The Smile That Sells in the Middle East
Originally from Tunisia and recently settled in Paris, Maram Achouri joined Kalstein while looking for a simple master’s internship and found much more. A natural salesperson, Arabic-speaking, and driven by human interaction above all, she quickly established herself as a valuable asset in the Middle Eastern markets.
🎓 A Bold Shift Towards Business
With a French and Tunisian baccalaureate with honors and a desire to pursue scientific prep, Maram made a radical change.
“I wanted to do scientific prep, but I changed my mind. I decided to dive into business.”
After completing a Bachelor’s in International Communication, she pursued a Master’s in the same field and began searching for an apprenticeship. Kalstein’s offer came up. She applied, passed the interview, and the adventure began.
“My first days went very well. I love the team, I’m comfortable, and we have a lot of fun.”
💼 From Emails to Client Meetings: A Rapid Rise
Maram had always worked in retail, with face-to-face client interactions. Here, the format changed to emails, calls, and video conferences. But her instincts remained intact.
“I adapted and learned. I developed strategies and became a driving force in achieving our goals.”
On a daily basis, she handles new clients, schedules and leads meetings, and mainly manages the Middle Eastern markets thanks to her fluency in Arabic. Every morning, she has a meeting with her manager Mia to set the day’s priorities.
🔥 What Drives Her: Human Interaction
What Maram loves most about her job is the conversation.
“I love talking and interacting with clients. Changing up the routine, not staying stuck in front of a screen — that’s what motivates me.”
And an unexpected discovery: the impact of culture on international communication. Observing how an Iraqi, Emirati, or Yemeni client approaches negotiations differently, adapting her tone, rhythm, and approach — it’s become a real passion.
🧗 Staying the Course Under Pressure
Her biggest challenge? Languages. She sometimes assists clients in Portuguese or Spanish, two languages she doesn’t yet fully master.
“I try to stay professional and not let my emotions take over. It’s not always easy, but that’s what shapes me.”
🌟 The Sale That Stuck
Her proudest moment: a Nepalese client who was set on buying elsewhere. Maram took the time to converse with him, understood his needs, and convinced him to choose Kalstein.
“After speaking with him, I convinced him to buy our products.”
That’s exactly what defines her job.
🤝 A Team, A Vibe
The atmosphere at Kalstein France? She sums it up without hesitation: young, dynamic, and fun. Outside of office hours, she has a little confession to make.
“Our boss often brings in sweets… and I sneakily help myself. I dispose of them.”
If she had to sum up Kalstein in one sentence: “Aim higher, have big projects. Visionary.”
💬 Maram Achouri’s Advice to Newcomers
“Have patience and communicate.”
And outside of work? Belly dancing, sports, and traveling. Three ways to stay in motion just like her career.
