Episode 128: From Milan to London to Living Her Dreams | Alessandra Fergola | Designer & World Traveler
Alessandra Fergola is an apparel designer, dual citizen, and creative force who has built her dream life across Italy, London, and beyond. Her journey spans working with major brands like Fila and Puma, showing collections in Paris and Milan, and saying “yes” to opportunities that pushed her out of her comfort zone. She shares how learning English became her ticket to freedom, why she never says no to career chances, and how resilience and adaptability have guided her through industry shifts, Brexit, and big life moves. From rollerskating to ceramics, Alessandra’s story is a blueprint for anyone determined to create a life on their own terms.
“Being powerful means to never give up and be able to adapt. To always find a way to make it happen or find a solution. And to be positive and true to yourself along the way.”
-
-
Follow along using the Transcript
Chapters:
00:00 – How Learning English Opened Doors Around the World
05:55 – Leaving Italy to Pursue a Global Career in Fashion
10:59 – From Fila to Puma: Lessons from Big Brand Design
16:40 – The Job Application That Changed Everything
21:48 – Capsule Paris and Building Industry Credibility
24:59 – Collaborating Across Borders and Cultures
29:00 – Navigating Brexit’s Impact on Fashion Careers
33:00 – Finding Inspiration in Ceramics and Rollerskating
37:00 – Saying “Yes” to Opportunities Others Might Fear
40:00 – Staying Positive While Chasing Big Dreams
44:00 – Why Adaptability Is the Key to Longevity in Creative Work
48:00 – What’s Next for Alessandra Fergola
Basically, I picked up my pack. I jumped on top of my motorcycle and I rode all the way from Italy to Germany. I crossed the yards all by myself and I went there and I didn't know no one. I didn't know one pack in that place, which was. The middle of nowhere we Yes, in Babe area.
That's Alessandra Ferla, and this is The Powerful Ladies Podcast.
Hey guys, I'm your host, Kara Duffy, and in this episode, you get to meet a human. That makes me smile every time we're in each other's company. Alessandra is an apparel designer and a creative. Who is diligently going after making her dream life come true? From moving abroad to taking career risks, including her own brand, to finally getting to live in the same city as her long distance love.
She is determined to make her dreams become reality. Before we jump into this episode, I wanna speak to all of you who right now are Googling how to make a career change, or how to start your own business, or how to avoid going back to my whole job. I am here for you. That is why I built my Thrive membership and my other courses and programs.
I really mean it when I say I'm here to help you achieve your dream life. Visit kara duffy.com and book a free call today. Or skip directly to learn dot kara duffy.com and check out Thrive and all the other unique programs that are available. Let's create a custom plan that will actually work for unique you and your unique dream life.
You are up to so many cool things and just have such an extraordinary story that I'm really excited for everyone to get to know you and hear it. Uh, well, let's just, everybody, your name, uh, where you are in the world and what you're up to today.
So, my name is Alessandra, uh, and I live in London currently, but I am Italian and, uh, I, I've been, I moved to London now five, six years ago, and I worked for a sportswear company.
Uh, a licensed business, one of the biggest one in Europe, and we, uh, yeah, we, we license different sportswear, heritage brand, uh, such as, and I.
So just a few things, just a little bit fancy. Mm-hmm.
Yeah. So, um, yeah, I'm, yeah, I'm excited to be, uh, part of this, uh, podcast and, uh, I, you know, it's been a quite a journey to be here.
Because obviously, uh, coming from Italy, you know, my dream was always to live in London because when I was a teenager I always wanted to, you know, uh, listening to British brand. British British brand. Uh, I was, you know, following British fashion and was a dream of mine to live here. So, uh, you know, uh, that was the only thing I wanted to do and be here.
But obviously the journey to arrive here and to be settled here, it wasn't as easy and not as straightforward. It's not just that one day I picked up, uh, my luggage and say, okay, I moved to London and I come here and, you know, I do, um, you know, whatever job. I just decided I wanted to be here, but I wanted to be here.
Uh, you know, uh. I wanted to be in London as a part of my career journey, so I didn't want just to take my back and come here for mm-hmm. You know, whatever reason I wanted to be, you know, um, you know, a proper move. So, um, yeah, uh, I mean it's, um, yeah, it's, uh, it has been also a lot of back and forth because obviously I came to London in the first place and then I, uh, you know, had to move back because of my job.
And, uh, uh, yeah. And then I, you know, I wasn't happy, so I decided to come back again. Mm-hmm. So, uh, my journey started obviously in Italy and I think like, um, the best, uh, you know, I lived in Italy for 25 years of my life and. Again, as I said, I wanted to live in London ba I wanted to explore the world and live abroad.
So the, the main thing that for me, the set me free to that was to learn English, because obviously I wasn't, you know, I wasn't able to speak English until I was, uh, 25 years old. Which is quite insane for some people. When they hear me talking, they're like, oh my God, you only, you know, like you always think when you speak in English that you know that you speak in English and you always spoke English.
But actually, you know, when I was a, like a teenager and I was listening to, uh, songs in English, I couldn't understand a word. It was just like kind of me in the, you know, the sound. And, you know, it was, uh, you know, for me, the, I started on my first job, I worked for, um, a motorcycle, a per company. So I was actually employed there as a product developer for the motorcycle racing year.
