MEET CARLA STEFANELLI AND DANIEL OLIVIERI

IN A NUTSHELL

• How long have you been together?
  6 years.
• Do you have kids?
• Where do you live?
  
• What do you do for work?
  Daniel sells decorative wall panels that mimic high-end materials. Carla is a yoga teacher who also organizes hiking and yoga retreats, creates content for brands, and helps Daniel with marketing for his company.
• A fun fact about you as a couple:
  Carla is 1.5 meters tall, and Daniel is 2 meters tall (more or less).
• What dynamics or rituals make you unique as a couple and that you would recommend to others?
  We meditate together before going to bed. It's something we highly recommend!
• What is the best way for our readers to follow or reach you?
  @carlasofiastefanelli
  @mydecosolutions

Let's get cozy with Carla and Daniel, this power couple whose love story kicked off at a Miami party. Thanks to a matchmaking assist from your very own magazine co-founders, Daniel and Daniella, they have been joined at the hip ever since that fun evening.

Carla Stefanelli, the ex-flamenco pro turned yoga guru, and Daniel Olivieri, the taller-than-your-average-person entrepreneur in the luxury wall art game, have crafted a life filled with excitement, love, giggles, and a bit of a height gap.

Read along and discover what makes this unstoppable twosome click!

 

Q: What was the first thing that made you go "Wow!" about each other?

Carla & Daniel: At the party where we met, we realized that we both knew how to wakeboard. We spent the whole night boasting about each other's wakeboarding skills. The next morning, we went straight from the party to the boat to show off our skills, where it’s safe to say that we certainly impressed each other!

That seems like a fun start to any relationship! A shared passion and a bit of friendly competition.

Q: However, you must have some differences. How do your personalities or lifestyles differ, and how do you manage those differences?

Carla: I'm a bit more adventurous, while Daniel is more cautious. This can lead to clashes on our trips because I seek out more thrill and excitement than he's comfortable with.

To manage this, we openly discuss our feelings and appreciate our differences. It's like a yin-yang scenario. I try to express my desires with kindness and encourage him to join me in my adventures, but I also respect him when I know I’m pushing his limits.

It's great to see how you navigate those differences with understanding and communication—a perfect balance. But what seems unbalanced is the obvious height difference between you two, LOL.

Q: What are the perks of being in a relationship with someone significantly taller or smaller than you? Are there any funny moments?

Daniel: There is no perk. In concerts, you have to carry her so she can breathe. In water, you have to carry her to avoid drowning.

Daniel´s funny moment: Every time we dance is a funny moment.

Carla: You have no idea, there are too many! I never get lost anywhere. He's very easy to locate. You can regroup in crowds with a single command: 'Look for Daniel.' He is clearly taller than the average person, so he easily draws attention.

 

It’s very useful when you are suspicious and want to make some inquiries (it hasn’t happened yet, but you never know). Whenever I get to a place, I ask for a very tall white man, and they always tell me where he is. Now, when it comes to house stuff, what can I tell you? He fixes light bulbs without needing a ladder; he can always reach the highest places in the cabinets, and so on and so forth… You get the point.

Carla’s funny moment: When we got married, I went on a quest to find the tallest, most comfortable shoe on the market… No joke!

A built-in handyman and human GPS—sounds like a win-win!

Q: So, what hobbies do you both enjoy, and how do they add a spark to your relationship?

Carla & Daniel: We love hiking! It's taught us a lot about each other, staying calm, and working as a team. It's been a great way for us to get to know each other better.

Hiking is such a wonderful way to connect with nature and each other. It sounds like a perfect bonding activity!

I'm sure those experiences also help to develop great problem-solving skills as a couple which leads me to my next question.

Q: What's the most difficult situation you've overcome together, and how did you overcome it?

One of the most challenging situations was organizing a wedding that respected all our cultural expectations. We made it through by loving each other and continuously improving our communication.

Q: Weddings can be such a beautiful yet challenging experience. What would you tell other couples going through a difficult time?

Daniel: Communication.

Carla: Don't blame the other person for everything that bothers you. Take a good look in the mirror and take time to process things. Make a commitment to each other to make things better and strive to become a better version of yourself every day. You'll naturally become a better partner.

Q: Wise words! It's all about growing together and supporting each other's growth which comes in very handy to my next question: you've both quit your 9-to-5 jobs to pursue your dreams! How do you stay sane as a couple through the ups and downs?

Daniel: Supporting each other no matter what.

Carla: Meditating, lol, and doing lots of yoga.

Q: …and how do you support each other in achieving your individual goals and success?

We understand each other's strengths and are not hesitant to ask for help when needed. Daniel looks to me for marketing decisions, and I often seek his guidance in negotiations. We both dedicate time and effort to each other’s projects because even though we have our own things, we are still a team.

Q: Teamwork makes the dream work!

What's your advice to all the couples thinking about quitting their 9 to 5s for their dreams? Can you tell us the pros and cons of taking that plunge?

Daniel: Have a solid idea and plan for what you want to do. The pros are that you own your own time. The cons are that you probably need to dedicate more time than a 9-5.

Carla: You can always go back to another 9-to-5. The pros are that you don’t need to answer to anyone. The cons are that even though you're not accountable to anyone else, you still need to keep your own promises. This means having the discipline to set your own deadlines and stick to them.

Thank you for such practical advice.

Now, lastly, we like to close by asking couples to help complete the following phrase for us….

Q: If you wanted to change the world one happy couple at a time, how would you complete the following phrase: "Why Don’t We...?"

Carla & Daniel: "Why Don’t We Meditate?"

Carla and Daniel's story is a testament to the power of love, communication, and shared passions. From adventurous hikes to meditative moments, they've built a life that's as harmonious as it is exciting. As they continue to chase their dreams and support each other, they remind us that the best relationships are built on understanding, respect, and a lot of fun. Here's to many more years of joy, laughter, and adventure for this incredible couple!