Rusu Costin (official name: Rusu Dumitru Costinel), Co-Owner of Creative Wizards and Marketing Director at Top Estate Team, members of Chestertons Global, is a graduate of the Faculty of Arts, Film Image Department, with strong entrepreneurial aspirations. He is a creative individual, yet rational when it comes to making decisions. He enjoys action and sees idle time as the greatest barrier to reaching his goals. Always seeking new experiences—be it places, gastronomy, or activities—Costin loves to explore and learn from every opportunity. As a photographer, he has a special passion for colors, textures, and perspectives, being drawn to everything that adds uniqueness to every image.
C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark curiosity among those who don’t know you yet?
Rusu Costin: Creative with a rational approach, passionate about image and emotion, empathetic in the pursuit of new experiences and perspectives.
C&B: Looking back at the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key defining moments?
Rusu Costin: A defining moment in my career came in my second year of university, when I timidly started working on some paid projects. It was the first time I understood what it means to work with a client and earn income from something you love. Another important moment was in 2017, when I founded Creative Wizards Studio with my friend and partner, Dragoș Stoica. Those were some beautiful years, full of accomplishments and great projects. The pandemic brought challenges, and reduced activity pushed me to pivot and start learning real estate. In 2020, I joined a franchised real estate agency, and in just two years I achieved remarkable performance, hitting record numbers for a beginner. In 2022, I decided to take over two real estate offices with another partner, which led to some of the biggest business lessons of my life—though not always pleasant. Still, Creative Wizards—let’s return to photography for a second—is thriving, and in real estate, I now work with the best colleagues at Top Estate Team, part of the Chestertons Global network.
C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far and how did you overcome it?
Rusu Costin: The hardest moment was definitely 2024, when I had to face significant losses—both financial and emotional. Choosing the right and fair path isn’t always easy. Often, you must calculate every move and reflect on every detail that might lead to a rupture. Financially, it’s hard to accept loss, but we learn that material things come and go. That process is part of our evolution. I’ve learned not to be crushed by difficulties, but to view every loss as a lesson and a chance to adapt and grow. I’d also include the importance of selecting the right people around you—be careful who you trust!
C&B: Has there always been a dream or ambition that guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Rusu Costin: The desire to constantly evolve and never stop. I never had a dream about a final destination or end goal—what matters most to me is the journey and what I collect along the way. I’ve understood that learning never ends. Although school teaches you the basics, the real challenges and lessons come after. My ambition has always been to grow, adapt, and learn from every step of the way, no matter the obstacles.
C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey and how do you feel you’ve transformed?
Rusu Costin: At the start of my journey, I was probably a bit shy, always listening to the “older ones”. That was the mindset in the ’90s transition period, which shaped many of us. But as I studied and gained life experience, I began to realize many of those ideas and perceptions didn’t hold up. It’s fascinating to see how you evolve—like old wine, getting better with time. It’s even more rewarding when the values you believed in, even during difficult moments, prove to be right in the end.
C&B: If we were to talk to your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Rusu Costin: I honestly don’t know—you should ask them, whether at Top Estate Team or Creative Wizards. I hope they’d say something decent!
C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Rusu Costin: The decision to let go of certain friendships in favor of doing what is fair and right. It’s a hard thing to detach from people you care about just because your values no longer align.
C&B: How did you build your leadership style and decision-making approach? Was it natural or learned?
Rusu Costin: For me, leadership is like a machine, where every piece plays a vital role—and for everything to work properly, we need to operate together at optimal levels. It’s a process that comes naturally because, when you work with people daily, you learn that they’re not just tools, but human beings with values, emotions, and potential. I’ve seen leaders who treat people like instruments—and that disgusted me. True leadership is about understanding, motivating, and guiding the team toward shared goals, not using people to reach your personal ones.
C&B: What do you think sets your business or professional approach apart from the rest of the industry?
Rusu Costin: Creative Wizards is a business built with heart, alongside people who’ve proven their worth over many years. Each client becomes our friend—we treat everything like a family. Our services are tailored to each client’s needs. With Top Estate Team, it’s the same—an international family with great potential in Romania. Both businesses I’m part of today have that “family” feel, and treat people accordingly, whether they’re partners, collaborators, or clients. That closeness to clients is what sets us apart. I’ve always liked having a personal relationship with those I buy from, and I carry that approach into everything I do.
C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Rusu Costin: When there’s no major event or focus, I divide my day into three parts. I work on both businesses, depending on what’s on the agenda. I dedicate time for myself—going to the gym or doing physical activities, because mental and physical health are essential. The third part is all about work. Of course, some days are different—meetings, calls, face-to-face client time. It took me a while to find balance, but today I can proudly say I’ve found it. My greatest satisfaction comes when I manage my time well, make progress in both businesses, and maintain my personal-professional balance.
C&B: What values or principles guide your work, and how do you apply them daily?
Rusu Costin: Integrity, loyalty, and fair play. I believe when you enter someone’s home, you respect their rules. Integrity brings peace of mind—you sleep well at night knowing you’ve acted according to your principles. Loyalty is just as important; it’s hard to find people you can count on when things get rough. These principles guide me daily, in both personal and professional life—they build a solid foundation for the long term.
C&B: How did you come up with the idea for your business and its name?
Rusu Costin: Creative Wizards comes from within me—it will always be part of who I am. It gives me freedom of expression and creativity, which are vital for me. As for the real estate business, it began out of necessity but has shaped me in ways I never imagined. It taught me to grow fast, understand financial success, and more importantly—it showed me that entrepreneurship isn’t about money. Sometimes money is just credit. A true entrepreneur needs far more to understand what building a business really means. That journey broke me, rebuilt me, and made me stronger. Today, I can run both businesses successfully—but living those experiences is completely different from just hearing or reading about them.
C&B: If you could send a message to people who follow your example, what would it be?
Rusu Costin: It’s a cliché to say “follow your dream no matter what,” so I’d rather say: take small steps every day and don’t compare yourself to others. We’re built differently and react differently to external pressure. There’s no universal recipe for success—only instinct and action. Feel what you do, stop when you’re drained, take a break, and remember: tomorrow brings a fresh round of opportunities and challenges. Life isn’t sweet and rosy—enjoy the people around you and be fair to everyone, even when life is unfair to you. Empathy is not a weakness—but you need to manage it so it doesn’t drain you. Believe in what you do and give people credit—things get built as a team, together.
Through every project and decision, Costin Rusu proves that authenticity, courage, and balance can go hand in hand on the path to success. A story of determination, vision, and people who build together.
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