Giulio Bergamaschi: CEO of Acqua di Parma – Family, Elegance, Craftsmanship, & The Timeless Language of Heritage
The Gstaad Guy sits down with Giulio Bergamaschi, CEO of Acqua di Parma, to explore what it means to steward a brand defined by craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless elegance. With a career shaped by humility and discernment, Giulio brings the perspective of a connoisseur, balancing modern relevance with the responsibility of carrying forward one of Italy’s most iconic maisons.
The conversation delves into the influence of family values on leadership, the art of cultivating connoisseurship in a world of speed, and how true timelessness is created through care, detail, and respect for tradition. Giulio reflects on elegance not as a surface quality but as a philosophy of life, and shares how heritage can remain alive and relevant while shaping the future of luxury.
Filmed at Casa Cipriani Milano.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(01:42) Life and parenthood 🌱👨👩👧
(05:39) Savoir vivre 🥂💎
(06:06) Family and humility 👪 🙏🏼
(08:45) Dressing in navy blue 👔 🔵
(09:23) Dressing in a timeless fashion ⌛👕
(12:01) Luxury in France vs luxury in Italy 🇫🇷💎🇮🇹
(16:27) Acqua di Parma 💛🕯️
(21:26) Inception of Acqua di Parma 🌟🇮🇹
(23:24) The founding myth of Acqua di Parma 📜✨
(25:18) The signature yellow 💛🎨
(27:30) Smell good not strong 🌸🌿
(29:34) Your silhouette 🧍♂️✨
(31:30) La Sprezzatura 😎🕴️
(33:25) Categories in fragrance 🌺🌲
(36:36) Choosing your cologne 🧴👃
(41:34) Art of living 🏛️🌿
(47:07) Intrapreneurship 💡🏢
(49:32) Scarcity, abundance, novelty & heritage ⚖️💎
(56:05) Values within the brand 🧭🤝🏻
(59:17) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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1:05:29
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1:05:29
Steve Varsano: Founder of The Jet Business – Aviation, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Jets, & The Art of the Deal
The Gstaad Guy sits down with Steve Varsano, founder of The Jet Business, the world’s first street-level showroom for corporate aviation, to trace his rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential dealmakers in private aviation. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, corporate acquisitions, and global jet sales, Steve has built his reputation on vision, resilience, and an unmatched ability to close high-stakes deals.
The conversation explores the inner workings of the aviation business, from M&A and corporate jet transactions to navigating negotiations with precision and confidence. Steve reflects on the discipline behind deal-making, the relationships that sustain success at the highest levels, and the entrepreneurial mindset that turns challenges into opportunities. A rare insight into how relentless drive and the art of the deal define one of the most exclusive industries in the world.
Filmed at The Jet Business showroom in London.
Chapters:
Steve Varsano Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(02:22) Entering the aviation world ✈️🌍
(03:58) Aviation lobbyist 🛩️ 🏛️
(06:08) The first sale 💼💰
(12:33) Private Jet vs. Corporate Jet 🛩️⚖️
(12:45) The Jet Business 🏢✈️
(15:19) The reality of entrepreneurship 🚀💡
(17:51) Corporate jet landscape 🌐🛩️
(25:43) Friendship vs. Business 🤝🏻💼
(27:11) Doing business with friends 👫💼
(30:10) Building your personal brand 👤🌟
(33:44) A chameleon in life & business 🦎💫💼
(38:08) Ego is the worst trait 🙅♂️😤
(40:27) Winning on feeling and not on paper ❤️📄❌
(44:59) Importance of asking questions ❓🧠
(47:54) Shift to corporate aviation 🔄✈️
(51:07) Buying time ⏳💵
(55:28) Why fly corporate? ✈️💼
(59:36) Corporate travel etiquette 🛫🤵
(01:04:21) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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1:12:36
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1:12:36
Dr. Barbara Sturm: Founder of Dr. Barbara Sturm – “Pioneer of the Sturm Glow”, Skincare Innovation, Longevity, Anti-Aging & Wellness
The Gstaad Guy sits down with Dr. Barbara Sturm, internationally renowned aesthetics doctor and entrepreneur, to explore the science and philosophy behind her celebrated approach to skincare and wellness. Known for her anti-inflammatory and anti-aging innovations, Dr. Sturm has built a global reputation for products that combine efficacy with elegance, earning a devoted following from Hollywood to the wellness world.
The dialogue unpacks the role of hydration, balance, and prevention in longevity, and why true wellness extends beyond the skin to how we live each day. Dr. Sturm opens up about the discipline behind scientific innovation, the challenges of building a brand that champions both health and beauty, and the reality of juggling motherhood with a demanding career. A candid look at what it means to pursue wellness as both a lifestyle and a lifelong mission.