And I didn't know one word of English. I, I still don't know how they hired me because the pool company was an American company only speaking in English. And my, my boss was like, um, Canadian. Japanese Canadian. So they hired me and I I to learn. So I learned by working and you know, I was, and that was the thing that set me free really, because after I learned to speak English, uh, I would, I was like, okay, yeah, I am, you know, I'm set free and I can go.
Do everything I want. It's just really for me, um, learning English was like pure freedom. Yeah. Because I could apply for any job. I could go anywhere in the world, and there was no boundaries for me anymore. And so I worked there, um, for a couple of years. And then I, yeah, I got this phone call from, um, big, uh, sportswear company in Germany.
And one also of my dream was also to work in Germany because I didn't study English school. Uh, but actually I studied German and when I was a school and my mom sent me to this German. Class. I was like, ma, what bad idea? I should really, like, why didn't you send me to an English class instead of a German one?
And she was, don't worry, it's gonna be, you know, it's gonna be useful for you in the future. And then here I am, uh, I applied for this job, uh, in Germany and I got the job. So I moved there and I was there 28 years old. And when I moved there, um, I actually, uh, by the time I got the job, uh, I also got Sue for my, for my current co company for, uh, infringement of the non-compete agreement.
So basically they, they didn't pay me, uh, the money they own me, like the last month of salary and my payoff money. So basically I had zero money in my bank account and I had to start my new job in Germany where I had to go there myself. So, uh, yeah, basically I picked up my bag. I, by back then, I used to be a motorcycle rider, so I, I jumped on top of my motorcycle, a beautiful tri bonne, and I rode all the way from Italy to Germany.
I crossed the all by myself and I went there and I didn't know no one. I didn't know one person in that.
Nowhere Really. Yes. In like a completely different experience. And that was one for me, one of the most beautiful gift that life gave me because is, um, you know, I just. I met the most beautiful people.
Mm-hmm.
That's where we met. Yes. Yeah, definitely. We met and, um, you know, I, yeah, I just said that an amazing experience, uh, because I was, apart from my family and apart from all my friends, you had to make their, your own family and your own friend and make yourself a home.
Yeah. Um, so obviously everything was, uh. You know, it was a challenge, uh, from a, you know, life point of view, but, and also work point of view, everything. It wasn't so easy, um, you know, the, the journey and to be there, but, uh, it was really like, yeah, just amazing. Like all the people I met, I met people that now live.
Everywhere in the, it was just felt a multinational environment that it was like, uh, an experience that I'll never forget and I'll be thankful for, uh, all my life. And despite the fact that I go soon by my previous company to go there, I'm still will do it again. Yes, I'll never, I would never, you know, I never care much the money I lost or whatever that.
No, I have not that.
Mm-hmm. Well, you also, um, met your partner. Exactly. So English gave you access to work and love.
Yeah, exactly. So I was very lucky because while I was there, I met the, yeah, my current, my husband there. But again, it wasn't easy, like the journey to be together here in London now. Because we had obviously a lot of back and forth, uh, between us.
Uh, so when, um, when, uh, as after we got together there, uh, he got offered a job in Italy and he moved to Italy for five year while I got offered a job in London. So from the same company, uh, finally my dream was there and I was like, oh my God. Like, I can't say no. So obviously he was off, he left and he went to Italy.
And, uh, I was like, I, I cannot not say no. So I got off. Um, much, uh, more interesting job working, working for as apparel designer for the collaboration mm-hmm. For Puma, uh, select, which was one of the, you know, the, the coolest department in the company, especially working in London with all the kids and, you know, all like, uh, uh, all the people that, uh, you know, all, uh, collaborators.
I, you know, I was always. Uh, looking at in terms of like, uh, influencing lifestyle music and, you know, everything. So it was actually my dream job. So I was like, okay, I'm going no matter what. So, uh, I packed my bag again after, uh, yeah, I've been in Germany for five years, so I packed my bag again and moved to London.
But again, only three months in, in the job, which I loved and I enjoyed, and it was really to me again, uh, the most, uh, exciting time to be at the brand. Um, basically the, the company decided to shut. The London office. So, uh, there was really, I think was when wasn't, I can still now remember the day where they decided to shut their office because while for other people, uh, it was just like, oh yeah, you know, everyone was like, uh.
Oh yeah, don't worry, you're gonna find another job. Or you know, that's not such a big deal. It's just a job. It's just the office. And I was like, whoa. I was like, I've been dreaming my own life. Be here. It was all I dreamed of, like since I was like 15 years old now you're just like, in 20 minutes you're telling me that everything is done.
And it was, yeah, it was quite shocking. So I was quite bitr by the news, but then I was like, okay. I, because I couldn't, they offered me a job back in Germany, but I was like, no, I can't go back, obviously, because for me was. Like moving back. Mm-hmm. Uh, you know, in a way it was like moving back in life and I was like, I don't wanna, I only wanna move forward.
So I, I say I was really difficult. I didn't accept offer and uh, and I decided, I was like, okay, I'm gonna give it a go and I'm gonna move back Italy to see if, uh, you know, if I can find a job there eventually with my, I have a lot of experience. I can speak very good English. Eventually I will be useful for some of the company there and someone will hire me.
