The roots of Avon can be traced back to 1886 when a struggling door-to-door salesman of books, David McConnell, decided to sell his own perfumes rather than books to New York homes.
He started the California Perfume Company which quickly prospered and appointed his first General Agent, Mrs Albee. At a time before women even had the right to vote, Mrs Albee was instrumental in establishing the unique sales method that continues to be Avon’s hallmark today
{Reference: http://www.avon.co.za/PRSuite/history.page}