The female CEO who is demystifying luxury in Brazil
Not only is Rachel Maia breaking down doors, she hopes her open-door policy to customers looking to purchase jewellery leads to a turn-around in the economy
Sao Paulo — Rachel Maia isn’t your everyday Brazilian CEO. Her 13th floor office is the epitome of zen, with fluffy rugs and the scent of essential oils drifting through the air. The 46-year-old is clad in a flowing garment, bedecked in jewellery, with flats in place of the high heels so commonly seen among high-ranking businesswomen. You wouldn’t know she’s under pressure to deliver results at the helm of Danish jeweller Pandora A/S’s Brazil business, as the country struggles to emerge from a two-year recession. Pandora’s strategy is based on an open-door policy, providing a welcoming environment to all potential customers and not just those who look like they will spend a lot of money on the company’s popular charms and bracelets. Think Julia Roberts’s shopping spree in 1990’s "Pretty Woman". While this might seem antiquated in the US, welcoming all levels of society is part of breaking down barriers in Brazil. "We’re working to demystify luxury in Brazil," she said. "In the past,...
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