An experienced anesthesiologist and an entrepreneur in the wellbeing field alongside her husband, Wahyu Diarto (Yudi), with whom she founded Blue Phoenix in 2020, Daniela Godoroj–Diarto is a true model of ambition, tenacity, and courage. We invite you to discover the story of Blue Phoenix and the authentic flavors of Indonesia, reflected both in specialty coffee and in plant-based powders, appreciated for their health benefits.

Opening & introduction

C&B: If you had to describe yourself briefly, in a single sentence that sparks curiosity, what would you say about yourself?
Daniela: I am an ambitious and persevering person who never gives up on her goals, no matter how many obstacles arise along the way.

C&B: If we asked your colleagues or collaborators how they would describe you, what do you think they would say about you?
Daniela: I believe they would say that I am a perfectionist and that I stubbornly stick to the path I have chosen, even when it becomes difficult.

Journey & beginnings

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have changed up to today?
Daniela: At the beginning, I was much more timid. Over time, I gained self-confidence and learned not to be influenced by what others say. I no longer consume myself with outside opinions—I know who I am and what my direction is. I follow my path guided by what I feel in my soul is right, answering only to myself and to God for my choices.

C&B: Looking back, what were the turning points that shaped your professional path or your business?
Daniela: Six years ago, my life changed completely—both personally and professionally. I got married and, together with my husband, founded Blue Phoenix, a wellbeing business based on the healing power of nature. He is from Indonesia, and his experience with the plants there was essential. That’s how we created together a concept that brings Indonesian tradition closer to Romania and is based on the idea of returning to nature and to the healing power of plants.

It has been and still is difficult to promote this concept in Romania, because Romanians are not very well informed about these aspects. Promoting these principles is not easy—people need time to understand this holistic approach and to shift toward a new mindset, oriented toward nature and balance.

Challenges & decisions

C&B: What has been the biggest challenge so far and how did you manage to overcome it?
Daniela: The greatest challenge, but also the greatest blessing, was the birth of our daughter, Tribuana, at the end of last year—after six years of trying. It is an emotional journey, especially when you are also an entrepreneur. You don’t have the luxury of taking a break, but the joy fully compensates for it.

C&B: What decision changed the direction of your career or business the most?
Daniela: The most important decision for Blue Phoenix was to niche down. At first, we imported a wide range of products from Indonesia—teas, spices, sauces—but we quickly realized that the market needs clarity. So we focused only on coffee and plant powders from which we produce natural supplements here, which you can find in Dr. Max and Farmacia Tei pharmacies and on our website, www.blue-phoenix.ro.
The products follow traditional Indonesian recipes, based exclusively on pure plant extracts. The entire process—from formula to encapsulation and packaging—is carried out entirely by us in Romania.
On the coffee side, we focused on quality and originality: from the famous Wild Kopi Luwak, with a fine aroma and low acidity, to specialty coffees such as Gayo or Java Blue Mountain, each with its own story and unique flavor.

Wild Kopi Luwak is undoubtedly the boldest and rarest variety in our collection. Derived from coffee beans “naturally selected” by the Indonesian palm civet and then carefully cleaned and roasted, this coffee reveals its nobility through a velvety taste, with chocolate notes and delicate acidity. It is a unique experience—a coffee that is not only tasted, but felt: gentle on the digestive system, yet intense through the energy and sense of wellbeing it provides.

Equally fascinating is Gayo Arabica, one of the most appreciated coffees in the world, grown in the highlands of Sumatra, in the Central Aceh region. With a fine texture, a light nutty aroma, and a balanced, intense but never bitter taste, this coffee captivates lovers of refinement worldwide. Likewise, the Gayo Wine and Gayo Honey varieties tell different stories: the first offers an intense, fruity aroma with sweet notes and subtle wine-like accents; the second is a gentle blend of honey and wine, with low acidity and a memorable taste.

From the heart of the volcanoes of Java, Java Blue Mountain brings another story—a coffee with the soul of a legend, grown at over 1,600 meters altitude, where volcanic soil and clean air give rise to a deep and refined aroma. Its origins are linked to Jamaica, from where it was brought at the beginning of the last century, and today it preserves the same noble spirit.

