Donna Sims
Remarkable stamina and dedication create a purposeful life and business.

If you asked her friends, family, neighbors and business associates for a few words about Donna Sims, the descriptions “giving” and “caring” would most certainly top the list. This Senior Executive Unit Leader from Belleville, Illinois, has been a volunteer and activist in her community for 22 years… and that’s how long she’s spent building her Avon career.

“My mother used to say ‘you find someone who needs help and you just do it.’ That’s how I was raised, and her words continue to drive me to this day,” says Donna.

Indeed, those words still inspire the energy and devotion Donna puts toward a wide net of community outreach. Her activities include: helping to manage a local animal shelter, pitching in with services for the senior citizen members of her church, and volunteering and fund-raising for a community crisis center. She also formed a network of small business owners in Belleville to offer support and advice to its members and the community.

In addition, Donna manages to hit the gym before dawn each day with her husband David, and she always makes time for her two grown sons and two young grandchildren. “My family has been so supportive of my career,” says Donna. “They push me to remain active in my community, and they give me the strength to believe in myself.”

Being Is Giving
The spirit to go out of her way for others has given Donna the tools to create a fulfilling and successful Avon business. It’s no wonder that she is one of Avon’s best!

In 2001, Donna was abruptly fired from her 13-year career as a grade school cook. Already a Unit Leader, she decided to work on her Avon Leadership business full-time, and within just two years she reached her goal to become a Senior Executive Unit Leader.

According to her District Sales Manager, Linda Dunker, Donna’s success stems from her caring nature. “Donna is such a giving person. She wants everyone around her to be successful and her passion for the opportunity transcends everything,” says Linda. “She is sold on the business opportunity, and her belief in Leadership—in her Downline and in this company—is so strong,” she adds.

It Pays to Follow Up
Donna recalls earlier days, when her District Sales Manager was always offering encouragement and regularly challenging her with the question: “What are you going to do with your business today?” These days Donna plants the same nurturing seeds to keep her Downline of more than 300 Representatives highly motivated.

And it has paid off beautifully. In 2007, her Downline saw a $300,000 sales increase, bringing her Total Unit Sales to $1.5 million. In addition, her Total Personal Sales exceeded $20,000. That same year, Donna was invited to speak about her success at the Divisional Sales Manager meeting in Nashville.

The concept that it pays to follow up applies at every level of the Avon experience. By leading by example, mentoring and following through with her Downline, Donna has helped others reach their goals and change their lives. She has been known to travel to outside Districts to help Leadership Representatives who may be struggling. Whatever it takes to encourage and support others is what Donna is known for, and it’s also why she is one of Avon’s Women of Enterprise.