Qurate Retail Group Small Business Spotlight FAQ’S

QURATE RETAIL GROUP’S 2022 SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT FAQ’S

Before You Submit

1. What is the Small Business Spotlight program?
2. Who is Qurate Retail Group and are all brands involved in SBS?
3. If selected, will I get to sell my products on QVC, HSN or Zulily?
4. What are the benefits of participating?
5. When does the Small Business Spotlight program take place?
6. What are the requirements I should know about before submitting?
7. If I already participated in the Small Business Spotlight in previous years, am I still eligible?
8. Are there certain types of brands that are NOT a good fit for this program?
9. How do I submit my products to be sold on QVC, HSN or Zulily?

Completing Your Submission Application

10. Can I submit my application via email, fax, or US mail?
11. If I don’t have a RangeMe account, is there a fee to create one?
12. Do you have any tips on completing my application submission?
13. What are some tips for my video submission?
14. Can I submit additional video content?
15. Can I save a partially completed application to edit at a later time?
16. Can I change my application after I submit it?
17. Which web browser should I use?
18. Will a Non-Disclosure Agreement for my application submission be provided?

After You Submit

19. How do I know if my application was successfully submitted?
20. How long will it take to receive a response regarding my submission? What are the next steps?

Minority-Owned Business

21. What qualifies as a Minority-Owned Business?

Before You Submit

1. What is the Small Business Spotlight program?

Small Business Spotlight (SBS) is one of Qurate Retail Group’s corporate responsibility efforts focused on nurturing entrepreneurs of all backgrounds so that startups can become sustainable sources of income, inspiration, and community strength. The Small Business Spotlight program uses Qurate Retail Group’s production resources, television broadcasts and digital platforms to highlight exceptional stories of innovation and resilience of small businesses who have traditionally been denied access to the capital, training and networks needed to scale their businesses. On air, online, and across our social channels and streaming services, the Small Business Spotlight will introduce millions of QVC, HSN, and Zulily viewers, customers, and followers to some of America’s finest small businesses.

You can learn more about the 2022 program here.

2. Who is Qurate Retail Group and are all brands involved in SBS?

Qurate Retail Group comprises seven leading retail brands – QVC, HSN, Zulily, Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, and Grandin Road – engaging millions of customers worldwide via television networks, streaming services, mobile apps, ecommerce sites, social pages, print catalogs, and in-store destinations.  The three brands primarily involved in our Small Business Spotlight program are QVC, HSN, and Zulily.

3. If selected, will I get to sell my products on QVC, HSN or Zulily?

While the SBS program primarily focuses on sharing the story of your brand with Qurate Retail Group customers through on-air and digital exposure, selected brands will have the opportunity to sell their product(s) through Zulily in a curated “event” during their heritage or recognition month. 

Please note that selling on the Zulily platform is contingent upon brands meeting certain sourcing requirements. In addition, selected brands will NOT sell through QVC or HSN, but rather appear on these live channels to share their brand story with QVC and HSN viewers.

4. What are the benefits of participating?

All selected brands will:

• Appear on-air (some on the QVC and HSN main channels and others in a dedicated show on the QVC2 channel) to share their brand story with viewers.
• Have the opportunity to sell their product(s) through the Zulily platform (pending sourcing requirements are met) in a dedicated shoppable “event” during their respective heritage or recognition month.
• Be highlighted on the SBS landing pages on both QVC.com and HSN.com during their SBS month and through the rest of the year and receive amplification on Zulily’s digital channels.
• Receive Communications support to help promote your brands participation in the program.
• A select number of brands will also have the opportunity to participate in a virtual mentorship program.

5. When does the Small Business Spotlight program take place?

Small businesses will be selected to be featured throughout 2022 during the following heritage and recognition months:  Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), National Military Appreciation Month (May), Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May), PRIDE Month (June), Hispanic Heritage Month (September), and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October).    

6. What are the requirements I should know about before submitting?

In order to be considered for the SBS program, brands must first:  

• Confirm the company is 51% owned, operated, and controlled on a daily basis by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or underserved group, self-identifying in one or more of the following groups:  Asian; Pacific Islander, Black; Hispanic or LatinX; Indigenous or other person of color; LGBTQ+; Person with Disability*; Women or Veteran

*A person with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

• Employ 100 or fewer workers
• Have an ecommerce platform and social media presence
• Avoids product lines associated with these categories (see categories)
• Not currently a government official or being nominated for one, or holder of elected office or a candidate for office
• Not currently doing business with any of the Qurate Retail Group brands, or employed by a company that is doing business any of the Qurate Retail Group brands
• Confirm your owner and business activities are not in conflict with QRG core values and principles or Qurate Retail, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

7. If I already participated in the Small Business Spotlight in previous years, am I still eligible?

Previous participants are welcome to apply but are asked to disclose their involvement within the SBS application (there is a specific question about previous applications/participation).

