Weekly Meeting - Simon Owen Vocational

Simon Owen Vocatoinal

In Simons’ own words this was an insight into his first 44 years, the highs, the lows, and the challenges. Oh and just for those that didn’t know…… he might also mention his love for anything Apple!
 
Born in Cardiff 7th January 1975 to proud parents Neil & Penny. At this point in time the computer world was coming to terms with BASIC programming language and Status Quo were rocking the top of the charts with Down Down. It was only one year later that Mssrs Jobs and Wozniak founded a company from a garage and sowed the (Apple) seed that would feature throughout Simon’s future years.
 
Two years later and Simon had a little brother Jeremy to contend with, like all those with younger siblings the early years were a battle but like a good wine it has matured and they are now best friends and confidants.
 
In 1980 Neil got a new job and the family moved to Gloucester. Simon started at Upton St Leonards Primary School and soon found himself in a successful school cross country team, and even a spell in the school orchestra.
 
Then it happened…………..his first computer, the ZX81, even a school report at the time said his talent and knowledge in computing should be encouraged.
1984 and Apple launched the Apple Macintosh………Apple share price $0.44.
The Crypt years 1986-92, not apparently the best years, but during that time he did attend his first gig at Gloucester Leisure Centre, and he did meet Lou for the first time.
1992 Apple share price…………$2.12
Following Crypt, Simon spent a couple of years at GLOSCAT before gaining a place at Loughborough for a HND in Graphic Design. And where did the student loan go? Yes Simons first Apple Macbook.
1996 and after graduating Simon was back home and in need of a job and managed to get a job with PIP Printing in Gloucester.
1999 Apple share price…………$3.57 
A couple of ups and downs in the business and before you know it the business is only trading out of Hereford and Simon is invited to buy into the partnership.
2001 and Apple introduce the world to the ipod.
2005 and Simon is finally a partner in the business and has also developed a taste for Gloucester Rugby Club (the start of some enjoyable away trips to foreign shores).
2007 and the arrival of the iphone……………Apple share price …..$19.31
2011 and Steve Jobs passes away after being diagnosed with a pancreatic tumour back in 2003………..share price $54.43
2016 Lou and Simon reconvene their relationship after being ‘just friends’ for a number of years.
The printing industry continues to move at a pace and PIP will soon be Nettl.
And as for the final Apple share price in 2019 ……$202.64
If anyone has some spare plutonium please could you send it my way……………I can then buy me a DeLorean and head back to 1984 and buy some Apple shares.
Thanks Simon for the vocational and we welcome you to the world of Rotary with Gloucester Severn. 

Nick Bishop