Original work by Luca Ferrara.
These Days.
Last year, on February 12th, I wrote a letter to my future self—ten years ahead—when I’ll be 54.
The letter was titled "On Renewal", and—as the title suggests—it was part of a broader process of self-renewal I was going through (which I documented in detail here). It was my way of clearing the lens from the daily discomforts and fears of building a new life—of letting go of a self that no longer served me.
One line I had written in bold still echoes strongly today:
“Never compromise on the karma of the business by working with people who are useful but not net-positive in your life!”
Throughout most of my professional life, I’d accepted the idea that dealing with difficult, ill-meaning, self-centered, narrow-minded, or emotionally barren people was simply part of the job. It was the tax you paid to succeed—and part of why I earned my keep was precisely my ability to navigate and tolerate those dynamics.
I don’t know how the universe works, or if that’s true. All I know is that—for me—no más.
This week, I was in Desenzano to meet a dear friend (we will call him M). Someone I met not so long ago (in 2021), but with whom a deep bond quickly formed starting from the unique circumstances of our meeting. That friendship has continued to grow and enrich my life ever since. He also happens to be a rare blend: a brilliant fitness guru, a relentless entrepreneur, and a remarkably spiritual soul.
I visited him because there’s something very special I’ve been working on—a business idea that’s taking shape alongside Jam Nation. I decided to explore it seriously after my personal success in lowering my cholesterol last year (the full story is here).
We spent an hour reviewing samples, preparing a small batch of the product, and diving into conversations about production, promotion, and everything in between.
I don’t know where this journey will lead us. But being in his presence felt like a balm for my soul. I knew what we were discussing had great commercial potential, but it also felt positive, exciting, constructive, smart, and, simply, good.
From the perspective of my 54-year-old self, my meeting with M this week was a memorable success.— April 20th.
Hey, I’m Luca.
I’m an entrepreneur by vocation and a creator by nature.
I created this platform to curate, consolidate, and share with the world my endeavors, whether in photography, videography, writing, and ongoing business ventures and creative pursuits.
Despite the wide range of interests, all my work—in the arts and business—is centered on a straightforward pursuit:
To live the most intentional life possible.
I passionately believe in the power of serendipity. If anything here resonates with you, do reach out.
Journal
A collection of stories, essays, images, and videos on a range of subjects that are close and dear to me, all inspired by my pursuit of living a life with intention.
(Really, it’s a blog. I do keep an actual journal, every day. I have been for the better part of twenty years now. And that’s for me only. But “blog” has too strong a reference to something crafted with the goal of creating a following, which is not my intention here. This is more of the part of my journal I am happy to share. So, yeah, really, it’s a blog.)
(#017) Diversity
This week was Milano Design Week 2025—by far the city’s biggest event. It’s the one with the most buzz, the most global visitors, the most spectacle...
(#016) Jam Nation, one year after the original idea
This week Jam Nation was listed on the Apple Store. I decided to make this my main interest on February 13th, 2024—some 14 months ago…
(#015) Move to the big city
When I launched Jam Nation almost exactly a year ago, one of the core principles of my renewed venture into entrepreneurship was that it had to take me to places that truly resonated with me. My new adventures had to align with my desire to see the world—especially certain corners of it.
(#014) The ever important sunshine
This week, Milan treated us to a streak of sunny, clear-skied early spring days. A short-term visitor might be forgiven for thinking the city is kind to your morning cortisol release, midday vitamin D intake, and sunset-driven circadian rhythm.
(#013) Wynton Marsalis at the Barbican
Just back from London, where I saw Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra perform with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican. A humbling experience.
(#010) Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
Work originally featured in the omonimous photography section.
(#009) Hani and Yi minorities of China
Work originally featured in the omonimous photography section.
