Sixth video interview in the series “Flashes of Life & Roots”: the protagonist is the Italian entrepreneur and “pioneer” of the Economy of Communion, Pietro Comper
The interviews that originated from the Flashes of Life & Roots project are back: we decided to interview a series of entrepreneurs who are “EoC pioneers” to collect the “precious pearls” contained in the experiences of those people who, in different parts of the world and in different cultural contexts, have responded in a radical way to a common vocation: that of giving life - with their own life - to the Economy of Communion.
The stories of the pioneers are fruits of the same tree, nourished by the same roots... Knowing their stories allows us to savor how different the expressions of the same life can be, with different forms but a common aroma. The aim of this series of interviews is therefore to nourish and encourage those who, in the present and in the future, feel called to put the Economy of Communion into practice with their own lives. In other words, fruits that become seeds to generate new life in its many expressions.
The sixth protagonist of our series of interviews is Pietro Comper, an ex-entrepreneur from Rovereto in Trentino. Pietro, who has 
now passed the baton to his children and is now a grandfather, shared with us his extraordinary experience of life and work. Emphasizing the importance of leaving room for the new generations to carry on the family business, Pietro says:
I stopped working precisely so as not to create problems for the company itself.
Pietro had his first inklings of his future vocation to the Economy of Communion during a world meeting of the New Humanity Movement dedicated to “Economy and Work” that took place at the Ergife Hotel in Rome in 1984: there Pietro understood that one could live the economy in a different way. He recalls: “I could see that there was serenity in that way of living, in that way of managing the company”. This approach transformed his entrepreneurial vision, leading him to create deep and meaningful relationships with other entrepreneurs. The decisive turning point came in 1991 when Chiara Lubich launched the “Economy of Communion” project, urging entrepreneurs to donate the profits of their companies, a moment that Pietro describes as:
the beginning of a journey that is not yet finished.
Tecnodoor, the company founded by Pietro in 1994 together with his son Damiano, specializes in the design, production and automation of industrial and civil closures. Over the years, the company has grown significantly, also involving his other children, Nicola and Gloria. The company stands out on the market for its innovative design, based on careful listening to customers' needs, the choice of high-quality materials and attention to energy efficiency and performance. “Our company tries to respond to market needs with dynamism and promptness,” explains Comper, highlighting how collaboration and sharing are at the center of the company's success.
According to Pietro, it all starts with an inner change. “A true entrepreneur must be at the service of the entire community,” he explains. This means, above all, trusting your collaborators and creating a harmonious work environment where each person can develop their potential to the fullest. He adds:
Freedom is what makes those who collaborate with you give that little bit more that an employee does not normally give.
Pietro Comper's experiences with people in vulnerable situations are touching testimonies of the transformative power of the economy of communion. Pietro tells of a young graduate who, thanks to his work in the company, managed to overcome a deep crisis and find a new job within seven to eight months.
Episodes like this demonstrate how the economy of communion isn't just an economic model, but a real vocation that aims to improve people's lives through relationships of mutual love and solidarity.
Listen to the interview and become part of this movement too!
Find previous interviews in the Flashes of Life and Roots series on this page.