I’m writing this post from Barga, a charming medieval town nestled in the green hills of Tuscany. They call it the most Scottish town in Italy—a place where you can hear bagpipes echo through cobbled streets during festivals, where fish & chips share the table with local pasta, and where a sense of heritage lives in every stone archway and piazza. It’s a town with centuries of history, once the proud and independent Republic of Lucca, which managed to resist Florentine domination for nearly 500 years. That independent spirit still lingers here, and as I walk the old walls, I can almost feel the resilience and pride of its past inhabitants.

Learning Italian in Lucca

One of the highlights of these six weeks was studying at Lucca Italian School with my wife. For two weeks, we immersed ourselves in the language, culture, and rhythms of local life. Our mornings were filled with lessons—grappling with rolling r’s and melodic intonation—and our afternoons with exploring the streets, chatting with locals, and practicing what we’d learned over coffee in sunlit squares.

It was humbling and energising to return to the role of a beginner, to stumble, laugh, and learn together. The experience reminded me that growth often starts in discomfort, and that curiosity is the best guide when stepping into something new.

Tuscany’s Quiet Power

Beyond the classroom, Tuscany worked its magic. The cypress-lined roads, vineyards stretching over hills, and evenings filled with music gave me space to breathe and reflect. Recovery was my main goal for these weeks, and I’m grateful to say I achieved it. But more than that, I found clarity.

Looking Ahead – Entrepreneurship & Investment

Now, as I return to my professional life, I’m determined to build on this momentum. My first priority is to keep my two most important clients happy. I’ve been refining my project management methodology—making it more transparent, efficient, and joyful—not just to deliver better outcomes, but to create more fulfilling experiences for the teams I work with.

At the same time, I’m embracing a bigger vision: stepping fully into entrepreneurship. Over the next decade, I want to help launch at least ten startups, guiding them toward becoming thriving companies in my portfolio.

I’m also pursuing a new journey as a Popular Investor on the eToro platform, with a clear mission: to inspire people to invest consistently and aim to double their equity every five years. To make this journey more engaging, I’ll be starting an investment club and launching a YouTube channel where I’ll share practical insights, strategies, and lessons learned.

Coming Full Circle

As I reflect on this summer in Tuscany, particularly my time in Lucca, I feel a deep connection to both the past and the future. The story of the Republic of Lucca, its independence, resilience, and pride—resonates with my own journey as I strive to build something meaningful and lasting.

These six weeks have been more than just a pause; they’ve been a reminder that recovery, learning, and vision are the foundations of progress. I’m leaving Tuscany with gratitude, a deeper love for Italy (and its language), and a renewed commitment to create value—whether through entrepreneurship, investing, or helping project managers and teams succeed.

Here’s to the next chapter.