We asked the delightful smiling Carla a few questions...
How did you come to work in retail? It was long time ago, when I was a student in high school during the summer holidays - I needed the money to buy a second hand car. Since then I have never stopped loving what I do.
What brought you to Il Forno? Four months after moving to New Zealand I was craving good bread! Other Italians suggested that I go to Il Forno. Walking in there, I immediately felt like I was walking into a typical Italian bakery and the coffee was good too. So I became a regular, until one day I heard they were looking for staff. I knew I had experience, but because of my poor English I thought I had no chance. However, Helane called me the day after, asking me if I wanted to give it a try…and after 10 years I'm still at Il Forno.
What do you love about your store? You never get bored at Il Forno. Andrew always has new ideas for new products we can make. And of course everything is made in here: bread, cakes, pastries, preserves, soups, cannelloni, lasagna, sandwiches. We even make our own sausages for the big breakfast from our breakfast menu.
What makes a standout retail salesperson? You have to love what you do, ’cause if you are happy with your job customers can feel it. Transforming first-time visitors into loyal clients and keeping regulars happy: that's what makes a standout retail salesperson
Tell us about a memorable sale you've made this year... Just few days ago a guy stopped at Il Forno on his way to pick up his wife and his newborn baby from the clinic. He wanted to fill their freezer up with our frozen ready meals so his wife didn't have to worry about cooking. Such a caring husband, isn't he?
If you could wave your wand and have anyone in the world walk into your store right now, who would it be? No doubt. My mother and my siblings. They live in Italy and I only see them for three weeks every other year. Not enough
If you could wave your wand and have anyone in greater Ponsonby walk into your store right now, who would it be? The firefighters. Among our regulars we have many police officers coming for our delicious donuts... I wonder if firefighters love donuts too?
Where do you enjoy shopping? I do my major shopping every time I go back to Rome. However I'm pleased to see how fashion in New Zealand has improved. There are so many fab shops in Ponsonby but it doesn't really matter which brand for me: if I like something and it suits me, I buy it.
Name someone you think is a great greater Ponsonby retail salesperson... Kasia Coe. We have been working together for the last six years; she is always smiling, caring, and professional, and I'm sure our regulars would agree with me.
IL FORNO, 55 Mackelvie Street, T: 09 378 0254, www.ilforno.co.nz