InsideQ Extra with Jeanne Bice

In August 2009, we interviewed Quacker Factory's Jeanne Bice for Insider magazine. To celebrate the life of this special lady loved by so many, we're bringing you this story.

Reminiscences

“Years ago when we first came to QVC, we stayed at a motel that served a hearty breakfast. We were on a budget in those days, and if we didn’t exceed our per diem, maybe we could afford to have a cocktail at night!”

A family story

“My dad, uncles, cousins and brothers were all auctioneers. My dad used to tell me, ‘You should be an auctioneer.’ And I’d say, ‘I can’t do that.’ But if you think about it, I stand up in front of people, hold up an object and sell it. It was meant to be!”

Her personal philosophy

“As hard as things can be, sometimes God has to kick you out of the nest so you see that there’s something better out there. I was 60 years old when I got my dream.”

A few surprises

“I think Jack Nicholson is sexy!”
“I am shy. I use my fluster and bluster to camouflage it.”
“I cheat at cards. Yes, given the opportunity, I will cheat!”

A confidence

“Last year was a difficult year. My best friend died of cancer. My brother died of cancer. I get to points in my life where I think, ‘This is my destination.’ That’s what I thought when I got married. Then my husband died. So I was back on my journey. Then I came to QVC and I thought, ‘This is my destination.’”

Her sense of humor

“My headband? I have bad hair and it holds up my hair. And now, in old age, I have wrinkles. So I put on my headband and ‘boop!’—they all bump up. I don’t need Botox—I have a headband!”

Her personal wishes

“My wish for my Quackers is that they see the good, the joy in every day. Because there is good in every day. There’s bad stuff every day, too! But I think God watches us—and I’m living this lesson—He watches to see how we handle the ups and downs of life. Do we get depressed or do we stay in the happy? If you can stay in the happy, and stay in the joy, then good things filter in.”

Inspiration

“As we get older, we want to dress younger. We’ve got to sparkle, because if we don’t, nobody’s gonna do it for us.”

Her gratitude

“I wouldn’t be here without my Quackers. I have a sign outside my house that says, ‘This is the house that Quack built.’ And I have a sign over my front door that says, ‘Fairytales do come true!’”