Forty years of "Unsung Heroes": #5

There's lots of people on here (LinkedIn) with big reputations and big followings, but it's not just the big names that make working in my industry (advertising+) extraordinary, delightful, fun and honest.

As I get ready to hang up my agency boots. I thought I might share a few of my unsung heroes with you. And say thanks.

Steph Wilson first entered my life in the 1990’s at 1576 Advertising in Rutland Square where our lovely Georgian townhouse created an imposing impression on prospective clients.? Because it was essentially a house it was also a rabbit warren and Steph initially joined us as our receptionist.

What’s the one quality you'd want from a receptionist?? Other than a command of the English language (a dreadful mistake we made with our first ever receptionist who was Spanish and was impossible to understand. It resulted in my first ever, "letting go" of an employee, 24 hours after she started; let’s just say she failed her probation). I digress; I’ll tell you the answer - what you want from a receptionist, other than a command of the English language is a radiant, can-do personality, a smile that would light a room the size of the OVO arena, a personality that everyone falls in love with, a deep throated laugh, a broad mind, a great memory and an ability to take the rough with the smooth.

That’s our Steph.

Steph and her henchman in chief, my beloved PA, Mimi, were a fearsome twosome, thick as thieves, best pals from day one, tuned 100% into my sense of humour and personality, that believe me, wasn’t always entirely generous.?

They’d know when to give me a wide berth, warn off anyone with a problem, until a better time, retreive the stapler that was constantly hurled out of the window, in fury, into the back garden.? They knew the phone number for the man who repaired filing cabinets with kicked in drawers too, just as well.? Oh, and of the hole in the way repairer.

You know the daughter in that J R Hartley ad, patting good old JR on the head after another hard day?

That was Steph.

She could party for Europe.? And frequently did, often there with me and Mimi and my wife Jeana till 2 am on a Saturday morning.

She was the agency mother hen too.? Making sure everyone was happy, giving folk a shoulder to cry on, telling me (and David Reid) how it was, without pulling punches.

Everyone adored Steph.? Still do.? She might have been receptionist (and later a PA), but she was the heart and soul of the agency and that’s what a great agency needs.

When 1576 went under, I wasn’t there, but I think Steph was, she was as heartbroken as any of us and she went off to pastures new, Mott McDonald, where she’s been for 18 years - not in this industry but sowing happiness for nearly a score of years, for some lucky engineers.

She’s had her challenges in life, but you wouldn’t know it, and she wouldn’t want them laid out here.?

But, trust me, whatever challenge she has had to face in life.? It ended up Challenge 0 – 1 Steph Wilson.

I only actually worked with Steph for five years or so, but the impression she made was lifelong, and remains so today. She’s one of our best friends.

It started with a radiant smile, and you know what, it’s never gone away.? Just look at the photo and you’ll see what I mean.

Thanks Steph, for everything.