And the newest addition to the portfolio, the rare coffee from Mount Argopuro in East Java, grown at 1,800 meters, is a true revelation. Processed through a complex method—a combination of carbonic maceration and natural processing—it impresses with notes of cherries and caramel and an intense, round, and elegant aftertaste.

C&B: Has your leadership and decision-making style formed naturally, or have you built it over time through experience?
Daniela: My leadership style has been built gradually, through lived experiences and lessons learned along the way. We are guided by the same simple but essential principles: honesty, authenticity, and discipline. We believe in the freedom of creativity, but also in the power of balance. Both my husband and I try to apply these values in everything we do—in our own personal and professional growth, as well as in the way we inspire and guide the Blue Phoenix team.

Present & differentiators

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and which moments bring you the most joy?
Daniela: My day starts early, at 5 a.m., when I feed our little one. Then it becomes a marathon until 11 p.m., balancing the roles of mother, anesthesiologist, and entrepreneur. My husband helps a lot with Tribuana and handles production and distribution entirely within the company, while I focus on marketing and relations with authorities. It’s a full but fulfilling day, especially when we manage to enjoy the small moments spent together.

C&B: What do you think makes you different from other professionals or other businesses in your field?
Daniela: The dietary supplements market is extremely competitive, and the challenges are numerous. What differentiates us is authenticity. Our products are based on original recipes inspired by the ancestral wisdom of traditional Indonesian medicine, made 100% from pure plant extracts, with real health effects.
In addition, Blue Phoenix supplements are carefully standardized—1 g per capsule, 60 capsules per bottle—a rare concentration that allows for a single daily intake. Through this rigor and clarity, we have managed to preserve the essence of our promise: authenticity, purity, and a genuine return to nature.

C&B: Was there a dream or desire that always kept you motivated, regardless of obstacles?
Daniela: Yes—the desire to contribute to a change in how Romanians perceive the concept of wellbeing. It is a long and difficult process, but we strongly believe it is worth it. We want to encourage a culture of balance, self-care, and respect for nature. “Back to natural” is not just a motto for us, but a philosophy of life.

C&B: What values or principles guide you day by day, and how do you keep them alive in what you do?
Daniela: We are hardworking and ambitious people, but at the same time grateful for every day and for the gift we receive from God by being together and being healthy.
We enjoy simple things—a sunrise, nature, time spent together. We believe in positive thinking, in balance, and in the idea that everything we do has meaning when it is done with love and respect for people and for life.

C&B: If you could share one single thought with those who see you as a role model, what would it be?
Daniela: Never give up on your dreams, regardless of obstacles or failures. I have always learned—and I have told my older children as well—that every failure is actually a step forward. Beautiful paths are not easy, but they are the ones that truly fulfill you.

Daniela Godoroj–Diarto’s story is about the courage to follow your path, even when it feels difficult, and the strength to build something authentic and meaningful. Balancing medicine, entrepreneurship, and family life, she manages to create a rare sense of harmony, guided by simple yet profound values.

The post Daniela Godoroja–Diarto, Co-founder of Blue Phoenix, in a conversation about balance, passion and returning to nature appeared first on careers-business.com.

Crețan Mădălina Mihaela is a woman who has built her path with patience, perseverance, and the courage to reinvent herself, regardless of age or life’s challenges.

Throughout her career, Mădălina has cultivated essential skills in communication, leadership, and management, always remaining a curious, adaptable, and people-oriented person.

Today, she describes herself as a mix of professionalism, creativity, and authenticity. Her story is one of transformation—of how a classic business path can become a platform for artistic, entrepreneurial, and personal expression.