And, uh, yes. So I was, you know, I was very, you know, I was excited that to go back home, obviously, to be close to my family, to be with my, with Pete, with my boyfriend. Mm-hmm. But, uh, yeah, again, it wasn't as easy as I thought because you always think like, oh, I come back to my hometown with a lot of.
Experience and then everyone is like, yeah, not really. They were not really waiting for me, um, to be there. But, uh, I had to, you know, also, I think I made a mistake thinking that, you know, I will move there. And I was really like, no, just one job. I kind of wanted the life I had in London, but clinically, but there was not, you know, it wasn't really.
In the sense that the, the country doesn't work like that. Um, so I tried to find a job. I struggle, like I've done, I dunno, I think like hundred interviews, and it was really, really hard to get a lot of rejection, especially after coming from such a cool, cool job after such a cool environment. And, mm-hmm.
And, um, you know, I wasn't getting anything. I wasn't getting anything good. I wasn't getting any jobs, so I was getting a bit, uh, you know, stressed. So I was like, I'm not gonna give up because every, every, everything I was doing, like every interview, every, every step forward I was doing, I was getting stronger and more self confident as well.
I was getting, uh, you know, like, I was like, okay, can't, like, I need to get there. I need to get there. I need to, you know, get work and I need to, you know, I need to go back to London again. So I, I pack again my bag and I told my husband, I'm gonna back. I'm gonna move back to London and start freelancing there.
So, um, I went there, um, I opened my consultancy studio, uh, in London. And I started freelancing for a couple of brands. Uh, not very famous, but still good for me to, you know, get some money to survive here on my own. And, uh, still I was working in fashion, um, more in the fashion side of the business, so I was working for a, a small brand where we were doing catwalk.
And uh, so it was quite interesting, also something very different from what I've been working before. Mm-hmm. So it was actually a new experience for me, which, uh, you know, it was. He was, it was very good and interesting. Um, and then I started building a lot of, uh, clients and a lot of, uh, you know, uh, people asking me for work.
So at the end of the day, I was basically, I had so much to do. I had to hire people, hire people to help me because I couldn't do everything on my own. And I. So I was like, I was working for many different brands and um, yeah, and that's how I started working for Fila as well. And for the company. I actually, uh, currently head of design.
And, uh, they approached me for some freelance job at the beginning, and then after a while they offered me a permanent position, uh, to head the department. So in the end I got there. Yeah, it was, uh, yeah, it was, yeah, it was a journey, but it's been really, yeah, really exciting.
And, and when did Pete move to London?
Because I'm sure everyone listening is like, you left Pete in Italy, then what happened?
Oh, yes. So basically there was also like a funny story. So basically he was, in the meantime, he was in Italy and he also got, uh, like when I moved back to London, he was like, oh, I really kind of wanna move back. And there was still the time where I was still, you know, looking for client and potentially looking for a permanent job.
So, uh, we got to. Friend they were looking for, um, a design manager, uh, in, which is like a, uh, um, yeah, a famous also American, um, apparel and headwear company. And so I, uh, I told him, oh, to apply. And he applied for the role. And then after a bit I go also contacted by a, um, a recruiter about his job. So I say, Hmm, okay, I'm gonna apply as well.
I applied for this job and the, I didn't hear back from the, from the company, from the recruiter. So he then he applied as well because I was like, no one is, actually, no one contacted me, so why don't you apply? So. Suddenly we both got a phone call back saying, oh, uh, you have been chosen for the five finalists for the final, for the last five, uh, yeah, five, um, people for the job.
And I was like, oh, wow. And you know, I wasn't wanna tell p and you didn't wanna tell me. And then we called and you were like, uh, by the way, I go, you know, I go into the final five. Oh, me too. Okay. So we both went for the, for the interview again, because it was like a three or four stage interview. So we went for the, the second stage of interview and same story.
Uh, we, we went for the interview. We got a phone call, both me and him, and, and they were like, oh, you go down to the final two. So it was basically me and him competing for the same job. And yeah, in the end, uh uh, we went for the final interview and he called me and he say, look, I've got the job. And I was like, okay.
I knew, but no matter what, whatever, whoever that got it would've been still a success. So we was happy anyhow, but it was good because then he, you know, he could move back to London. You know, we could set our life here and we could, we, we then were able to buy a house and, you know, to start our life together.
We got married. So there was, you know, there was in the end like it was meant to be, you know, like when it's like you, you, you know, you always think like, uh, you never know. You're always wondering, and then life always gives you what, what is meant to be actually all the time.
Well, and I love that that's one of the hazards, right, of, of having your partner do the same work that you do.
Yeah, exactly. It's very, it's very kind of convenient. I, I guess because in a way you feel like if you ever wanna move or if you wanna take a new challenge, actually is seems to be easier kindly because you feel like, especially if you go and work for a big company, you feel like, okay, there is for sure gonna be.
A space for you or for me as well. It's not as always given, but you, you will think so, you think that, you know, positive and you're like, yeah. You know, is easier in a way. And also, you know, you, you, you share the same struggle and the, the same happiness and, you know, you share ideas. It's, it's a very beautiful thing, I think.
Yeah. Well, and, and you also, um. All the things, right? You understand each other's business and what you're doing. You can relate to each other. You have, like you said, opportunities to travel the world together because of it. I also love that you made an accidental business during that time. Yes. Uh,
yes. We did the, yeah, because, um, basically while, while I was struggling, I was in Italy and we were, um, you know, obviously I was looking for a job and this job wasn't coming.
