17 years into running 7DOTS, a lot of people ask me how Ed and I met

17 years into running 7DOTS, a lot of people ask me how Ed and I met, and how we've stuck at it together... so here's the story, and a lot of appreciation.

A business partnership is very much like a marriage, but with more pressure.

Ed interviewed me for my first job in London, as a project manager at Base One.

He's always said he knew he was going to hire me. I was nervous as hell.

I got the job, Ed was my boss, and we got on great.

A few years in, we all went to Berlin for a conference weekend.

Ed and I were booked to share a room - already potentially awkward with your boss.

Then the hotel put us in a room with only a double bed.

So we shared a bed for the weekend.

Lots of drinks were consumed... but this isn't going where you think it's going.

After a night out, we ended up talking, and I told Ed I'd come to London to start a business. He said the same.

I woke up hungover, with a slight twinge of anxiety. I'd just told my boss I was looking to set up a company.

Neither of us mentioned it again that weekend.

But a few weeks later, Ed gave me a lift home and asked, "Were you serious about what you said?"

I said yes. He said, "So was I."

It took a year of planning.

We wanted 7DOTS to be different. To deliver digital to the clients needs, to get everything inside the box right, and to be a great place to work.

And if I'm honest, it was Ed who gave me the confidence I needed to leave a very good job.

17 years later, there have been so many good times:

• A board meeting in year one that involved snowboarding
• The Fat Duck for our one year and ten year anniversaries
• Supporting the British Skeleton team and meeting Amy and Lizzy
• Meeting Kim Kardashian and Cheryl Cole (separately)
• 100s of project launches
• The many trips away as a company
• Day-to-day time with the incredible team around us
• More recently, our morning walk and talks

And a few tricky times too, which we've navigated well together.

But I've enjoyed the time outside of work just as much.

Ed helped Gemma and me find our first house together, then install a kitchen in our second.

He was master of ceremonies at our wedding.
He dropped me off to run the London Marathon.
He's guardian to our son.

His children, Oscar & Scarlett, are a bit older than ours, so we've had them as role models, and we've had the support and guidance of their family as we've brought up our own.

Then there are the many Christmas dinners together, as families and at 7DOTS.

It's rare that life cleanly splits into business and personal. We've definitely mixed the two.

What makes a huge difference is knowing we're always on the same page in our values, and knowing we'll look after each other.

I hope I've been there for Ed just as much as he's been there for me. Despite my never ending need to do new things.

Thanks very much, Ed.

Here's to the next 17 years of adventure and fun, and seeing our families grow together.