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

Mădălina: I like to relate to my life as a story, therefore I cannot look at my career from any other perspective. I would say it has never been linear, but rather guided by a search for meaning. I would start from the moment I chose the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, instead of Journalism. But instead of giving an interview, I would probably write a book, so I will limit myself to saying that a first key moment was the decision to combine creativity with rigor—to not remain only in the artistic area, but also not to lose myself in a soulless business. That’s when I understood that my professional identity would be built from a mix of emotion and strategy. I cannot be 100% creative without a bit of analysis/structure in parallel

Another defining moment was taking on the role of entrepreneur and leader of creative projects. It was the step in which I moved from “creating” to “building for others.” That’s when I learned what responsibility, continuity, and difficult decisions truly mean. This moment also coincided with the launch of my blog, Sotiedeartist, in 2017, which unfortunately is currently on hold, somewhat replaced by my podcast, Nevoia De Oameni, which was born in October 2023.

However, the most profound moment of transformation came with the loss of my husband. Beyond the personal dimension, this event also changed my relationship with work: I can no longer build without meaning, without truth, without emotion. From that point on, my projects became cleaner, more conscious, and more aligned with who I truly am.

Therefore, my career is not just a succession of roles, diplomas, positions in different businesses, or a CV listing experiences, but rather a process of both professional and human maturation, in which each stage has brought more clarity about what I want to build.

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

Mădălina: The most difficult moment in my journey was not related to a professional failure, but to a life rupture: the loss of my husband. It was a point where everything I had built, both personally and professionally, seemed to lose its shape and meaning. It was not just emotional grief, but also an identity disorientation: who am I now, and why—or for what—am I still working?

Integrating this moment did not come as a quick comeback, but as a slow process of reconstruction, which, honestly, even three years later, is still ongoing. But I have learned not to separate the person from the professional, and to accept that vulnerability is not an obstacle in a career, but a source of clarity. Work became for me a space of healing and re-anchoring in life, but only when I had the courage to approach it from an authentic place, not from automatisms—although automatisms were not entirely excluded throughout this process.

It was a deeply transformative period of restoring meaning, but at the same time, one that brought immense clarity about my work and how I want to leave my mark on the world: not only through results, but also through depth, coherence, and real impact. It was a brutal stage, but I dare say it was essential for the professional and personal form I have today.

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

Mădălina: Absolutely! There has always been a dream guiding me, even when I couldn’t clearly define it: the desire to motivate people to be better, more sincere, more loving, more authentic. In short, I have always wanted to show people that life can be different, that the illusion of movies with happy endings can become a tangible reality. Since I was young, I felt the need to give form to emotions, ideas, and stories—through words, aesthetics, projects, or community-impact activities, which is why I was part of the Romanian Scouts for a long time

Regardless of the roles I’ve had over time, my ambition was never just “to succeed in life,” but to create things that touch, that last, and that say something true about who we are. Even in moments when the path was fragmented or painful, this thread of meaning never broke.

In the long term, my dream is to transform, like an alchemist, everything I have accumulated—from professional experience to life experience—into a “platform” of creation and inspiration, which could take the form of brands, books, or impactful projects. Something that can turn into life lessons.

C&B: What motivated you to explore podcasting and become recognized as one of the best podcast hosts in Romania?

Mădălina: My journey into podcasting did not start from a strategic plan, but from the connections with the people around me. When I began appearing as a guest in various podcasts, people’s feedback turned into a kind of voice of my conscience: they were impressed not only by what I said, but also by how I said it. Then the messages came: “We want to hear you more often,” “You should have your own podcast.” At the same time, I have always felt comfortable in front of the camera, and the idea of creating video content already existed within me, but with a big cloud of fear above it… that “what if?” What if I don’t do it well? What if it won’t be anything special or different? What if it won’t be appreciated?

However, “Nevoia de Oameni” was born from a deeply personal experience combined with unexpected public support: my need for people in a moment of loss, and the desire to give back what I received from the community—support, time, attention, love, and meaning. This human motivation was the foundation of the entire project, and I believe this authenticity is what made the podcast so well received.

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

Mădălina: Over time, I have often heard that I am perceived as a strong woman, to the point where it has almost become a label. I think that would be the first thing that comes to mind. The rest depends on each person’s experience with me, and I don’t think I am in a position to use words on behalf of my collaborators or acquaintances, although I admit I would be curious to read or hear their thoughts

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

Mădălina: The most important decision I made was not strictly professional, but rather about how I position myself toward life and work: choosing not to build from fear or the need for validation, but from truth.

