Editor’s Note
This personal reflection highlights how early exposure to a family business can shape a lifelong passion and career ambition. The author’s journey from childhood experiences at global luxury fairs to pursuing a role at a premier brand like Cartier underscores the profound impact of formative influences on professional aspirations.
I grew up in this wonderful environment because my father is a jeweler. When I was young, he took me along on his business trips around the world. I had the opportunity to participate in international luxury exhibitions such as Baselworld and the Hong Kong International Jewellery Fair, gaining various experiences. Seeing people from all over the world trading jewelry made me realize what I wanted to do with my life!
That’s why, in the final year of my studies, I wanted to work for Cartier, the king of jewelers. After gaining eight months of experience as a sales associate for a jewelry brand at Selfridges in London, I heard about an internship opening at Cartier and knew this was my chance. I participated in a speed recruiting event and, with determination, successfully navigated the various steps toward realizing my dream. I started working at Cartier as a merchandising intern. Our team managed boutique inventory needs for both retail and wholesale. At Cartier, I learned about excellence and the importance of constantly striving to surpass oneself.
After the internship ended, an opportunity arose to join Piaget’s Swiss subsidiary. During the interview, I felt this was where I should be! I was hired as the main point of contact for visual merchandising and inventory management for Piaget boutiques. We were a small team based in the heart of Geneva. It was very exciting! This period is full of good memories. From traveling across Switzerland to visit retailers to celebrating special moments with the team, it was a fantastic time.
A year later, I had the opportunity to be recruited by the distribution team at Piaget’s headquarters, with whom I had previously been in contact. Despite starting right after the first lockdown, thanks to an inspiring manager and a compelling mission, I quickly felt I could integrate well with the team. Now, I am able to support the world regarding product allocation, am entrusted with coordinating fully cross-functional projects, and have met wonderful people.
And finally, I was fortunate to receive an opportunity to be hired by Jaeger-LeCoultre as an e-commerce operations specialist. E-commerce is a rapidly growing channel, and it is very exciting to be part of this challenge and to learn something new every day. The atmosphere at Jaeger is wonderful, and it’s easy to imagine growing and evolving within the Maison.
The most important thing I’ve learned is that while one can go fast alone, together we can go further. One should not be afraid to ask for help when needed. By doing so, we can learn and grow. I believe communication is the key to progress!
I am amazed by Richemont’s high employee retention rate and the very long tenures, where one can easily meet employees who have contributed to the Richemont Group for 10, 20, or even over 30 years. I believe the biggest reason lies in the overall atmosphere and quality of the environment, which encourages one to do their best and provides opportunities for growth. One can find various jobs, locations, and Maisons.