So people was like, look, we need to. Let's make your job, let's start a brand. Because there was always a passion of us to have it done. And the thing to make it together was, you know, possibly the most beautiful thing we we could do. So, uh, we decided to start a brand. It was called Home of Home. It was a menswear brand.
It. It was more like, um, uh, always obviously influenced by sportswear because this is where both me and him are, uh, coming from. Um, but we more like tailoring pieces. So it was more like, let's say casual kind of dress. Mm-hmm. And yeah, so we started in Milan and again, there we started in our living room.
With nothing. Like we just like some fabric and, you know, some drawing. And then we suddenly decided to, you know, um, we, we did all the clothes and we were like, what are we gonna do with that? So we were like, okay, let's, let's apply a, let's see, white, which is like a big trade show in Milan. So he gonna have a there and yeah, and we apply and suddenly we go in.
So we were like, oh, that's amazing. So we, you know, you part of like such a big event, like all, like so many brands that you have been always looking up was there as well. And you know, other, uh, brand that you, you know, you always, uh, wanna be beside. It's not there. And yeah, it was, it was really good. We got a lot of interest, so we kept going for, um, you know, for a couple of season and until we decided that we wanted to expand, so just not be, uh, brand based in Milan, but we wanted to be more like, consider more like international brand.
So we decide to also come to London. So we did the, um, London fashion with man. Uh, two or three season. And then we also went to showing being caption in Paris. Mm-hmm. And that was also really good because, uh, apart from, you know, the connection that, uh, you know, you do all the business, you can have the amazing things like all the people you meet there, like, because you spend all this time in a trade show and you just like looking for people to come and see your stuff.
And then in the meantime you have plenty of time to chat with your neighbor, with the other person at the time. Guy at the coffee shop. So in the end, like we made so many friends, like by being there, that was really like, he was amazing. Like still my friends who then came to our wedding and it was us, you know, expressing ourself together in a combined effort to create something beautiful.
So I was really like, it was really a, you know, a beautiful time and experiences that we shared. But then once we all moved back to London, we did one more season and then we decided to stop it because it was just taking too much time and we, we needed, wanted to focus on our full-time job. So. We decided to take a break.
How, how has all the changes with Brexit impacted you being in London?
Oh, God. Good question. Uh, very much, uh, in the sense that, uh, very much, but again, positively because I became a British citizen. Yes. So, um, it was, it was very stressful. I think the day.
I, I, I woke up and I read in the news that, uh, actually, uh, the UK left Europe. I was strong. I, I, I couldn't believe I was actually literally crying because for me, the day that Europe got together, it was again, one of the most beautiful. Thing that could happen to us. Because I remember before Europe, you know, I used to go travel, you know, from Italy and you had, we had the, and then we had to go to France and we had the, uh, uh, the French.
Mm-hmm. Um, money. And then you have to go to Dan, to Germany and the mark and you know, it was all messy. And I remember. And when Europe came along, uh, I was living in Belgium at the time, I was studying there and actually was, everything was easy suddenly just paying in Europe and it was just like the beautiful thing of being a joined uh, country is just such a beautiful concept.
So for me, um, yeah, the day that Brexit came, I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe that, you know, actually happened. And it was like a long, uh, journey because obviously that happened in June, 2016 and only this year in the 1st of January, 2021. So five years later we are actually left the European Union.
So until then, everything was all like, we knew we were about to leave, but it was almost like the same. Mm-hmm. But it's actually from the 1st of January that things kicked in. Yeah, and we are facing a lot of, uh, problem, I mean, me personally, obviously, as a European citizen, I had to apply for a, a pectal status or sectoral status that this means that, uh, you can only stay if you leave the country for more than six months.
You can only stay abroad for up to three years. That before losing all your right as British citizen, which is really bad. But you know, I applied the same for British abroad, so it really bad because I was like, all the effort I've done, you know, I've been here for. Six, seven years, and now suddenly if I leave, then all I, all my effort, all what I build up is suddenly gone.
Mm-hmm.
So it is, is really, yeah. You, you kind of feel like you, you have been taken away of your freedom, which is something I don't like. So I have, yeah, so I have applied for the British citizenship, uh, last year and I was quite, um, yeah, quite, quite challenging, uh, process because there is a lot of tests you need to do, like you need to study, uh, the English, um, culture and history and you need to do a test about it, which is very complicated.
It's actually a lot of Western, the British people. Because I was doing it with my I, you know, I was more prepared than him. And then you need to do English need. Paperwork and, uh, yeah. So I decided, yeah, to become a British citizen, which I've only got the citizenship, uh, this year in June, which I'm really, really proud of.
And also lucky because with Italian you cannot double passport. No. All countries allow you to do that. So, uh, that's very good. So in terms of these, um, you know, I've got full freedom now to move and do, you know, whatever I want in case I wanna leave the country. But in terms of, um, you know, daily, let's say.
Um, business or daily life, obviously all the shipmen for instance. Also we have, uh, in and out from the uk, uh, they are massively impact and not only from time, but also for cost. Yeah, so our company is open, um, a warehouse in Germany. In order that all the shipment that, you know, needs to go to Europe, they go there and they don't come to the uk.