A key moment of this choice was in 2017, when I told myself for the first time, without irony and without a mask, “I am an artist’s wife.” Not as a social role, but as a form of acceptance—that my life would be connected to creation, risk, instability, and meaning, not just safety or status.

From that point on, I began to no longer want to follow directions that did not represent me, and I accepted that my trajectory would change. It was a decision made from the heart, openly and consciously assumed both personally and professionally, and it reshaped my path in every way.

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

Mădălina: My leadership style was built at the intersection of something innate and something learned. From a young age, I felt the need to organize, coordinate, and provide direction, and this was later confirmed professionally in all my corporate roles, where I reached leadership positions in less than a year.

On the other hand, I do not believe in leadership that comes only from instinct. I was fortunate to meet very different people, from whom I learned both what a good leader means and what I do not want to become. These “encounters” helped me refine my style and understand that real authority does not come from position, but from coherence.

A constant reference has been the education and value system from my family, which I have never abandoned, regardless of the role I held. Thus, my decision-making is a mix of instinct, experience, and clear principles, and my leadership has been built through a lot of practice, not abstract theory.

C&B: How does your approach differ in radio compared to other audio communication formats?

Mădălina: I don’t feel that I fundamentally change my approach from one medium to another. My voice remains the same, whether it’s radio, podcast, or any other audio format. For me, the difference is not in the channel, but in how I show up: attentive, curious, sincere—even vulnerable.

I believe audiences can feel when someone is playing a role and when someone is speaking from a real place. I choose not to adapt a persona to the medium, but to bring the same authenticity wherever I communicate.

For me, what matters most is the content and the relationship with the interlocutor or the audience. Regardless of the medium, I try to create the same type of space: one of real dialogue, not performance. I think this consistency is what makes my voice recognizable.

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

Mădălina: My days are not usually “typical,” and they rarely resemble one another. I like this way of living, where there is no fixed pattern, but rather a mix of projects, meetings, creation, and personal time.

I try to consciously divide myself between my work and my people: family, friends, and time with myself. For me, the greatest satisfaction does not come from checking off tasks, but from moments when I truly feel present—whether in a meaningful conversation, a moment of quiet, or a project taking shape.

A good day that brings me satisfaction can come from building Lego with my daughter or from a successful ZERO STRES radio show. At the same time, I have never liked feeding the less good moments, and in this way, I manage to find plenty of situations each day that bring me satisfaction.

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

Mădălina: My values come from the education I received in my family and from my choice to remain true to myself, regardless of context. Respect for people, honesty, love for life, gratitude, and responsibility for what I build are my main guiding principles.

I apply them daily through how I make decisions and how I work with others: I do not negotiate truth for quick results, and I do not sacrifice people for efficiency. I strive to create relationships based on trust and projects that have meaning. For me, principles are not theoretical statements, but concrete criteria by which I live my life.

C&B: What are the essential elements that make a podcast memorable, from your perspective as a host?

Mădălina: I believe a memorable podcast begins where guests feel safe to be themselves, without filters or pressure, without the fear of sensationalism. When a guest feels safe to be sincere, relaxed, and authentic, that is the best way to remain in the listener’s mind and emotions.

From my perspective as a host, the elements that make a podcast memorable are two: sincerity and a relaxed conversation. When guests feel comfortable and can be authentic, the dialogue becomes alive and relevant. I try to build this framework through attention, patience, and empathy, so that each episode becomes more than just an exchange of ideas—it becomes a human experience that stays in the listener’s memory, like listening to two friends sharing ideas over a cup of tea.

C&B: What new projects do you have planned, either in radio or online?

Mădălina: My already visible and well-known projects will continue and evolve alongside me, as a natural extension of the path I am on.

At the same time, there is a massive project that is just beginning to take shape, which I am keeping like New Year’s fireworks: I will reveal it when the impact is exactly what I envision and desire. Until then, it remains a promise of energy and surprise for those who follow me.

