SHOWCASE PIANOS IS BORN Together with his wife J udy, he launched Showcase Pianos. Within the month they had sold their first Fazioli. Not that sales came easily, though; it took hard work and diligence. Remarking on a story about the Shangri- La Hotel, he says, ?I wanted a Fazioli in that hotel, so I set about contacting the management, but they wouldn?t take my calls.? After what he claims was over 80 unreturned calls, emails and personal visits (often with chocolates in hand), he finally got through to the owner of the hotel. Since then, the hotel group has purchased many Fazioli?s, and Showcase Pianos is recognized as the top-selling Fazioli dealers in the world, which also sells its fair share of excellent European brands like Seiler, Grotrian, and C. Bechstein.
Bernaschek explains his success with a modest grin: ?Since we founded Showcase Pianos in 2007, we have sold well over 100 Fazioli pianos ? which is the most costly line of pianos in the world. Through it, we have met some of the most amazing people in town, many of which would continue to do more business with me if they had the need, but most don?t need more than one or two pianos.? DISCOVERING STEFANO RICCI Some years ago, during a trip to Italy to visit the Fazioli factory, Bernaschek happened across a hotel window display showcasing neckties made by Stefano Ricci. ?I saw this hand-pleated tie and fell in love with it. So, with my wife, I walked in and bought one. It was about 400 euros at the time.? He made it a point to return to Stefano Ricci stores each time he was in Italy, and eventually, he elected to seek the Ricci family out.
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