From Elvis to Steve Jobs: Winning Family Stories from Remento's Words to Live By Contest

Last November, we invited our Remento storytellers to share their most meaningful memories as part of our Words to Live By competition. The response was extraordinary – each submission offered a unique window into some of life's most remarkable moments, from chance encounters that changed lives to pivotal career moments that shaped industries.

After carefully reviewing hundreds of incredible stories, two stood out for their ability to capture lightning in a bottle – those rare moments that remind us why preserving the memories of those we love is so vital for generations to come. We're thrilled to announce our winners and share their remarkable stories with you.

Thank you to everyone who participated and trusted us with your precious memories, it is an honor that we do not take lightly.

That Time Mom Pulled Elvis's Sideburns…

Some family vacation stories become instant legends, and Sammie Del Monico's tale certainly qualifies. During what started as an ordinary day at a fair, his family had an encounter with the King himself. 

In a moment of bold curiosity, Sammie's mother approached Elvis Presley and, unable to believe her eyes, reached out to give his famous sideburns a gentle tug – just to make sure they were real. ‘Well yes ma'am, they most certainly are real…’

That Time Steve Jobs Stole My Marketing Idea…

Joel Moss takes us on an extraordinary journey through the dawn of personal computing, offering a front-row seat to the digital revolution. From his early career working at IBM and startups where he (briefly) became an unexpected millionaire in his twenties before losing it all in a stock crash, through to working as Head of Sales for Oracle, Joel's story threads through the biggest moments in tech history and the rise of Silicon Valley. 

Perhaps most fascinating are his long lunches with Steve Jobs, where they discussed ideas on sales and marketing that would shape Apple. Joel even had the late Steve Jobs ‘steal’ a marketing schematic he had put together. “I always tell people, yep, I contributed to Steve Jobs's genius…”