Mm-hmm. Uh, the shipment became, yeah, massively expensive, but not only, you know, cargo shipment. Uh, so whatever is coming for business, but also your personal stuff. You know, I try to, I send two parts to my family in June. They're still not arrived? No. Yeah. After like over a month. Like, because obviously now you have to do a lot of custom declaration.
Uh, it's like same as you would send to overseas, like to US or to China, which I don't know, like if most of the people, you know, I even know what to do because we do it for work. So for me it's quite easy, but I don't know for other people. And then, yeah, traveling, I mean, we haven't been able to travel quite a lot, but obviously you can't go anymore into the, you know, into the European lane, which is gonna be quite a shock the day I'm gonna do it.
And they are talking about getting a fee like the sun in the us Yeah. So it's like, it's gonna be a seven pound, uh, fine, not fine. It's like a sort of a visa Yeah. That you need to pay. Uh, same, same as the one for the US you have to pay before traveling to Europe. Uh, and then obviously like on is horrible because no one like is, um, you know.
In move here anymore? No. No. They don't wanna, they can't. So for instance, I know for sure that uh, the university, uh, has had been seen a dropping of subscription of 50%, uh, by Europeans. So it's really bad because obviously now, you know, not only for the university themselves, but for the general like culture of the city.
Yeah. Because London especially has been. Known to be a very multicultural, and that's why I wanted to be here, you know? Yeah. I wanted to be here to embrace different culture, like all these mix and match of people of, uh, you know, uh, the diversity. And now basically there is only, um, uh, like you, British.
Students apply for university or, uh, eventually more Asian or American, because for them didn't really change much from before. You know, they have the same sort of legal requirement, but it's very sad. I think it's very sad for, uh, you know, for younger generation. We, we have been impacted also, you know, I believe people who, you know, ho house abroad, uh, a massive tax.
Has been imposed. And you know, like I say, I'm sad for younger generation because younger generation are not gonna be able to, you know, to travel, to be here and to, you know, to, how do you say, to, uh, contribute to these, uh, multicultural environment. And same the people, the British people, British young. Uh, young talent, they won't be able to go and move as freely as we did, you know, during our time.
And I find it very, very, very sad. Very sad that, you know, people don't have the same opportunity that I had. Because as I said before, for me, the fact to be able to move freely in Europe and then come to the uk, it was the best thing that happened to me in life. And, you know, it, it's sad that people can't do this.
Well, especially with the UK being the only place that, where English is spoken otherwise, right? Yeah. And so it's, it's, there's so many things that we don't think about just from a language perspective of what you have access to or what you can do. 'cause if you go to France, you're speaking French. Yeah.
And of course you may be speaking English in an expat, multicultural community, but everything else is French. Everything else is German or, or you fill in the blank. Right. So to have this place where the world language is being spoken and you're seeing different things, plus the UK has the, you know, entire Asian, uh, community.
Yeah. It has the American community. It has, uh, the entire West Indies and Jamaican community. Like, there's so many things that are so unique to London in particular. Um. It surprised me. I mean, even everyone here is a bit surprised by it because I feel like it hurts the UK more than everyone realizes, yeah.
Than anyone else. If anything, Europe
is benefiting benefit about this. Like Ireland, for example, is benefiting. Uh, quite a lot by, you know, by this, because obviously as you say there, you speak English. So a lot of company move to Ireland and open up there and to the Netherland, because obviously Netherland is not, you know, English is not the, the language, but they, everyone speaks English, then the main language is English.
So, yeah, like you say, it's, yeah, it's, um, it's, yeah, it's, it's sad because. No. Um, you know, that there is gonna be like less people wanted to travel here and less people wanted to live here, and less people contributing to, you know, to our beautiful city, which is beautiful because it's made by all these culture and this mm-hmm.
You know, all these people and you know, the crossing, uh, between cultures and people.
Well, I would love to know, speaking of power and collaboration, you know, who have been powerful ladies in your life and how have women impacted you and your journey?
Oh, so, um, I think, um, in, um, women in general always like empower me because I always think like, uh, I always wanna be, uh.
I always wanted a powerful lady as well. In general, I wanna empower people myself and, uh, especially, um, I wanted to, um, you know, uh, be, um, you know, uh, how do you say, uh. I wanted to, yeah, to empower people myself instead of, uh, powerful ladies in my life. Uh, I think, uh, in, um, in my career, uh, one, uh, person that, uh, really influenced me was one, uh, she wasn't, she was a colleague of mine.
She wasn't like my boss or anything. She was the head of the department and she was really like, really amazing. She, she knew she was. One, when I was looking at her, the fact that she was so dynamic, multitasking and she always had an answer. She never was practiced. She was managing to juggle so many things at once.
I was, um, you know, I was always so amazed by her that for me, I was really like, I wanna be like you when I'm 10 years in. I wanna be like you. I just wanna. Her, like, she was so empowering and she shared, had a big team, and shared like so many, um, you know, so many people to look after and she was always so kind and she always an answer, but for everyone.
Yeah. I think, uh, I really looked her and I was like, okay, I, I wanna be like you in 10 years time. And um, yeah. And obviously I hope that now I'm able to inspire new talent and new. People that come in my office and, you know, I hope that they look at me and they think, oh wow. Oh, I, you know, you know, I, yeah, I hope they say, well, I say to her 10 years ago and say, oh, I wanna be like you.
