Patricia Berrocal profile

Patricia Berrocal

In an era marked by the pursuit of gender equality, women are increasingly making strides as all-rounders across various industries, breaking traditional barriers and excelling in diverse roles. This trend is evident even in companies like ChicRoom Properties, a renowned player in the international real estate and property rentals sector.

ChicRoom Properties stands out for its commitment to offering unparalleled quality in apartments, particularly in the heart of Barcelona and other Mediterranean destinations. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the leadership of trailblazers like Patricia Berrocal, the Founder and Managing Director of ChicRoom Properties. Patricia, an expert in the real estate sector with a specialization in luxury properties, has played a pivotal role in maximizing the profitability of real estate products. Her journey began with the establishment of ChicRoom Barcelona in 2006, a real estate agency focused on tourist and holiday accommodations. These properties not only embody high quality but also encompass all the services expected from a premium hotel.

Patricia Berrocal’s visionary leadership underscores the capacity of women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields, proving that gender is no barrier to success. As an influential figure in the real estate sector, her dedication to elevating the standards of luxury properties has not only shaped ChicRoom Properties but also serves as an inspiration.

Navigating Real Estate with Entrepreneurial Spirit and Global Insight

Born in Madrid, Spain, Patricia Berrocal grew up in an enterprising family with deeply ingrained values emphasizing work, excellence, respect, effort, and honesty. Her academic journey laid the foundation for her professional development and eventual career in real estate.

However, Patricia attributes her entry into the real estate sector more to the various situations and experiences she encountered across different branches of the industry than to her academic background. Each of these experiences provided her with the necessary expertise and insights that would later inspire her to establish her own company, ChicRoom.

Her inspiration to delve into real estate was cultivated over the years through extensive travel to numerous countries. During these journeys, Patricia keenly observed and identified what she perceived as a fundamental yet exclusive need for exceptional properties in Barcelona. This realization became the driving force behind the creation of ChicRoom, a company that stands as a testament to Patricia Berrocal’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to providing high-quality real estate solutions.

Crafting Excellence

It was the year 2006, when ChicRoom emerged with the vision of crafting exclusive properties, offering hotel-like services coupled with enhanced privacy and personalized attention for each client. The company’s inception involved the acquisition of a modest five properties in a building overlooking Barcelona’s iconic La SagradaFamilia. The initial challenge was to expand the portfolio to 10 properties within a year. However, the rapid growth exceeded expectations, managing 150 properties for tourist use within just two years, spearheaded primarily by Patricia Berrocal.

Patricia, as the driving force behind ChicRoom, assumed various roles within the company. Presently, she oversees all departments and plays a pivotal role in decision-making processes related to partnerships and client relationships. Despite referencing the team in the plural, the early growth of ChicRoom was largely orchestrated by Patricia herself.

As a leader, Patricia leads by example, emphasizing the importance of being admired and valued by the team. She actively engages with the team on a daily basis, involving herself in the operational aspects to maintain a hands-on approach, foster enthusiasm, and instill confidence. Celebrating achievements is a hallmark at ChicRoom, and Patricia takes pride in establishing the sales department four years after the company’s inception. This strategic move significantly propelled ChicRoom’s market growth, establishing it as one of the most professional real estate companies in Barcelona.

One of Patricia’s notable accomplishments is the comprehensive management of assets, allowing investors interested in Barcelona to not only purchase properties through ChicRoom but also delegate the integral management to maximize benefits in conventional rental or tourist use scenarios.

Expanding Horizons

ChicRoom, under Patricia Berrocal’s leadership, is currently focusing on the expansion of its coliving department, with the initiation of the first project in 2023 proving to be a success. The company aims to sustain this momentum and continue its coliving department’s growth throughout 2024. Additionally, ChicRoom is strategically investing in land in Indonesia for the construction of new homes catering to tourist use.