8. Are there certain types of brands that are NOT a good fit for this program?

• Feminine Hygiene
• Gambling-related Products
• Sexual Aids
• Firearms
• Genuine Furs
• Tobacco-related Products
• Fuel Additives
• CBD-related Products
• Or sell any product categories contained on this Prohibited Product category list.

9. How do I submit my products to be sold on QVC, HSN, or Zulily?

You may submit your product for consideration through the QVC and HSN Product Pitch program which is ongoing throughout the year: https://www.qvchsnproductpitch.com/?qq=ft; as well as Zulily’s year round Product Pitch program:  https://www.rangeme.com/zulily.

Completing Your Submission Application

10. Can I submit my application via email, fax, or US mail?

No, all application submissions must be completed electronically through RangeMe.  (https://www.rangeme.com/quratesmallbusinessspotlight)

11. If I don’t have a RangeMe account, is there a fee to create one?

There is no fee to create a RangeMe account.

12. Do you have any tips on completing my application?

Make sure to provide a complete and accurate description of your brand and why you created it as well as the products that differentiate you in the marketplace.  Make sure to complete the entire application including your video. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

13. What are some tips for my video submission? 

Your video should bring your brand and products to life for our selection committee.  Please note that clips from your submission video may be used to create video content if you are selected for an on-air appearance on QVC and HSN.  Use a smart phone or other equipment that you prefer.  Shoot the video in landscape form (horizontally). Make sure your film space is well lit with little to no background noise or clutter in your shot.  If possible, include some branding in the background or visuals of your product(s).  Do NOT include any music or graphics and be sure to answer the prompting questions below.  Most of all, be yourself and have fun with it! 

Use these questions as prompts:

• What is your name and the name of your business?
• What inspired you or what problem did you try to solve in creating your business?
• What are the HERO products of your business (product or product line you want to focus on – a best seller, customer favorite or brand differentiator)
• How has being an entrepreneur influenced your life or those of others?

14. Can I submit additional video content?

Yes, you can provide links to additional video content as long as they are on public-viewing platforms.

15. Can I save a partially completed application to edit at a later time?

Yes, if you exit your partially completed submission you will be able to edit your draft and complete your entry under the “My Submissions” tab of your submission page. You will not be able to make any edits to your submission once it has been submitted.

16. Can I change my application after I submit it?

Updates to your brand’s RangeMe profile will be reflected after a submission is complete, however you are not able to edit any answers to submission questions specific to the Small Business Spotlight application. We recommend ensuring your details are accurate and complete before submitting.

17. Which web browser should I use?

RangeMe recommends using the most current version of the Chrome browser for an optimal experience.

18. Will a Non-Disclosure Agreement for my application submission be provided?

No, none of the Qurate Retail Group companies will enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement or otherwise have any obligation to maintain the secrecy of any materials you submit.

After You Submit

19. How do I know if my application was successfully submitted?

You will receive an automated email from RangeMe confirming receipt of your application.  Please check your spam/junk folder as the email is sometimes caught there.

20. How long will it take to receive a response regarding my submission? What are the next steps?

Due to the number of product submissions we receive and the evaluation process timeframe, you should not expect to receive an email response. We will be reviewing submissions and communicating to those that we would like to engage with further.

If there are any questions about your submission, you may be contacted on RangeMe or by email/phone directly.

If your brand is  not selected, you may receive an automated message via RangeMe or you may not receive notification at all.

Minority-Owned Business

21. What qualifies as a Minority-Owned Business?

Definition:                         

A vendor must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled on a daily basis by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or underserved group, self-identifying in one or more of the following groups:  

• Asian
• Pacific Islander
• Black
• Hispanic/LatinX
• Indigenous
• Other person of color
• LGBTQ
• Women
• Person with a disability*
• or Military Veteran

(collectively “Minority Owned Business”). 

* A person with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

• A Minority Owned Business must have each of the following characteristics:
• Unconditionally and directly own, operate, and control on a daily basis at least 51% of the business. 
• This ownership may not be through another business entity.
• In case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51% of the voting stock is owned by one or more minority group members.
• Outside the U.S., disclosure of ethnicity is voluntary, per privacy policy, not a requirement.

With respect to merchandising/direct vendors only, a vendor that does not satisfy the definition of Minority-Owned Business may nevertheless qualify as a Minority-Owned Business if such vendor was founded by a person who self identifies as a member of one or more of these groups but does not own at least 51% of the business.