Last week it was NZIPP in Queenstown. This week Photography By Woolf's 50th Anniversary exhibition in Wellington. They very kindly invited Heather and me to share in the family celebration afterwards. It was his birthday so ten-year-old Noah got to choose the restaurant. It was great fun, the whole extended family get on so well ... and it got me to thinking: 1. What a challenge it is to build a long standing family business that truly serves … the family. We know it. Chances are you do too. Well done to the Woolfs. 2. So many photographers got a start at Woolfs, and many of them featured in the exhibition. The family's proud of them, as important to them as the network of clients, friends and influencers who also sustain the business. We met some of the young talent carrying it forward. 3. And finally as one family business to another I was struck by the pride we take in the stories "our people" throw up - as if they're family stories. So Simon is proud of the fact that Emma Hughes, who used to work for Woolfs, this year won the NZIPP album competition. Just as we're kinda proud that Johannes won a gold at NZIPP with an image from Brett and Sarita's wedding in the UK (Brett and Johannes are both good friends and clients of ours). Nothing to do with us really, but they're "our people" and we love to see them doing so well. Makes me feel like a doting aunt! Cheers, Ian