The Art of Luxury Issue 44 2020 | Page 116

INTERVIEW LLA: In the former days, you were a professional tennis player. Does your sporting experience help in your current position? CB: Tennis really helped me a lot. First is the education that you learn from tennis, of course, after the most important one – education received from your parents. Traveling around the world as a tennis player has helped me a lot in knowing the cities, hotels, restaurants, places of fun and entertainment, and the landmarks. Of course, in all these places where I was traveling, I would meet many business people from different fields, some of whom would become my clients and then recommend me to other friends of theirs and acquaintances, that’s how this adventure began in the world of luxury. LLA: What are the advantages of working in the luxury sector, with the most demanding and sophisticated clients in the world? CB: Some clients may be more demanding and others less, and we must adapt to each client and their requirements. It also depends on the services they request and the time period we have available to provide the requested service. The richest consumers are willing to pay very large amounts for personalized attention. The idea is to buy an experience, adapted to the needs of travelers and sufficient to relax from the daily stress. Nowadays, the concierge is much closer to a luxury lifestyle manager, selling unique travel and experiences. Our advantages are that we work with passion and we want our clients to feel relaxed and happy while we take care of all their needs. Also working in the luxury sector, there are chances you know something about branding. You know how important it is for the brand to know its customer inside and out, and to use this knowledge to continue building and selling products or services that create a meaningful experience for those indulging in aspirational lifestyle. There are many advantages to this activity and this is practically what I wanted when I decided to give up my life as a player and then as a tennis coach. The advantages are following: - This company creates a very good availability when it comes to where I am, the time I have or must dedicate to the company and then the way I need to work. - I can work from anywhere in the world, I don’t need to be at an office every day. - There is no specific work schedule, everything depends on the clients and the time I want to dedicate to the company. - The people I deal with are generally very serious people with values in life, punctual, modest and it is exceptional to be able to work with and for such people. - I do not travel as much as when I was a tennis player, which means that I have more time to stay at home, with family, friends and then when traveling only stay for a few days as necessary. During these trips, I can combine the job and the pleasure of being able to visit or even to relax a few extra days in the place if I wish. 116 The Art of Luxury Issue 44 2020