Daniel Slăvenie: From Freelancing to Leading One of Romania’s Largest Performance Marketing Agencies

Interview with Daniel Slăvenie, CEO of Limitless Agency: insights on leadership, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and building a successful business in Romania.

With over 15 years of solid expertise in digital marketing and entrepreneurship, Daniel Slăvenie is currently the CEO of Limitless Agency, one of the largest online marketing agencies in Romania. Passionate about technology and developing business solutions, Daniel has also become an investor in tech companies (such as Termene.ro, the largest business intelligence platform in Romania) and other industries.

C&B: If we were to trace a narrative thread of your career, what were the key moments that defined you?

Daniel Slăvenie: A defining moment for me was when I realized that freelancing had reached a limit and it was time to turn it into a business built on vision, team, and solid principles. That’s when I met Cătălin, my partner, and together we decided to lay the foundation of the agency — a step that completely shifted my perspective on work and on how we can grow. Since then, I’ve constantly worked with myself and with the management team to become better at everything we do — clearer in decisions, more efficient in execution, and more connected to people.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: I can’t say I look at things through the lens of difficulties, but rather as challenges that hide opportunities. One truly intense moment, however, was at the beginning of the pandemic, when we had clients literally crying on the phone because of the uncertainty. It was a test of empathy and quick reaction. Instead of freezing, we chose to focus on solutions: we analyzed data, identified product categories that were growing, and provided clients with the information they needed to adapt. It was a tough period, but it confirmed how important it is to stay clear-minded, to understand the market, and to act responsibly.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: I believe that without God you cannot build anything truly durable — neither in your personal life nor in business. That has always been my compass. Beyond faith, I had a clear ambition: to build the largest performance marketing agency in Romania. It was a dream that guided us step by step, through work, perseverance, and deliberate decisions. Today, I can say with joy that this dream has become a reality — but also that it’s only the beginning of a new stage, in which we want to grow through impact, not just numbers.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: It’s a continuous journey — and above all, an inner one. I believe that if a year passes and you haven’t changed, it means you haven’t evolved. We’ve been on the market for over 13 years, and I am a completely different person than I was at the start. The business has transformed entirely, as has the way we view performance and growth.

We try to innovate constantly, because our industry changes at an incredible pace. For example, we are currently fully prepared for AI-driven advertising — we’ve even developed an internal tool that monitors brand positioning in AI-based environments. For us, change is not a threat but a natural direction for growth.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: I try to gather feedback as often as possible, from both the team and our partners. I believe that’s the only way to evolve continuously. I even organize mastermind sessions for our clients, because I enjoy creating spaces where we can learn from one another. What I’ve noticed over time is that brands that apply what we recommend manage to grow — some even spectacularly. For me, that is the most valuable feedback: the results we achieve together when entrepreneurs are open and ready to take action, not necessarily what they say about us.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: The most important decision was undoubtedly the one made three years ago, when we merged with SEOCupcake and became Limitless. It was a mature and strategic step that took us to a new level of development and validated our direction through concrete results. We chose to prioritize the needs of our clients and offer integrated services, allowing us to fully cover the performance and growth area. That decision changed not only the structure of the agency but also the way we view business partnerships.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or your way of making decisions? Was it a natural process or a learned one?

Daniel Slăvenie: For me, leadership was never a natural process but a conscious path built step by step. I believe everything starts with the sincere desire to grow — as a person, as a professional, and as a team. I learned continuously, made mistakes, tested new structures, and adapted everything I discovered to our reality. Over time, I understood that leadership is not about control but about trust and support. The team is what makes the difference, and my role is to create the environment in which people can develop, learn, and become better than they were yesterday.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: At Limitless we aim to create the perfect symbiosis between technology and experienced specialists. We believe that true performance appears when data, automation, and artificial intelligence are combined with human expertise and a deep understanding of business. This approach allows us to offer solutions that not only work technically but also generate real growth for clients.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: I always reserve mornings for important tasks — the ones that require focus and strategic decisions. In the second part of the day, depending on my schedule, I meet with the management team or analyze the performance data of our campaigns. The greatest feeling of satisfaction comes when I see, in numbers, that the direction we set is confirmed and that the results come exactly as we planned.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in everything you do, and how do you apply them daily?

Daniel Slăvenie: Efficiency, transparency, evolution, and building are the values that guide everything I do. I try to apply them every day, both in business decisions and in how I work with the team. I believe these principles shouldn’t just be declared, but integrated into clear processes and procedures so they become part of the organizational culture. That is the only way to build long term — with rigor, clarity, and a growth mindset.

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

Daniel Slăvenie: Even as a child I wanted the freedom to work from anywhere, with just a laptop — I think that’s where it all began. That’s what attracted me most to the online world. As I gained more experience, I realized how much value I could bring to Romanian businesses through digital channels that, at that time, were barely being used by major players. This real opportunity to make a difference motivated me to build something solid. The name Limitless came later, through a rebranding process, and it perfectly expresses what we believe: that there are no limits when you have vision, data, and the right team.

C&B: If you were to send a message to people who look up to you or follow your example, what would it be?

Daniel Slăvenie: I don’t think I should be seen as an example, but rather as proof that evolution comes from introspection and real work. Every person should make an honest analysis of where they are and set goals that come from the right motivation — not from the desire to impress or prove something to others. And the most important thing I’ve learned is that the limit of a business is, in fact, the limit of the entrepreneur. The more you work on yourself, the more everything you build grows.

Daniel Slăvenie’s journey shows that success in entrepreneurship is built not only on strategy and technology but also on perseverance, self-reflection, and conscious leadership.