Pros -
1. There is only a $10 start up fee.
2. Catalogs offer wide variety of products.
3. New campaigns every two weeks.
4. Brand recognition.
5. Merchandise reasonable if not cheaply priced.
6. No territories.
7. Seasonal and children's products.
Cons -
1. $10 initial start up fee does not include your start up basics such as catalogs and demos, those must be purchase separately.
2. Market saturation. In my local area there are hundreds of men and women selling Avon.
3. Campaigns changing every two weeks requires you to constantly buy new catalogs.
4. Demos must be purchased at cost and is recommended you purchase a demo every campaign but not required.
5. Required sales goals. Avon requires you to meet a certain quarterly goal or they will revoke your right to sell their products.
6. Avon does not provide you with your own personal website for online direct sales for your clients.
7. Customers must often purchase a product before seeing it or trying it.
Pros -
1. $100 Start up cost includes Starter Kit valued at over $400 and includes everything you need to start your Mary Kay business.
2. No territories.
3. New campaigns every three months.
4. Brand recognition.
5. Department store quality for below department store price.
6. Brand loyalty.
7. Fantastic employee incentive program. (Everyone has seen a Mary Kay Pink Cadillac!)
8. Great support system with other Mary Kay consultants and Mary Kay Corporate.
9. Mary Kay belief system is God, Family, Job.
10. Try it before you buy it!
Cons -
1. Slightly higher prices than some Avon products.
2. Some market saturation. While there are many Mary Kay consultants most areas have a large untapped market of potential clients.
3. Recommended form of marketing is hosting Mary Kay parties or set appointments to have others host the parties. It is not required and they do offer other forms of marketing this happens to be the main strategy they provide.
4. Recommended that you purchase the free sample sized gifts (these are rather inexpensive but it can be considered a draw back)
5. Initial investment is $100.
6. More focused and limited inventory.
Why I chose Mary Kay
In the past I have purchased both Mary Kay and Avon products and enjoyed them both. If truth be told though I have always enjoyed the experience I get with my Mary Kay Consultant, she is always full of the latest trends in make-up and skin care. She takes the time to know me and my skin so she can best meet my needs and always presents me with products I love! I have come to love and rely on some of their best products and frankly couldn't live without them now. But it was more than just that I love what Mary Kay stands for compassion, beauty inside and out, and faith.
As a Mary Kay Consultant I hope that I can make every woman I meet feel more beautiful and more confident about herself. I want to uplift women while providing them the products and services they need, and to give them the latest trends and tips in the make-up world.
I hope that anyone who is trying to decide which company is right for them will find this helpful. Both companies have a lot to offer so research for yourself and don't buy into all the hype you read on some of the forums, there are people who have bad experiences but everyone who considering any self-employment opportunity must understand that whether you succeed or not completely depends on you so keep that in mind as you read.
I also welcome anyone who has experience with either company to come and share the honest truth about both, we want the good, the bad, and the beautiful.
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