The Interchange

In today's episode I sit down with Maria Manetti Shrem, renowned for her pivotal role in internationalizing the fashion houses of Gucci and Fendi in the 70's & 80's, her extraordinary philanthropy and her friendships with likes of King Charles, Pavarotti, Renae Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Fabiano, and Sophia Loren to name a few.

Maria reflects on her earliest years in Italy, when Mussolini declared war on France and Great Britain, the day she was born, and how it impacted her life and set the stage for how she was determined to live a very different life. She tells the story of how she got into the fashion industry with her first husband in Florence, building a very successful company with 300 people working for her, and ultimately giving it all up to follow a man she fell in love with who lived in San Francisco. Her fascinating story goes on to tell how she developed 12 Gucci Franchises in the United States for Joseph Magnin in San Francisco and then started her own company, Manetti Farrow, with her second husband. Together, they were instrumental in internationalizing Gucci, Fendi and Mark Cross throughout America.

Maria tells us that after being caught in the middle of the Gucci war, feeling exhausted from work, and ultimately selling her company in the late 80's, she was devastated when her second husband left her, and turned to Buddhism, which she believes 'saved her life'.

Maria shares her chance meetings with Jose Carreras, Renata Scotto Luciano Pavarotti & Renae Fleming, Placido Domingo, and the close friendships she developed with all of them.

In 2010 Maria made the decision for the 3rd stage of her life, to become a philanthropist at high level and to give with 'warm hands instead of cold hands after death'. Hear her stories of the 50 Foundations she supports in a significant way throughout the world, traveling the globe year-round to enjoy and support them. You will be mesmerized by her fantastic stories, energy, and the absolute joy she gets from changing the lives of so many young people, through her gift of education to them.

And finally her fabulous stories of Festival Napa Valley and how it all began.

Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CQ3kchnSOW8

In today's episode I catch up with Greg Flynn, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Flynn Group and Flynn Properties, for the first time since my interview with him in November 2018 on my Napa Valley Inside Out podcast. Flynn Group is the largest franchisee operator in the world and Flynn Properties invests in commercial real estate, hotels and luxury resorts.

We talk about how their restaurants navigated around the Pandemic and then the onset of inflation in 2022; the buying spree he has been on since we last spoke; the buying opportunities he sees in commercial real estate in San Francisco; his first acquisition in the space in 5 years since selling all his office buildings prior to COVID; potential options for repurposing office buildings that will ultimately not be relet, his views on remote work and his ideas on revitalizing and cleaning up the city of San Francisco.

We discuss his impressive expansion into chain hotels starting in 2019 adding 114 hotels to Flynn Properties real estate portfolio, and his excitement and plans for his acquisition of The Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill in San Francisco. We get a tease for what's to come and confirmation that the beloved Big Four restaurant will essentially remain the Big Four, and the inside scoop of this fabulous acquisition which speaks to Greg's discipline – 'the importance of timing when acquiring assets'.

We touch on AI and discuss the origin and evolution of Flynn Group; its expansion into Planet Fitness and fast food restaurants in Australia and New Zealand. We get insight into how Greg goes about placing bets on new markets; the differences in labor laws, his thoughts and facts on tipping, and the possibility of expanding their restaurants throughout the world.

Greg Flynn - A+ for Leadership, Timing and elevating every business he touches.

Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CEIGthpEi2U

Charles Letourneau has over 25 years of experience producing major international events and has worked with artists across classical music, opera, and jazz. He was formerly a Senior Vice President at IMG Artists, where he led high-profile initiatives such as Tokyo's Mostly Mozart Festival and Italy's Tuscan Sun Festival.

Letourneau's skill set includes strategic planning, technical operations, and artist relations, which he uses to enhance the festival's reach and impact. His efforts have helped make Festival Napa Valley a prominent cultural event that attracts international audiences and prestigious performers annually.

Jean-Charles Boisset is a French Vintner, hugely successful entrepreneur, environmentalist, philanthropist, and visionary leader. He's the force behind the Boisset Collection, which operates 28 wineries in France and California. Through his leadership, his JCB brand has expanded into producing internationally award-winning spirits, like gin, cognac, caviar, and truffle-infused vodkas, to name a few.

His passion for life, family, people, and exquisite and unique experiences has attracted attention from all walks of life around the globe.

Join me as I sit down with Jean-Charles Boisset. We discuss his upbringing, environmental disciplines, belief in cosmic energy, love of the American dream and lifestyle, his regrets, and the importance of having a dream and always following your passion.