Filmed at Casa Cipriani Milano.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(04:33) Dr Barbara Sturm products 🧴✨
(05:24) How it all started 💡🚀
(08:52) The birth of Dr Barbara Sturm 🌱🌟
(12:05) The nuances of skincare 🧴🔬
(13:24) Obsession with science and efficacy 🔬⚡
(15:23) Anti-inflammatory lifestyle 🥗🧘♀️
(17:23) Is inflammation bad? ❓🔥
(22:07) Trusting the vision 👁️🤝🏻
(29:09) Beauty and fashion belong together 💄👗
(32:58) Juggling life 🤹♀️🌱
(34:40) Having the right business values 📜🤝🏻
(39:33) Life of luxury 💎🍷
(40:18) Health & wellness as a luxury 🧘♀️🌿
(42:37) Knowledge is the superpower of our generation 📚⚡
(43:40) Poubel 🗑️🔗
(45:47) Choosing who to work with 🤝🏻🎯
(47:31) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
(53:44) A life of balance & health ⚖️🌸
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58:40
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58:40
Paul Wachter: Founder of Main Street Advisors – “The Silent Force Behind Celebrity Founders”, LeBron James, Beats by Dre, & Cultural Marketing
The Gstaad Guy sits down with Paul Wachter, founder of Main Street Advisors and widely regarded as the silent force behind celebrity founders, to unpack the principles that have shaped one of the most influential advisory firms in sports, entertainment, and culture. Known for his work with LeBron James, Beats by Dre, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and other global names, Paul shares how identifying the right people and building brands with cultural resonance has defined his career.
The conversation explores what it takes to be relentless in business without losing sight of human values, and why authenticity is the cornerstone of long-term success. From spotting emerging opportunities to nurturing relationships that transcend contracts, Paul offers rare insights into the intersection of business, culture, and character. A candid look at how vision, discipline, and trust come together to shape influence at the highest level.
Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(07:50) Working with Arnold & LeBron 🏋️♂️ 🏀
(09:55) Choosing clients 🤝🏻 🎯
(18:40) Beats By Dre 🎧🔥
(21:03) Success takes time ⏳🌱
(24:00) Authenticity being lost 🎭 ❌
(25:44) Businesses founded by celebrities ⭐ 🏢
(27:01) Marketing today 📱📣
(28:55) Hype dies down 📉💨
(32:59) Knowing when to walk away 🧐🚶
(36:29) From owning to selling 💼💵
(37:20) Traits amongst talents 🌟🧩
(38:05) Knowing what’s right for you 🧭💡
(42:41) Making the right decision 🎯🤔
(44:50) Non-negotiables & Values 📜 ⚖️
(48:48) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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52:53
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52:53
Alex Ikonn: Creator of The 5-Minute Journal – Gratitude, Kindness, Entrepreneurship, & Designing A Life of Meaning
The Gstaad Guy sits down with Alex Ikonn, entrepreneur, creator, and co-founder of The 5-Minute Journal and The Productivity Planner, to explore the mindset behind turning hardship into opportunity. From growing up with scarcity and financial struggle to becoming one of the early pioneers in the social media-driven e-commerce boom, Alex’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of authenticity.
The conversation dives into what it means to truly “design your life”, balancing entrepreneurship with well-being, kindness, gratitude, self-development, and the discipline of daily habits. Alex shares lessons from building a global brand, navigating the highs and lows of being an online creator, and why embracing hardship can become the foundation for lasting growth. A candid look at how being yourself, even in the toughest moments, can lead to building not just businesses, but a life worth living.
Filmed at The Jet Business showroom in London.
(00:00) Intro ✨
(03:41) Poubel 🗑️🔗
(06:14) Early Life 👶🌱
(08:54) Basics of Business 📊💼
(13:44) Seeking validation through work 🏆💻
(17:42) A business isn’t just lifestyle 🚀🛠️
(19:58) Creating the right mindset 🧠✨
(21:08) Avoid 50/50 businesses ❌⚖️
(23:03) How to be productive ⏱️📈
(24:05) Vision Boards 🖼️🎯
(26:13) Why is vision important? 👁️🔑
(29:16) Helping your life journey 🛤️🌟
(35:52) Acquiring the right mindset 🧘♂️💡
(36:45) Delivering value 🎁🤝🏻
(40:18) The best version of self 🪞💎
(41:42) Confronting death 👊🏻🕊️
(43:46) Choosing your reality 🌍🔮
(50:00) Taking responsibility 🙋♂️📌
(52:09) Love life ❤️🌹
(52:48) Choosing a partner 💞🤔
(55:10) Aligning with your partner 👫⚡
(57:15) Experiencing true love 💖🌈
(59:43) Success in dating 💌🥂
(01:01:35) How to progress in relationships 👩❤️👨➡️💍
(01:03:01) Practicing gratitude 🙏🌸
(01:07:09) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy Podcast is your backstage pass to the untold stories behind excellence. Hosted by The Gstaad Guy, out of character, this guest driven, unscripted series explores the real journeys, challenges and turning points that shape those who have mastered their craft. From global tastemakers and industry leaders to creative pioneers and cultural outliers, each episode reveals what it really takes to achieve excellence. Through humour and curiosity, The Gstaad Guy peels back the layers to uncover the grit behind the glamour, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the worlds usually kept behind closed doors.
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