The dawning of a new era in Avo |

The dawning of a new era in Avo

Published by yojules June 27th, 2008 in General

You know I have been really vocal over the years about how work and life must be allowed to merge and coexist in a comfortable way?

Now my philosophy is being put to the test in the most challenging way so far! We have been incredibly priveleged to have Vanessa Thomas (now Lowndes) on our team for the past year. Her fabulous technical talent in our industry, and powerful leadership and relationship-building capabilities have really lifted Avo into a realm where I wouldn’t have been able to take it on my own. She has been a really powerful 2IC, in charge of our Delivery division.

She arrived at Avo with an ache in her heart to return to her precious Cape Town, where Avo has had no physical presence. I promised her that if she stayed for a year, we could work together to get her to Cape Town so she could live where her heart needed to be, but still contribute to Avo with all her skills and strengths.

So this is it. The year has come to pass. Today she gets into her car with her new husband, dogs, potplants, and suitcases and heads off into the sunset! Jeanette has worked painstakingly at getting all her technology up and running so we can keep in close Skype contact. We have gone over all our plans about how we can make this distance thing a success… and now we hold our collective breath……and jump!

By Tuesday, Avo will officially have an operating branch in Cape Town: and that just has to be another one of our exciting ‘growing up’ milestones! Go Ness! I know we can make this work! And Thomas family, I know how happy you are all to have your precious Ness back home. Love to you all!

5 Responses to “The dawning of a new era in Avo”

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1 Elaine Jun 30th, 2008 at 9:45 am

Hi Nessie

This reminds me of that Randy Crawford song: “Endings are beginings…beautiful things”. For you to is an end to your Joburg era but the begining of Cape Town. Best wishes to you and Gareth, may you find joy, excitement and much happiness. May your days be filled with kickass networking sessions, long sunset walks, cocktails in your garden, family and friends, dreams and hopes and laughter.

I know how much this move means to you, I would move there myself if I could. Enjoy it darling. May success be yours…ps. get my guest bedroom ready!!!!

Regards
Elaine
2 Sandi Jun 30th, 2008 at 9:58 am

Hi Vanessa

It is wonderful that you can be back where your soul feels at home. We will miss seeing your cheery smile more often. It is amazing that AVO can grow with you in this experience. We will find new ways of communicating effectively and soon this will all settle. I have not known you that long, but from what I see and here, you have brought a lot the AVO space and now you bring something new on your new journey. And we officially have a base in Cape Town …. how cool is that. You will have to send us lots of photies, often, we love you Ness. We won’t let you feel lonely and if we do SHOUT really loud!
3 Gill Jun 30th, 2008 at 11:46 am

Hey Ness
I hope your journey was a good one. I thought of you this morning and about how you just spent your first night in your new home - how exciting! I know that you are going to be so happy being back in Cape Town. I will miss having you around, but thanks to technology, I know we will be just fine.
Enjoy this new chapter in yours and Gareth’s life. Enjoy being around your family and friends, being in your new (and bloody cute!) home and seeing the mountain, Maaaaan!
Lots of love.
4 Hanli Buber Jul 1st, 2008 at 8:11 am

Dearest Nessie-Noo,

It was wonderful having you and Gareth as guests in my new cottage and my garden has almost completely recovered from the boisterous affections of Sam and Soya, who are BEAUTIFUL, happy, kind dogs (Oscar sends a slobberkiss to both of them)

You and Gareth have been such good friends to Jim and I. I’m having one of those why-didn’t-we-do-it-more-often moments, but the human condition is that we always never spend enough time with the people that we love and we never ever tell them that we love them enough times before they’re gone forever.

And you are gone forever. It makes us feel better to say that you’ll be up here often and that we’ll Skype and that we’ll actually see each other more, but the truth is that you have gone home to the place of your soul where you will grow roots.

I will miss our dog walks, our drinks at Der Kneipe, dinner parties, chasing against-all-odds deadlines, hugs and tears and I’ll miss just knowing that you are around the corner if I ever need to collapse in a heap on your couch.

Cape Town is going to be wonderful; I know you will be happy there. I wish you prosperity and breathing space and peace and lots of love…
5 Becky Jul 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm

Hey Ness

I was thinking of you yesterday - your first day of working from your new office in Hout Bay. You lucky dog! I was also very sad to think of you so far away. You have been such a special part of my four and a half years in SA, both personally and professionally. You put your heart and soul into everything you do and those around you are so much the richer for having known you.

I know I will still see you lots and there will be many more a night of too much wine and great conversation! And yes - sore heads in the morning. No pain - no gain!

Wishing you lots of love and joy as you settle back into your life in Cape Town, and most importantly into your new home.

Beck xx

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