The following is an exclusive interview with Michael Costache, a Jet Jet concierge who lives and works in Monaco.
1. Where did you grow up and who influenced you most in your formative years?
I grew up in many European cities because of the work of my father. My father had a great influence on me. He taught me how to manage international business, and all the difficulties associated with globalization, and all the benefits you can derive from it. He also taught me that business is viewed and developed differently, considering where you live. I learned how important it is to remember this when it comes to global customers, because the trends that inspire them, their needs and their expectations are radically different from place to place.
2. When Americans think of Monaco, we see the fabulous land of royal families, castles, Grace Kelly and James Bond, how does our opinion differ from the locals? Monaco perspective?
Monaco is a magical world for many people around the world. It symbolizes a luxurious lifestyle, a set of jets, the royal family, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and, of course, the great story of Grace Kelly and Prince Albert. The principle attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists throughout the year. In fact, living here all year round, these elements become quite normal and just a part of everyday life. The Monegasque experience is completely different if you are a tourist or a local. People living in Monaco have their favorite places when they have supper or cool time. We all know each other and visit each other, not even paying attention to the glamorous atmosphere that tourists or foreigners see on TV. As I said, it’s absolutely normal to see Ferrari or Bentley at every corner of the street, meeting Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher or even contemplating the most luxurious yachts in the port all year round.
[Note from Rob: Monegasque is a romance language and a dialect of the modern Ligurian language, which is spoken in Monaco.]
3. How is life in Monaco different from life in other places?
Well, Monaco is located on the edge of Europe and the Mediterranean and is synonymous with luxury, great weather and a certain lifestyle that you could not find anywhere else. It’s just a special place that attracts many new potential citizens every year, because unlike other tax havens, Monaco is associated with a very specific way. Once you live in Monaco, it will never be the same as in Switzerland or Andorra.
[Note from Rob: Monaco contributions high net income people such as movie stars, athletes etc. to become residents of the Principality in order to benefit from personal income tax exemption. Also, you may never have heard of Andorra but it should be on your list of countries to visit. It's located in the North East portion of the Pyrenean mountain range which separates France and Spain. The key attraction is it's tax haven status.]
4. I understand that there are many economic advantages (you mentioned the tax haven) about being a citizen in Monaco, could you explain further?
Of course, Monaco is famous all over the world for its image of a tax haven. In fact, residents of this principle can not be taxed with income tax, not taxed on large states, not taxed at the local level, without a tax on housing and without a tax on property income.
In addition, in addition to strong financial advantages, Monaco offers an exceptional living environment due to its security (1 policeman for every 100 citizens is the highest figure worldwide) and personal security functions combined with very well-managed health and education systems infrastructure for travel and transportation, as well as many cultural and sports events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Master Class Shadows and the World Music Award.
5. How would you describe the side of the Jet Set in Monaco?
From the start, Monaco knew how to mix all the ingredients for the Jet Set's exceptional lifestyle; perfect weather all year round, security, famous casinos, 5-star palaces, world-famous nightclubs, and last but not least, Monaco has become a brand in it, which is an example of Jet Set.
Unlike other famous Jet Set places, such as Saint-Tropez or Sardinia, celebrities can be seen all year round in the principality, and this is again necessary for the fiscal policy present here. Very wealthy people obviously prefer to live and save their money in a country with a tax, so very often you can see the best celebrities and millionaires from around the world in one mall or in a supermarket like you. It is just a part of everyday life.
6. Would you describe some Jet Set parties and events you attended in Monaco?
Monaco [as well as the French Riviera] They are the owners of numerous parties and events dedicated to rockets all year round. For example, I was invited to a 50 percent preliminary party before the World Music Award at Zebra Square (which is a very famous and prestigious lounge bar in Monaco). There were many other celebrities (for example, Akon and Ciara) who really made this night very, very special. The aftermarket party was fantastic because most of the performers from the show were invited to Jimmy (one of the most famous nightclubs in the principality), and I had the opportunity to chat with G-Unit, Mika, David Getta and Avril Lavigne.
I was also invited last summer to the official party Armand De Brignac Jay-Z, organized by the famous brand Champagne and the P. Diddy party in Cannes in the VIP-hall during the film festival. I can assure you that these parties are not like what you have ever seen. The atmosphere, the organization and the people present make them truly unique.
[Rob: Armand de Brignac is the name of an ultra luxury high end Champagne brand that's sold in opaque metallic bottles and is identifiable by a distinct gold bottle with a pewter Ace of Spades label. You can see it in the climactic scene of Jay Z's video for "Show Me What You Got."]
7. It seems there are a number of hot spots that Jet Setters travel around the world - what do you think are now the 5 hottest destinies and why?
In my opinion, the hot spot for jet installations should combine amazing sides, where you can see and see, a large number of celebrities present, as well as a bit of privacy, as well as luxurious furnishings and excellent service.
So this will be my rating:
1) Saint-Tropez (the choice was very difficult, but Saint-Tropez is definitely still number 1: without summer, not hearing about the famous Diddy or Jay-Z evenings)
2) Barbados
3) Santorini
4) Dubai
5) Marbella
8. What would you consider to be the closest real plantings for inkjet systems, which are all buzzing in your world?
Due to the fact that he heard a lot about this last year and received very positive feedback from my friends who have already gone there, I would say that Hvar in Croatia is definitely becoming New Saint-Tropez. Celebrities really love this island, because it really manages to preserve an authentic landscape with a well-managed infrastructure and a building that preserves the fabulous nature that exists there. In addition, Hvar allows Jet setter to organize really big and amazing parties in a very private way (unlike the French Riviera as an example). I feel that celebrities simply feel much better in Croatia because of the high privacy that the island can buy for them.
