It's obvious that a twitter comment should not be interpreted as anything more than that, and when the Twitter comment is made to the PR agent rather than directly to the official ID of the Young Woman of Business it has less weight (maybe).
Thing is. I...don't...care.
When I read the comment from Hilary, I was pleased, excited and just a little bit proud. For the moments before I started to find all the reasons to doubt whether or not it was as significant as it felt like it was, I was seriously, properly chuffed with it.
That is what matters. Sometimes a tiny amount of encouragement is all that is necessary for us to get excited about what we do again. Sometimes, half a dozen words in tweet is enough to spur us on to redouble previous efforts and keep going.
It made me realise that is why Young Woman of Business is so important.
This weekend I spent a bit of time with our local AM (Assembly Minister) Russ George and I was reminded that, although I enjoy Russ' company other people are much more excited to spend time with him than I am.
- Is it because I do not find him as exciting to spend time with? Maybe...
- Is it because I am not as impressed with Russ George as others are? Maybe...
- Is it because I am not as wholeheartedly behind all of his politics as others? Maybe...
What is much more likely is that I have become used to spending time with Russ, and as such I am more used to thinking about him as a person, rather than as an AM. His achievement, passion, politics etc are all wrapped up in the man that I know, rather than an image in the papers, or a voice on the radio.
Not familiarity breeding contempt - breeding a comfortable relationship with success.
I have no relationship with Hilary Devey (maybe she will read this and get in touch!), and she is renowned for not only building successful businesses, but overcoming family and gender challenges to get there.
When someone like that makes a comment about something I am doing, I get pleased, excited and reminded that it IS exciting and it IS worthwhile.
Half a dozen words totally made my day, and allowed me to carry on with everything that I am doing with a renewed vigor.
I will have half a dozen months to do the same for the first awardee of the Young Woman of Business award and I will do everything that I can to give them the same sense of excitement, pride and continued passion that those few words from Hilary gave to me.
Thanks Hilary.