Compass Cafe by Ryan Smith
Centered on its storefront café, Compass has grown to become much more than a place for people to eat. Speaking with one of the owners, Carol, it became apparent that Compass has a deeper agenda than making great food and attracting customers; above all else, Compass strives to invest in the community of Shangri-La, starting with its people. Like any business owner is, Carol is ambitious and always seeking new ways to bring money into her business. Yet, the title of “business” when assigned to Compass may be misleading. Although it does seek to make profit, Compass seeks monetary gains for the sole purpose of reaching more people. With the success of their restaurant, Carol and her husband Joseph have been able make greater investments in the local community via a range of different programs, from ones that assist single mothers to those that equip disabled people of with skills they need to find work.
When analyzing the success of Compass, a key factor of its success is its employees. Loyal, diligent, and caring, the employees are the foundation of everything that goes on within Compass, in addition, it is for them that Carol and Joseph decided to open the restaurant; Compass is meant to serve and build up its employees. Though a majority of the Compass employees are from the local community, Compass has employees from all over the country and volunteers from all over the world, who all come seeking not just work, but personal growth. Investing in her employees, Carol wants to share skills with her workers that will enable them to make something for themselves.
Most recently, Compass has started a farm not far from its restaurant in Shangri-La. With such a strong reputation for being open to and caring for the local community, Compass has attracted many people from all backgrounds looking for jobs. One large groups of people that Compass attracts are those that for one reason or another are unable to find work elsewhere. By opening the farm, these people are able to work and provide for themselves while at the simultaneously building confidence in their abilities, abilities that others had said were nonexistent. This farm has been able to give hope to people that might not have had hope otherwise. With the addition of the farm, the restaurant is beginning to benefit from this fresh produce and is drawing curiosity from neighbors who had for years deemed the local land to be barren.
As I hope to have conveyed, Compass has been a beacon of light for the community that gives it a home. Though a business, its eyes are on far more than monetary gains. Compass is focused on changing the hearts of the people it serves and the people that serve it.
Meet the Staff: Carol (co-owner of Compass Cafe)-by Izzy Ruby Hill
After only the first time meeting Carol, we knew she was someone special. Carol is the owner of Compass and the farm that we worked with for the last week of ACE in China. Carol and her husband were on a backpacking trip 16 years ago when they first saw Shangri-La. It was not the place it is now; sparsely populated and few businesses, it is nothing like the growing, business rich area it is today. Carol's husband, Joseph, saw potential in the city and believed that they could create a business, and that is how they started Compass.
Upon meeting her, Carols positivity and optimism revealed themselves instantly. Carol was constantly talking about how much faith and confidence she has in the potential of compass and the farm. So many people have heard of Carol's kindness and because of that, many seek refuge and support in the compass community.
Despite Carols talent for running a restaurant, hotel, and farm, she wasn't always planning for this path. Her university major was archeology. Carol shows what it truly means to follow your passion. After realizing the potential, Carol was able to create a successful and impactful business, and seek knowledge in the field through experience rather then education.
Through hardships, Carol stayed determined. A fire swept through Old Town Shangri-La, devastating many businesses, one of them being Compass. Many businesses were discouraged and not willing to rebuild their businesses following the fire, and many of her workers asked whether she was going to stay past this devastation, as she wasn't native to the area. Carol was motivated, though, knowing that she couldn't possibly leave her faithful workers and that she had to do her best to bring Compass back to life. Her workers stood by her, and they were able to build the business back up. Carol epitomizes hard work and devotion- she sees potential in everyone and wants to help every one of her workers grow as a person. She has taught workers how to cook, pushed them to pursue their dreams, and supported people going through hard times and pushed them to be resilient. Although situations like the fire were devastating, she knew that people needed her and Compass more than imaginable, and this has fuelled her to be the driven leader that we met.
Although a restaurant, Carol doesn't like to think of Compass as a business, but as a community. Her workers call her 'Auntie Carol', and many of them look up to her as a hero. We could not agree more with her workers, and we recognize that the energy put into the farm is a testament to the strength of the Compass community. Carol was so thankful for our work on the farm this week, and we hope that our work with Carol and Compass has just started.
Meet the Staff: Chris-by Jenna Frowein
The New Zealand native is a veteran to the farm and Compass. After working three weeks with some friends at the farm last summer, Chris fell in love with the mountainous area of Shangri-La and serving the community through Compass. The family atmosphere of the group allowed him to grow and learn about himself and how to selflessly serve others. Chris was able to provide the team with skills and technology that were not yet utilized by the group, increasing productivity and helping Compass grow. This year, Chris called Carol and Joe, wanting to come back to the farm to continue to give, serve, and walk alongside the local people. This time, Chris is staying in Shangri-La a total of at least two years. While Chris is ready and open to work wherever is needed with technology or farm work, his main role revolves around assisting English speaking groups that come through the café or the farm. Life here changes quickly and regularly and Chris is always up for the challenge and eager to serve where he is most needed.
