Lessons in Annual Planning

At the onset of the year, I sit down with my annual planner and set goals, write projections, objectives, and timelines, by quarter and month. A helpful ritual, but one that needs to be held loosely, especially when working overseas, with a small team, and in a context where work ethic and customer service are, well, different. 2025 did not go as I had noted down in my planner in January. Good thing I use a pencil! 

I am delighted to say we finally recruited the right players, which enabled us to do a soft launch of our cafe in mid-November. Hooray!! This means we can move to having a kitchen being used at a fuller capacity, and generate income as we seek to build the wholesale granola sales. 

I am especially excited about our two new male middle managers. They have really embodied the values of Lamprini. They work well with the ladies, treat them as equals, teach them new things, help them to up their skills and abilities, and they bring a fun energy to the team. 

Seeking to employ, empower and equip women is not just a job for women; we need healthy men as examples so women know what healthy relationships look like, know how they should be treated, and to break cycles, and to rewrite the stories of harm. 

At Lamprini, we want people to taste a little bit of heaven on earth - whether that be in the peaceful environment, in the customer service, or especially in and among the team members. We want them to know how they grew up, and the harm they have experienced is not how the world was intended to be. Harm happens in community, which means healing has to happen in community. I am thankful for these young men and the part they play in the Lamprini community. I am thankful they are a part of the individual stories being written and the collective story of Lamprini. 

At the onset of 2025, my objective was to hire a barista and a line cook. As time went on, finding “the right one” seemed out of reach; one who could lead with tenderness, care, humility, and joy. However, the master planner knew who would be the best fit for our start-up cafe, and unique working environment. He knew the details of the job description, and the skills of the people before us, and the right people were provided at the right time. 

This is the lesson I am taking with me into 2026: plan, in pencil, and continue to check in with the master planner’s agenda.