Andreas Poletti – On the Courage to Change Direction and the Power of Building Step by Step

Andreas Poletti, founder of Poletti Technologies, talks about courage, continuous learning, and the journey from uncertainty to clarity in entrepreneurship and life.

Andreas Poletti, founder and DevOps Engineer at Poletti Technologies, embarked almost a decade ago on a journey filled with courage and discovery. From his first entrepreneurial projects at The Entrepreneurship Academy to the long nights spent in front of a screen learning Linux, Docker, and the art of the “invisible work” that keeps digital infrastructures alive, his path has been one of transformation, curiosity, and perseverance.

After a variety of experiences, from sales and deliveries to graphic design, photography, and involvement in the Alternative University community, Andreas realized that real progress begins with oneself — with the way you relate, make mistakes, and choose to grow. It was there that he discovered how teams built on trust and shared purpose are formed — lessons that later became the foundation of how he leads and collaborates today.

Now, through his company, Andreas provides consulting and implements DevOps and digital security solutions and workflows for organizations that want to work more efficiently and safely in the cloud. He does this with the same passion he started with, but with greater clarity and wisdom. For him, entrepreneurship is not just about the destination, but about personal evolution throughout the journey and the value brought to the community.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career or business, what have been the key moments that defined you?

Andreas Poletti: One of the moments that defined me was the decision to leave The Entrepreneurship Academy. It wasn’t a brave or calculated choice, but one that came from a state of confusion. I felt that path was no longer mine and that I needed something different, even though I didn’t know what was next. It was a period when I had more questions than answers, but that uncertainty made me search, experiment, and discover who I was beyond labels and plans.

Then came the experiences that truly shaped me: losing my first client, the struggle to find the next one, the days when I learned to survive with little, and the nights when I questioned all my choices. During that period, I decided to rent a desk at Nod Makerspace — a small step, but one that changed a lot. There, I met inspiring people and one person in particular whom I took as an example, sharing the same desk for almost a year. That space helped me build a routine and feel that what I was doing was taking shape.

However, the greatest impact came from my current collaborator. It’s difficult at the beginning of the road to find trustworthy people with whom you can build something lasting. Our collaboration taught me a lot about trust, but also about patience. I’m still learning to be patient. It’s the thing I’m least good at, and sometimes I know it doesn’t help me. But precisely for that reason, I try to practice it daily because I’ve understood how much it can change the way you grow and collaborate.

I don’t think I ever had a clear moment when I said, “This is my direction.” I’m still searching, and I probably always will, but in the meantime, I’ve understood something important: entrepreneurship is part of my journey. I feel that here I can grow, constantly learn, and build something that makes sense to me.

I believe direction changes with you, and what truly matters is to stay curious and open to what appears along the way. For me, entrepreneurship is not a destination, but a context that challenges me to evolve and continuously learn.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?

Andreas Poletti: The most difficult moment was when I lost the only client I had at that time. It was a hard blow, especially since I had no backup plan. It forced me to learn not to react out of panic and not to be overwhelmed by fear. Instead of despairing, I started to think more clearly, to be more calculated and disciplined. I had to become much more frugal and careful with every decision, both financially and professionally.

It was also an important lesson about appearances: I understood that not everything that seems promising at first proves to be valuable over time. Sometimes losses teach you more than successes because they show you where you were unprepared and how important it is to choose your partners and directions carefully.

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

Andreas Poletti: Yes, my ambition has always been to do more and not stop at what is comfortable or safe. I’ve always felt that a position in a corporation limits me, cuts down my creativity, and narrows my perspective. I’m not motivated by the idea of executing, but by building, thinking deeply, and having the freedom to propose, not just to follow.

I like to engage in discussions from a position of partnership, not subordination. I believe true partnership comes from mutual respect and a shared desire to create value, not from hierarchies. Maybe that’s why I chose the entrepreneurial path — because it gives me the freedom to express my ideas and to work with people who look in the same direction.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed since then?

