Bright Consultancy

In Memory of Geoff

Yesterday was the anniversary of the untimely death of my dear friend Geoff Guy.  Once again, I found that I spent the day with Geoff, and his lasting legacy, on my mind.

If you are reading this blog post, it’s because of Geoff.  Many years ago, when I was so unhappy in a conventional job, Geoff encouraged me to discover and pursue my own work.  He had immense (possibly misplaced!) confidence in my abilities as an entrepreneur.  Of everyone I knew at the time, apart from my husband he did the most to actively, practically encourage me to leave work and start my own business.  He was a successful and experienced business owner, and promised to mentor me and support me as I learned how to create and run a business.  Because I knew I had – and would have – Geoff’s help, I eventually gained enough confidence to resign from my full time job and salary, and walk away from the career I’d spent many years building.

There’s a secret within this blog post though – yesterday was also the anniversary of my last day in a ‘real’ job.  I remember spending the day feeling panicky and excited about the future all at the same time.  I sat at my desk wondering how I could possibly survive saying goodbye to my colleagues.  That night, Geoff died suddenly and unexpectedly.  It was a terrible blow to everyone who knew and loved him.  I sat up all night in shock, and only much later began to wonder what this loss meant to my fledgling plans for a business.

In the end, I began my business without Geoff’s help.  Oddly, I’ve always felt him near me.  If you’ve seen me carrying a battered briefcase, it’s Geoff’s – he goes with me wherever I go.  And I hope he’s proud of what I’ve achieved.

I miss Geoff immensely – his keen intellect, quick wit, his delight in the good things in life – a glass of wine and a barbeque.  I miss receiving the love he had for me and especially for my husband, who loved him like a father.  I miss the many good times we had together along with his wife, my great friend Moira.  I miss arguing with him about politics.  Against my better judgment, I even miss the way he loved Jeremy Clarkson and read the Daily Mail.

I raised a glass in a toast to my enduring business mentor Geoff last night.  Do me a favour, and join me in wishing him well, wherever he may be.  And spare a thought for his family, missing him still.

Tags: business development, business mentor, Starting a Business

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