Avon’s founder David H. McConnell was a progressive pioneer, an impressive visionary, a courageous game-changer, and above all, a champion of women.

But he didn’t set out to create a beauty company. He was a travelling book salesperson, and offered beauty products as a gift. He soon realised customers were more interested in the free perfume samples than the books.

From a small New York City office, McConnell mixed the company’s first fragrances himself, and recruited a team of women to be Sales Representatives.

It was a radical business model in 1886, but McConnell believed in the power of community, and was passionate about giving women the opportunity to take firm control and responsibility for their lives and their families.