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When was the last time someone told you to “dream a bit more”?
ButMoleskine’svisionary CEO Daniela Riccardi urges us to reclaim our dreams.
For Riccardi, there are no limits to what she can achieve.
AtMarie Claire’s Power Play eventin March, I had the privilege of spending time with Riccardi.
Discover the insights and inspiration from our enlightening conversation below.
Marie Claire: Your career has spanned diverse categories from fashion to luxury goods to consumer products.
There weren’t many women there when I started, but it was a great starting point.
So I did a 180-degree change to Diesel and then moved to Baccarat.
Both were private companies and completely different experiences.
I had opened Casa al Sole and wanted to focus on that.
Work in different places, and live in different countries.
Particularly when you’re young, making money should be your last priority.
Your first priority should be to learn and learn and learn.
I’m turning 64, and I’m still learning.
I never felt threatened in a male-dominated industry.
I’ve always been very feminine.
Another girl in the same office was dressed in a suit and tie.
She couldn’t believe I could wear such a thing.
But I never compromised anything.
I didn’t compromise marriage or children.
I didn’t compromise traveling the world because I have a fabulous husband who comes with me everywhere.
And I know that it’s not the same for everybody.
But I do believe that the difference is in us as individuals.
To have this belief and this confidence is something I value.
MC: What advice do you have for aspiring female leaders in male-dominated industries?
DR:Don’t be afraid.
I was never afraid.
I had a phrase: You are free to fire me at any time.
And this freedom was not because I didn’t need to work.
I just never would have compromised anything in my life for a career.
I never had the ambition to be a CEO.
It almost happened by mistake.
Until I was 20, my life was dance.
I studied to be a ballet dancer.
I didn’t even know what CEO meant.
I will learn."
And little by little, things happened.
DR:I dance!
I kept dancing even when I left the ballet academy in Rome.
And when I was in Russia, I took classes at the Bolshoi Theatre.
I would leave the office and be out until 10 p.m. at dance class with my pointe shoes.
I started dancing salsa and bachata, tooI created a P&G salsa team!
I dance every day, and I taught ballet to my daughter Cecilia’s classmates.
MC: Can you share a personal mantra or philosophy that has guided you through your career?
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
“I could have been a complete idiot.”
Titles don’t impress Louis much, per one royal expert.
“Louis has won the hearts of many people with his antics.”
