Happy 5th birthday Adopt & Embrace!
I have been working for Adopt & Embrace for a little over two years now and it’s been a fantastic job working for a great team of people and for a business that espouses a focus on people and community. We are a B-Corporation and everything that we do is all about ensuring our clients and community get back time in their work day to do the things they love and enjoy by showing them how to make use of Microsoft 365.
Last week, the business turned five years old and it’s no mean feat that Paul Woods, our founder and his family got the business to where it is today. At a time when most small businesses struggle to make it here, Adopt & Embrace has made it through the sheer hard work, dedication, no doubt sleepless nights and anxiety that comes with running a small business. All power to Paul and his family as it shows resilience and a vision that I certainly admire. It takes guts to build a business and get it to this point so I’m delighted to have been part of it for two years and I do hope, for many more.
I had the opportunity to create the 5th birthday video. When our Operations Manager, Nicole asked me to do this, it was a no brainer really. I jumped at the chance and there was a whole secret exchange going on in the background so that we don’t have any evidence of incoming videos from people sharing their thank you and birthday greetings that Paul could stumble upon on our system. Our clients, communities and friends were asked to provide a short video of their congratulations and share a story and it was wonderful to put these altogether into a video that lasted for about 16 minutes.
All the videos were used and last week was an eye opener to be the editor listening and watching to such positive and inspiring messages to Paul. When someone makes an impact to others, it’s such a great way to reflect upon the vision and how people simply engage and align with our message.
People wanted to be part of the story.
Although I couldn’t have been at our 5th birthday dinner celebrations in person because of COVID lockdowns, Paul kindly treated us to a meal that was delivered to our home. I set up the dining table and enjoyed a wonderful meal before then joining the virtual meeting through Microsoft Teams. The team in Brisbane were at a restaurant to enjoy the birthday celebrations with partners.
I think this year is going to be one that will never be forgotten. There were highs, and there were lows. However, the 5th birthday celebration – regardless of myself and my Western Australian colleague John (whose premier seems to have closed them off from the rest of Australia (ha ha) – being unable to attend.
Happy birthday Paul – and great work team. Here’s to the next five years!