A Lifetime of Memories
Since 1990, Geoff and Nancy Weber have documented their journey—capturing countless moments of love, family, and adventure. From early days with bulky VHS camcorders to more compact VHS-C, Hi8 handycams, and MiniDV recorders, they embraced every new technology. Rolls of film were developed at local pharmacies, eventually replaced by 3.5" floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs. They meticulously printed doubles, mailing them to friends and family worldwide, and took the time to carefully arrange photos in albums.
Changing Technology
Despite their best efforts, the Webers found themselves struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology. Boxes of printed photos, film reels, and cassette tapes from family piled up alongside outdated digital formats. Each new device brought stress—wondering if a treasured memory was still on a print in a shoebox, trapped on a broken hard drive, or lost to a deleted social media account. The tipping point came when Nancy asked Geoff to make copies of their only wedding video from VHS to DVDs. At that moment, Geoff realized that their irreplaceable memories deserved better.
A Frustrating Search
Determined to preserve their family’s legacy, Geoff searched the internet and tried numerous digitizing services. Willing to spend thousands, he was disheartened by unresponsive customer service, poor-quality transfers, and the same cluttered DVDs that offered no real solution. What he found was not innovation, but indifference—a lack of commitment to preserving memories with care and permanence.
Solving the Problem
Refusing to settle, Geoff bought professional equipment and taught himself to digitize every photo, video, and letter. He transferred everything to a secure cloud storage account, ensuring their memories would never be lost again. Friends and family were amazed—“How did you get that 1960s video onto your phone?” they asked. But for Geoff, this was just the beginning—a personal mission to create a solution that others desperately needed.
A Friend's Shared Vision
As Geoff approached retirement from the U.S. government, he reconnected with his friend and fellow Navy intelligence officer, John Rahaghi. After serving at the U.S. Digital Service and Facebook, John was disillusioned by social media algorithms that obscured meaningful content. Together, they envisioned a platform where memories weren’t just stored—they were seamlessly organized, securely shared, and celebrated across generations.
From Small Towns to Global Impact
Interestingly, Geoff and John grew up in neighboring small towns in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Despite growing up with the same teachers and attending the same small high school, at seven years apart, they didn’t meet until winding up in the same class to become intelligence officers after 9/11. Over the years, they maintained a shared passion for data management, storytelling, and using technology to make a positive impact.
An Epiphany in the Cloud
While working for the Director of National Intelligence, Geoff faced the challenge of making Top Secret information accessible across 17 agencies—a task hampered by outdated methods. Initially skeptical about moving classified data to commercial cloud services, Geoff’s extensive research revealed that encrypted and distributed cloud computing was the safest way to protect and share priceless information. This epiphany reshaped his vision for personal data preservation—secure, accessible, and perpetual.
A Personal Turning Point
Meanwhile, Geoff was inspiring his son, who has a lifelong medical condition, to explore flexible work-from-home options. One day, frustrated by the lack of meaningful opportunities, Geoff pointed to a shoebox of family photos his mother-in-law had sent. “Turn that into a business!” he exclaimed, realizing in that moment that he had just identified the problem millions of families face—how to capture, curate, and connect their personal stories in a lasting way.
The Birth of Heirloom
On April 30, 2019, driven by this vision, Geoff registered the domain https://heirloom.cloud and teamed up with John. Together, they embarked on a mission to build a company dedicated to preserving memories—not just for their own families, but for everyone around the world. Heirloom launched in 2022 from South Carolina, on the day Geoff retired from active duty service.
A Legacy for Future Generations
At Heirloom, we believe that every photo, video, and memory holds a story worth saving. We’re committed to capturing, curating, and connecting these stories—ensuring they are safe, accessible, and cherished for generations to come. Join us on this journey to preserve your legacy and celebrate the moments that matter most.
