Thank you very much for everything, dear Evelyne Ginesta

Even as a young woman, Evelyne Ginesta thought outside the box and went her own way. She attended business school in French-speaking Switzerland, then learned English in Cambridge – where she also met André Ginesta – and later worked in a travel agency in America. She pursued this goal unwaveringly, even if it meant being separated from her young love for a year.

Back in Switzerland, she worked again in a travel agency until she became a mother of two children and devoted herself entirely to this task. Above all, she kept her husband André, who took over the management of the company at this time, free for his work and training. When there was a need for a woman in the company in the mid-1980s, she stepped in as the go-to person for everything. And she did it the way she had always done it: with great meticulousness and even greater commitment, she familiarized herself with the subject matter and also completed her training as a Real Estate trustee.

It was an intensive period during which Evelyne Ginesta carried out countless visits, including at weekends and evenings, never forgot an employee’s birthday and always organized a present, kept the accounts under control and still conjured up a hot meal for the family at home over lunch. Her special quality in contact with customers was her keen sense for their wishes. Her enthusiasm for architecture and her sense of style were greatly appreciated and it was not uncommon for her to take over the construction management when a buyer wanted to open up the kitchen to the living room or extend the terrace.

As the company grew, Claude Ginesta joined the company and later took over the management, Evelyne Ginesta’s responsibilities shifted more and more to activities in the background. As the soul of the company, who had an open ear for everyone, even when her husband and son were busy with the concerns of the prospering company, she was always more than just the boss’s wife or mother. She was the one who kept everything together and always knew who in the neighborhood was going to sell their house soon, what gift to give someone for their wedding and also when it was time for another customer aperitif.

However, there also came a time when she was able to devote more time to her second great love, traveling, with André. This passion has stayed with her ever since her time at the travel agency. The two have traveled to over a hundred countries together and have countless stories to tell about each one, which they like to recount over their meals together in the Ginesta Cafeteria. These are also the moments when everyone in the company realizes what the couple’s strengths are: they are a team that sticks together and works blindly. And they both want the same thing: To be active, maintain a large network, achieve something and enjoy the beautiful aspects of success together in their own way.

In all this time, Evelyne Ginesta never pushed herself to the fore, demonstrated exceptional attentiveness to everything between the lines and fulfilled her role as a business and family woman with such aplomb that it was and is held in the highest esteem by everyone who knows her. And she always proved that how you do something is often more important than what you do. Because many roads lead to Rome, and Evelyne Ginesta has always chosen the more elegant route.

Thanks to good health and many plans for the future, this fulfilling life journey will hopefully continue for many years to come. In our conversation with Evelyne Ginesta, we looked ahead.

Dear Ms. Ginesta, we know that you have been thinking for a long time about whether you would like to take the step into well-deserved retirement. How does it feel now that the time has come?
After such a long time, during which a great deal of my heart and soul has flowed into this company, it’s a strange feeling. But the time is right for me to hand over regularly recurring tasks. The company has become very big and it’s time to let go of the reins. Especially as I can do this with a good feeling, because the company is on a sound footing and Claude is doing an excellent job as Managing Director. André and I are both very proud of our son.

Won’t you suddenly get bored at home?
Who knows, maybe that will be the case in a few months’ time and I will miss the work. But for now, I’m looking forward to having gaps in my busy schedule that I can use all to myself. I still love our home with its beautiful garden, which is always full of things to do. I also still play tennis regularly. And André and I are still very active in terms of nice dinners and outings with friends, still frequently attending concerts, museums and exhibitions, looking after our collection of mechanical dolls and planning trips. I also enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. Now, for the first time, I have the opportunity to devote more time to things that have always been neglected. For example, simply relaxing and sinking into a good book for an afternoon or spontaneously meeting up with a friend for a coffee.

Does that mean you’re not going to make your life really cozy?
Let’s put it this way: sitting in front of the TV all day in trainers, no, that’s not going to happen. On the other hand, spending my time a little more freely and relaxed, with quieter moments just for me, is. I’m also very pleased that André continues to find great fulfillment in his work and that we have enough time to enjoy life and our travels on the side.

But there are two strong men in your life, because with Claude you have another real estate whirlwind in the family. But the collaboration doesn’t seem to have harmed anyone …
That’s how it is. Because it was clear to him from the age of seven that he wanted to join the company one day, it all happened quite naturally. We had a family rule not to talk about the business after dinner. Until then, however, he had already learned a lot at a young age and often had his own opinion. He pursued this goal of becoming part of and head of the company himself with great focus. By attending business school instead of the Matura, then working in other companies and continuing his education and training right up to the present day. We didn’t force or expect this, we would have supported every one of his career aspirations. But today I can say that it is a wonderful feeling to see that he found his destiny so early on and was able to invest all his energy in following it. Because the most valuable thing in life is time, and being able to make good use of it is a blessing.

We thank you for everything and wish you, dear Mrs. Ginesta, all the happiness in the world.

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