edited by Alessandra Savino
In an increasingly globalised and competitive world, emerging as a leader in the vocational training is no easy feat. Nicola Carbonara, a prominent entrepreneur and manager, has carved out a leading role for himself on the international design and gastronomy scene.
Founder and publisher of three magazines - Food Lifestyle, Design Lifestyle and SportStar Magazine - Carbonara is an example of how passion and dedication underpin everything. Carbonara's career has deep roots in his passion for aesthetics and quality, pillars that have guided his every professional choice.
Always aware that the training and specialisation, with the acquisition of specific and immediately employable skills, are the key to success for many young people who want to pursue a dream, Nicola Carbonara began its journey in the world of design and food more than 20 years ago, managing, time after time, to interpret the changes in ever-evolving sectors.
Thanks to his foresight, highly verticalised training institutions such as Italian Design Institute and Italian Food Academy, which still today, with their courses, master's degrees, specialisations and 'experiences' represent the choice of many young people seeking a varied and quality education.
These two sectors are also joined by the Tourism sector (with IET or European Tourism Institute), the Airport, Security and Logistics sector (with ADL or Accademia del Lavoro) and the Sports Management sector with Sport Business Academy.
The courses, masters and 'experiences' provided by all of these institutions represent one of the best choices in the national training landscape. In addition to the constantly updated programmes, highly qualified lecturers and teaching materials offered, there is a teaching method based on the learning by doingthrough which each student is able to learn skills and abilities that are immediately spendable in the world of work.
Not to mention the partner network of companies and realities scattered throughout Italy and even abroad, which enables one to consolidate one's training path thanks to an important internship period.
The birth of Food Lifestyle, Design Lifestyle and SportStar Magazine, then, was a direct response to the need to create platforms that explore and celebrate excellence in these areas.
Each magazine, under Carbonara's expert guidance, tells the protagonists, news and stories of fascinating worlds that attract the curiosity and interest of many readers.
For Carbonara, success is not just a matter of figures and contracts. His vision of leadership includes a strong human and personal bond with his employees, whom he considers an integral part of his 'extended family'.
This humanistic approach is also reflected in the time he dedicates to his organic family, with whom he loves to share moments of relaxation, especially at sea, aboard his yacht, or playing golf, one of his greatest passions. Nicola Carbonara is more than an entrepreneur; he is a visionary who continues to shape the future of design and food with an eye for excellence and innovation. With his balance between his professional and personal life, he offers an example of how great heights can be reached without losing sight of what really matters. Moreover, each of his passions is not only a symbol of success, but also a source of inspiration and moments of escape from the daily routine and of sharing moments, projects and ideas.
He has always been fascinated by Italian-made products and is firmly convinced of the value of all-Italian know-how, Nicola Carbonara pursues beauty and talent as indispensable reasons to live. An approach that is enriched by the collaboration of a close-knit team composed of valuable human capital.
You are an entrepreneur and a Talent Coach: when and how did the passion for entrepreneurship start in you?
The idea of doing business and becoming a talent coach started a long time ago. I didn't even remember it and it was a dear friend of mine from primary school, whom I met when I was about 30 years old, who brought it back to my mind by telling me that when we were at school, in a perhaps somewhat presumptuous way, I used to talk about doing business and discovering talent. It was a very emotional moment as I realised then that even at an early age I had these ideas for which my classmates had even given me a funny nickname that I cannot reveal now.
What are the main challenges you face in managing so many people in such diverse and dynamic environments?
The biggest challenge is to stay up-to-date and relevant. Each sector has its own peculiarities and requires constant efforts to ensure that the content is innovative and of high quality. For me, it is crucial to listen to my team and our readers to continue to improve and meet the needs of an ever-changing target audience.
You head a professional and highly qualified team: how do you manage to keep it together and lead it for years?
Being the head of a good, united and motivated team is like being a good family man with many children. Each of them is a world apart and I have to say that the commitment is enormous, but to help me there are close collaborators who have more than a decade of experience. It is a never-ending job because each one of them has his own frailties, limitations and talents. So it's a job that never ends and you always have to approach it with the attitude of a good family man so that you can support and guide them like wonderful children.
What is the next big goal for your magazines and your company?
We are in a digital expansion phase. We want to strengthen our online presence, thus reaching a wider and more diverse audience. In addition, we are exploring new collaborations that can further enrich our content and offer new perspectives to our readers. I strongly believe that education, today more than ever, must be smart, quality, vertical and accessible. And it is in this direction that we want to continue.
What would you recommend to a young person who dreams of a career like yours?
First of all, I would advise him to be certain that he wants to walk this path because it is full of considerable sacrifice and endless commitment. It is only with the fuel of motivation and determination to have a dream that one is able to move forward. And in that case I would advise him to try, to put in the effort and to always dream big.
