Preserving Memories, Building a Business, and Never Stopping: My Journey as an Influential Woman
By Stacy Gillis
What if the memories that mean the most to us could disappear in an instant?
A videotape sitting in a closet. A box of photographs in the garage. A collection of slides tucked away in a basement. We often tell ourselves we'll get around to preserving them someday.
I know because I've spent decades helping people do exactly that.
My journey in business began in 1983 when my husband, Larry, left his job and took a leap of faith. Together, we built a video business from the ground up. What began as a small operation eventually grew into an 8,000-square-foot facility with 23 employees.
Over the years, technology changed dramatically. So did our business.
But one thing never changed: people's stories mattered.
Today, through Advanced Video Systems, I specialize in taking yesterday's memories—old videotapes, photographs, slides, home movies, film, and audio recordings—and bringing them into today's digital world.
And I've learned something along the way:
Preserving memories isn't really about technology. It's about people.
The Memories Behind the Media
One of the most meaningful parts of my work is seeing what happens when people get their memories back.
I remember working with a family who had thousands of photographs stored in their garage. We carefully preserved those photographs, never knowing just how important that decision would become.
Then a hurricane came.
The garage was flooded with several feet of water.
Those photographs could have been lost forever.
Thankfully, we'd already helped preserve them.
That's when I was reminded that what may look like "just a box of old pictures" to someone else is actually a family's history.
Another experience touched me in a completely different way.
I worked with a woman living with dementia and her legal guardian. We spent several sessions together going through childhood photographs. Instead of simply scanning the pictures, I took the time to sit with her and help choose the images that mattered most.
Eventually, those photographs were displayed on a television in her apartment.
For a moment, the past came alive again.
That's why I love what I do.
Starting Over Isn't Starting From Scratch
Moving our business from Baltimore to Florida marked another chapter in my journey.
Starting over in a new location can be intimidating, especially after spending decades building relationships and establishing a reputation.
But I learned that experience travels with you.
The skills I developed over the years—working with customers, solving problems, adapting to new technology, managing a business, and, most importantly, listening—all came with me.
I also discovered the importance of community.
I've become involved with local business organizations and networking groups, where I've had the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs, speak to audiences, share what I've learned, and help people understand how to protect their own memories.
I've also learned that you don't have to be the youngest person in the room to make an impact.
Sometimes, experience is your greatest advantage.
It's Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself
Perhaps one of the biggest lessons I've learned has nothing to do with business.
It's about continuing to challenge yourself.
I started CrossFit later in life, and it taught me something I wish every woman could believe:
Your age doesn't get to decide what you're capable of.
Whether I'm learning something new for my business, adapting to changing technology, speaking in front of a room full of people, or challenging myself physically, I try not to ask, "Am I too old for this?"
Instead, I ask:
"Why not?"
There will always be reasons to stay comfortable.
There will always be someone who thinks you're too old, too late, too inexperienced, or too established to try something different.
Don't let someone else's expectations become your limitations.
What I Would Tell Other Women
If I could offer advice to women who are building businesses, changing careers, starting over, or simply wondering what's next, I'd tell them this:
Don't underestimate the value of your experience.
Everything you've been through has taught you something.
The mistakes.
The successes.
The hard days.
The unexpected opportunities.
The people you've met.
The times you had to start over.
All of it becomes part of what makes you uniquely qualified to help someone else.
And don't be afraid to share what you've learned.
You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to wait until you reach some imaginary finish line before you can inspire someone else.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is:
"I've been there. Here's what I learned."
Preserving Yesterday While Looking Toward Tomorrow
When I look at my career, I realize my work has always been about more than videotapes, photographs, and technology.
I've been helping people hold on to the people, places, and moments that shaped their lives.
And in a funny way, my own journey has been about the same thing.
I've preserved pieces of the past while continuing to move forward.
That's what I believe being an influential woman is really about.
It's not necessarily about having the biggest title or the most impressive résumé.
It's about showing up, learning, adapting, helping others, and leaving something meaningful behind.
I don't know exactly what the next chapter will bring.
But after more than four decades in business, I've learned not to be afraid of whatever comes next.
I look forward to it.
Because there are still memories to preserve, people to help, lessons to share, and plenty of new things left to learn.
And I'm not finished yet. ❤️