Yeah. What, what does it mean?
What does it mean to you to be powerful and to be a lady separately? And those words combined. What did, what does it mean to you?
Uh, for me to be powerful mainly means to be, means to be, uh, to never give up, really like to, uh, to adapt. So to never give up to whatever problem or whatever challenge you have in life, to always find a way to.
Or to, you know, to find a solution, but also as well, to be very, very positive. Mainly because I think positivity is something that we really need to be powerful as well because there is no powerful with negativity and you know, um, and as well, I think. Means, uh, being, um, able to adapt to changes, I think to adapt.
And I think the pandemic really showed us this. Um, I think, yeah, to adapt, to be true to yourself and to who you are and who you, you wanna be, sorry, true to yourself, to who you are and to you represent, but adapt to changes and to in order, you know. To overcome a challenge. Mm-hmm.
Yeah. And would you, would you have done so often in your life?
I mean, you, you're such a great example of. Knowing what you want and maybe not knowing how you're gonna get there, but you're gonna keep going like, okay, maybe this way, maybe this way. Yeah. Let's try this one.
Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Like, I tried. So, um, you know, so I never, like, I never, never give up. I every challenge, even when I couldn't get a job, I always try many difficult, many different thing I tried.
Um, you know, apply for Million Job, do freelance, and then, uh, do other things that maybe not really, um, you know, uh, related to my, my job. And it doesn't matter. Like, I will never say no. That's my, my philosophy. Never say no. Any opportunity comes to you, just always go for it, because you never know. There is always something, something positive.
I think, um, uh, yeah, I think it's very, it's very interesting how, you know, things then develop and you know how your life goes and, um, yeah. But the main thing for me is like really not to, not to forget. Forget who you are and, you know, try to be true to yourself and you know, and adapt and move and
challenge.
Were you born that way or is that something that you learned? I dunno. I think I,
I, I think I was born away. I dunno, I feel like I, I was, I kind of, kind of a stubborn person and I kind wanna, I always want to achieve something and, you know, be, um, you know, not achieve, but, you know, I wanna get what kind of what I want.
Mm-hmm. And I think that if you have. If you know what you want, then somehow you are gonna get that. It's not always gonna be the way you think it's gonna be and the way you predicted gonna happen. And that's what I think It's a good, you know, lesson in life and, yeah.
I love it. Um, so it sounds like everything in your life works out because you make it work out.
So where, where are the areas where you feel like you're working on or taking on, or where, where are the areas that you're looking to improve?
Um, in, uh, in my, uh, work. I feel like we, um, I would like to, you know, I think we have, obviously we had a quite challenging year and, uh, I feel like. We are now looking at the future and, um, we need to be positive about that.
And I think in terms to do that, we need to improve the quality of our product. And I think what we put in the market, because I think that, uh, at the moment, um, uh, you know, we need, I think that the, we need to engage the consumer with, um, you know, a more app. Versus quantity, I think. Yeah. In terms of products, I think we need to, you know, focus on, uh, on, on good product, focus on, uh, sustainability.
And focus on, uh, um, on, uh, you know, on on, on product. They are produced locally and you know, they are like good quality product. Yeah. Uh, I think so. I think that's where is the challenge is at the moment from a work perspective because obviously, um, it has all been, um, very difficult for the past. Um, year and a half.
And I think now that we are looking at the future, I think that's where we need to focus on.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. And then when you're not working, what are you doing for fun? What is, what does not work like I do?
So depends. So this winter, uh, when it was cold and we couldn't leave the house, uh, I picked, uh, picked up ceramic.
So I started doing a lot of, uh, nice pots with face that they remind me of my family. So I've got all the, my, a lot of pots with a lot of faces that everyone is a member of my family and just because I miss them so much during, you know, during lockdown. So I thought I'll make them here and, and, uh, uh, they can be with me.
And now, which is summertime, I pick up, uh, roller skating. Cool. Which is really, really fun and I love it. And, uh, yeah, I, I was following some, um, uh, woman in, some girl in Instagram and, and then I subscribe myself to class and I started picking up class, and then I started, you know, knowing people and getting group and then going skate, roller skating with them is like a good activity there again.
In a way, like when you are there, you're just like, oh, I'm just so free and happy. I just don't have to think about anything. I just need to. Go along skate. And here, there is in London, so many cool spots where you can go and skate. Like, um, I go either to the stadium, to the Arsenal Stadium, or to Hyde Park, which is like a super famous spot for roller skaters.
So it's quite good. There is a nice, uh, bunch of people over there. They, you know, if you don't know what to do, they, they teach you, they tell you, then they all dance together. And then they do like, they all, um, you know, roller skate together. And it's, yeah, it's
really, really, really good fun. That's very cool because there's so many people who wanna try something new or they wanna move to a new city or even abroad, and they get nervous of like, am I gonna meet people?
Is it gonna be okay? Are they gonna accept me? You know, how, what has your experience been? And does it, does it occur to you as easy to find friends and figure things out? How, what would you tell someone? I just say, I would say not stress.
