Dear Agora Employees, Customers, and Partners,
As we start preparing for time with family and celebrating another year around the sun, it is humbling and essential to reflect on the challenges that we overcame this year. In our almost 13 years in business, we have remained resilient and have not lost sight of our vision. Everyone has experienced hardships in their personal and professional lives these past couple of years, but I would like to focus on the extraordinary this year.
We have brought our employment levels back to pre-covid numbers. We signed a new lease to expand our HQ office. With our customers’ generous support, we have donated tens of thousands of dollars in food and beverages to first responders and local shelters. All while continuing to grow our e-commerce business.
Three equal parts have contributed to our experience of “extraordinary” this year.
The incredible team members that makeup Agora. They care about the person next to them and the longevity and reputation of what Agora is building. Hierarchy isn’t necessary; it’s the team that is.
Our customers are what motivate us. We have had customers I remember setting up on our first week in business, and they continue to contract with us today. Having the opportunity to serve and build upon these long-lasting relationships in such a fun industry is why this job provides me with so much appreciation and joy.
The final part (no pun intended) 😊 is our partners that help bring it all together. Having the right solutions to offer our customers has been critical even more this year. The power of “local” with our vendors, roasters, and product brokers that we work with shows that we are stronger together and can support mutual growth.
Thank you all for an extraordinary 2021.
Warmest Regards and Happy New Year,
Andrew Didier
Agora Refreshments