11 minute read
QUINTESSENTIALLY -THE VOICE OF LUXURY LIVING
Our plan in Albania and in the region is to spread our services and knowledge.
By Rudina Hoxha*
QUINTESSENTIALLY founded in December 2000, has more than 50 offices around the world (with four major owned hubs in the UK, US, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore), a 1,000-strong team of expert lifestyle managers, who speak 35 languages, a membership of more than 160,000 clients across its international network, and US$100 million in sales.... We were pioneers in this sector and remain a true authority on luxury and providing the very best in personal service.”
This is how it starts the exclusive interview with the Founder and CEO at Quintessentially SEE, Slovenia, Mrs. Katarina Larisa Ham with TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE.
While she shares happily with our readers that Quintessentially has just recently expanded its Singapore office to become a dedicated hub.
Ham intends to expand her well-known company in Albania. “Our plan in Albania and in the region is to spread our services and knowledge and main purpose is to make life of HNWI Albanians easier when travelling abroad,” Lara said, adding “Whether they want a football signed by Messi, for themselves or their children, or a reservation at Chiltern Firehouse, Zuma or Hakkasan, currently it’s very hard to get a reservation for there, or to arrange a romantic dinner on the glacier, with a view of the polar lights, we are there to turn it into reality everything that our members can imagine.”
Quintessentially is fortunate enough to have an extremely unique ecosystem which is able to offer expert advice, access and support wherever our clients are in the world. “With specialized divisions in restaurants, travel, art, education, events and real estate, there is little we cannot help our clients with,” Lara said.
Katarina Larisa Ham
Photo credit: Quintessentially SEE, Slovenia
1. Please can you make a panorama of your company - Quintessentially - and what is its mission and vision? Where do your clients come from mostly?
It was almost 20 years ago when friends Ben Elliot, Aaron Simpson and Paul Drummond noticed a gap in the market – a need for a quick and efficient service that catered to the ever busy, ambitious and affluent community in London. It was a simple idea: delivering things that people wanted, for those who didn’t have the time, or inclination, to do it themselves. In December 2000, Quintessentially was born – a new luxury lifestyle management company that promised to facilitate everything from day-to-day nuisances like finding nannies, plumbers or gifts at the last minute, or sourcing concert tickets or
resaurant reservations at the 11th hour, to the elaborate end of the task spectrum; organizing private concerts with popstars or US$20 million marriage proposals in the Egyptian pyramids.
It was, undoubtedly, the right idea at the right time.
Today, the business boasts more than 50 offices around the world (with four major owned hubs in the UK, US, Dubai and Hong Kong), a 1,000-strong team of expert lifestyle managers, who speak 35 languages, a membership of more than 160,000 clients across its international network, and US$100 million in sales.... We were pioneers in this sector and remain a true authority on luxury and providing the very best in personal service.
We are fortunate to have an extremely unique ecosystem, and are able to offer expert advice, access and support wherever our clients are in the world. With specialized divisions in restaurants, travel, art, education, events and real estate, there is little we cannot help our clients with.”
Quintessentially is built on authentic connection and personalization. Each member is assigned their own personal lifestyle manager who is their main point of contact to fulfil every request. Quintessentially’s lifestyle managers are devoted to nurturing and building valued relationships with their members, to best
understand their individual tastes and aspirations ensuring every recommendation is perfectly tailored to the member’s lifestyle.
2. What are the plans of your company in Albania and in the region? What do you look for in a country before you spread your company out?
Our plan in Albania and in the region is to spread our services and knowledge and main purpose is to make life of HNWI Albanians easier when travelling abroad. Whether they want a football signed by Messi, for themselves or their children, or a reservation at Chiltern Firehouse, Zuma or Hakkasan, currently it’s very hard to get a reservation for there, or to arrange a romantic dinner on the glacier, with a view of the polar lights, we are there to turn it into reality everything that our members can imagine. As the voice of luxury living, we are devoted to bringing more joy and meaning to the lives of our members, through the creation of memorable experiences. Our team of lifestyle managers will personalise and plan any package a member desires, be it a private meet-and-greet with a VIP or an A-list celebrity, sports star or top chef, an immersive experience with a seasoned adventurer, or a private party to remember forever.
We wish to help banks in servicing their clients of private banking departments or premium, helping marketing departments with the handling of gifts such as from football or basketball world players, organize meet & greet meetings, ... Quintessentially’s highest ranking requests, are for restaurants, tickets and access to exclusive events. The business prides itself on creating unforgettable experiences, for both private individuals and the world’s most recognized brands.
3. So, who exactly are our potential clients in Albania?
“Our private members are discerning, curious and extremely busy individuals, and range from CEOs and philanthropists to leading creatives. They are keenly interested in self-improvement and giving back. Quintessentially also offers its services to luxury partners from all sectors. It seems all partners and clients are united by one fundamental desire – to save the most precious commodity they have: time.