Mădălina’s story reminds us that true success is not just about results, but about the meaning we give to every step. Through authenticity, courage, and ownership, she shows that the most valuable things we build come from truth and reach people.

The post Mădălina Crețan: Between business, loss and rediscovery. A story about meaning appeared first on careers-business.com.

Roxana Maftei is the founder and majority shareholder of Farmacia Tei and Bebe Tei, a visionary entrepreneur who, through hard work, perseverance, and creativity, has succeeded in turning an idea into an innovative and trustworthy brand with a strong impact on Romania’s pharmaceutical market and the children’s products sector.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?

Roxana Maftei: I am an entrepreneur determined to create real value for people and society, through diversity, fairness, and high-quality services that inspire trust.

C&B: What were the key moments of your career?

Roxana Maftei: A defining moment was the decision to implement an innovative business model in a traditional and rigid sector. I chose to bring people closer to a wide range of products meant to meet as many needs as possible, to offer transparency by maintaining the same prices online and in physical locations, and to guarantee high-quality services. It was a challenging process, but the results speak for themselves.
A second essential step was the launch of Bebe Tei – a natural continuation of our mission to meet the needs of parents and children in Romania. Today, Bebe Tei has become a reference point in the minds of consumers, strengthening its position through its product diversity, consistent pricing online and offline, and specialized guidance, becoming everyone’s favorite store, whether they are parents or not.

Another important moment was the partnership with the Dedeman group, which confirmed the strength of the brand and opened a new stage of development.

C&B: What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Roxana Maftei: I quickly realized that a healthy and sustainable business is built on people. One of the challenges was building a united, motivated, and stable team. I constantly invested in the relationship with employees and personally engaged in their well-being. The stability of the team is reflected in the quality of services we offer our patients and customers.

C&B: Did you have a dream or ambition that guided you?

Roxana Maftei: I always wanted to make a difference—not just to exist in numbers, but for people to resonate with what I build and for me to be truly close to them. Entrepreneurship is not only about numbers; it is about the impact on society. By placing people at the center of the business, I understood how to relate to them and built everything around this idea. This was reflected in our constant effort to offer a wide diversity of products, high-quality services, and transparency in pricing. Keeping people at the core of everything I build, I continued even when the numbers didn’t always look like in the textbooks.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your career and how have you transformed?

Roxana Maftei: In the beginning, I spent a lot of time among people and shelves—the first pharmacy was quite small, so I had the opportunity to understand patients’ needs and how they relate to the space. To speak their language, I had to understand what it meant to be on the other side of the counter.
I still try to be present in our locations as often as possible, although now I can say I intuit our patients’ needs, and my focus has shifted mainly toward strategy to improve access to what Farmacia Tei aims to offer. What has not changed is the passion, curiosity, and desire to share the values at the core of the business with as many people as possible.

C&B: What do you think your team would say about you?

Roxana Maftei: First, I think they would say that I am human. Just as I placed the people in front of the counters at the center of the business, my primary concern as an entrepreneur is for the people behind the counters and the entire team that makes Tei what it is. It is very important for everyone to feel included, respected, and appreciated. Of course, the reverse is also true: I expect respect, involvement, and appreciation from my team.

C&B: The most important decision you have made?

Roxana Maftei: I believe the decision that brought Farmacia Tei to where it is today was to remain true to my vision. It was challenging to build a business model so different from what existed on the market at that time, a model that in that socio-economic context may have been difficult to understand, yet people embraced it quite easily. This stubbornness to stay true to the values I wanted to bring to people allowed me to maintain authenticity and strengthen the image of Farmacia Tei.

C&B: How does Farmacia Tei influence the community?

Roxana Maftei: Farmacia Tei has become synonymous with accessibility and diversity. Through fair prices and a very wide range of products, we have created a standard of transparency and respect for patients and customers. Moreover, the constant investment in our team and its stability ensures that the experience we offer the community is positive, long-lasting, and continuously improving.

