QVC recently brought its search for the next “must have” products to the Silicon Valley.
On April 21, more than 20 entrepreneurs presented their products to a panel of QVC and zulily experts during the Watermark Conference for Women in San Jose. Pitches included an innovative coffee press, a bicycle/scooter hybrid, a skincare line, candied bacon caramel popcorn, a jewelry organizer and more.
This QVC Product Search panel built on the success of a similar event at the 2015 PA Conference for Women in Philadelphia. Participants earned instant feedback from panelists Albany Irvin, QVC host; Heather McNicholl, director of vendor education, development and new vendor discover, QVC; Julie Campbell, QVC associate buyer and Kerry Morris, vice president of merchandising, zulily.
More than 6,500 women attended the annual conference to network with other professionals and listen to speakers discuss equality in the workplace. Keynote speakers included Abby Wambach, former US Women’s soccer team member, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion; Mindy Kaling, star of The Office and The Mindy Project; Cindi Leive, editor-in-chief of Glamour Magazine; John Jacobs, co-founder and chief creative optimist of The Life is Good Company; Pattie Sellers, assistant managing editor, Fortune; and Leila Janah, founder and CEO of Sama and Laxmi, a luxury skincare company.
Watermark is a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit organization that hosts women’s networks and conferences while working with companies to develop female talent. The organization puts on 50 events every year – the biggest of which is the Watermark women’s conference in San Jose. Recognizing the important role that women play in building strong families and communities, QVC is committed to continue participating in initiatives that support entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.
In March 2012, QVC launched QVC Sprouts, an ongoing crowd-sourced competition to search for the best up-and-coming products from inventors and entrepreneurs, giving those with a retail-ready product the opportunity to be sold on QVC and the chance to grow their businesses through a scalable and nurturing process.
To experience QVC Sprouts and vote for the next great products, visit www.QVCSprouts.com
Photo credit: Marla Aufmuth/ Getty Images