Transitioning back to Slovenia, Lara initially worked at the Prime Minister’s office before assuming the role of Director of Marketing and CRM Department at Mobitel, the country’s leading national mobile operator at the time. In 2006, she established her own consultancy and PR agency tailored to the specific needs of large private companies seeking to penetrate the Balkan market. Utilizing her extensive network and expertise, Lara facilitated the entry of major Western corporations into the region.
In December 2011, Lara’s journey took a significant turn when she took over the helm of Quintessentially. Recognized for her exceptional work by mutual business partners, Lara’s leadership ushered in a new era for the company, introducing unparalleled services to the region. Despite facing initial challenges due to the lack of familiarity with such services in the area, Lara’s perseverance and dedication led to Quintessentially rapid growth and success.
Today, Lara remains passionate about her role, fueled by the satisfaction of providing exclusive experiences to members worldwide. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate uncharted territories continue to shape the trajectory of Quintessentially, earning admiration for its broad international presence and unparalleled professionalism.
What are the biggest lesson learned in your journey?
Everything that we know of is time-bound and that which is not is that which we cannot rationalize.
A life played without any boundaries is no fun. This is the fundamental lesson to always keep in mind. You need to create a sense of focus, contentment, and enjoyment with whatever you do. Always strive to make it a worthwhile stay.
Vision is a key- there lies the goal or vision that you seek to achieve. Just like how a sport requires boundaries it also needs a scoring system to make people play it. The goals to be reasonable to achieve shall be guided by your interests and liking.
Climbing a mountain needs a first step. While you have figured out your larger intent in the form of a vision you need to break it down to smaller pieces that you can achieve in a shorter period. The notion that “You cannot do it all alone” is a profoundly inspiring lesson we must cherish. From the very outset of our existence, we rely on assistance from others in various forms. It’s simply unrealistic to expect to accomplish everything independently, even when striving to achieve personal goals. Give whatever you can and give whatever it takes! Even becoming the king or queen of the world or the universe won’t match the bliss of giving.
What separates you from competition or other companies?
We are the only global concierge lifestyle company in the world with offices in over 40 countries. We call ourselves a “club” because we exclusively work for our members, in a closed type of arrangement. This concept makes sense because members pay an annual fee, making us their sole point of contact for all their needs, both private and business-related. We provide assistance in areas such as travel, hotel reservations, restaurant bookings, nightclub arrangements, organizing transfers, private jets, helicopters, and more. For their children, we offer Quintessentially Education support, helping them enroll in the world’s most prestigious universities, organizing summer courses, and similar services.
There is significant interest in organizing “private appointment” services in the best boutiques worldwide, as well as purchasing and delivering various exclusive products such as bags, shoes, bicycles, jewelry, luxury watches, and more. Whether it’s backstage passes for a Beyoncé concert, a vacation on a private island in the Maldives, or booking a table at the hottest new restaurant in London before its opening.
When a person becomes our member, they get their “lifestyle manager” – someone who carefully considers their requests and proactively collaborates with them. For example, one of our elite members runs one of the most exclusive pastry shops in the region. When her supplier for cake boxes collapsed due to a crisis, she asked her “LM” to find her new offers. We found them in Hong Kong and delivered at a favorable price, using contacts not only from our office but also from offices in France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and eventually, we found the solution through the office in Hong Kong. We open big doors for our members through contacts they wouldn’t otherwise have, and we don’t charge a commission; we finance ourselves through annual membership fees.
Our members have access to services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year.
How do you see yourself in 10 years?
The growth of Quintessentially is inevitable so I see myself working. Our members are beginning to value their leisure time more, aiming to elevate their quality of life. However, on the other hand, there is information overload and instability in the times we live in. A Private Lifestyle Manager is the one who filters all the information, creates a special offer, and enables the member to enjoy the final product or service. Quintessentially always keeps up with the latest trends and interests of its members, as well as potential members. On a global scale, Quintessentially is turning towards a younger population from the IT niche, who have their specific interests such as NFT events or visiting very isolated destinations through activities like heli-skiing, but they are also open to suggestions of classic lifestyle activities like booking restaurants with Michelin recommendations or investing in classic watch models.
