The engaging podcast “Positive Finance” debuted on Friday, June 21, with our president, Giulio Barbieri, as the guest of its captivating first episode, interviewed by the renowned host Michele Baglioni.
The episode of the podcast “Positive Finance,” which aired on Friday, June 21, focused on the connection between entrepreneurship, finance, and investments, offering a fascinating journey through the origins of the Giulio Barbieri company and Giulio’s initial steps into the entrepreneurial world.
Giulio Barbieri shared his personal story with Michele Baglioni and his listeners, a journey rooted in a youth marked by early responsibility.
“Well, like all things, it starts from afar, from childhood, when the first dreams, difficulties, and sacrifices begin,” Giulio recalled during the interview.
From a young age, Giulio demonstrated extraordinary initiative. At just 19, he started a car washing and muffler welding business, showing tireless determination and a strong work ethic. His true breakthrough came with an encounter with an 18-year-old surveyor who suggested designing a gazebo. This marked the beginning of gazebo production, which would bring the Giulio Barbieri company to international success, culminating in the installation of gazebos at Buckingham Palace.
“While I was installing tents, I met a young 18-year-old surveyor who proposed designing a gazebo. We’re talking about the early 1990s, and that surveyor has been a designer in the company ever since.
The thing is, this gazebo with an external structure was somewhat futuristic and didn’t quite match the market’s taste back then. So, I traveled around Italy and Europe but couldn’t sell it. Meanwhile, I continued installing tents and mosquito screens until I eventually met a gentleman in England, Bill Preston of Owen Brown, who bought some of my gazebos, which were then magically installed at Buckingham Palace. The next day, it felt like the world had exploded: everyone loved these gazebos. This was a major showcase, and I started traveling, participating in international trade shows.
This was a huge challenge for me because these events were attended by industry giants, while my workshop was just three people. Nonetheless, ‘Summer,’ the first gazebo model we marketed, was recognized as one of the best in its category and remains one of the top sellers worldwide. ‘Summer’ had unique features that others lacked: it was entirely aluminum, easy to assemble, and, above all, it never broke.
We expanded the range, and this was the turning point. The success of the gazebos made me believe it was the right path to follow. We began to focus on gazebos but also on a new product that remains unrivaled: retractable tunnels for soccer fields, a product still chosen by sports facilities worldwide.”
In the podcast, Giulio also shared some of the biggest challenges he faced, such as the 2012 Emilia earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. In these situations, his leadership proved essential to keeping the company operational and supporting employees. During the pandemic, he designed a misting tunnel that found application worldwide, allowing the company to thrive despite global challenges.
He also mentioned his political career and his passion for sports, fields where he demonstrated the same commitment and determination that have defined his entrepreneurial activity.
Giulio spoke about the 2014 crisis, a period of growth and maturity that led him to diversify the company, making it resilient and able to thrive even in difficult times. “The 2014 crisis, I believe, helped me grow and mature as an entrepreneur,” said Giulio, emphasizing how the company is now one of the few in Europe achieving double-digit growth.
Other interesting insights emerged on the podcast’s main topics, where Giulio discussed the importance of sustainability and continuous innovation to remain competitive in the market. He emphasized that intelligent investments and prudent resource management are essential for the long-term success of any business.
The interview with Giulio Barbieri on the “Positive Finance Podcast” is an unmissable opportunity to get to know more about the story and values guiding our company. We invite you to follow it for inspiration from an entrepreneur who has turned challenges into opportunities and built a solid, innovative company.
Watch the full episode of “Positive Finance Podcast” here:
