In honor of QVC’s Founder’s Days this week, I thought I’d share my story of how I first got started as an on-air host.
I had worked in traditional retail for over 20 years before I came to QVC. I was hired as an Assistant Buyer for Quacker Factory, Fashion Formulas, and Sport Savvy and I loved it. Selecting the clothing, the buying trips to New York, working with the manufacturers—it all added up to a truly fantastic job. I also watched QVC…all the time (thanks to the TVs we each had at our desks), and the more I watched, the more I wanted to try being on the other side of the camera.
One day I heard that the talent department was going to have an open call audition and I thought— I have nothing to lose! I have as good a chance as anyone else, right? So I showed up for the audition totally nervous and embarrassed because I was standing in this line that wrapped around the building and people that I worked with were coming up to me and asking, “What are you doing out here?!” Finally, it was my turn and I walked into the audition room and realized I was supposed to bring something to present and I completely forgot. I was standing there with my organizer calendar in my hand and when they asked what item I was going to present, I hesitated and then said, “Ugh, this!”
So basically they videotaped me presenting the organizer and then asked me to do another item. After I finished, I headed around the corner to my desk and finished my work day. About three weeks later I got the call back for the next round of auditions. I was thrilled to have made it that far—from 400+ people on the first day to one of the 15 finalists. About two weeks after the second round, I received the call that changed my life, “Jayne, we would like to offer you a position as Program Host trainee.” Yes! And the rest is history. When I walked through the doors of QVC 16+ years ago, I had no idea that I would be blessed with such an amazing opportunity. It’s with gratitude that I walk into this building each day. And I hope QVC feels as lucky as I do.
I hope you’re all enjoying the beginning of the summer!
Blessings,
Jayne
You can find me on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/JayneBrownQVC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaynebrown1
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