I just will say throw yourself a it and actually embrace and try to do, try to do everything that comes at you is like, if you're running and stuff comes to you, you just need to take them like, almost like Aman, you know, like you just, you just need to, uh, whatever it comes.
That's the best way of doing, because then it's almost like a training, you know, like I feel like, I think when you move abroad, because I've done it so many times, it's like you get trained more and more or more often you do it and I, I guess you know it as well, it's like, uh, the first time you are a bit nervous, but then.
When you know the gimmick, which is just like, just go be open and meet people. And if people invite you, just say yes. Don't say no to anything. Just say yes. That's what I've been like for my past 10 years. Always say yes to everything because then that's where you actually, uh, meet the greatest people.
You do the greatest things and you do things that you'll have never done in your life. Yeah, so it's actually, I think that's the, the best. Just don't stress and just, uh, be open and, and just do things that you, you know, even if you feel a bit awkward, just go with it and just, and just don't, don't worry.
No one is gonna, is there to judge you in a way, you know, we, you know, we are all, and you know, we're just there to embrace life and to be together, you know, and eventually to meet new friends, especially in the time we are now. So apart from each other, then I feel like right now people just wanna be together and just, you know, make friends, make family, have a laugh, and, you know, be together and, you
know, meet new people.
Mm-hmm. It's so important. We're not, we're not meant to do life or business by ourselves. Right. So we have to find the people and, yeah. You can find your people everywhere. It might take more effort in some places versus others, but yeah, I agree with you like saying yes changes things. And I also think the more you say yes, the more the universe knows, oh, you wanna play?
Okay, let's play. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. And I think, yeah.
I think so too. And that's why I think as well, like being locked down was so hard, like, especially for me from, you know, from a social perspective, but also from a work perspective. Because I love, you know, I love to be in our office with people, you know, like I love to socialize, I love to, you know, chat and you know, be surrounded by people and you know, to be a home.
I think that was. The main challenge, really. Mm-hmm. Because I really wanted to, you know, be, you know, I love to socialize. I love the office life. Yeah. It's just like, just fulfill me completely, you know. You know, to, to chat about everything, but just be there and share, uh, share like talk and ideas and work together as a team.
Uh, more than be just single individual, each of us in their own little bubble. You know, I don't think, especially, uh, for younger generation, I don't think this.
You know, for if we had to go back to the office, I think it's really important for, especially for young. Young, talented, especially people who just maybe graduated university and they, you know, they're just joined. Starting a new job I think is very important for them to be in the office to, you know, to, um, let's say the com, the company culture and experience work the way it's meant to be, because I don't think you are gonna learn otherwise.
And to be professional from your living room or from your, you know, mm-hmm. Desk at home. So
yeah, there's so much that we, so much creativity and so much learning that just happens by watching sometimes and having someone next to you. I think it's gonna be really interesting because I think a big reason why people want to continue working from home or they don't want to go into the office.
Has nothing to do with what it's like at the office. It has to do with between the house and the home and the flexibility. Yeah. And, and so I, I think Europe will have a lot more opportunities to, um, bring people back to the office sooner because there's already better work-life balance and better rules.
But in the US and probably also in in London, 'cause of the big commute some people have. Mm-hmm. I think there is gonna be a shift of people having to choose, do I want this life or do I want this job? Or how do I blend them together because. A lot of people have been making big sacrifices for work.
Mm-hmm. But not thinking about how their whole life fits into it. Um, so I think it'll be really interesting to see how things shift in that capacity.
Yeah. I hope that, um, you know, we, we could learn from these experiences, like for company to be more flexible toward, you know, toward employees, because I think that's what we learned.
I think we found out that, you know, obviously working from home. You know, it's great because you, you know, you save all your commute and, you know, you've got so much free time on your hand. You're like, oh my God. Like I can do exercise in the morning and still be at night in front of my desk, you know, even if I wake up at eight o'clock.
Yeah. So, you know, that's so usually great. But I just really hope that that's what I, I hope for companies to be more flexible and to let, uh, people like, um, have a better work life balance, as you said, because I think that. Very important. And that's what I think. People don't wanna have it taken away from them after, you know, a year and a half.
It's not, it was like a quite a big chunk of time that at the end of the day, you know, you think like, oh, you work from home. But it's, it's hard as well to work from home. It's not like, uh, you know, it's not easy. At least for me, it was very challenging because obviously I had like my, my home basically.
Was a warehouse. Yes. I had products, uh, watches, clothes, uh, uh, paper pattern. I had everything in that room and I had no space left and
mm-hmm.
And, uh, yeah, so, and I had, I didn't have. Space to even measure sample, for example, I to do it in my, you know, on the top of the hole. Because especially in London, know the Longdale houses are not so big.
Yeah. So, you know, it was really like crazy. It's like, how, so, uh, how like your house environment adapted as well to, you know, to the, to the change, to the pandemic and what your, uh, house became. We, I had suddenly my spare room was my, my warehouse, and I had my, uh, my living room was my gym. Yeah. My bedroom.
Say the bedroom, the, the bedroom. But the, the kitchen became my office. So every like, uh, it was like all a shift of like, um, uh, function in the house that we never had.
Yeah, it's been, it's definitely been wild. So with things starting to shift and open up, like what are you excited about for what's upcoming?
