SHOCEO^® Reading for Success: 12 (Twelve) Minutes.

For this edition of the She’s Her Own CEO^® Interview Series, we are excited to introduce you to Spokesperson and Media Expert, Kathy Levine!

Kathy Levine considers herself a very lucky lady.  Bringing her gift of gab to audition for something called QVC, she was in the right time at the right place in her career. 

Upon the third audition in 1986, she realized she had a knack for selling almost anything, and the management saw her talent. She landed her Host position with the fledgling show and jumped in with both feet on opening night. Joining QVC was a turning point in an otherwise ordinary life, and she parlayed her talent for jewelry and fashion sales into a multi-billion-dollar juggernaut.

With humor and candor, bad hair days, yo-yo weight issues, and dates from hell, she was everyone’s girlfriend next door. “It was the job of a lifetime, and I am forever grateful for that door opening.”

Some people in publishing thought Kathy had a story to tell, and in 1995 she published “It’s Better To Laugh,” and in 1997, “We Should Be So Lucky.”

After 13 successful years, Kathy turned her focus to marriage, and to teaching other people how to sell. It took her to Canada, Australia, and all through the United States. She and her husband, Steve, are avid vacation cyclists and have been all over the world.

Currently, Kathy sells jewelry on her manufacturer’s site, shopgemistry.com, Nutrisystem on HSN, and represents a line of chic Southwest jewelry on Canadian shopping.  Once a seller, always a seller!

Kathy speaks to groups, writes fun stories (usually involving her husband) on Facebook, does hospital volunteer work, and is an avid (not good, just avid) tennis player.

Her mantra: “Life is short. Try, buy it, and remember to laugh.”

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Hi Kathy, what an honor it is to speak with you! Please share some of your early educational and career experiences that have contributed to your career success.

Kathy Levine, Media Expert: Hi Kathryn! Sometimes it is the negatives that create the positives. I was a latch-key kid. My parents worked double jobs and I was alone a lot. I learned to fend for myself, and in many cases to ask forgiveness rather than permission! I was not a good student. I earned the nickname, “Satellite,” because when bored, I would float around the room during class. Only English and Reading held my attention.

In today’s world, I might have been placed in a more experiential setting. I would have excelled “doing” more rather than sitting.

That said, when it came time for college, nobody took the time to ask me what I liked, what I was good at, what I was bad at, and what I felt might be an interesting career path. Instead my Dad made the decision I should be teacher. Because I could count to ten in Spanish, the decision was cast to be a Spanish teacher.

My grades and SAT’s were not good, so I went to C.W. Post in Long Island because that’s where my older brother went (and I think my Dad donated a library there)! I did not learn much in college, except how to hitchhike into the city. I slacked off and floated through the first two years.

As a Spanish major, I was awful, did not care, and nearly flunked. Luckily, there was a bulletin board notice of study abroad in Spain.

I ended up going for my junior year and it changed my life. I learned the language in a flash, assimilated into their culture, loved the people I met, and adored the experience of seeing the world from a different perspective. I also learned I was smart, could figure out situations, and solve problems. I could make sound decisions…or find options out of the bad ones.

I returned home with a newfound confidence and the knowledge that I was a capable woman, especially when I liked what I was doing.

Over the years, I had lots of jobs (only one of which was teaching) which I did not like. I did not like structure, paperwork, or routine, so little by little, I homed in on what I did like and what I did well.

Some of my jobs reported to horrible bosses – they were truly mean and demeaning. No job is worth having if it crushes your spirit and your soul.

The takeaway was I would never be like them, and that the way to get maximum creativity from your people is to teach them, encourage them, give them wide berth to do their jobs, and to be kind. I knew someday I would put those principles to use.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: What a story and what an innovator you were on QVC! On ShesHerOwnCEO.com, we often talk about how one can best Lead, Provide, and Create™. Each of us, in our respective world, has opportunities to Lead Ourselves, to Provide for Others, and Create for the Larger World.

