Karrell Wilkerson

Homespun roots lead to lofty heights of achievement.

Growing up in a small county of barely 10,000 people in Liberty, Kentucky, Karrell Wilkerson spent her youth working in tobacco fields and milking cows on her dad’s dairy farm. Yet it is these humble beginnings that have helped plant the seeds for the Avon success she’s known for 21 years.

Years ago, Karrell went away to a larger town to spend a year and a half in college, but homesickness for the farm of her youth made her decide not to return to school. Recalling the recognition she received in high school as a future business leader, Karrell put her organizational and administrative skills to work as a bookkeeper for a saw mill and for a hardware store.

By the time she was 21 she was newly married, and was introduced to Avon by her older sister, Karen. Karen was also busy running a crafts store, and encouraged Karrell to assume responsibility for her Customers and business. Considering that Karrell was already her sister’s Avon helper, it was the perfect move,.

“From the beginning, the Representative career came naturally to me because I love customer service,” says Karrell. Sure enough, in her first year Karrell achieved President’s Club, and every year since has enjoyed increased sales.

Avon Customers are an Extended Family
Being the product of a close-knit, rural community has tied in perfectly with Avon’s core principals. “Our community is all about helping others,” says Karrell. “My business is alive and well because my Customers and I have grown to depend upon one another – like a family,” adds the eRepresentative.

Indeed, the tight network Karrell has established among friends, neighbors, and organizations has become her extended family. And the fact that the nearest Kmart or mall is 30-65 miles away, means that Karrell’s Avon business even more crucial to the well-being of her community.

Motivated by Her First Convention
Attending her first National Representative Convention at Orlando in 1998 added incredible purpose to Karrell’s business. Witnessing the upper levels of President’s Club recognition inspired her to say she’d be up on that stage the following year. And putting her plan in place, she was. She doubled her sales and reached President’s Council then, and has each year since.

Her commitment to Fundraisers has greatly contributed to the strength of Karrell’s business. “Any size Fundraiser presents a real opportunity for potential sales,” she says. One she organized for an elementary school PTA garnered $10,000 and earned Karrell her first trip to Hawaii.

When she embraced Leadership in 2004, Karrell gained more inspiration to help others achieve their dreams. And the example and advice of Woman of Enterprise honoree Lisa Wilber, prompted Karrell to transform her helpers into Downline members. With a thriving unit, Karrell, an Advanced Unit Leader, achieved a personal sales increase of over $34,000 in 2008.

Leadership success is also enabling Karrell to help her husband, Dennis, retire early from his career in construction equipment sales. And the flexibility of her schedule means more time to spend time with her parents.

This mother of two sons, and grandmother of three, is thrilled to be a 2009 Woman of Enterprise honoree. She accepts the honor with the same pride and humility she feels for the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, and the Girl Scouts of America, some of the organizations she serves.

“I am, and will always be grateful to Avon for the opportunity to reach out to others and change lives. I can’t imagine the future without some sort of Avon product in my hand,” says Karrell.