4. In your view, how do you serve a more refined and sophisticated client who wants true luxury versus the mass approach to luxury?
At Quintessentially’s most prized and top tier of Membership, Quintessence, members enjoy top priority for Quintessentially services across 50 offices and 1,500 lifestyle staff worldwide. Whether it be finding a tailor in Hong Kong, pairing you with an executive coach and fitting them into your schedule, or if you need travel planning assistance for the perfect escape in the Cook Islands, your Quintessentially lifestyle manager can materialize all of these asks upon request and can offer proactive suggestions based upon years of experience in the hospitality industry. Through our partnership with Quintessentially, we are delighted to secure access for our clients at their exclusive tier, available by invitation or referral only.
Your Quintessence Tier Membership will include: Access to work with a senior Quintessentially staff in each office, providing global attention
Your lifestyle managers are the most senior account managers in their homeoffice. These lifestyle managers are known globally for their exceptional work and areheld at the
highest of standards, resulting in true service excellence and a seamless experience.
In addition to your lifestyle managers, you will be assigned a travel representative with their in-house and award-winning travel agency Quintessentially Travel, part of the Virtuoso Network.
Services available 24/7/365 around the globe.
Enrollment in Quintessentially’s newsletter focusing on events, unique access, benefits, new openings in your geographic area of preference.
Quintessence lifestyle managers provide personalized updates regarding restaurant openings, event invitations, new benefits, and other areas of interest. This information Is curated in collaboration with their team of specialists in various departments such as wine, aviation, equestrian, restaurants, education, travel, gifting, interior décor, andhousehold staffing. Quintessence Members are given top priority, among their membership pool, whengranted access, tickets, and invites to special events at an exclusive amount.
5. How have the needs of the client been transformed in these changing times? What are the main challenges this industry is facing today?
With almost two decades of unparalleled access and insights into the behaviors and trends of its high-net-worth audience, Quintessentially seems ever-evolving, reflecting the changing demographic of its clients. Over recent years we have witnessed a real shift towards more meaningful experiences. Health and wellness have become major focuses and there has been a significant growth
in philanthropy-led requests. The affluent consumer today demands more than the tangible product; they expecta heightened, immersive experience.”
As a group we launched ‘Bespoke Projects’, a one-stop shop for luxury brands to execute VIP consumer hospitality programs and experiences of any scale, anywhere in the world. “Today, brands are defined by the relationships they build and the experiences they create.
There is so much competition for luxury consumers’ loyalty that brands are investing in this heavily and we are in a position to create multi-faceted experiences.” There is no ask too big for our’s teams to execute, from bespoke guest itineraries, unique
cultural and culinary adventures, to expert host, celebrity guest and on-site concierge services.
6. Given the high competition, what are the key elements that make a client go for a certain luxury concierge company ?
Quintessentially Lifestyle is the only global concierge club in the world and as such there is no competition. We have offices, that provide general support for our clients, in more than 50 countries around the world. We are in direct contact with the entire world for 24 hours during 365 days. We do not give up on perfection, there is no ‘impossible’ situation for us. Recently, even in Croatia, we witnessed the emerge of small local concierge company, but they are not our real competition, because only
we can cover the whole world, and we have the local knowledge and proven suppliers anywhere in the world.
7. How did you get working in the field of luxury? What keeps you in this industry?
When I started the business in the region there has been no authority on the lifestyle industry and luxury market, with an unparalleled insight into the behaviors and preferences of the affluent consumer that we serve. Working in the cabinet of the Slovenian prime Minister, later moved to Belgrade with my husband and establish my own company, I was well travelled and had an extensive knowledge of the latest luxury trends and travel experiences, as well as an acute understanding of the evolution of today’s new era of connection - the changing values and desires of Quintessentially Members and luxury brands, and their focus on meaningful relationships and authentic, human experiences.
When you consider that almost half of the luxury market is set to comprise of millennials and generation Z by 2025, my focus is to help adapt the business and increase our offerings to this specific audience while still exceeding the expectations of our current core audience who are already extremely established and in their 40s to 50s.”
My leadership style, is centered on presenting a human face in business. “I want to foster an open environment, where colleagues can be themselves in the workplace, show and share emotion, while still delivering to a world-class level.” My approach I am extending to clients. “We are, after all, a business grounded in high-touch relationships – where being authentic,
personal and true to your values, and those of the business, really counts.”
While the role is exceptionally demanding and requires extensive travel, I relish the time spent exploring new countries and cultures, meeting new people, and bringing some of the world’s most sought after events to members. We are lucky to work with amazing brand partners and influencers.. “Bringing our members together, creating a community and sharing experiences through life-enhancing events is a big part of what we do.
I hope for the future of the business is simple – to continue to be the benchmark of excellent, personal service, while ensuring connectivity, authenticity and philanthropy remain at the core. What keeps me in the bussines is that I love what I do and i am doing it with all my heart.
Rudina Hoxha
Photo credit: Armand Sallabanda