9. What is your company Quintessentialife?
Quintessentialife is the perfect luxury finder. We are here to save your precious time by completing your most extravagant luxuries. We know that you are busy with men and women, so why not take responsibility for your luxurious desires? The company has built a large network of partners and suppliers around the world to ensure that you receive your dream products in the shortest possible time. We believe that you deserve uniqueness, so if your desire is a unique mobile phone, a diamond inlaid car, an exclusive platinum watch, or any other unusual luxury items, send us a request at www.quintessentialife.com [http: //www.quintessentialife .com] and we will find the only unique thing that suits you best, because for us, real luxury is exclusivity.
10. How did you start working as a Jet Set concierge?
I would call myself more luxuries. To be in Monaco and travel the world to hot spots like Dubai, meet rich people, talk to them about your needs and wishes and analyze the global trend that shows the number of millionaires and billionaires is growing from year to year. I decided to run this company because I really saw the market for the services provided. Moreover, analyzing competitors already represented on the market, I found out that most of them are the main concierge services. The quintessential is something more. We specialize in finding uniqueness, exclusivity, because you, of course, do not want to see that your neighbor has the same watch or car that you just bought for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
11. Tell us how the deal with your company?
People who are interested in having unique and exclusive luxuries send me their inquiries through our website. As an example, they may want their watches to be decorated with a special diamond or perhaps with luxurious designer furniture for their villa or something like that. Then I consult my contacts around the world and start looking for items that best fit my needs. The next step is to send my offers to the client (after a full analysis), and he just has to tell me if he meets his needs in order to make a deal.
12. Describe your ideal customer?
The most important thing for me is to find a product that will make my client completely happy and contented. Thus, my “ideal client” will be those who have a clear idea of what he wants. Of course, we can advise him about modern luxury trends around the world, but in my experience, to fully satisfy a client, you must have a clear and precise request.
13. What was the most difficult request you had from a client (and could you fulfill it)?
The most difficult request was, of course, the Bentley Continental GTS with a golden roof. The technology was just launched, and suppliers were very difficult to find. Today, on the streets of Moscow or Dubai, you can see a few cars with gold roofs or doors, but a couple of months ago these cars were not. We managed to find a supplier in Germany who did this for us, and the customer was really happy because he was one of three people around the world who had such goodness.
14. Do you have clients all over the world (or only in Monaco)?
Most of my clients are from a group of BRIC countries from developing countries: Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well as from the Middle East and Dubai. These countries are those that have shown the largest increase in the number of millionaires over the past decade.
15. What aspects of your business are outsourced and which parts do you handle personally?
Of course, as you understand, since I cannot be in America, Asia, in the Middle East and in Europe at the same time to search on my own - most of the research is processed by my partners around the world to find a part that is the best correspondent for clients. . In addition, some of the IT of my business will be transferred to India very soon. "
16. Could you say that Jet Set Monaco based on your growth has helped your company? If so, how?
Definitely. In this business, the network you create is the most important factor in obtaining new customers, meeting with reliable suppliers and finding new partners, as well as discussing new and new luxury trends. Therefore, based on Monaco (and the French Riviera as a whole), I offer the opportunity to meet with all these rich people from around the world and build important networks. Moreover, when it comes to luxury goods that have “monetary etiquette”, of course, gives you a lot of confidence.
17. I understand that you currently reside abroad in Bangkok. What types of technologies do you use to use your business (for example, Skype, E-lance, etc.)?
I really live in Bangkok until January. Southeast Asia is booming, and as you can imagine, the demand for luxury goods continues to grow. In fact, Skype is my best friend to use my business from all over the world. I have to spend hours on calls from customers and suppliers to make sure that the product fully complies with the wishes of the customer. Of course, the ability to send and receive emails is crucial for me, so I have been using Blackberry services for several years, because it gives me the opportunity to be 24/7.
The accounting party is outsourced to Mumbai, India. I also plan to outsource the management of my website and email server to India, because, as we all know, Indian workers are recognized for their high skills, speed of work and excellent results in these areas. I can assure you that these guys are doing a really good job and are available to you and your business day and night.
18. Are you a member of ASMALLWORLD, and if so, how did this help you in your company?
I have an account with ASMALLWORLD. This network bought, and I am sure that it will continue to bring, a lot of good things for me and Quintessentialife. Besides the fact that I obviously can talk about the company and find new customers through the network, ASMALLWORLD gives me the opportunity to find trusted partners and suppliers. I can follow the trends of the luxury industry and check which business concepts are appearing in the world, and, of course, make new friends who will become potential customers.
19. How did ASMALLWORLD help you in your company?
To give you an example, I wanted to find the best way to advertise Quintessentialife in Kazakhstan (which over the past few years has increased the number of millionaires over the past few years thanks to petrodollars), not having connections in this country, I decided to publish the flow on the ASMALLWORLD business forum. The answers I received helped me a lot in creating an advertising strategy. The best thing about this network is that people are very serious and trusting, so you can analyze and share real information and create real partnerships.
20. What do you see for the future of the Quintessentialife?
In the luxury business, customer satisfaction is of utmost importance to me. In fact, if someone is completely satisfied with our services (they will be without a doubt), tell them that Quintessentialife is a reliable company and a consensus, bringing the company new customers and markets. Thus, with the growth in demand for luxury goods, which we have celebrated in the past few years, I am sure that the company will grow more and more - month after month. I want him to become the inevitable actor in the luxury goods industry.
