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I came to QVC back in 2007. Truth told, I had never watched QVC before I applied for the job. I had been an Anchor/Reporter in local news for about 15yrs prior, had left the news desk to appear on reality TV in NBC’s The Apprentice Martha Stewart, got canned by Martha about 3 episodes in, moved to Chicago for a quick stint in Advertising and producing commercials…and one day realized, I couldn’t breathe without live TV and I desperately missed a camera with a red light on top. And there upon I stumbled on a job posting for QVC hosts. I sent a tape. 24hours later I got a call. 

When you come to QVC as a Host, host in training really, you are assigned a Mentor. A mentor is a seasoned host, who has been around the block and can take you under their wing. Mine was Lisa Robertson. 

Truth told again, I didn’t really know who Lisa was until the day I passed through the doors at QVC to start my first day. I know that sounds crazy (or shopping channel sacrilegious) but I barely had an awareness of what QVC was when I applied for the job, let alone their biggest star. It did not take long however, for me to figure it out. Lisa was it. I don’t mind admitting, I felt excited and pretty proud that I got paired with her. 

I have several memories of Lisa in those early days. When I first moved to the area to take the QVC job I had not a single friend. Zero. zilch. Weekends were all about me going on dates with me, me shopping with me, and eating alone in restaurants with me. One weekend I needed to get to the train station with all my luggage, for a trip i was going on. And quite simply, I needed a ride and I didn’t know a soul to call other than Rainbow cab. Guess who showed up at my tiny little underwhelming attic apartment, that I could barely afford, to drive me.

Yup, Lisa.

There was the time she first invited me over for dinner (Lisa loves having friends over for dinner) and I was rock gut nervous. What the heck do you talk about over dinner with THE Lisa Robertson, I thought? Ugh. Major panic attack-diarrhea moment. And then there was the time I called her at 7a after just getting home from one of my first on air shifts as a new host. “Dennis Basso hates me…”, I’m bawling into the phone. Inconsolable. Convinced my career was finished before it had even started. “...I just worked with him for the first time and I talked too much and tried too hard, I talked over him and around him and I can tell, he hates me! I stepped on his toes and he clearly thinks I am an over ambitious annoying nut job. I swear at some point he got so annoyed he stopped looking at me. He stopped making eye contact LISA!!!!”  More bawling. Now snot is coming down my face. “Honey…”, Lisa says with her seasoned, unflustered, poise, “That happened to me too when I first started. It’s ok. I guarantee you he won’t remember it or doesn’t even know you are upset. I bet it’s not nearly as bad as you are making it out. I will talk to him for you if you want. But I’m telling you, don’t worry about it.” 

My most vivid memory, is when Lisa, as my mentor, first introduced me to the QVC viewers. It was a primetime, nighttime jewelry show and I got to shadow her, and ultimately sell a ring in her show. It was 2007, September I think. I was scared poopless. I had been on the news for 15 years and this was the moment that had my heart beating so far out of my chest, I genuinely thought my ticker would explode. Forget that when you are standing next to Lisa you feel like a hideous troll in the looks department because she is ravishing. I was actually going to sell something on air, in HER show. OMG. OOOMMMMGGGGGG! She was ever the poised beauty when she introduced me, and when I had sold that ring (Tigers Eye, I remember it like it was yesterday) she was so complimentary and gracious and lovely. 

We’ve listened to country music while getting ready for our shows in the host lounge. Her kitchen is sick amazing, No wait, her outdoor patio-living room grill thing is sick amazing. She is wildly smart, Mensa smart. I want her eyelashes. No I want her lips. No, what I want is that poise. That lady’s got poise. In the midst of huge celebrity, or incredible grandeur, she is a picture of calm and poise. And she plays the violin/fiddle. It’s annoying how gifted she is.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!” I love that quote. It takes courage to live it. Lisa is living it. Bravo to my friend who is daring to find new adventure. Thank you for helping pave the way for me at the Q, for always having a hug or a smile, “Hey gurl”, when I walked in the host lounge. And for reaching out recently to say you missed me, when life took a painful turn for Joe and I. Love ya gurl, mean it.  

Shawn

X

P.S. Lisa wrote a blog abt her starting a new adventure n u can check it out here