Alice Forlini & Pablo Muzzio
Polen Ibiza
“Every challenge has made us stronger”
How did you meet and what inspires you most about each other?
Alice: We met in Ibiza in June 2009, at the beginning of the summer season, working and having a lot of fun. Pablo was beginning his third season on the island, while traveling through Asia in the winter, and I had just arrived in Ibiza. I love Pablo’s relationship with nature, his ability to interact with people, to organize, and the clear vision he has of things. And Pablo is inspired by my ability to flow like water. Water helps fire and fire helps water!
What do you each individually contribute to the relationship and the business?
Pablo: Alice loves to cook and I love to eat. For Alice, feeding her family makes her spirit feel happy and alive. I love searching for foods, wines, liquors and bringing flavors and colors from different parts of the world.
What big challenges have you had to overcome?
A: We have walked a long path, both spiritual and material, to get to where we are. We have learned a lot from our own experiences. Each challenge has made us stronger.
Why do you think it’s better to work together rather than separately?
P: It wasn’t always easy to spend so many hours together in the store and share all our opinions on how to do everything. But we have improved with that. It is hugely satisfying to see your project grow and, without a doubt, Polen was our first baby. Over the years we naturally defined our roles and this was one of the keys to becoming a good team.
Any advice you can give us about work-life balance?
A and P: It can definitely work, be brave! Once you find a deep connection with another human being, you can create magic in many different dimensions of life.