Please share with me your favorite examples of how you Lead, Provide, and Create™ in your professional and/or personal world!

Kathy Levine, Media Expert: Well, in my household during this Covid year, I’ve served as the “Head of Health and Welfare.” Because I grocery shop on-the-daily (European Style!), I am also the “VP of Market-ing.”

But back to my career story! In 1986, QVC opened and I landed the job as Show Host. It was new, it was different, and for once, it called on all of my talents, humor, chattiness, the joy of grass roots creativity, and the joy of learning all sorts of information quickly. I had tons of encouragement from management, and an open door for ideas.  The original Hosts like myself created the mold for the next generations to come. I was able to use leadership skills to help mentor new Hosts and nervous guests, and I was able to stay fresh, even when selling the same old thing day in and day out.  I read fashion articles, news stories, and books…anything to keep myself interested and interesting. I was allowed to create new product, I traveled all over the country and the world, and I never forgot that it was my customers who paid my paycheck. I was always grateful.

I believe the bottom line was, know your product, do your job, stay out of the gossip trough, and keep your eye on growing and being respected. Move on when you feel it is time. Taking a risk is scary and exhilarating at the same time.

Over the last 20 years, I have trained many people to go on camera and I have had the privilege of using my sales skills to share with others. I continue to represent fine products on-air like Nutrisystem^® and jewelry. I still get excited at the prospect of a workday, but I love my “wife time” and my friends and family time. Balance is very important.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Being the CEO of your world can take many forms (for example, engaging in creative pursuits or being a reliable mom/sister/daughter).

Kathy, in your opinion and vast experience on- and off-camera, what are the best ways to achieve success and to become the boss of your world?

Kathy Levine, Media Expert: First, know your strengths and weaknesses, know what you do well, and know what you are bad at. Don’t accept bad bosses or bad people (including bad dates).

Second, determine for yourself that you are worthy of good things. I met my husband when I finally decided to stop being the rescue squad for damaged men. Once I mandated that I was worth dating a man who was happy, gainfully employed, owned a home, was respectful, not crazy, and was interested in a lot of things, he showed up. And I pursued hobbies to make myself more interesting, sailing and flying. It is a two-way street.

Third, Fourth, Fifth…

Be interesting. Do not just read your texts and Facebook. Read something valuable, find a hobby you love, or join a group. I am studying Spanish online.

Network. In a job search, study up on the company you wish to work for, know their competition, and learn about the product with which you wish to be involved.

Do not be afraid to offer suggestions and ideas. Sometimes you need to give one “pearl” of wisdom away to get the job.

Mentor someone. Women especially need to support each other. Life is not a competition.

Volunteer your time, make a difference in your community even if it is only once a month. Giving back is important.

Pick your battles. Is it worth fighting over every tweet, or FB slur, or wasting time on something you cannot control? Know what you can control and give up what is beyond you.

Have options and think ahead. Know that if something blows up in your face, you have Plan B and even Plan C at your disposal.

Maintain a sense of humor. Today might really be awful. Tomorrow may also be in the dumper. But things change, and an optimistic outlook and some proactive planning can turn things around. Negative thoughts beget more negative thoughts.

Hang out with people who make you happy as much as possible.  If you must deal with people who bring you down, try to keep it at a minimum.

Take care of yourself. You matter.

This life is NOT a dress rehearsal. Be Kind, Have Fun, Try it, Buy It, and Remember to Laugh!

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Kathy, Wow! Any additional advice you have for motivated, aspirational professionals?

Kathy Levine, Media Expert: The basic principles required for every job in your career:  integrity, get out of the gossip pool, know your product, and keep your dirty laundry out of the office.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Kathy, thank you for sharing your words of wisdom!

Follow Kathy for her always entertaining (and inspiring!) commentary.

Looking for even more #CEO inspiration?  Check out my other #CEO interviews and be sure you’re subscribed below.

Kathryn