Andreas Poletti: At the beginning, I was much more naive, less professional, and definitely less diplomatic. I believed that good intentions were enough and that people saw things the way I did. Over time, I learned that good intentions don’t replace experience, clarity, and communication.

Today I pay more attention to details, to how I phrase things, and to how I manage professional relationships. I’ve learned to look at things more realistically, to react more calmly, and to better understand what truly matters in a collaboration.

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

Andreas Poletti: I think the people I work with would describe me as serious, reliable, and detail-oriented. I always try to be present, to help when I can, and to be a real support for the team. I like to actively participate in common activities, to learn from others, and to share my experiences.

I put a lot of emphasis on communication and on how I interact with people, regardless of the context. I try to be clear, respectful, and balanced, whether I speak in Romanian, English, or Italian. I find it important that the atmosphere around me is positive and constructive — both in business and in everyday relationships.

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

Andreas Poletti: The most important decision was to leave the corporate world and start my own company. I took the step without a concrete plan or a safety net, which made the beginning quite difficult. There were moments when I questioned whether I had made the right choice, but I kept moving forward, even when I didn’t have full clarity.

Over time, I realized that motivation isn’t a straight line. There are periods when everything makes sense and energy flows naturally, but also moments when I feel lost and it seems nothing connects. In those times, I try to take a breath, look back at the progress I’ve made, and remind myself why I started. Every time, that helps me move forward, even when the road seems unclear.

C&B: How did you develop your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it a natural process or a learned one?

Andreas Poletti: My leadership style is, in a way, “borrowed” from my father. He has been and remains a source of inspiration for me. From him, I learned what responsibility, patience, and the power of listening before reacting mean. I admire his calm and balance in approaching things and his ability to lead without imposing.

He has always been a reference point when I had to make important decisions. I still have a lot to learn about what leadership truly means, but I believe my foundation comes from his example: to be present, to listen, and to be fair, no matter the context.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or professional approach from the rest of the industry?

Andreas Poletti: I think the difference lies in the way I choose to work with people. Many consultants charge large sums but offer very little real involvement. I try to stay close to the client, to understand what they truly need, and to build the right solutions together.

I’m not looking for “provider–client” relationships, but for partnerships based on trust and doing things the right way. It may sound simple, but for me, that makes all the difference — an honest collaboration where both sides pursue the same goals.

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

Andreas Poletti: My mornings start with a coffee and the commute to the office, followed by the classic part: checking emails, reviewing tasks, and handling administrative work. After that, the day splits between projects, meetings, and moments when I need to find solutions to problems that only seem simple at first glance.

The most satisfying moments are when something I’ve worked on for a long time finally functions exactly as I envisioned. It’s that sense of fulfillment when you feel all the effort was worth it and that you’ve truly moved a step forward.

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

Andreas Poletti: The values that guide me most are integrity, authenticity, respect, and curiosity. For me, integrity means doing things right even when no one is watching. It’s a simple rule, but it changes a lot about how I collaborate and build professional relationships. Authenticity is about remaining myself, not playing a role just to seem suitable. People sense when you’re genuine, and that creates trust.

Respect is about how I treat others’ work, their time, and their context. I believe it’s a form of professionalism that should never disappear. And curiosity keeps me moving. I love learning, understanding how things work, and finding better solutions than the obvious ones. I don’t see these values as theoretical concepts but as guiding principles I try to apply every day — in every decision, project, or collaboration.

C&B: How did you come up with the idea to start this business and give it this name?

Andreas Poletti: The idea was born naturally from the need for change and to create something that truly defines me.

C&B: If you could send a message to those who follow your example, what would it be?

Andreas Poletti: I would tell them to find their identity and their own path, to be open to change, and to never give up on their dreams — no matter how many obstacles appear along the way.

Through perseverance, continuous learning, and the desire to build with purpose, he shows that success is not a destination, but a journey where you become better every day.