(#007) 18 years in China
I lived in China for over 18 years, five of which I spent meticulously researching the topic and collecting over 5,000 photojournalistic images, including throughout the times of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns…
(#006) On cholesterol and renewal
I knew I had high cholesterol for four years. The first time I came to realize was through my blood work onJanuary 6th, 2020. The doctor took a quick stab at calculating the probability of me coming down with a heart attack based on the lab results…
(#005) Hello tomorrow
I wanted to create something lasting to celebrate my pursuits this year, and I couldn’t have been more fortunate to have such talented friends willing to collaborate on this project with me.
(#004) The finish line
For many—including myself during much of my past—the end of the year didn’t feel like it came at the “right time.”
(#003) A bridge across
I can’t really say whether my life in the last 20 years has been successful, I guess one can’t really put the final word to it until the end, but surely I have lived adventurously…
(#002) Give yourself permission to be still learning
I have always struggled with perfectionism. Throw a pinch of vanity in there, too. I care deeply about the quality of what I do, especially if it may find its way to other people’s eyes and ears (or into their wallets.) That’s not a brag. That’s a confession...
(#001) Tokyo9 Act I: Who said anything about easy?
This is the account of the events leading to, during, and following the first of nine trips to Japan that I decided to take as part of my Tokyo9 project. Let me say this out front: things didn’t go as planned—not even close...
China’s Dilemma: Between Growth and Reform.
BOOK ON SALE NOW
After 40 years driving a miraculous economic growth which lifted more than 850 million people out of poverty*, during the last few years China took a U-turn from from the policies of opening and reform it so successfully embraced since 1979.
Why?
I lived in China for over 18 years, five of which I spent meticulously researching the topic and collecting over 5,000 photojournalistic images, including throughout the times of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns
“China’s Dilemma” features a rigorously researched essay, with striking evidence of how the larger narrative was mirrored in my personal experience throughout the two decades I lived and did business in the country—and with the country—, and a thoroughly curated selection from my photographic archive.
* ref. 1979-2021
My Current Entrepreneurial Adventure
I have been a musician since I picked up my first guitar at eleven. I have played the guitar, the saxophone, and, finally, the trumpet—which I still play today.
Last year, I finally merged my passion for music with my entrepreneurial spirit and launched my first music-related venture: Jam Nation.
Jam Nation is the first app of its kind entirely designed under the vision that every music lover, music student, and aspiring artist in the world may have a fast, affordable, and effective way to connect with other musicians and get together to play music and share their journey in the music world.
The app will soon be on Apple Store and Google Play, but pre-registrations and a time-limited promotional offer are available on Jam Nation’s website!
About Me
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Throughout my formative years and my career, I have consistently pushed the boundaries of my pursuits, both professionally and geographically.
I moved across continents, jobs, and industries, always favoring exploration, always on the tip of my feet.
I have been an engineer, a consultant, a manager, a director, an asset manager, and—always—an entrepreneur.
I have co-founded and held senior positions in companies in the fields of energy, environment, and commodities. Some went well. Some didn’t.
I have traveled and done business in five continents, dozens of countries, and hundreds of cities, engaging with people of all cultures and personalities. I speak fluent English, Chinese (Mandarin), and Italian, and I have lived in half a dozen cities since I was 24, including 18 years in China.
I wish the comfortable mastery of one skill or job would do it for me. It doesn't. Whenever I reached calm shores, my heart took me back to the sea.
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In 2017, I co-founded Alleans Renewables, a renewable energy development and investment venture based out of Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London.
By the time I left in 2023, I had built it into a successful multinational renewable energy investment firm with over 2.5 GW of assets under development across Europe and the USA.
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As of late 2023, Alleans had been the adventure of a lifetime—one of several I lived through (adventures, not lifetimes :) but my heart wasn't there anymore.
I wasn’t ready to leave new adventures behind. In fact, I realized that…
Living an intentional, adventurous life of constant renewal is not just a recurring theme on my canvas. It is my canvas.
Accordingly, I left my posts and the path better known to pursue—yet once more—new and exciting opportunities to create something meaningful, both in business and the arts.
You can read about my current business in the section (Ad)venture above.