CAROL
CELICO
Between professional and personal, Carol Celico talks about childhood, routine and work
“Having the desire to grow, the desire to improve, to do more, to do better and to be better,” is how Carol Celico describes her current success.
The CEO of the NIINI brand, founder of the Amor Horizontal Foundation and influencer with over 1 million followers on Instagram, was born in São Paulo but spent much of her adult life in Italy, where she studied Fashion Business and broadened her view on fashion, hospitality and gastronomy.
In today’s My Lifestyle, Carol welcomes Lifestyle Mag into her home for a photo session and a pleasant conversation about her personal life, hobbies and motherhood. Check it out.
LM: Where were you born and raised?
CC: I was born in São Paulo, descended from a very Italian family. I also grew up here, despite the trips I always took to visit my grandmothers in Rio de Janeiro.
LM: How was your childhood?
CC: My childhood was marked by comings and goings between Rio and São Paulo, because I was very close to my grandmother. The best weekend memories I have are with her. I was lucky to have a wonderful childhood with my parents and, after a few years, the family grew with the arrival of my brother, Enrico, whom I had begged to have for years, even when I was very little. We’ve been inseparable since his birth. Everything was very smooth, even with my parents’ divorce, which happened when I was six. For any child, it is indeed a delicate moment, but fortunately we learned to handle it together so that it never became a problem or obstacle in our family relationship.
“I was lucky to have a wonderful childhood with my parents and, after a few years, the family grew with the arrival of my brother, Enrico, whom I had begged to have for years, even when I was very little”
LM: In three words or a phrase, how would you describe your principles of success?
CC: Having the desire to grow, the desire to improve, to do more, to do better and to be better. Everything contributes to our well-being and to our story if we are guided by faith at every moment.
LM: How do you juggle being a mother, wife and entrepreneur?
CC: My schedule is always very organized so that I can be with my family and continue working as I always have. In the morning, I do everything I can to take Luca and Bella to school and start the day talking to them, listening to music and playing. Then, I go to the NIINI office, which has taken up much of my day and made me very happy, because being at work is something that drives me and gives me energy. Afterwards, in the evening, we have a family dinner to talk about everything that happened during the day. On weekends, even with events, I always set aside some time to have lunch with my husband, make a special dinner or we all go out to watch a movie, go to the park or do anything else that we can enjoy together.
LM: The Amor Horizontal Foundation is now 8 years old. What have been its biggest achievements and how did the idea to create it come about?
CC: The Amor Horizontal Foundation was the world’s first e-donation and became a platform that not only collects donations for children across Brazil but also promotes the culture of giving. I have always had a desire to help others and, for years, I made regular donations, until I realized I could do more by creating a space where I and thousands of other people could collaborate for a better future for our children. With the profits from a musical project, I created FAH to connect potential donors and NGOs throughout the country. In these eight years of operation, we have managed to turn over 8 million reais raised into food baskets, quality school supplies, hygiene products, toys and much more. In total, we have reached more than 250,000 underprivileged children, and it warms my heart to know we have, in some way, improved each of their living conditions by offering health, education, food and love.
LM: What are your hobbies to relax after a long day of work?
CC: I love having a moment to myself after work. Taking a bath, applying my creams, listening to music, praying, meditating, scrolling on my phone without thinking about work. It happens when almost everyone else is asleep. It’s my time to focus on myself and practice physical and spiritual self-care.
“Every story has three sides: one person’s, the other person’s, and the truth. That changed the way I perceive situations and people.“
LM: What is the best advice you have ever received?
CC: There is a very important piece of advice I received from my father, one of the most important and wisest people in my life. Everything he did was aimed at calming things down and avoiding problems that wouldn’t lead me anywhere. He taught me something very important: every story has three sides: one person’s, the other person’s, and the truth. That changed the way I perceive situations and people.
LM: What would people be surprised to know about you?
CC: There is a tendency to assume that people we don’t know are perfect and have no problems, struggles, pain or challenges. When I share a story that breaks away from that ideal of perfection they imagine, it always surprises them.
LM: What was the most memorable trip you took with your husband?
CC: We had two unforgettable trips. When we visited Japan during spring, which enchanted me not only with its culture but also with its landscapes and wonderful nature, and when we went to Tanzania on our honeymoon, which, besides being an amazing destination, was very important and memorable for us.
LM: We noticed you’ve lived in Milan. What 3 restaurants would you recommend for someone planning to travel there?
CC: Langosteria, Casa Lucia and Il Salumaio. They are three perfect restaurants for anyone who wants the complete experience of a typical Italian meal.
LM: What are your top 3 restaurants in São Paulo that you would recommend to our readers?
CC: For those who enjoy high-quality barbecue, I recommend Barbacoa. For Japanese cuisine, Kosushi. And, if you, like me, can’t give up Italian food, Gero is the best choice.