Forbes has described him as "The James Bond of Wine". When you hear his story, learn about the experiences he has curated for his guests in France and California, and see his creations, from jewelry and perfumes to his collection of Baccarat glasses, you will understand why I believe he is the 'The James Bond of Living Your Best Life".

A fashionista who is genuine, kind, generous, creative, happy, and always humble. Listen to Jean-Chares Boisset in his own words...

Jean-Charles Boisset is a French Vintner, hugely successful entrepreneur, environmentalist, philanthropist and visionary leader. He's the force behind the Boisset Collection, which operates 28 wineries in France and California. Through his leadlership, his JCB brand has expanded into producing internationally award-winning spirits, like gin, cognac, caviar, and truffle-infused vodkas, to name a few.

His passion for life, family, people, and exquisite and unique experiences has attracted attention from all walks of life around the globe.

Join me as I sit down with Jean-Charles Boisset. We discuss his upbringing, environmental disciplines, belief in cosmic energy, love of the American dream and lifestyle, his regrets, and the importance of having a dream and always following your passion.

Forbes has described him as "The James Bond of Wine". When you hear his story, learn about the experiences he has curated for his guests in France and California, and see his creations, from jewelry and perfumes to his collection of Baccarat glasses, you will understand why I believe he is the 'The James Bond of Living Your Best Life".

A fashionista, genuine, kind, generous, creative, happy and always humble. Listen to Jean-Chares Boisset in his own words...

In today's episode, I sit down with Charles Letourneau, the Co-founder, Vice President and Director of Artistic Planning, of the internationally acclaimed annual Festival Napa Valley. If you love opera, symphony, ballet, dance, and music of all genres, then this is the Festival for you, and you won't want to miss this interview.

We talk about his illustrious career in the performing arts world, his love of the violin, and the fascinating journey that he and his Co-founder, Rick Walker, have been on since their first Festival in 2006. Their story is living proof that when you follow your passion, doors will open for you.

Between them, they have a wealth of connections with philanthropists, hotels, wineries, and the music industry, affording them the opportunity to feature new and rising talent, along with the biggest names in the music industry - combining world class talent with world-class wine and food, in spectacular Napa Valley settings.

Their partnership with The Frost School of Music has blossomed into a three-week Summer School with 100 Graduate students from around the world studying and playing with master teachers each year at the Frost School at Festival Napa Valley.

Hear about their dreams of the future and how blessed their guests are that artists join in the fun at patron dinners after their performances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7T1MsVIOTY&t=870s

Jean-Charles Boisset is a French Vintner, hugely successful entrepreneur, environmentalist, philanthropist and visionary leader. He's the force behind the Boisset Collection, which operates 28 wineries in France and California. Through his leadlership, his JCB brand has expanded into producing internationally award-winning spirits, like gin, cognac, and caviar and truffle infused vodkas, to name a few.

His passion for life, family, people, exquisite and unique experiences has attracted attention from all walks of life around the globe.

Join me as I sit down with Jean-Charles Boisset. We discuss his upbringing, environmental discipines, belief in cosmic energy, love of the American dream and lifestyle, his regrets in life, the importance of having a dream and always following your passion.

Forbes has described him as "The James Bond of Wine". When you hear his story, learn about the experiences he has curated for his guests in France and California, and see his creations, from jewellery and perfumes to his collection of Baccarat glasses, you will undersand why I believe he is the 'The James Bond of Living Your Best Life".

A fashionista, genuine, kind, generous, creative, happy and always humble. Listen to Jean-Chares Boisset in his own words...

Sneak peek of my upcoming full interview to be released next week with Charles Letourneau.

https://youtu.be/o7T1MsVIOTY?si=xIE2kS1RAfF7pbtV

Jean-Charles Boisset is a French Vintner, hugely successful entrepreneur, environmentalist, philanthropist and visionary leader. He's the force behind the Boisset Collection, which operates 28 wineries in France and California. Through his leadlership, his JCB brand has expanded into producing internationally award-winning spirits, like gin, cognac, and caviar and truffle infused vodkas, to name a few.

His passion for life, family, people, exquisite and unique experiences has attracted attention from all walks of life around the globe.

Join me as I sit down with Jean-Charles Boisset. We discuss his upbringing, environmental discipines, belief in cosmic energy, love of the American dream and lifestyle, his regrets in life, the importance of having a dream and always following your passion.

Forbes has described him as "The James Bond of Wine". When you hear his story, learn about the experiences he has curated for his guests in France and California, and see his creations, from jewellery and perfumes to his collection of Baccarat glasses, you will undersand why I believe he is the 'The James Bond of Living Your Best Life".

A fashionista, genuine, kind, generous, creative, happy and always humble. Listen to Jean-Chares Boisset in his own words...