Entrepreneur With A Destiny For Success

ne could say that Ethel Norwood-Williamson was destined to become a success in life. With a spirit of self-assurance that follows her everywhere, Williamson is one woman that makes the success of her beauty consulting business seems effortless. Williamson has been a skin care consultant for BeautiControl® and an image consultant for the past five and one-half years. As a working wife and mother of three children, she provides image consulting to women and men. Williamson goes into the home of some of her clients and totally rearranges their wardrobe. She conducts beauty clinics and does wedding consulting for women.

Williamson graduated from Northside High School in 1977 as a graduating junior. As a former drum majorette and cosmetology student, she could not wait to graduate and experience college life. At age 16, she entered LeMoyne-Owen College hoping to become a social worker because of her love for helping people. However, love stepped in and Williamson left LeMoyne-Owen College during her senior year to move to Washington, D.C. with her husband. There, she began her seventeen-year career as an IT Professional. After three years in Washington, D.C., she returned to Memphis.

Continuing Education

Williamson commitment to education led her to return to college and earned a Bachelors Degree in Technical Operations Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Her husband, Michael, their three children, Michael II, Jonathan, and Laurien shared in her great accomplishment by attending her commencement exercises in Daytona Beach, Florida. Currently, she works as a Sr. Systems Support Analyst.

The Beauty Consulting Business

Williamson started in the beauty consulting business after having a casual conversation about expenses and Christmas presents for her children with a co-worker. The co-worker told Williamson about an opportunity to make money part-time working as a beauty consultant for BeautiControl Cosmetics.

Williamson took time out to discuss her career and goals for the future.

-Jalia: What made you decide to go into the beauty consulting business?

Williamson: I have always been fascinated by cosmetics, fashion, clothing, skin care and hair. When I attended Northside, I took cosmetology because it was fascinating to me. My enthusiasm and excitement to share with others, and to see a more than satisfied client as an end result are intensified by each client I service. I find it quite calming and peaceful, as an artist when creating a fabulous design of art. I really enjoy the business. I have an opportunity to meet so many people and consult with them on skin care, hair styles, and a fashion personality that best fits them. I also teach them how to modify their makeup and attire from business wear during the day to eveningwear, and on to a romantic dinner at night. I just love it. I come home and start working on my business at 7:00 P.M. and the next thing I know it’s 1:00 AM or 1:30 AM in the morning. If you love what you are doing and you do what you love, you will always be a successful. I’ve recently recruited three new consultants into the business.

-Jalia: Are the three women that you recruited into the business your first recruits?

Williamson: Actually, I never really thought about recruiting people and bringing them into the business. However, since the business has grown for me, I wanted to share that experience with others. I had one potential new client call me concerning personal image services. She became a consultant just by the conversation we shared. I never concentrated on recruitment because I believed it was a home-based business that I could do solo and enjoy it on my own. However, people always come up to me and comment on my hair, makeup, attire and accessories. Now, I’ve begun to expand into newer horizons for sharing my knowledge.

-Jalia: Were you nervous about starting your business?

Williamson: No, I was never nervous about starting it. I’ve never felt I was a salesperson, but rather, an image consultant. I feel comfortable helping other women develop within them their best potential. I had one client’s husband call her SOS. I told her that I felt it was so sweet that he thought of her as “Someone Special.” She replied, “No, my husband said I am ‘Stuck On Self’ because I have found myself. Because of your image service, I have really found who I am as a person. I am so happy with myself.” I taught her how to do her hair differently. She had beautiful hair, but she was rolling it on sponge rollers. She now wears her hair in a soft curl or wrapped style that compliments her very well. Before her makeover, she did not wear makeup and was very quiet and shy. Now, she dresses totally different and buys practical pieces that go from work to church or evening. It’s all about image and the image you want to project.

-Jalia: How do you initiate your fashion and beauty shows that you do?

Williamson: Well, I know that this is something that women like to attend. I inform them of the many extraordinary hostess gift opportunities or invite them into my home for a personal one-on-one makeover and consultation. I utilize hotel and convention facilities for fashion shows. I charge a minimal fee for admission and donate a portion of the proceeds to a charitable organization within the city or area. Along with the fashion show comes imaging, and makeup. We introduce the products that the company has to offer. I also team up with a group of other beauty consultants and become active in citywide social events to introduce my image services and meet new clients.

-Jalia: Does the company give any training for being successful in selling their products?

Williamson: Yes, BeautiControl® recently had a “Beauty You” seminar at the Adams Mark in Memphis. It not only focused on the consultant and their training and sales technique, but also on people in the audience who may have been interested in joining the business. The model for the evening was a woman with waist length hair. We had a cosmetician to cut her hair, a Stein Mart department store did the fashion make-over and BeautiControl® was the image company that did her make-up. After the makeover, the woman looked 10 to 15 years younger. BeautiControl® considers women to be in one of four categories: Classic, Natural, Romantic and Dramatic. We, as image consultants, determine what category fits our female clients. We work with them from head- to-toe, to not only look better, but to feel better about themselves. Also, BeautiControl® has a 2+2+2 promotional that tells the consultant to become successful. This requires you to hold two image parties per week and within those image parties you offer a career with BeautiControl to at least two people, then you schedule two party bookings from that party. There are also city, regional, and national seminars throughout the year to enhance the consultant’s skills and knowledge of products and fashion forecasting. BeautiControl offers vacations, fine jewelry, cars and SUV’s, as well as other prizes for advanced sales and career advancement.

-Jalia: Where do you see yourself within the next two to five years with BeautiControl®?

Williamson: Well, BeautiControl has a new campaign that says if you make Directorship within the next two years the company will award you a brand-new red Mustang, with the car’s title in hand. Based on the different levels within BeautiControl, you are sure to always receive gifts and prizes. I have just earned an Austrian crystal watch, a set of crystal bangle bracelets, a one carat diamond band, an Austrian crystal studded hand bag, and a Ruby pendant.

-Jalia: What keeps you motivated?

Williamson: Seeing a change in women is what truly keeps me motivated. As women, we often won’t realize that we need a change as we are so busy being wives, mothers, counselors, friends, and confidants, that we neglect ourselves. We always “withdraw” from ourselves but never “deposit” anything. A woman is not all that she can be until she takes the time out and identifies who she is, what she needs, and what is required to achieve it. When you make a difference in someone else’s life, you’ve contributed to society. When you’ve made a difference in your own life, you’ve made an accomplishment. When you serve people, you have to serve them with your whole heart, not with part of it, or with a dollar sign in your eye. When people see that you are sincere and that you mean them well, then your business comes pouring down.

-Jalia: What would you say to people contemplating starting a business?

Williamson: I would say that if it is a thought in your mind and a desire in your heart, then God has put it there. You must consult with Him in prayer for direction, and He will guide you. God is not going to give you a dream, and not bless you to fulfill it. He is going to go with you step by step. Whatever your desire and dreams are, do it in good faith and with all sincerity, then you will be a success at it.

Williamson’s beauty consulting business is actually two businesses that she works together. The image consulting, wedding consulting and beauty clinics are within her company called Images by Jean. Her second business, deals with the product line for BeautiControl.

Williamson's story is one that can be appreciated by women as well as men. Her drive and determination are some lessons that most of us can take to heart. However, something tells this writer that Ethel Jean Norwood-Williamson is just getting started.

BeautiControl® is premier skin and image company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tupperware Corporation. BeautiControl is an international manufacturer and party-plan direct-sales company that provides an unlimited earning opportunity for women to build successful businesses while enjoying the freedom to live a balanced rewarding lifestyle.To find out more about BeautiControl, visit the website at www.beauticontrol.com .