Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I have three main reasons for deciding to become a mentor: I was exposed to mentoring in my everyday job as a leader. Coaching and development were the parts I enjoyed most, and I was able to provide tangible value to those who were open to sharing and listening. Helping someone achieve their financial and personal goals gives me a sense of fulfillment and purpose. I love how mentoring combines relaxed conversations about personal and career aspirations with a strategic approach to achieving those objectives.
How did you get your career start?
My career journey began with a process of elimination. After studying hospitality for five years, I knew it wasn’t the path I wanted to pursue (what a paradox!). There’s nothing wrong with hospitality, but at the time, it just didn’t seem like the right fit. I asked myself, "Why move from Italy, the land of restaurants, bars, and hotels, to London, the land of opportunities, only to work in hospitality?" At the time, I thought a part-time, zero-hour contract at Hollister would be more glamorous—but I was wrong! After my experience at Hollister, I was fortunate enough to work in luxury retail at Church’s and Prada. These roles shaped my passion for clothing and luxury experiences. From there, I was drawn into recruitment (agency side), but quickly realized that "selling people" wasn’t for me. I made a quick switch to in-house recruitment, which gave me a full immersion in the HR world and taught me how to navigate a business of 700 employees—it was a lot of fun. After my time in-house, I took a few months to rethink my career and decided to jump into an Account Executive role at a tech company (seven years ago, I had no idea what tech really was). The last seven years in tech have been incredible. I've learned, failed, earned, progressed, failed again, and, overall, grown into the leader I am today. I'm incredibly grateful to the companies I’ve been a part of for both their time and the investment they've made in me.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
What can you expect? An empathetic approach, transparency on what's doable/ achievable, a proactive and growth oriented approach. What do mentees usually come to you for? It varies, so far I had exposure to: start up building, how to become a successful AE/BDR/CSM, GTM strategy, Product messaging, Prospecting strategy, How to identify success formulas, How to grow revenue, How to know who are you top clients and how much they spend, Time management and productivity, Building a successful hiring and development function, hiring the best talents (interview process definition). I enjoyed all of them!
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
I helped a POS system company develop a go-to-market (GTM) strategy aimed at reducing churn risk, refining their client journey, and ensuring they only worked with partners they valued. This involved closely analyzing their customer lifecycle, identifying pain points, and crafting a tailored approach to improve retention. By focusing on building stronger, more meaningful partnerships, we could enhance the overall client experience. Additionally, we streamlined processes to ensure the company’s collaborations aligned with their core values, creating a more sustainable and rewarding business model. Ultimately, the goal was to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with both clients and partners.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
Being a mentor allows me to fulfil my life purpose by making a meaningful impact on others. I find joy in guiding individuals toward personal and professional growth, sharing my knowledge, and helping them overcome challenges. It provides a sense of fulfilment as I witness their progress and success. Mentoring not only contributes to their development but also reinforces my own values and goals. Through this process, I am constantly learning and growing, which aligns with my passion for research. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of giving back, fostering connection, and inspiring others to reach their full potential.