C&B: What differentiation strategies do you use in the pharmaceutical market?

Roxana Maftei: Our strategy is based on several key elements: price transparency, a huge diversity of products, and high-quality services provided by our employees. In addition, a unique element of fairness is our pricing policy: prices are the same regardless of the channel (online or offline) or the city where the customer is. This consistency conveys respect and strengthens trust in the Tei brand.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you?

Roxana Maftei: I believe any day can be defined by two words: involved and present. Any decision I make—management, financial, or operational—I make it involved and present, considering (I hope) all variables that could arise. I like to believe I end each day with the satisfaction that I have done my best every time.

C&B: What values guide you?

Roxana Maftei: The values that define me as a human being also define the Tei business: fairness, respect, transparency, care, and passion. I believe Farmacia Tei has become what it is today—a benchmark of good faith and transparency—because every decision I made was based on these values. The team I created and shaped was also built around these values, and this can be seen in the loyalty of the patients and customers who choose us.

C&B: How did the idea of Farmacia Tei come to life?

Roxana Maftei: Farmacia Tei entered the market to meet people’s need for decent prices and quality services. As time passed and expansion became imminent, we began to offer an increasingly wide range of products, and this is how the concept of a large-format pharmacy was born. In 2019, we opened in the Bucharest neighborhood of Rahova the location that remains our largest so far, with a total area of 2,200 square meters. What we can say now is that we plan to surpass ourselves and open at least one more location with an even larger surface.

C&B: What long-term plans and objectives do you have for Farmacia Tei?

Roxana Maftei: Our goal is to strengthen the brand and continue to develop it both offline and online, without compromising the values that brought us here. We plan to open new locations in Ploiești and Focșani and in several other major cities (county capitals) in 2026.

Through her vision and perseverance, Roxana Maftei has succeeded in redefining how Romanians relate to the concept of a pharmacy and to the idea of trust in local brands.

The post Roxana Maftei: Vision, Courage, and Authenticity in Building the Farmacia Tei and Bebe Tei Brands appeared first on careers-business.com.

Dorian Ilie is a copywriter, communication specialist, and founder of the Forever Summer agency. He graduated from the Department of Communication and Public Relations within the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Studies at the University of Bucharest and is currently a master’s student at the Faculty of Letters of the same university, enrolled in the Theoretical and Applied Linguistics program. His research interests focus on discourse analysis, argumentation, and pragmatics.

He has over 15 years of experience in communication and advertising, having worked for brands, companies, and institutions such as Glovo, ParkLake Shopping Center, Coca-Cola, Dell, Durex, Nurofen, HBO, Novartis, Pfizer, the European Commission, the United Nations, Heidelberg Materials, OMV, TV5MONDE, LONGi, and Canpack. In 2020 he was part of the jury for the New York Advertising Festivals, and in 2018 he served as a juror at the Romanian PR Awards and Romanian Eurobest, a competition organized by The Alternative School for Creative Thinking.

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

Dorian Ilie: I believe the difficult, pivotal, and challenging moments have defined me the most. For example, when I resigned after five years in a corporation, a comfortable job with a good salary but devoid of personal, emotional, and intellectual satisfaction, and went to Thailand for a volunteer program to learn more about communication and climate change. Another such turning point was three years ago, when I again left a job that society might see as desirable but with which I felt my relationship had ended. I followed my own path, founding my own communication and advertising agency and doing things at my own pace, according to my own vision.

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

Dorian Ilie: The most difficult moment was the passing of an important person in my life, which coincided with the opportunity to become a partner in the former agency where I had worked for almost ten years. I deliberated for a long time but ultimately declined because I felt the need to move forward and do something else.

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

Dorian Ilie: The desire and thirst for knowledge, not just to acquire and absorb new information, but to understand what it entails, what relationships are formed, and how they influence one another. Education and lifelong learning have been, and still are, values I deeply believe in.

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

Dorian Ilie: The different stages and events of life have matured me, refined my skills, and brought me new abilities. From a naïve and idealistic young man, I became a pragmatic idealist, so not that big of a difference, really, only that now I see the world as it is, trying not to view it only as I wish it were.

