Even as a young woman, Evelyne Ginesta thought outside the box and went her own way. She attended business school in French-speaking Switzerland, then learned English in Cambridge - where she also met André Ginesta - and later worked in a travel agency in America. She pursued this goal undeterred, even if it meant being separated from her young love for a year.

Back in Switzerland, she worked again in a travel agency until she became a mother of two children and devoted herself entirely to this task. Above all, she kept her husband André, who took over the management of the company at that time, free for his work and training. When there was a need in the company towards the middle of the 1980s, she stepped in as the girl for everything. And she did it the way she had always approached everything: with great meticulousness and even greater commitment, she worked her way into the material and also completed her training as a real estate trustee.

It was an intensive time, during which Evelyne Ginesta carried out countless viewings, even at weekends and in the evenings, never forgot a single employee's birthday and always organised a present for it, kept the bookkeeping under control and still conjured up a hot meal for the family at home over lunch. In contact with the customers, her special quality was her fine feeling for their wishes. Her enthusiasm for architecture and her stylistic confidence were much appreciated and she often took over the construction management when a buyer wanted to open up the kitchen to the living room or enlarge the terrace.

With the growth, Claude Ginesta's entry into the company and his later assumption of the management, Evelyne Ginesta's tasks shifted more and more to activities in the background. As the soul of the company, who had an open ear for everyone, even when her husband and son were busy with the concerns of the prospering company, she was at every moment more than just the wife or mother of the boss. She was the one who held everything together and knew at all times who in the neighbourhood was going to sell their house soon, what gift to give someone for their wedding and also when it was time for another customer aperitif.

But there also came a time when she could devote herself more to her second great love, travelling, with André. This passion has never left her since her time at the travel agency. The two have travelled to over a hundred countries together and have countless stories to tell about each one, which they like to recount over their meals together in the Ginesta cafeteria. These are also the moments when everyone in the company can sense what the couple's strengths are: they are a team that sticks together and works blindly. And they both want the same thing: To be active, to cultivate a large network, to achieve something and to enjoy the beautiful sides of success together in their own way.

In all that time, Evelyne Ginesta never pushed herself into the foreground, demonstrated exceptional attentiveness to everything between the lines and fulfilled the task as a business and family woman with such aplomb that it was and is held in the highest esteem by everyone who knows her. And she provided proof at all times that how you do something is often more important than what you do. For many roads lead to Rome, Evelyne Ginesta has always chosen the more elegant route.

Thanks to good health and many plans for the future, this fulfilled journey through life will hopefully continue for many years to come. So in our conversation with Evelyne Ginesta, we mainly looked ahead.

Dear Mrs Ginesta,

we know you have been thinking for a long time about taking the step into a well-deserved retirement. How does it feel now that the time has come?
After such a long time, during which a lot of my lifeblood has gone into this company, it is a strange feeling. But the time is right for me to pass on regularly recurring tasks. The company has become very big and it is time to let go of the reins. Especially as I can do this with a good feeling, because the company is on a sound footing and Claude is doing an excellent job as managing director. André and I are both very proud of our son.

Won't you suddenly get bored at home?
Who knows, maybe in a few months that will be the case and I will miss work. For the time being, however, I am looking forward to having gaps in my busy schedule that I can use all to myself. For example, I still love our home with its beautiful garden, which always gives me plenty to do. I also still play tennis regularly. And André and I are still very active in terms of nice dinners and outings with friends, still frequently visit concerts, museums and exhibitions, take care of our collection of mechanical dolls and plan trips. In addition, I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. Now, for the first time, I have the opportunity to devote myself additionally to things that have always come up a bit short. For example, I can simply spend an afternoon relaxing with a good book or spontaneously meeting a friend for a coffee.

Does that mean you're not going to make life really comfortable for yourself?
Let's put it this way: sitting in front of the TV all day in trainer trousers, no, that's not going to happen. But to organise my time a bit more freely and relaxed, with quieter moments just for me, that is something that will happen. I am also very happy that André still finds great fulfilment in his work and that we have enough time to enjoy life and our travels on the side.

But there are two strong men in your life, because with Claude you have another real estate whirlwind in the family. But the collaboration doesn't seem to have harmed anyone ...
That's right. Because it was already clear to him at the age of seven that he wanted to get into the business one day, it all happened quite naturally. So we had the family rule not to talk about business after dinner. By then, however, he had already heard a lot at a young age and often had his own opinion. He pursued this goal of becoming part and boss of the company himself one day with great focus. Instead of taking the Matura, he went to business school, then worked in other companies and continued his education until today. We didn't force it or expect it, we would have supported any of his career aspirations. But today I can say that it is a great feeling to see that he found his destiny so early and was able to invest all his energy in following it. Because the most valuable thing in life is time, and being able to use it well is a blessing.

We say thank you for everything and wish you, dear Mrs Ginesta, every happiness on earth.

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We say thank you for everything and wish you, dear Mrs Ginesta, every happiness on earth.