Ana Lupu – The Story of BNI Sibiu: Building a Community Through Trust, Collaboration, and Vision

Discover the story of Ana Lupu, the leader who founded BNI Sibiu and turned collaboration and trust into a culture of growth and happiness within the local entrepreneurial community.

Ana Lupu is an economist by training, the mother of three boys, and a dreamer who has turned inspiration into action through leadership and perseverance. In 2019, she discovered the most extraordinary marketing tool – BNI (Business Networking International) – based on the power of referrals and authentic collaboration, dreaming of bringing this concept to her city, Sibiu. During the pandemic, under the vision “When nothing is certain, everything is possible,” she built the first BNI community in Sibiu, officially launched on December 24, 2020, together with 21 entrepreneurs who put Sibiu on BNI’s global map.

Today, five years later, over 130 entrepreneurs from Sibiu are part of this vibrant community, connected to a global network of more than 335,000 business leaders from 76 countries who live by the fundamental principle “Givers Gain.”

BNI Sibiu is no longer just about businesses growing through referrals, but about a culture that transforms our city into a happier place — and, one day, the happiest city in Romania.

With the same energy and vision, Ana recently took on a two-year mandate on the BNI Global Strategy Council – “Founder’s Circle,” where she represents Romania. She is convinced that, over the next two years, more and more businesses in BNI Romania will scale beyond the limits of the local market, opening themselves to international opportunities and collaborations.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to make those who don’t know you yet curious?

Ana Lupu: A pragmatic dreamer who builds bridges between people and turns collaboration into growth through the power of trust and community. I strongly believe that 1 plus 1 can be more than two when people collaborate!

C&B: Looking at your career or business journey, what were the key moments that defined you?

Ana Lupu: Looking back at my career, there have been several deeply defining moments: choosing to be a present mother and, at the same time, a career woman; discovering BNI in 2019 — the tool that completely changed my vision of business and collaboration; and the courage to build the first BNI community in Sibiu during the pandemic. In 2020, I became a mother for the third time, and when my youngest son turned one, I purchased the BNI Sibiu franchise, marking the beginning of a new stage of growth and leadership. For me, the “Givers Gain” philosophy is not just a business principle but a way of life: when everyone focuses on helping, we all grow. I believe this way of doing business can transform my city into one with the highest level of happiness — because where there is collaboration, there is prosperity.

C&B: What were the main challenges at the beginning of developing BNI in the local community?

Ana Lupu: At first, the biggest challenge was changing the mindset many entrepreneurs were used to — working alone, viewing competition with suspicion, and believing that success is built in isolation. During the pandemic, when uncertainty ruled everything, it took a lot of patience, trust, and consistency to show that BNI is not just a networking club but a way of doing business based on collaboration, discipline, and measurable results. Another challenge was maintaining energy and consistent involvement, building trust among people who could no longer meet physically but quickly understood the value of community. Looking back, those early days laid the foundation for a culture in which entrepreneurs became more than just referral partners growing their businesses — they became friends who intertwined their dreams and impacted the city and the Sibiu community together.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?

Ana Lupu: Yes, from the very beginning I was convinced that if this system has worked for so many years, in dozens of countries and for hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, it could certainly work in Sibiu as well. I started with this dream and the belief that when people choose to collaborate instead of compete, the results become exceptional. After surpassing the milestone of 100 entrepreneurs and seeing how transformational this tool is, I knew it was no longer just about business — it was about people, community, and a way of life. Today, I am convinced that, together with those who have been “infected” by this spirit of generosity — Givers Gain — we will transform Sibiu into the happiest city.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed since then?

Ana Lupu: In the beginning, I was full of enthusiasm and dreams, but also full of questions about how this concept would be received in a community used to working individually. I started with a heart full of hope and a sincere desire to make a difference, without knowing exactly how profoundly this path would transform me. Today, I feel I’ve become more patient, wiser, and more connected to people. I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t mean being in front, but creating space for others to grow. BNI has transformed me from a brave dreamer into a conscious leader who knows that true power lies in community and in the joy of building together.

C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?

Ana Lupu: I believe my team and collaborators would say that I’ve seen — and continue to see — in them what they sometimes don’t believe about themselves. That I’ve known how to reflect their potential back to them and remind them how much they can achieve when they allow themselves to believe. For me, leadership means exactly that — seeing the potential in people and creating the context in which it becomes reality.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?

