When Erica Macchiavelli started her journey Macron, She was the only one in the sales department and was responsible for everything. “It was a growing company, but that’s exactly why I had the opportunity to grow with her,” says Erica, now Country Manager Italy, with responsibilities also in Greece, Malta and Cyprus. Her journey coincides with the 23 years of partnership between Macron and Bologna FC 1909. “I joined when the sponsorship with Bologna started, and since then my curiosity to see how far we can go has never changed.”

An ever-evolving role

Today, Erica coordinates the commercial area for its markets, managing sales force, store managers, and relationships with top-level clubs and federations. “I have always had a commercial soul. At first, I was in charge of the back office and international development. We didn’t yet have a network of agents, so I learned on the job, acquiring fundamental skills.”

Mutual trust and professional growth

“My journey with Macron? Turbulent and exciting. A great, great experience, that taught me a lot at a professional level, but that has enriched me greatly on a human and personal level. At the core of everything there has always been a great relationship of mutual trust.”

He adds: “I fully feel the trust from the company and I fully trust the company.”

In every working environment, ideas often do not fully align, but the exchange and sharing of company strategies are crucial to achieving great goals. “I have always blindly trusted the company. I know where it wants to go, and where it wants to take my professional role as well. Similarly, I must say that I have always felt great respect for my opinions and the way I see things.”

Teamwork and young talent

“At Macron, we work as a team: each has a role, but we all follow the same direction.” Collaboration is essential, and over the years Erica has honed her management skills. “We are a young company and we need to pass on this mindset to the newcomers. It’s a constant challenge, but also an incentive.”

Growing up with the team

For Erica, it’s not just about achieving market goals; it’s about growing the people who work with her, making the work increasingly scalable. “Macron is growing quickly, and developing people is essential.”

From here the idea of creating a Macron Sales Academy“If I wanted to continue growing, I had to grow the people who work with me. Sales Academy, now in its second year, is the perfect project: we train young passionate sports enthusiasts, motivated and with a team spirit. We offer them a comprehensive training to become true sales professionals, providing concrete tools and transmitting the Macron values. At the end of the course, there is the possibility of being hired in our MSHs in the territory.” Erica’s hope is that this model can soon be extended to all the markets where Macron is present.

Changes, motivations and a sense of belonging

Twenty-three years in Macron represent many pages of a long professional story. Erica lived firsthand the growth of the company:

“When I arrived, the company was still run by its founder, who then chose to entrust the future to a competent and motivated management team. This was a big change. I have always had confidence in Gianluca Pavanello’s choices, and the results prove it.”

A career of this length requires strong motivation. “Of course, I am driven by loyalty: if I feel comfortable in an environment, I don’t feel the need to change. And then there’s the trust that the company has always placed in me.”

Alongside loyalty, a fundamental element is curiosity: “Seeing a company and a brand grow from within is inspiring. If I could change something? Maybe I would be less angry: working well without it is also possible. And maybe I would explore new markets to learn about different cultures and people.”

Personal life and career: the right balance

“Finding the balance between work and family was not easy, but I managed it with flexibility and a sense of responsibility.” Today, her goal is to lead the team and ensure harmonious growth for everyone.

And the challenges are not lacking:

“I’ve faced ‘movie-like’ situations, like a night spent in a car after a flight due to a mistake with the calming drops, or the nonexistent B&B in the Spanish Quarters of Naples. Traveling alone, especially as a woman, has taught me a lot.”

Macron: energy and positivity

If she had to describe Macron in three words, Erica would choose: “Adventure, energy, positivity.” “It is proof that with optimism, perseverance and a desire to grow, great goals can be achieved. An example to be applied every day, in every aspect of life.”