Mihai Vutof – The Story of a Co-founder Bringing Music to Life through Paragon Music Festival

Discover Mihai Vutof’s inspiring journey — a true example of courage, authenticity, and perseverance in the world of entrepreneurship.

Mihai Vutof – Co-founder of Paragon Music Festival – a 20-year-old with diverse experiences in the world of music events and marketing. Since the age of 15, Mihai has worked with various associations and organizations such as the Student Council, as a Graphic Designer, which brought him into networking contexts that sparked a passion for the world of music events. By the age of 18, he had already laid the foundations for a music festival dedicated to youth, involving them directly and promoting up-and-coming artists.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to pique the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Mihai Vutof: A guy who dove in headfirst, hit the wall, and got up every single time. I’ve learned firsthand what the Romanian event industry really means and what it’s like to build a large-scale local event from below zero. I’ve hit my head and it hurt, but everything happened for a reason and brought me to where I was meant to be.

C&B: If we were to follow the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the defining moments?
Mihai Vutof: Chronologically, I’m not sure where it all began, but even in high school, through student organizations like the Bucharest Municipal Student Council, I found myself in valuable networking contexts that eventually pushed me into the events industry. The most important leap for me was the Paragon Music Festival, a joint initiative between me and my former high school music teacher, Anamaria Sârbu. It was an initiative that brought together young student artists with nationally renowned performers. We had zero experience in organizing such events, but gradually, through meeting the right people in the industry and with a bit of luck, the festival actually happened—and in really good conditions, on September 15–16, 2023, at the Romexpo outdoor venue.

That festival opened many doors in my career, including my current role at the digital marketing agency Danco Vision, owned by one of Paragon’s main partners. Another key moment was working as Assistant Project Manager for the first edition of Unforgettable Symphonic Experience, a festival that truly showed me everything behind the scenes and all the people who make it happen.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Mihai Vutof: Without a doubt, the hardest moment was the end of Paragon Music Festival. Imagine: an 18-year-old and his music teacher managed to organize a festival from scratch in less than 6 months, with a lineup of over 50 artists, a 20-meter-wide stage, and a space of over 10,000 square meters. Still, being a first edition mostly self-funded, with budgets and costs changing daily, we ran into problems—especially in marketing (ironically, my field, which I had treated as the least of my worries). Because of that, many expenses couldn’t be covered, suppliers were put on hold after the event, and there was a whole other mess I won’t go into.

Still, about a month after the event ended, things settled down. I was in a period of both physical and mental recovery, with nothing on my plate. It was supposed to be my first year of university, but I hadn’t enrolled because I knew I wouldn’t have time in September–October. Everyone else was moving forward. Then came an opportunity from Daniel Ionescu, CEO of Danco Vision, to work at his digital marketing agency as a graphic designer. That offer saved me at that moment, and I’m still grateful for it to this day.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, no matter the obstacles?
Mihai Vutof: I always want to outgrow my own limitations in every way—that’s my drive. I love the saying: “When you feel like you can’t go on, go on a little more.” That mindset has helped me rise every time I’ve fallen, and achieve even better results.

C&B: What were you like at the start of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed since then?
Mihai Vutof: If I take 16 years old as my starting point, there’s a huge difference between then and almost 21, my current age. At 16, I was a high school kid dreaming of popularity and partying all day, but I also loved to help and get involved in anything that could improve the world around me. Back then I had no work ethic, well-hidden social anxiety, and a serious case of rebellion and stubbornness.
Now, at 21, I still enjoy parties and helping people, and I’m still a bit stubborn—but I’ve learned where the limits are. All-night parties only on Saturdays, helping others only when they’re not taking advantage, and stubbornness only when I have solid arguments.
The main difference between the old me and the current me is that now I understand the gray areas, the nuance in everything.

C&B: If we talked to your team or collaborators, what would they say about you?
Mihai Vutof: Ana, my partner at Paragon, would definitely laugh and praise me like one of her award-winning students 😅. The team at the marketing agency is very dear to me, and I like to think that after almost two years, I’m just as dear to them. I think they’d say good things about me—except maybe the occasional complaint about my stubbornness.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked with hundreds of people: brand owners and managers, artists, and insiders from festivals like Untold, Neversea, and Unforgettable. From all these people, I’ve learned valuable lessons. And if you ask them about me, I’m sure they’d use this phrase: “a resourceful guy.” That’s how I like to describe myself—resourceful.

C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Mihai Vutof: In 2024, I randomly decided to apply for the Untold Creators by Visa mentorship program. There, I met some of the most important mentors I’ve had in my career. If I hadn’t joined that program, I probably wouldn’t still be connected to the events and music industry. I joined the program as an artist manager, and it was an extraordinary experience—my first time backstage at a global festival like Untold, analyzing everything going on behind the scenes.
It was an honor to win the first edition of this program, and it really helped me get back on track in this field.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making process? Was it natural or learned?
Mihai Vutof: A completely natural process. Trial and error, experiences in various management contexts, and honestly, a lot of luck—no point in lying. I consider myself extremely lucky, and sometimes I feel like things fall into place not how I want them to, but exactly how I need them to.

C&B: What sets your business or your professional approach apart from the rest of the industry?
Mihai Vutof: My authenticity and personal attitude toward the product I deliver—whether it’s an event or a graphic design piece. I put my heart into it, I do it wholeheartedly, and I bring a touch of creativity that, honestly, even I get surprised by sometimes.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what parts of the day bring you the most satisfaction?
Mihai Vutof: A regular day means a 9 to 5 at the office or working from home, followed by some extra projects until around 8 PM. After all that, relaxation, disconnecting, and socializing are top priorities. I’ve deprived myself of those things for too long. Now that my life is more stable, I want to enjoy the little moments—with family, friends, and sometimes even alone.

C&B: What values or principles guide your work, and how do you apply them daily?
Mihai Vutof: I’ve never defined them formally, but I’ve always wanted to do things honestly and make sure everyone benefits equally. I believe what you give is what you get back. I always try to give fairness, and a little extra—because that’s who I am. I like to help and know that in the end, no matter the original agreement, things are done right.

C&B: How did you come up with the idea to start this business and choose this name?
Mihai Vutof: Speaking about Paragon—we spent about a month doing intense name research. In the end, the answer was right under my nose. I didn’t even know what “Paragon” meant, but I had been obsessed with the word since childhood after hearing it in a video game. I used it for email addresses, accounts, social media channels—everything. By 2018, even my parents had borrowed it for their plumbing business. It basically became my family’s trademark.
Later I found out it means “a model of excellence”—funny, right?

The idea for the project came initially from Ana Sârbu. A year before Paragon, we had organized a pilot version in our high school courtyard, called Cervantes Summer Festival. Afterward, while joking around, we said: “Next year we’ll do it at Romexpo.” And we actually did it—at a whole new level, slightly different concept, and featuring national artists, but born out of a high school festival.

C&B: If you could send a message to those following your example, what would it be?
Mihai Vutof: Super simple: believe in yourself. I didn’t, and I’m grateful that the people around me believed enough for two lifetimes. I’m thankful for everyone who’s supported me throughout my career. Without their belief in me, I don’t know if I ever could’ve developed my own. With confidence—and reason—you can do anything.

Mihai Vutof’s journey is a true example of courage, perseverance, and authenticity. His path reminds us that staying true to our values can turn dreams into reality.