Originally Dated November 1, 2001
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“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”
———————————————-> Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dear Friend,
I hope you receive this email in good health and spirits. And I hope your business and personal life are in balance and you find success in what is important to you.
I thought it was important to take a brief moment of your time and fill you in on the latest.
As you may or may not know, in May 1999 I set out to take the business I created in 1987 (PRISCOMM) to the next level. My quest led to conversations, collaborations and teaming with some of the brightest and talented individuals in the strategy, marketing, technology and interactive design fields.
In April 2000 after successfully closing $2.5 million in venture funding, we created Wirestone. Before the end of 2000, AdWeek ranked us as the 38th largest interactive agency in North America. In April of 2001 we successfully secured an additional $20 million in private equity financing.
Needless to say, it’s been a long but fast paced road. The last 2 1/2 years have been extremely exciting and rewarding and at times exhausting and trying.
In light of the tragedies that occurred on September 11th, the economic challenges of a weak economy faced by Wirestone and other companies are nothing compared to the loss of life and liberty. We all can use a little perspective in our fast-paced lives.
But business goes on. On that September morning I sat in a stuffy meeting room in Las Vegas with my peers — the principals and investors of Wirestone — discussing the future of Wirestone.
Ironic as it may be, but this 9/11 strategy meeting and the resulting fallout of internal and external events has allowed me to take a broader look at my life — family, friends, business associates and partners and time — the things that are really important.
In life, as in business, the things we seem to regret most at the end of the day are those we don’t or forget to do — rarely what we do.
It was decided that Wirestone would close its Orange County office and along with this closure the termination [on October 1, 2001] of most of the hardworking and loyal employees I worked side by side with through good times and bad.
To be sure, decisions and actions like these are always tough, but like life, business must move forward. As such, I’ve decided to move on too.
In early November I decided that I could best serve Wirestone in my role as an owner — a shareholder — not as an employee. So I submitted by resignation and on 11/15/01 I have officially left my position as Vice President of Wirestone.
No regrets.
“Life is what happens while you’re making plans.” – John Lennon.
What will I do? I am ready for new challenges and opportunities. I am definitely in transition. I appreciate your thoughts and ideas. No matter what, I will keep you fully informed.
Drop me a note and I’ll shoot you off my new phone numbers etc. and if you’d like, we’ll set a time to talk.
I look forward to talking or communicating via email with you soon.
Stay Tuned!
/allan