Mastering Dual Roles

Balancing her responsibilities at EGIDAYS with her role at Bank Julius Bär is a top priority for Noëlle Demole. She prioritizes her full-time work at the bank, ensuring she meets all responsibilities efficiently. Outside office hours, she dedicates her time to EGIDAYS, working during lunch breaks, evenings, weekends, and holidays. For Noëlle, work is an integral part of life, and she finds fulfillment in both roles through strategic time management and unwavering dedication.

In the Days to Come

When we personally asked Noëlle to elaborate on what she looks forward to achieving in the days to come for Egidays, she shared – “Over the next five to ten years, I envision Egidays evolving into a leading provider of menstrual health solutions, making significant strides towards our mission of promoting menstrual hygiene and accessibility, first in Switzerland, and then internationally”. Through this elaborate conversation she explained the company’s immediate plan which is on developing the Egy Model 1, which will be Switzerland’s 2^nd generation free menstrual dispenser. This innovative dispenser will offer organic tampons and pads, setting a new standard for menstrual hygiene products in the country. The Egy Model 1 will be equipped with cutting-edge features, including a built-in timer to prevent theft and ensure accessibility for all (also Swiss designed by highly qualified engineers). “This unique functionality will set us apart from existing solutions and enhance the user experience”, Noëlle exclaimed.

Furthermore, to fuel their growth and innovation, Noëlle looks forward to raising Egidays’ first seed round by pitching their idea to investors by the end of 2024, whose funds will be used on deploying The Egy Model 1. And Noëlle is particularly keen on having Egidays installed in all public bathrooms across the country, ensuring widespread access to free period products for all menstruators, and at the same time, attempting to change the way Swiss people look at menstruations as well. “With a strong foothold in Switzerland, we will explore opportunities for international expansion by the end of 2025 most probably”, the Founder and CEO of Egidays concluded.

On a Personal Note

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Noëlle Demole enjoys a variety of hobbies that contribute to her personal growth and well-being. She practices boxing to stay fit and build resilience, and she has a passion for freediving with sharks, whales, and orcas, allowing her to connect with marine life. Growing up in Switzerland, skiing has always been a significant part of her life. She loves salsa dancing for its social and creative aspects and is currently training for the Mont Blanc summit, which challenges her physically and mentally. Caring for her white shepherd, Leon, and running with him helps her relax and stay active. She also enjoys organizing movie nights with friends and swimming in the lake, a practice she learned from her mother. These diverse activities help Noëlle maintain a balanced and fulfilling life, enabling her to stay energized and focused on her professional and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Advancing Menstrual Equity

Noëlle Demole is optimistic about the future of the broader movement for menstrual equity, which is gaining significant momentum worldwide. In Switzerland and beyond, important conversations and debates are unfolding regarding various aspects of menstrual equity. These discussions include the prominence of providing women with menstrual leave to address the impact of menstrual pain and discomfort on productivity and well-being. Some countries and companies are beginning to implement such policies. Additionally, there is a growing push for free access to period products in public spaces globally, including schools, universities, workplaces, and other facilities, aiming to eradicate period poverty.

The demand for organic and safer alternatives, such as organic cotton, has increased as a result of the growing awareness of the health hazards associated with conventional menstrual products. Countries are also reevaluating taxes on menstrual products to make them more affordable by recognizing them as essential items rather than luxury commodities. In an effort to guarantee educational access for all students, legislative initiatives and experimental projects in numerous countries are designed to mandate the use of free-period products in schools.

Noëlle Demole sees the present moment in Switzerland as a distinctive opportunity with significant potential for the development and implementation of solutions for reproductive equity. She is of the opinion that Egidays can play a critical role in this movement. She is a fervent proponent of universal access to menstrual products, underscoring the significance of addressing period poverty on a global scale through Egidays. Shere Khan Youth Protection, an NGO established in 2018, receives approximately 10% of Egidays’ revenue to provide financial assistance to students, a reflection of her dedication to social impact.