For those that know me, I am a good friend, a kind coworker and one that believes in total honesty when it comes to the career path that I have chosen. My reputation…my credibility and knowledge are not things that I take for granted. I have recieved many emails and texts about why I left HSN. Let me tell you the story…
With over 24 years in the Interactive Shopping Industry I came to the realization that I needed to be in control of my destiny and had been trying to think of a way to do it without hurting a company that I had spent most of my life with…HSN. There was one conversation I had with a friend that brought things in to focus and I want to tell you about the last time I talked to my friend, Billly Mays. When I look back on it…our conversation changed my life forever! It set me on a different path…a path, I am not sorry that I have chosen. The last time I saw Billy was at the ‘Pitchmen’ Premiere party and I was excited in all of the accomplishments that Anthony and Billy had been able to create for themselves. It was their hard work and determination that took them to the spot they were in…and as their friend, I was proud of them. I had a chance to talk to Billy later in the evening and I had told him that I may leave HSN and chart my own course. Leaving the company that I loved, and worked for most of my life, and see what I could do on my own. I had always respected Billy’s opinion and I wondered what he thought of my intentions. He looked at me and said, ‘John, you are incredible at what you do…I’ve enjoyed working with you in the past…I know that you’ll be successful on your own!’ I looked at him…he gave me his approving smile and I knew what I had to do. To say that in one moment I would change my life…I did. I remember calling Kelli on my way home and telling her of my conversation with Billy and her telling me that I should do whatever it was I thought would make me happy.
The rest is history…
I decided to leave HSN after being offered a contract and had my last show on Saturday, June 27th. Billy passed away June 28th…
Man, he was a good dude…