What an amazing evening we had at the Cherwell Business Awards last night. We were invited to be in attendance as finalists within the Small Business Category. We were awarded Runners Up within this category which was totally amazing.
None of us however were quite prepared then to get to the end of the awards ceremony to hear that we had won the ‘Overall Business of the Year Award’. Totally lost for words and astounded. We shared a stage and nominations with amazing local businesses such as Hawkins and John Nicholls, businesses that have been around for years and are just in a different playing field in my eyes. I’m writing this at 07.30am (Saturday morning) having only got home a few hours ago and as a result having had very little sleep. I can’t seem to take it all in at the moment.
As I mentioned last night without the support of my family, my colleagues with me last night and all of my amazingly loyal and supportive friends this business wouldn’t have come such a long way in a very short space of time.
My parents taught me a lot of things in life but losing them so close together and at such an early age certainly changed my life and steered it into a direction I was not expecting.
As a result of their passings I believe it taught me one of my greatest life lessons and that is what it feels like to lose someone you love very much. This feeling is something I carry with me and I remember on a daily basis as we care for bereaved families that have chosen our services.
It also goes withough saying that I would not have learned so much in such a short time without the support and teaching of one of my greatest supports, the late Ian Fergie, a local funeral director, who was my mentor and great friend. Ian also briefly mentored my colleague Aaron Taylor but during this time passed away nearly two years ago. Since then I have been lucky enough to secure Aaron to join the team along with Barbara Scrimshaw. Completing Aaron’s training, as he seeks to complete his professional qualifications, keeps Ian’s memory alive with us on a daily basis.
A truly amazing evening and our journey continues, thank you for sharing it with us.