25 years of commitment and passion – Beatrice Knapp retires

The beginning of an extraordinary career

It all began with a newspaper advertisement. On 7. An advertisement was published in the Tages-Anzeiger in December 1999: Ginesta was looking for an industry expert to manage the Real Estate portfolio – small, fine and professional. Exactly the kind of challenge Bea was looking for at the time.

Bea still has the original newspaper advertisement from the Tagesanzeiger in her private archive.

With 14 years of experience in real estate management and as an authorized representative in another Zurich company, she decided to make a fresh start at the age of almost 38. On 27. She signed her employment contract on January 1, 2000. May 2000 at Ginesta – and the rest is history. But her career could have turned out very differently: After just six months, Bea originally wanted to leave again. She informed André Ginesta of her decision, even though she did not yet have a new job lined up. But instead of letting her go, he offered her an opportunity she hadn’t expected: a move into sales. Although there was no open position in the department at the time, he recognized its potential. Bea accepted the challenge, switched to the sales department and developed herself there from the ground up – as a career changer, so to speak. Twenty-five years later, Bea still has this offer in mind: “I am still grateful to André Ginesta today that he gave me the chance to switch to sales back then,” says Bea Knapp with a smile on her lips.

Bea Knapp at work as a real estate consultant in June 2004.

25 years full of highlights and moments of success

What Bea particularly appreciated about her work was its versatility. No two properties were the same, no two customers were the same. There was always something new to discover – whether it was inspecting historic buildings, accompanying major transactions or meeting well-known personalities from the sports and entertainment industry. However, it wasn’t just the product itself – the property – that excited her, but above all the trust that was placed in her. She appreciated the independence with which she was able to work and the collaboration in a strong team. “The good atmosphere and team spirit always motivated me,” she says looking back. The fact that she stayed with the company for so long was mainly due to her positive attitude: “Enjoying your work is the be-all and end-all. And if something didn’t go to plan, I didn’t give up straight away, but kept going with perseverance.” She has also witnessed the development of Ginesta Immobilien at first hand: from a small family business to a successful and growing company with a wide range of services. But despite the growth, the core of the company has always remained the same for them – a corporate culture based on trust, professionalism and humanity.

Bea in 2008.

Farewell with one crying and one laughing eye

Of course, it’s not easy to say goodbye. Above all, she will miss the contact with the team and the customers. One of the best experiences for her has always been to bring buyers and sellers together at the notary’s office – and to feel that both parties are satisfied and looking forward to their new chapter. “These are the moments when you realize how valuable our work is,” she says.

But at the same time, she is looking forward to the time ahead: no more early morning alarm clocks, no more deadline pressure – just the freedom to organize each day as she pleases. Whether it’s hiking or cycling, keeping fit, attending cultural events or even sewing and playing the piano. And of course there are still a few destinations on her wish list. Bea has already planned a lot of things – but she deliberately leaves some things open so that the little surprises in her new everyday life have room to inspire her.

Enjoying her work was and is important to Bea. Pictured here at the headquarters in Küsnacht 2019.

Thank you, Bea – for 25 years of commitment, passion and team spirit

Dear Bea, your commitment, your enthusiasm and your cordial cooperation have enriched Ginesta Immobilien over the years. You have not only brokered real estate, but also impressed many people – colleagues, customers and business partners – with your personality. We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your decades of commitment and wish you all the best for your new chapter in life. Enjoy your time to the full – you’ve more than earned it.