Getting to Know: Cíntia Franken

Serving as role models for entrepreneurship in their communities, Avon Representatives are now also the company’s actual models. Beginning in September, each Avon brochure will feature some of the most inspiring Avon Representatives from across the globe. These women embody Beauty for a Purpose, and on a daily basis are inspiring others through beauty. In this series, we will provide a glimpse into their empowering and remarkable journeys.

After being a loyal Avon customer for 20 years, Cíntia Franken of Farroupilha, Brazil, was inspired to become a Representative three years ago. It marked a shift in her entire perspective: “I started to take better care of myself, I naturally feel more confident, and it spreads out to all other aspects of life,” she says.

The statement, “There is beauty in all of us. Be proud!” is not just a “catch phrase,” Cíntia says. “I think this combination of beauty and attitude drives us and supports us as we work towards our goals, just like feeling beautiful creates a positive attitude to life.”

8 Questions with Cíntia

To me, empowerment means:

a new way to include women in the labour market and in society in general. It is conquering your independence and striving for financial equality. It is being able to work toward such goals with no barriers in your way. It is also feeling beautiful along the way, feeling confident, and believing that beauty combined with work makes the difference and leads to success.

I feel most beautiful when:

I have beautiful makeup on. When you apply makeup, it feels like you are putting on a shield that protects and supports you throughout your day.

The best advice my mother ever gave me:

being optimistic in life, valuing the joy of life, worrying less, dreaming more.

My “secret weapon” is:

mascara, no doubt. It brings out your eyes, and makes you strong and courageous. I feel like a different woman, more beautiful and confident.

Friendship is:

precious. Friendship is like an insurance policy; you know you will be protected and soothed when you stumble. It is another form of love, maybe one of the most truthful ways to love, since it is based on freedom of choice.

My weekends are typically:

intense. We have a large circle of friends, so there’s always something going on – invitations, birthday parties, graduations, barbecues, and also short weekend trips to the beach or some other new destination.

I love being my own boss because:

[Avon] is easy to sell; the brand is known and respected worldwide. And there’s the flexible schedule, you can sell anytime, any day of the week. You realize the company sees Representatives as allies.

My best quality is:

to smile, to laugh at myself, to laugh at life!

If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d bring:

mascara, sunscreen and lipstick/gloss. This beauty trio works anywhere, even on a desert island!