Ana Lupu: The most important decision I made was when I understood that every person is on their own transformational journey. It’s not my role to take that journey for them, but to support them, provide the right context, and give them the trust they need to discover their own power. This understanding completely changed the way I lead and view people — with more patience, respect, and gratitude for everyone’s rhythm.

C&B: How did the business environment in Sibiu react to this initiative?

Ana Lupu: I could say that the impressive growth of the BNI Sibiu community proved exactly what I believed from the beginning — that it would work! The local business environment reacted with openness and curiosity, and the results spoke for themselves. Unlike five years ago, when our city barely had five business events a year, today we have several every week. Sibiu has become a vibrant, connected city where entrepreneurs collaborate, learn from each other, and grow together.

C&B: Can you share a concrete example of a successful collaboration born within BNI Sibiu?

Ana Lupu: There are so many examples that I’m sure one day I’ll write a book about them! Every week new collaborations emerge that show how powerful this way of doing business is. Just two days ago, I was in a packed cinema hall at the third edition of a movement initiated by our BNI colleague, Adrian Bratu – psychologist and psychotherapist – who, together with Dorin Boabeș from Mind Architect, led a three-hour dialogue on mental health. In two days, I’ll attend the official opening of the first floral evaluation center, founded by Ioana Nechifor – founder of City Flowers by Ioana and the very first BNI Sibiu member.

The first story that deeply moved me also has Ioana as the protagonist. It was around May 2020 when I received a call from colleagues in Bucharest asking for a recommendation for a flower shop that could also make wreaths. I gave them Ioana’s number, and that recommendation turned into an order worth over 3,000 euros — a sum that, in that context, was a real miracle for her. This is the true power of referrals and the BNI community: people helping each other out of genuine conviction — and, through that, changing lives.

C&B: What does an ordinary day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?

Ana Lupu: A typical day for me starts early, with a moment of calm and gratitude before the house fills with the energy of my three boys. I divide my time between meetings with entrepreneurs from the BNI community, conversations that spark new ideas and projects, and moments dedicated to my team, where we work on growing and strengthening the network. Every day is different, but all share the same joy of seeing people connect, collaborate, and grow together. My greatest satisfaction comes when I see the concrete results of these connections — when a referral turns into a success, a friendship, or a story that changes a destiny.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them every day?

Ana Lupu: This way of doing business — and, in fact, of living — Givers Gain has become a part of me. It’s the principle that has shaped my thinking and reactions to the point where I’ve trained my reflex to give in every context. This simple yet profound practice has completely transformed me. My burning desire is to leave behind a better world — one in which every interaction, no matter how small, brings a positive impact: a smile, a ray of hope, or a moment of inspiration.

C&B: How did you discover the BNI concept, and what motivated you to bring this franchise to Sibiu?

Ana Lupu: In 2019, I was looking for a more effective way to prospect our market — we have a car paint import and distribution business — and I wanted a better-functioning prospecting chain. I bought my first BNI membership purely out of the need to grow our business through referrals. And it worked! The only issue was that commuting to attend meetings was quite complicated. So, in a way, the first BNI Sibiu community was born out of a selfish reason — to avoid commuting 🙂. But as I began this journey, I discovered that it was much more than a business method: it was a way of life, a culture of collaboration, and a tool that transforms people, relationships, and entire cities.

C&B: How do you measure the success of a BNI group — through numbers, collaborations, or other results?

Ana Lupu: The success of a BNI group is, of course, measured in numbers — because what isn’t measured can’t be improved. We constantly track clear performance indicators: the number of referrals given and received, the number of one-to-one meetings between members, the time invested in continuous learning, and, of course, the total value of business generated through referrals. These data show us the rhythm and consistency with which the community operates.

But beyond numbers, for me, the true measure of success is the transformation of people. When entrepreneurs start thinking differently, collaborating, supporting each other, and becoming better in everything they do, I know the group truly works. The numbers confirm the effort, but the energy, trust, and relationships built are what give meaning and sustainability to the results. For me, every successful collaboration is a piece of the puzzle of the happy city we’re building together.

The story of Ana Lupu and BNI Sibiu is living proof that when people choose to collaborate and give, they can transform not only their businesses but their entire community.