The goal of Quintessentially SEE is to confirm its place on the global jet-set map. Each of our local partners enters the global Quintessentially database of 40 offices worldwide, which is a significant promotion not only for our hotels, restaurants, artists, but also for the image of entire countries in the region. And so also for Albania.
What keeps you motivated every day?
I am motivated by this job because I am doing what I love and thoroughly enjoy it. It’s wonderful to be able to be in touch with the world every day. There are service industries where truly the sky is the limit, and our unique luxury lifestyle service is just like that. This sort of phenomenon is intended for affluent individuals who only want the best from life.
I am the only one leading multiple countries in this globally expansive system of providing luxury lifestyle services, and also one of the few women in this glamorous business. This speaks volumes about how the world operates, but it unequivocally shows us that material things are usually not a source or guarantee of happiness for wealthy individuals.
What are the main factors that led you to where you are right now?
Success can be very subjective. It does not necessarily mean that you have to be wealthy, accomplished or powerful. But it means that you have become the best version of yourself and have utilized your abilities to the maximum. This may also help you lead a happier life.
I have always valued education, hard work, maintaining a positive outlook, and practicing discipline and determination. My journey has been shaped by learning from exceptional mentors and from past setbacks, which I continuously strive to leverage as opportunities for growth and improvement.
Who is your role model or inspiration in your life?
Entering my fifth decade, I find myself reflecting on what I wish my younger self could have envisioned about this stage of life. It’s a revelation to witness how women over 50 are now achieving their greatest successes. No longer just clinging on, our wealth of experience and wisdom propels us towards our most fruitful days ahead.
As a child, I harbored dreams of becoming a reporter, a doctor, or an ambassador. With closed eyes, I could vividly picture what that future might hold. Now, in my mid-50s, I see extraordinary examples of women defying age stereotypes: a 56-year-old woman holds the vice presidency of the United States; a 64-year-old woman leads UPS; at 74, Janet Yellen steers the U.S. Treasury; and at 81, Nancy Pelosi serves as Speaker of the House. What’s even more inspiring is that these remarkable women, like countless others, have achieved their greatest triumphs after turning 50.
My own journey mirrors this trajectory—career milestones reached after college, in my 30s, then my 40s—all while balancing the joys and challenges of family life.
For years, my role models have been individuals like Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and Jane Goodall. Growing up in Africa, particularly in the Central African Republic, instilled in me a deep-seated fascination with the continent’s wildlife. I envisioned living among its majestic animals. I’m drawn to Jane Goodall’s humanity and her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on our world.
What are the top 3 core values in life?
Family, honesty, and respect. I’ve been able to watch my supervisors, colleagues and employees fall in and out of relationships, find success and failure at their jobs, become mothers and fathers. And the most important conclusion is that good relationships lead to health and happiness.
What are key moments / turning point of your life?
Every significant event has the potential to serve as a turning point, reshaping our trajectory, offering fresh insights, or altering our entire worldview. Reflecting on my own life, several moments stand out vividly.
The loss of my father at the tender age of 18 marked a profound shift, forcing me to confront the fragility of life and prompting a reevaluation of my priorities. Then, meeting my husband, a man of remarkable intellect, kindness, and devotion, was undeniably transformative. His presence enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined, as he became not only an incredible partner but also an exemplary father. However, it was my experience working alongside Dr. Drnovsek that truly redirected the course of my life. His mentorship and guidance not only shaped my professional path but also imbued me with a newfound sense of purpose and direction.
What personality traits makes a good leader?
Vision, Courage, Gratitude, Self-Awareness, Respect, Communication, Influence, Integrity.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How did you overcome it and what did you learn from it?
