When I look back at the first part of my stay abroad, I realise how much this experience has already changed me. I arrived with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, not really knowing what day-to-day life inside a local fashion business would look like. I expected to learn about online strategies, but what surprised me most was how much I grew through the offline side—being inside the shop every day, watching how a real boutique breathes, reacts, and connects with people.
Working with Laura, who manages both the fashion brand and the physical store, has been eye-opening. Her shop is small but full of personality, and every day there is something happening: customers coming in with their own stories, new arrivals to unpack, outfits to style, displays to adjust, and content to create on the spot when inspiration hits. She is constantly balancing creativity with the practical side of business—stock, pricing, customer flow, and even the emotions of the people who walk through the door.
One of the most meaningful parts for me has been learning in-person sales from her. At first, I was shy. Approaching customers felt intimidating. But Laura has a very natural way of making people feel at ease. She taught me how to greet them warmly, how to listen before suggesting anything, how to read their style, and how small gestures—like offering an honest opinion or showing how a piece can be worn—make the biggest difference. I remember one morning when she gently guided me through an entire sales process. She let me take the lead, but she was right there beside me, ready to step in if needed. That moment gave me so much confidence. It also showed me a side of fashion I had never fully understood: the emotional connection behind every purchase.
Of course, there were challenges too. The rhythm of the shop can shift very quickly—some days are quiet, others are intense, and I had to learn how to adapt without feeling overwhelmed. But these moments pushed me to grow, to be more present, and to trust my intuition more.
In terms of collaboration, everything has felt natural. Communication with Laura is open, supportive, and honest. There haven’t been any major problems—just normal learning moments where I understood that adjustment is part of any real experience. If anything, this cooperation has shown me the value of being guided by someone who genuinely wants me to develop my own voice and confidence.
Now that I am past the halfway point of my stay, I don’t feel the need for big changes. What I would love is to spend even more time on hands-on activities—building small campaigns together, preparing shop visuals, refining the sales approach, or analyzing what worked with customers that week. These practical moments are where I learn the most.
Overall, this journey has been richer than I expected. I feel more grounded, more skilled, and more connected to my vision for Velina Femme. Learning from Laura—both in the digital world and inside the shop—has helped me grow professionally and personally. And I am grateful every day that I took this step.