Growing up, Chris was very interested in academics and enjoyed learning and performed well in the classroom. Naturally, he decided to attend university and received a one year scholarship. After a year, he still was unsure what he was specifically interested in and refused to earn a degree just for namesake. Since his scholoarship ended and his academic passion was not yet solidified, Chris decided it was the perfect opportunity to take a gap year at a discipleship training school where he learned more about himself and his values, how to consider the benefit of the whole verses himself, and what it means to live out a life as a servant of Christ, glorifying God in all he does. This environment allowed him to grow and develop internally and influenced his way of life as one to serve without accepting anything in return.
Throughout his experiences of his gap year and at Compass, Chris has been trying to seek the answer to the question of what is the value in civilization. He wonders why we invest so much in technology and architecture yet the happiest folks he has met were in a village in Fiji with no electricity. Chris seeks to balance a simple life without having to abandon everything else - a skill he will certainly need upon moving back to New Zealand. To live simply without complications that drag him down but with opportunities to serve and give to the people.
Meet the Staff at The Compass Café by Domonique Paton and Arden Pettit
Lam Mu (chef and farm director) – Upon arriving at the Compass farm, we noticed a hard working individual working in the kitchen. Soft spoken and diligent, Lam Mu quietly went about her work. It wasn’t until we sat down to interview her that we learned she is much more than just a soft-spoken chef. Lam Mu shared her story with us during this time, which is posted below. We learned that Lam Mu is a single mother of two that has been ostracized by her home village for her husband’s adultery. This cultural ostracism shocked us because it is not common in our culture to have the women looked down upon when she is the victim. Lam Mu came to Compass in hopes of a fresh start but had to leave her kids behind with their grandparents in order to ensure stability. Due to the situation, Auntie Carol (Boss of Compass) felt Lam Mu’s skills were best fit for the farm instead of the café. During Lam Mu’s training, Auntie Carol taught her how to cook, clean, and be strong independent mother. Compass has changed Lam Mu’s life in a positive way by showing her that her past does not define her. Since overcoming her unfortunate marriage, Lam Mu has stabilized her life and brought her two children to live with her. Today, Lam Mu is in charge of baking all of the cakes that are sold in the café as well as cooking meals for the staff and volunteers. Lam Mu’s oldest daughter is enrolled in a local Shangri La middle school while her youngest is going into second grade. She made note to mention that no one in her family, up until this point, has had education. She hopes her children break this cycle and progress to university. Although Lam Mu might not be sure what her future holds, her top priority is to sustain a stable life for herself and her children.
Centered on its storefront café, Compass has grown to become much more than a place for people to eat. Speaking with one of the owners, Carol, it became apparent that Compass has a deeper agenda than making great food and attracting customers; above all else, Compass strives to invest in the community of Shangri-La, starting with its people. Like any business owner is, Carol is ambitious and always seeking new ways to bring money into her business. Yet, the title of “business” when assigned to Compass may be misleading. Although it does seek to make profit, Compass seeks monetary gains for the sole purpose of reaching more people. With the success of their restaurant, Carol and her husband Joseph have been able make greater investments in the local community via a range of different programs, from ones that assist single mothers to those that equip disabled people of with skills they need to find work.
When analyzing the success of Compass, a key factor of its success is its employees. Loyal, diligent, and caring, the employees are the foundation of everything that goes on within Compass, in addition, it is for them that Carol and Joseph decided to open the restaurant; Compass is meant to serve and build up its employees. Though a majority of the Compass employees are from the local community, Compass has employees from all over the country and volunteers from all over the world, who all come seeking not just work, but personal growth. Investing in her employees, Carol wants to share skills with her workers that will enable them to make something for themselves.
Most recently, Compass has started a farm not far from its restaurant in Shangri-La. With such a strong reputation for being open to and caring for the local community, Compass has attracted many people from all backgrounds looking for jobs. One large groups of people that Compass attracts are those that for one reason or another are unable to find work elsewhere. By opening the farm, these people are able to work and provide for themselves while at the simultaneously building confidence in their abilities, abilities that others had said were nonexistent. This farm has been able to give hope to people that might not have had hope otherwise. With the addition of the farm, the restaurant is beginning to benefit from this fresh produce and is drawing curiosity from neighbors who had for years deemed the local land to be barren.
As I hope to have conveyed, Compass has been a beacon of light for the community that gives it a home. Though a business, its eyes are on far more than monetary gains. Compass is focused on changing the hearts of the people it serves and the people that serve it.
Meet the Staff: Carol (co-owner of Compass Cafe)-by Izzy Ruby Hill
After only the first time meeting Carol, we knew she was someone special. Carol is the owner of Compass and the farm that we worked with for the last week of ACE in China. Carol and her husband were on a backpacking trip 16 years ago when they first saw Shangri-La. It was not the place it is now; sparsely populated and few businesses, it is nothing like the growing, business rich area it is today. Carol's husband, Joseph, saw potential in the city and believed that they could create a business, and that is how they started Compass.