This job is very stressful but incredibly inspiring. In this job, you constantly push the boundaries of what you’re capable of because the demands push you to perform miracles. And that’s where women come into play because such a job requires highly developed multitasking skills, meaning you have to perform many tasks simultaneously. At least when it comes to my colleagues, it has been shown that women are much more organized, dedicated, and responsible as lifestyle managers. And indeed, the more stressful the realization of a request is, the more productive we are. I must admit that in the 12 years I’ve been in this business, the only request we failed to fulfill, on which I personally worked with my team, was to bring Elton John to Montenegro to sing at a private celebration. The reason was that he was on vacation at the time and didn’t want to interrupt it at any cost. But that’s also an example of the story that for some people, time is more precious than money, which again speaks to the philosophy of luxurious lifestyle.
What strategies do you use to stay ahead of the curve in your industry?
Lifestyle and hospitality are dynamic and competitive fields that require constant innovation, adaptation, and learning. To stay ahead of the curve, you need to be aware of the emerging opportunities and trends in your market, industry, and society. You also need to develop the skills, mindset, and network that will help you seize those opportunities and overcome the challenges.
It’s about being proactive in your personal and professional development, embracing change, and finding balance in life.
In what ways do you foster innovation and creativity within your organization?
Innovation is Quintessentially Multi-channel and Multi-process. In Lifestyle, creativity thrive through a combination of factors. Firstly, we foster a culture that encourages experimentation and risk-taking. Our teams are very connected so in a way they are empowered to explore new ideas and approaches without fear of failure, knowing that each attempt contributes to our collective learning and growth. We exchange our practices and approaches on a monthly basis.
We prioritize collaboration and diversity of thought. By bringing together individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, we create fertile ground for innovation. Through open dialogue and brainstorming sessions, we harness the power of collective intelligence to generate groundbreaking solutions to complex challenges.
Any tip/advice for young professionals or entrepreneur?
We all strive for success. Being successful in life means knowing how to fulfill our desires and achieve the goals we set for ourselves. Being successful means having the ability to recognize the meaning of our life, being able to solve existing problems, and being capable of changing and developing the world. I believe it means having a keen ear for our inner guide and being able to follow it in all circumstances.
When I look at our members, they all possess qualities that lead to success: commitment, diligence, self-confidence, trust in their abilities, and perseverance.
For me, calmness and balance are crucial, which I derive from my family. And the willingness to learn is also important.
Today, I can confirm that there are benefits to turning 50. Maturity brings wisdom, rich experience, a higher level of emotional intelligence, and prudence, which can be a significant advantage in entrepreneurship and success in general.
How do you balance the pursuit of wealth and success with personal fulfillment and happiness?
Although I don’t remember it, everyone tells me that since kindergarten I’ve been saying I’ll be an ambassador (laughter). In essence, in a way, I am an ambassador, more precisely a promoter of Balkan region. I am the one who selects and shapes what our members will see and experience in our beautiful Balkan area, thus presenting my homeland in the best light. Additionally, my job has truly allowed me to travel a lot, and also to enable my children to travel and make use of their talents and potentials. I am very happy that my son and daughter are accomplished young people who have enrolled in the universities they desire, so I can say that I have fulfilled my dreams.
Name three books that changed your life and what did you learn from them!
I am reading a lot, listening to different podcast.
No good book can replace experiential learning. There is no substitute for personal experience or learning by taking action. But the experiences and life stories of great minds can inspire, motivate and encourage us to take the right action and step towards what we want in life and career. That’s why I invest in biography and autobiography books. I read autobiographies of successful people to inspire me. I love reading about successful people. Reading about their childhood, their education and hobbies and most of all their daily habits and work ethic is an extremely valuable insight into how they achieved success in their given field. I learn much more about success by reading an autobiography or biography of a truly successful person than from reading a book from a self-proclaimed guru or “life coach”. Biographies provide lessons, setbacks, and strategies, and you get to learn from the failures of other people.
Then I like to read books of historical fiction based on true events, war novels, from different European authors, Turkish writers, Pakistan, Israel, US, Australian authors, all of them.
www.quintessentially.com
www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-larisa-ham
BY Egli HAXHIRAJ, Anamaria MESHKURTI and Jonida GJUZI
© All Rights Reserved Moneys Media Ltd Geneva, Switzerland.
