New Toscano real estate agency in Milan’s Istria area

Mattia Aiello, Silver Area Manager and broker of the new Toscano Istria agency, opened together with his business partner, Gold Area Manager Danilo D’Abundo, discusses how the project began and, together with Sebastian Lodi, the agency’s first Account, shares the development goals of the new affiliated office.

Mattia, you opened the Istria agency together with Danilo D’Abundo, and Sebastian is the first Account developing the activities of the new office. Is that correct?

Exactly. Danilo D’Abundo and I opened the new affiliated office in Istria, and Sebastian was the first person to take on the challenge of launching the activities of the new agency.

The agency physically opened this year: how is the business progressing during this initial phase?

Well. Sebastian has been working with us for about a year: he started when he was 17 through a school-to-work program and, once he graduated, he dedicated himself entirely to the real estate business.

And how are you finding it, Sebastian?

Very well. It is an environment where training plays an important role, and I am learning about the profession day after day. This is my first real professional experience: I feel that I am beginning to find my rhythm, and I want to continue growing professionally.

Mattia, you are now a Silver Area Manager thanks to the various agencies you have opened across Milan. Let’s look back at your journey with Toscano.

I have been with Toscano since 2012. When I joined, my first interview was with Danilo D’Abundo, who is now my business partner, and I immediately began working at one of his agencies in Milan, Bovisa, starting my professional training and development journey.

A few years later, we took over the Bovisa agency and subsequently opened Maciachini, San Siro, Forze Armate and, finally, Istria. In 2025, I became a Silver Area Manager.

Let’s return to the most recently opened agency: how did Istria come about, and what opportunity did you identify?

We were already very active in northern Milan, with two agencies bordering the area. Having several agencies in the same area is a logical and practical choice: for clients, it means being able to rely on an extensive local presence; for us, it means having three offices operating as a single team.

What is the market like in the areas you cover?

They are three areas with different characteristics, but there is a great deal of movement between them. Recently, for example, several people have sold their property in the Istria area to move to Maciachini, and vice versa. Istria has a more residential and upscale character, with higher property values, while Maciachini and Bovisa have a more commercial focus.

Although local residents probably already knew you, how were you welcomed into the neighborhood?

The Toscano name is already very well known and, thanks to the proximity of our agencies, we were already partly covering the area before the new office opened. In this respect, the brand makes a difference.

Sebastian, how would you describe your journey with Toscano, and what goals have you set for yourself?

I am still at the beginning and in a learning phase. I am focusing on the fundamental activities needed to build a solid working method and maintain a consistent presence in the local area. My goal is to manage them with increasing independence, so that in the future I can become a point of reference for the new team members who join the agency.

Do you feel supported throughout this journey?

Yes, I feel part of a team where everyone is ready to help one another. Whenever I have a question, I can always find a colleague to discuss it with.

Although we work in different areas, we are very close: we often meet at the agencies during the day, sharing the experiences and emotions that come with this profession.

Mattia, how do you organize the daily work and coordinate the different agencies?

Our activities are structured according to Toscano’s operating method, which has been developed and updated over time to make the work more effective and results-oriented.

It is a method that works when it is applied consistently and carefully. The company’s organization provides a clear direction, and we fully share its approach.

Having a group made up of several people, particularly young professionals, is also a source of growth for everyone: they support one another, exchange advice, share doubts and work together to find solutions. The group is essential, because no one can get anywhere alone.

Sebastian, do Mattia’s words reflect your experience?

Yes, absolutely. You work better knowing that you can also rely on colleagues from the other agencies, especially those who have more experience than I do and can teach me a great deal.

Mattia, how important is the group in encouraging you to continue growing and investing in new projects?

The people I work with give me the strength to keep moving forward. It is also thanks to them that I find the motivation to continue building, opening new offices and bringing in new team members, creating tangible growth opportunities for each of them.

As an entrepreneur, you also have the responsibility of coordinating an increasingly extensive organization.

Exactly. There is an entire organization to manage. To manage each agency as effectively as possible, we can rely on our Sales Managers, who work closely with the younger team members every day and teach them the profession.

What are the initial goals you have set for the new Istria agency?

During the first year, we need to consolidate our presence in the local area. At the same time, Sebastian needs to strengthen his professional skills so that, in the future, he will be able to support the new team members who join the agency. The goal is to grow both economically and in terms of people.

Sebastian, are you ready?

Yes. I am aware of the responsibilities, but having started this journey from the foundations and receiving close guidance is allowing me to acquire increasingly strong skills and greater confidence in carrying out my activities.