Independent National Sales Director Emeritus
Avelyn Smith
Copiague, New York

FORMER OCCUPATION:
School Teacher

HIGHLIGHTS:
Began, April 1989; Independent Sales Director, January 1990; Independent National Sales Director, February 2015

Holding others in high esteem. Independent National Sales Director Emeritus Avelyn Smith’s love for people has propelled her throughout her Mary Kay journey. She has always worked from her personal sense of integrity, truly shaped by her Christian values. This has brought tremendous meaning to her Mary Kay business, and her business has always reflected who she is as a human being. Mary Kay has been a vehicle for her to express her love for others, display her giving nature, live her excitement to teach and help others transform their lives.

The mother of three, Avelyn, says what motivated her to be successful was her children; sons and daughter, Krisoye, Kamila and Loren. The most valuable lesson Avelyn learned in her journey was, “to stay the course.” No matter what obstacles presented themselves, she relied on her faith and infallible work ethic to get her through because she knew her children depended on her.

Avelyn gives credit to her Independent Senior National Sales Director, Valerie Bagnol, for her support and encouragement. She also feels indebted to Mary Kay Inc. for this lifechanging experience. Mary Kay Ash’s business philosophy of “God first, family second, career third” was impactful for her because Avelyn felt it matched her own personal philosophy. “It spoke to what I valued most in life and helped me maintain the proper perspective as a working mom.”

As an Independent National Sales Director, Avelyn strove to build a cohesive foundation, so women would know that it didn’t matter what race, color, or creed they were, they could have it all and saw that, “as women support each other, they grow stronger together.” Avelyn’s advice to anyone who would dare is to “work your Mary Kay business without inhibition and disregard the negative.” She also believes, “You have an enormous opportunity to impact the lives of others so, put your hand in God’s hand, give your business your best and the best will come back to you.”

Now, as an NSD Emeritus, Avelyn reflects on her biggest takeaway from her Mary Kay journey, saying, “Mary Kay is more than the money. You can't put a price tag on the things of intrinsic value – the personal growth, the emotional growth, the professional growth, the spiritual growth, and the strength you develop as a woman.

“I instilled in my children the values that I gained from working my Mary Kay business. My son, who is very successful in his own right, always says, ‘Mom, I just watch you. And I'm just doing what you've taught us to do – to be good citizens, to work hard and to always pay attention to other people, to treat them well. And that's what I do.’”