Step into the world of business and meet Olga Iarussi, the dynamic co-founder of Italian Artisan and a seasoned CEO with an impressive 12+ years of experience leading Triumph Lingerie in South Europe. With an illustrious background in private entrepreneurial companies and consumer branded products, Olga is a force to be reckoned with in the business world.
Olga’s expertise lies in sales and marketing management, retail strategies, omnichannel integration, and the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, having worked with renowned companies like P&G and Heinz Co. Her remarkable achievements include spearheading business accelerations, orchestrating successful turnarounds, and driving impactful organizational changes.
One of Olga’s standout qualities is her ability to thrive in international environments, leveraging her diverse experiences across Europe and Eastern Europe. With an exceptional track record of leading teams and organizations across borders and cultures, she brings a wealth of cross-country expertise to the table.
Passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion, Olga is frequently invited as a speaker on leadership, empowerment, leading change, and diversity topics. Her contributions have earned her esteemed memberships in influential organizations such as InTheBoardroom and the Board of Woman&Technologies. Notably, she was honored with the prestigious “Tecnovisionarie 2017” award, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in her field.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Can you please provide a brief overview of your professional background and experience in the industry?
I started my career at Procter & Gamble, where I grew in Sales & Marketing Positions in Italy and Europe. I then joined HeinzKraft as Trade Marketing Director. After almost 20 years in FMCG, I moved to the Fashion industry, joining Triumph International, where I was CEO of South Europe for 12 years. This experience allowed me to gain a deep knowledge of the European Fashion Business and distribution Channels.
What motivated you to become a CEO, and how did you progress to your current position at Italian Artisan?
Motivation comes from accepting challenges and moving toward more and more ambitious goals. I joined Italian Artisan two years ago with the objective of making Italian Artisan a key Global Player in the Fashion “Made in Italy” Production sector.
Tell us about Italian Artisan.
Italian Artisan conveys the global demand for Fashion Made in Italy to a verified and selected community of Italian Manufacturers. Through our B2B Platform (www.italian-artisan.com), International Brands and Retailers can easily get their Made in Italy collections produced in simple steps, with our team’s support throughout the production cycle, including shipments and safe payments. Thanks to its innovative business model and the use of technology as an ally in terms of efficiency and development, Italian Artisan is sustainable for everyone. For all brands and designers that have the opportunity to reduce production costs without sacrificing the excellence of Made in Italy. For artisans who can “sell” their know-how at a fair price, obtaining the necessary resources to take care of the quality of what they produce to the maximum. All to the advantage of the protagonists of the supply chain and the final consumer.
How would you describe your leadership style? What are the key principles or values that guide your leadership approach?
I lead with a “motto”: we win together, we fail together. We work as a team regardless of the functions, aiming for one common Company goal. Never stay in the “comfort zone”, raise the bar, and do more, all together.
What strategies do you employ to ensure effective communication and collaboration within your organization?
The first thing to have is a climate of respect and a culture of “listening”. This is the basis of communication and collaboration in our Team.
How do you motivate and inspire your team members to achieve their best performance?
Italian Artisan is a small and fast-growing Company. Thanks to technology, We are all inspired and motivated by the deep belief that our company represents a major innovation in the way international brands approach premium made in Italy fashion production.
What is your vision for Italian Artisan’s future? How do you see the company evolving and adapting to industry changes?
I see Italian Artisan becoming the major player in “Made in Italy” Fashion exports, as liBaba is for China.
What are the major challenges you face as a CEO in the sector? How do you overcome these challenges?
The challenge is to be ahead of the needs of the new generations, who are highly keen on sustainable and high-quality fashion products. This is a major opportunity for Made in Italy fashion products, globally known for their premium quality, with more and more manufacturers able to work with sustainable materials and sustainability certifications.
As a CEO, how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? What practices or activities do you engage in outside of work to recharge and rejuvenate?
I am married and a mother of three girls. After my work, I am fully dedicated to my family to recharge.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who are looking to make a significant impact in their respective industries?
Never give up. Fail, get up, and try again. After many failures, you will become stronger and stronger, ready to achieve your goals. This is what I learned from experience.
Website: https://italian-artisan.com/
