Massimo Ferragamo 马西莫·菲拉格慕

 Courtesy Massimo Ferragamo

A chance encounter led Massimo Ferragamo, then a student in Florence, to enter an executive training program with Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. He fell in love with the city and a six-month visit was followed by a plan to stay three years, which somehow turned into decades. A member of the Ferragamo family, who run the luxury brand of the same name, Massimo has been branded the ‘American Ferragamo’ by some. Beyond luxury accessories, the family also owns hotels and real estate. However Massimo Ferragamo’s personal projects reflect his country-loving personality; he runs a winery and resort-spa.

一次偶然的机会让当时还在佛罗伦萨读书的马西莫·菲拉格慕，参与了纽约萨克斯第五大道精品百货店的一个执行培训项目，从此马西莫 便爱上了这座城市。6个月的访问结束之后，他计划只继续停留三年，然而最终却变成了几十年的居留。作为菲拉格慕家族的一员，马西莫一直经营着“菲拉格慕”这一奢侈品品牌，同时他也用“美国菲拉格慕”品牌注册了一些其他项目。除了奢侈品配件之外，菲拉格慕家族还拥有着一些酒店和地产。而马西莫·菲拉格慕的一些个人项目也反映出他的一些热爱祖国的个性；他还经营着一个酿酒厂和温泉度假村。

1.How would you describe your lifestyle and how does it contribute to or impact your work?.

My lifestyle is very easy going and not too formal. I try to be as true and real as possible, and reflect it in all that I do. In work I prefer to deal with very sincere, straight forward, and direct people as that impacts my work in a positive way and cuts out and unnecessary loss of time.

2.What is it like living between the United States and Italy? Do you feel you have been influences by the American culture? How so?

It is great because to me they are two of the best countries in the world. I’m only sorry that they are so far apart as unfortunately that means a lot of travel for me. I am influenced by American culture greatly as I love their approach to business. In the United States things are very practical, decisions are made quickly, and people are always looking to move forward and never stay stagnant. It is very important to always be on time, professional, and have a good work ethic. Also outside of business people don’t take themselves too seriously and for the most part are very easy going and know how to have fun.

3.Working in a family business, do you find that it is harder or simpler to have you home life (family) and your business life so intertwined?

I really don’t know it to be any other way because I grew up in a family business so for me this is a natural working environment. In my family we are very good at separating things; we work when we work, and enjoy family life outside of the office.

4.What are some of your other endeavors outside of the family business？

Other than the family business, I have my own special project in Tuscany called Castiglion del Bosco which is a resort located in a great part of Tuscany. It is also a winery and the only private Golf Club in Italy. As recently as January of this year, 2015, we have teamed up with Rosewood Hotels to manage the hospitality side of Castiglion del Bosco.

5.Of all the places you have traveled or lived, which one inspires you the most and why?

I have always been fascinated with the most populated cities in the world for different reasons. I love London and Paris because they keep a great tradition but have projected into the future. I love cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong which have been able to develop in an unbelievable way in a relatively short period of time.

6.What are your plans for the future, both professionally and personally?

Professionally I think there should never be “retirement” and I always look forward to furthering my experiences in my current endeavors and even in new ones. Personally I try to spend more time with my wife and children which is a great balance to the hectic life we all live. I also enjoy spending time practicing sports and playing soccer games and taking long bike rides and will continue to do so.

7.If you could give a piece of advice to a young entrepreneur, what would it be?

My advice would be to try to find out as soon as they can, what they are passionate about, and understand their dream and pursue it in any way possible. Also, no matter where one comes from they should experience living in another country for a period of time.

1.你会如何来描述自己的生活方式呢？这种生活方式是如何帮助和影响你的作品的呢？

生活上我比较随和不是非常讲究。我尽可能的使自己显得真实，并把它体现在我所有的作品当中。在工作中我更乐意跟非常真挚直接的人打交道，这对我的创作也产生了积极的影响，并且帮我省下了很多时间。

2.在美国和意大利两国生活是一种怎样的体验呢？你觉得自己已经被美国文化所影响了吗？那是如何影响的呢?

这对我来说非常棒，因为在我看来这是世界上最好的两个国家。 唯一令我遗憾的是这两个国家相离太远，这就意味着我要经常飞来飞去。美国文化对我影响很大，我喜欢他们做生意的方式。在美国，所有事物都是非常实用的，人们决策的速度非常快，并且他们总是期待着往前进，从不固步自封。对美国人来说，守时、专业、遵循职业道德非常重要。不工作的时候，人们往往不会很严肃，大多数人都非常随和而且知道如何享受乐趣。

3.在家族企业工作，把家庭生活和商业生活结合在一起，对你来说是更困难，还是更简单？

我其实不了解其他工作生活方式是怎样的，因为我从小在家族企业的氛围中长大，所以对我来说这是一种很自然的工作环境。在我的家庭里，每一个人都把事情分得很清楚；工作的时候努力工作，休息的时候就尽情享受家庭生活带来的乐趣。

4.在你的家族生意之外，你还有做过其他的一些尝试吗？

除了家族生意，我自己还有一个特别的项目，我正在经营卡斯蒂廖德尔博斯克酒庄，这里也是一个度假圣地，位于美丽的托斯卡纳蒙塔奇诺。它不仅是一个酒庄，还是意大利唯一一个私人高尔夫会所。2015年1月，我们开始和瑰丽酒店合作来管理卡斯蒂廖德尔博斯克酒店。

5.所有这些你旅行及生活过的地方当中，哪一个是最能激发你灵感的地方，为什么？

我一直对人口众多的城市很着迷，原因有很多。我热爱伦敦和巴黎，是因为它们保留着伟大的传统，而且引领着未来。我也喜欢上海、香港这样的城市，因为它们能够在相对短时间内发展起来，速度快得让人难以想象。

6.你对未来的规划是什么呢，从职业和个人方面来讲？

从职业上来讲，我想我永远不会退休，因为我一直期待在我已有的或者新的领域内拓展丰富我的经历。从个人方面来讲呢，我希望能多多陪伴我的妻子和孩子，这样对我忙碌的工作来说是一种很好的平衡。我也非常喜欢运动，比如踢足球和长距离骑行，我想会一直做下去。

7.如果让你为年轻一代的企业家提供一些建议，你会如何建议呢？

 我的建议就是尽快找到他们真正热爱的东西，去了解他们的梦想，并用一切可能的方式去追求梦想。另外，我认为一个人不管从哪里来，都应该在本国以外的地方待一段时间，体验一下不同的生活。