Upon meeting her, Carols positivity and optimism revealed themselves instantly. Carol was constantly talking about how much faith and confidence she has in the potential of compass and the farm. So many people have heard of Carol's kindness and because of that, many seek refuge and support in the compass community.
Despite Carols talent for running a restaurant, hotel, and farm, she wasn't always planning for this path. Her university major was archeology. Carol shows what it truly means to follow your passion. After realizing the potential, Carol was able to create a successful and impactful business, and seek knowledge in the field through experience rather then education.
Through hardships, Carol stayed determined. A fire swept through Old Town Shangri-La, devastating many businesses, one of them being Compass. Many businesses were discouraged and not willing to rebuild their businesses following the fire, and many of her workers asked whether she was going to stay past this devastation, as she wasn't native to the area. Carol was motivated, though, knowing that she couldn't possibly leave her faithful workers and that she had to do her best to bring Compass back to life. Her workers stood by her, and they were able to build the business back up. Carol epitomizes hard work and devotion- she sees potential in everyone and wants to help every one of her workers grow as a person. She has taught workers how to cook, pushed them to pursue their dreams, and supported people going through hard times and pushed them to be resilient. Although situations like the fire were devastating, she knew that people needed her and Compass more than imaginable, and this has fuelled her to be the driven leader that we met.
Although a restaurant, Carol doesn't like to think of Compass as a business, but as a community. Her workers call her 'Auntie Carol', and many of them look up to her as a hero. We could not agree more with her workers, and we recognize that the energy put into the farm is a testament to the strength of the Compass community. Carol was so thankful for our work on the farm this week, and we hope that our work with Carol and Compass has just started.
Meet the Staff: Chris-by Jenna Frowein
The New Zealand native is a veteran to the farm and Compass. After working three weeks with some friends at the farm last summer, Chris fell in love with the mountainous area of Shangri-La and serving the community through Compass. The family atmosphere of the group allowed him to grow and learn about himself and how to selflessly serve others. Chris was able to provide the team with skills and technology that were not yet utilized by the group, increasing productivity and helping Compass grow. This year, Chris called Carol and Joe, wanting to come back to the farm to continue to give, serve, and walk alongside the local people. This time, Chris is staying in Shangri-La a total of at least two years. While Chris is ready and open to work wherever is needed with technology or farm work, his main role revolves around assisting English speaking groups that come through the café or the farm. Life here changes quickly and regularly and Chris is always up for the challenge and eager to serve where he is most needed.
Growing up, Chris was very interested in academics and enjoyed learning and performed well in the classroom. Naturally, he decided to attend university and received a one year scholarship. After a year, he still was unsure what he was specifically interested in and refused to earn a degree just for namesake. Since his scholoarship ended and his academic passion was not yet solidified, Chris decided it was the perfect opportunity to take a gap year at a discipleship training school where he learned more about himself and his values, how to consider the benefit of the whole verses himself, and what it means to live out a life as a servant of Christ, glorifying God in all he does. This environment allowed him to grow and develop internally and influenced his way of life as one to serve without accepting anything in return.
Throughout his experiences of his gap year and at Compass, Chris has been trying to seek the answer to the question of what is the value in civilization. He wonders why we invest so much in technology and architecture yet the happiest folks he has met were in a village in Fiji with no electricity. Chris seeks to balance a simple life without having to abandon everything else - a skill he will certainly need upon moving back to New Zealand. To live simply without complications that drag him down but with opportunities to serve and give to the people.
Meet the Staff at The Compass Café by Domonique Paton and Arden Pettit
Lam Mu (chef and farm director) – Upon arriving at the Compass farm, we noticed a hard working individual working in the kitchen. Soft spoken and diligent, Lam Mu quietly went about her work. It wasn’t until we sat down to interview her that we learned she is much more than just a soft-spoken chef. Lam Mu shared her story with us during this time, which is posted below. We learned that Lam Mu is a single mother of two that has been ostracized by her home village for her husband’s adultery. This cultural ostracism shocked us because it is not common in our culture to have the women looked down upon when she is the victim. Lam Mu came to Compass in hopes of a fresh start but had to leave her kids behind with their grandparents in order to ensure stability. Due to the situation, Auntie Carol (Boss of Compass) felt Lam Mu’s skills were best fit for the farm instead of the café. During Lam Mu’s training, Auntie Carol taught her how to cook, clean, and be strong independent mother. Compass has changed Lam Mu’s life in a positive way by showing her that her past does not define her. Since overcoming her unfortunate marriage, Lam Mu has stabilized her life and brought her two children to live with her. Today, Lam Mu is in charge of baking all of the cakes that are sold in the café as well as cooking meals for the staff and volunteers. Lam Mu’s oldest daughter is enrolled in a local Shangri La middle school while her youngest is going into second grade. She made note to mention that no one in her family, up until this point, has had education. She hopes her children break this cycle and progress to university. Although Lam Mu might not be sure what her future holds, her top priority is to sustain a stable life for herself and her children.