online. And so, her Avon business took off.
Sherrie likes challenges and setting goals. They drive her to excel, and led her to Sales Leadership. She says, “I also wanted to prove to everyone who said I couldn’t do it that I could. I am very determined and strong-willed, so if someone says ‘no, you can’t,’ I will do everything to show them that ‘yes, I absolutely can!’ ”
Sherrie is also motivated by being part of an Avon team, because teammates can encourage each other and get excited by the other’s success. She explains, “My ‘aha’ moment that helped me get to where I am now is that I realized you can’t do it alone. I really enjoy working with others and helping them achieve their goals and realize their potential.”
So, how does this terrific motivator guide and mentor her Downline? One way is by holding meetings locally. Since Sherrie’s small town is about an hour-and-a-half away from her District, she helps her Downline to build their Customer base by holding meetings in the area. She understands the importance of training, and gives appreciation gifts to Downline members who take part in at least five training classes.
Sherrie says, “As for selling beauty products, I try and instill in my Downline that training is key. I encourage them to take part in the Beauty of Knowledge. I also have a Beauty Advisor in my Downline and she holds classes where we talk about the products and how to sell them. I also tell them that all the information they need is at their fingertips on yourAVON.com.”
At Sherrie’s meetings, Downline members share what they enjoyed most about the training. She elaborates, “Everyone would get so excited and motivated. I could absolutely see a difference in their sales as a result.”
When it comes to teaching her Downline how to recruit, Sherrie takes the hands-on approach. She says, “Another way I help my Downline recruit new Representatives is by going out with them and showing them how it’s done. I also make sure to help them stock up on all the supplies they will need.”
But Sherrie also finds e-mail to be a useful supplement to all the face-to-face contact she provides, and sends her Downline e-mails that share training tips and selling ideas. And another advantage to those is that her Downline can then forward them onto their Downline members.
As committed as this Executive Unit Leader is to her Downline, and as busy as she is working full-time, being involved in Sunday school and taking care of her grandchildren, what are her plans for the future? Sherrie answers, “I keep saying one of these days I will retire and commit to Avon full-time.” It’s easy to believe that whatever goal Sherrie Bennett sets for herself, with her determination, it’s in her reach.