What's, what are you looking forward to? Oh my God. To go back to, you
know, to life in general, to go back to a normal life, I'm excited about. Uh, in general I'm excited about, um, you know, creating new product, that they're gonna be exciting. Finally, people will happen to go out. Mm-hmm. And not to stay at home anymore, which is also like doing sports where sometimes it's been like, it's, it's been good because obviously kept the business going.
But, you know, it's like, it's exciting when you know that people buy your stuff because they're gonna out for a party. They go out for, you know, for having fun with friends or for a holiday. That's like something that excite me, excite me to make, create products and, you know, create a future of products that, uh, they are positive, you know, because obviously now we are in the phase of designing 23 and, you know, excites me that, you know, we are looking at a, we know.
Pandemic involved anymore, so a brighter future. And then generally I'm, I'm just, uh, excited about life and, you know, life to getting back to normal, to travel again, to go back to see my family, because obviously I haven't seen them for a year now. Yeah. Um, so I, I just. Able to travel normally as it was to be.
I think that's the thing that excite me the most. But in general, I think because we have been, our life has been stripped down so much and things that we always taking for granted, uh, like, you know, going for dinner, going to the funeral has been taken away from us. I feel now. These, these, it makes you excite, you, excites you like each, like gonna the cinema, oh my God, I'm gonna, the cinema, I've been to the cinema like two weeks ago for the first time after a year and a, and I was like so happy.
I felt like, oh my God. I was like, like big, you know? So new experience. Mm-hmm. And so the same, you know, if you wanna go for a dinner with friends, you know, I mean, we have been for like, basically. Mm-hmm. It's been quite, um, a while, so yeah. Now everything, like even the small, it's quite sweet. I think thinking that even, you know, small thing that you always taking for granted, then suddenly they become like your highlight of the week.
Yeah,
yeah, absolutely. We ask everybody on the podcast where they put themselves on the powerful lady scale, zero being average, everyday human, and 10 being the most powerful lady imaginable. Where would you put yourself today and where would you put yourself on average?
Um, maybe. Today. Maybe I'm like a five, a normal, powerful lady.
Maybe on a average, I would say like a seven. I think so. A seven because, yeah, I quite a fighter. I'm a powerful lady,
I think. Yeah. Always going after what's next, right? Mm-hmm. Um, what's next?
Um, uh, I think, yeah, um, I'm not sure. I think I just wanna, you know, um, improve myself in, you know, in my work. As I said, I wanna improve about the, um, you know, the business.
On mentoring, uh, mentor new, new talent. That's something I'm really, I really would like to do. And I hope one day an opportunity will come. Uh, I really would like to, you know, um, start perhaps teaching in a university or, you know, I'm doing this like obviously on a daily basis with my team, especially with the younger member of the team hiring trainee so that I can train them.
Prepare them for the, you know, for the, for the, uh, for their work life. Uh, but I really would like to, you know, to be able to do this more in a, in a formal way. So perhaps to go teaching and share my, my career, my experience with young generation, and hopefully help them in, you know, achieving their dream.
In life. Yeah. That's what I would like to do.
I love that. Um, as we're wrapping up the podcast today, is there anything that you wanted to share with everybody listening, either a book you love or a, you know, something you follow that inspires you or a quote that you like? Um, for me, the, my, uh,
favorite quote, which, um, uh, I always find very, very powerful as well, is a quote from, uh, uh, Charles Darvin where he says that, uh, is not the strongest of the species that survives and not the most intelligent, but is the one that is the most adaptable to change.
And this is, for me, I think is really what makes you, uh. Successful or happy in life. And I think this past year of pandemic really showed us that because we, we really have to adapt ourselves so much to a complete different life and advance that we've never told will happen. That I think for me is the, you know, is a very, very strong thought that, uh, I, I really, you know, keep myself close my heart.
Yeah. I love that. Well, it has been such a pleasure to see your face and have this chat with you and to hang out. I'm so happy you were a yes to me and the powerful ladies and oh, I'm so
happy to, it's been so
nice to,
to see you again and I hope we can, you know, keep in touch again and, you know, have another chance to chat and, you know, connect again.
Absolutely. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for listening to today's episode. All the links to connect with Alessandra Earner show notes@thepowerfulladies.com slash podcast. There you also can leave comments and ask questions about the episode. Tell me what you think. Want more powerful ladies, come join us on Instagram at Powerful Ladies, where you can also find some free download to start being powerful today.
Subscribe to this podcast and help us connect with more listeners by leaving us a five star rating and review. If you're looking to connect directly with me, please visit kara duffy.com. I'd like to thank our producer, composer, and audio engineer Jordan Duffy. Without her, this wouldn't be possible. You can follow her on Instagram at Jordan K.
Duffy. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Until then. I hope we're taking on being powerful in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
Related Episodes
Episode 284: This Stylist Can Help You Rethink Everything You Wear | Cat Pope | NYC-Based Fashion Stylist
Episode 281: From Goodwill to Global Style | Mylea Hardy | Founder, Forager’s Goods
Stop Settling for “Good Enough” | Juliana Gambrell | Coach & Creator of Deliberate Living
Instagram: @starfishgalore
Website: www.alessandra-fergola.com
LinkedIn: alessandra-fergola
Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
Audio Engineering & Editing by Jordan Duffy
Production by Amanda Kass
Graphic design by Anna Olinova
Music by Joakim Karud
