With Love and Passion: Iva Gama From Portugal
In the world of our direct sales, there are personalities who shine far beyond the sales figures. In our series about our tireless advisors who have sold the most Thermomix® or Kobold appliances in their Vorwerk market, today we introduce you to Thermomix® Team leader Isabel Iva Gama from Portugal who is one of these inspiring people.
Iva Gama's journey began more than ten years ago when she first saw a Thermomix®, called Bimby® in Portugal, in action. Fascinated by its versatility and efficiency, she decided not only to buy it, but also to pursue a career with Vorwerk. Initially, it was her husband who, after the purchase, enthusiastically suggested to show the appliance to friends. She remembers him saying: “How can I sell Bimby®? I want to give the Bimby® to all my friends!” He initially said this jokingly, but from this fun grew a serious desire in Iva Gama to dedicate herself to selling the Vorwerk product. She was and still is convinced that the Bimby® not only prepares meals but can also simplify and enrich life.
Since starting her career at Vorwerk in 2011, Iva Gama has had an impressive career characterized by remarkable milestones. From the first demonstrations to sales of more than 3000 appliances, she has proven that success is not only defined by numbers, but above all by personal relationships.
Courage for something new
Iva Gama reflects on her best moments at Vorwerk with a mixture of melancholy and pride. She vividly remembers the challenge and subsequent triumph of leaving her comfort zone and having the courage to start again: “When I was a Teamleader, which was undoubtedly a very nice part of my Bimby® journey, there was a point when I changed district and team. It was a completely new start for me. It was a big challenge. I came from a very successful district, had delivered impressive results with my outstanding team – now I was starting from the very beginning again.” But this bold move paid off: In just four months, with her new team and a great deal of passion, she managed to be named the fourth best team out of 110 teams at the Bimby® Gala in Portugal.
The second memorable moment for Iva Gama was the month in which she sold 120 devices! “120 families that I made happy with the Bimby®. An incredible feeling.” The third milestone was actually two: as the first advisor in Portugal, she managed to sell 2,000 devices and gain 3,000 customers. “That made me incredibly proud,” she reports.
Her recipe for success is as simple as it is effective: belief, benefit, enjoyment, dedication and, above all, acting with love. She firmly believes that the secret of her success lies in doing everything with love and passion – be it cooking, selling or supporting her customers.
With patience and dedication
Iva Gama talks about her remarkable sales experiences with a warmth that reflects her deep human connections and empathy: For example, she recalls an encounter that demonstrated her ability to build trust and be patient. “At the time, I met a couple at a demonstration who seemed very skeptical at first. They didn't even want to touch the Bimby®. But I kept doing my demonstration and tried to build up a relationship. But I didn't have high hopes of closing the deal,” recalls Iva Gama. “But when I was about to pack up my demonstration device, the man suddenly said to me: 'Congratulations on your professionalism! We would like three appliances. One for us and one for each of our children'.”
She found the moment when she met a family who were facing particular challenges due to their child's special care requirements just as moving. The experienced advisor immediately recognized how the Bimby® could help make daily meals more efficient and thus make the family's life easier. Iva Gama's eyes light up when she talks about these experiences, and it becomes clear how she is making a lasting difference to her customers' lives.
Iva Gama also shares a meaningful piece of wisdom from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's “The Little Prince”, which describes the passion for her work well: "It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important." These words remind her that it is attention and dedication that make the real difference – be it for a job or a relationship. In a world full of hustle and bustle, Iva Gama emphasizes the importance of small moments of connection and care. With a beaming smile, she continues her journey undeterred, always ready to conquer the hearts and kitchens of her customers.
Iva Gama's Thermomix® insider tip:
Create a weekly plan with the help of Cookidoo®. This saves time and money and allows you to use the full power of the Thermomix®.