Building and Rebuilding: Gratitude and Growth in a Year of Change

By: Jeff Heybruck

As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on what this year has taught me; and how our team at Lucrum has responded, adapted, and kept building even when the blueprint changed.

Every business goes through seasons. Some are marked by growth and momentum; others are defined by change and rebuilding. This has been one of those rebuilding years for us (literally); a year of refining, and rekindling what it takes to serve our clients well. I’ve also had to face some of my own shortcomings, which is one of the harder things I think any of us have to do in our personal and professional lives.

Navigating Change

We’ve always known change is a constant in business. But it can still find new ways to surprise us. We’ve had some turnover this year, and while transitions are never easy, they’ve reminded me how important it is to be prepared. Not just as a company, but as individuals working together.

We’ve spent time examining how we handle client handoffs, documentation, and communication so that every client continues to feel supported no matter who’s on the other end of the call. Those same lessons have helped us guide our clients in planning for their own internal transitions, because thoughtful preparation benefits every business.

I find myself grateful to everyone who’s been part of Lucrum’s story, past and present, because each person has added something meaningful to what we’re building. As a company we have learned from every member of the team.

I find myself grateful to everyone who’s been part of Lucrum’s story, past and present

Building and Rebuilding, Literally

One of the most tangible examples of “building and rebuilding” this year has been our new office in Pineville, North Carolina. The space was an old hotel and hadn’t been occupied since the 1960’s (as far as we could tell), and as building projects always do, it came with more surprises than we expected: unusable water and sewer connections, a chimney about to fall over, fire damage, and a couple roofing contractors almost falling through rotten areas of the roof.

Thankfully, we’ve had a great partner in Fairwood Construction, whose professionalism, communication, and problem-solving mindset have turned what could have been a frustrating project into an encouraging one. It’s been a reminder that even when plans shift, the process of rebuilding can be energizing. There’s something rewarding about taking something that’s been dormant and giving it new life.

I find myself grateful for a project with a vision to get excited about and rally around. I realize those creative outlets can be important not just for me, but everyone involved.

I find myself grateful for a project with a vision to get excited about and rally around

Learning From What Got Us Here

If there’s one big takeaway from this year, it’s the realization that “what got us here won’t always get us there”. The systems, strategies, and habits that once served us well need to evolve as the business does. That’s not failure. That’s growth.

We’ve spent time sharpening our internal processes, clarifying roles, and making sure we’re positioned to meet the changing needs of our clients. The future doesn’t reward complacency; it rewards adaptability. As General Shinseki said: “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.”

I find myself grateful for the growth opportunities and the adaptability of the Lucrum team. As the company grows we grow with it and we tackle the new challenges of scaling.

I find myself grateful for the growth opportunities and the adaptability of the Lucrum team

Gratitude In Motion

Despite the challenges, I’m deeply grateful — for our team’s resilience, for our clients’ trust, and for the lessons this year has offered. Building and rebuilding is the natural rhythm of progress. Every adjustment makes us stronger and better equipped for what’s next.

As we head into a new year, I’m proud of how far we’ve come and confident in the changes we’re making now for the future.

To your Confidence in The Numbers,
Jeff and the Lucrum team