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

Dorian Ilie: I don’t know exactly what they would say, but beyond anything else, I hope they would say I’m a person who shows respect, whether for ideas, people, or values. The idea of respect, in itself, is essential. Empathy, though much praised, also has its limits, while respect for others and dignity can be perennial.

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

Dorian Ilie: Transitioning from employee to entrepreneur is neither simple nor easy, but it’s far more fulfilling than staying in a place where you no longer feel you belong. I’d rather take a risk and not win than lose in the long run. Likewise, the decision to return to school for a master’s program was also important to me. I felt I was stagnating and wanted to learn and understand more, to broaden my horizons of knowledge. It was ultimately a winning bet, one of the best decisions I’ve made recently.

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

Dorian Ilie: I learned to make decisions through practice, not through personal or professional development books, which are not my cup of tea. As for books, I read literature or non-fiction, I believe they are the best sources for educating the mind and for the pleasure of reading.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your agency from others in the field?

Dorian Ilie: I don’t know exactly what differentiates it, but I’m certain we rely on creativity and agility. We’re a small agency that neither can nor wishes to compete with large agencies. We want to be, and remain, as authentic as possible, to ourselves and to others.

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

Dorian Ilie: I read the news, work a bit, play with my cat, work some more, cook, go shopping, exercise, rest, work again, then read or watch a movie.

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

Dorian Ilie: Respect, dignity, solidarity. Physical and mental health are a thousand times more important than any call, email, project, or client. If something or someone starts to affect your physical or emotional integrity, then that thing or person isn’t worth it. I prefer less and better over more and worse.

C&B: How did the idea of creating the Forever Summer agency and giving it that name come about?

Dorian Ilie: I was on a wild beach in Bulgaria one summer evening, and I wished that moment could last forever, that I’d never again dread Monday, having to return to work. I think I succeeded because sometimes I don’t even know what day it is, and I no longer count the days until vacation or the weekend.

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

Dorian Ilie: “The unexamined life is not worth living,” as Socrates once said. So read, study, be curious, and reflect as much as possible on both your inner and outer worlds. Don’t stagnate, dream, and keep seeking your own path.

Beyond titles, campaigns, and projects, Dorian Ilie’s story is about the courage to remain authentic in a world that constantly pushes you toward compromise. It’s about lifelong learning, the strength to make difficult decisions, and the freedom to live in alignment with your own values. In a field driven by speed and appearances, he chooses depth, respect, and meaning, three coordinates that perhaps best define not only his work, but also his way of being.

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Laura Iordache, founder of Sourdough Bread Journal, is the self-taught artisan who turned her passion for sourdough bread into a form of art and shared love, into a life story and an educational project, born out of the courage to invent everything from scratch and the desire to bring people together through love and authenticity.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence, in a way that would make those who don’t know you yet curious?
Laura Iordache: I am a creator of bread and stories, a person who has learned to transform the silence of the kitchen into a storytelling laboratory, creating breads that nourish not only the body but also the soul, and who has taught herself, through curiosity and trials, to turn a simple dough into an experience of love and community.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Laura Iordache: It all began far away, in the Philippines, in my small kitchen. I taught myself, reading and testing tirelessly, with patience and curiosity. No master, no school – just me, books, and sourdough. From those trials were born my first recipes, my first fermentation methods, and flavor combinations, all invented from scratch. When people started asking for my bread, I understood it was no longer just my passion, but a path to follow – and that’s how Sourdough Bread Journal was born.

C&B: What were the biggest challenges in developing Sourdough Bread Journal?
Laura Iordache: The challenge was to build without a guide or a predetermined recipe. The biggest challenges were to remain faithful to a vision created from nothing. I had no preexisting recipes, no well-trodden paths – I invented every step. It was difficult to build trust and to bring awareness to a still fragile field here, but every obstacle turned into a stronger step forward.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Laura Iordache: I have always dreamed of being able to transmit love through bread. Every dough touched by my hands carries a part of me and becomes a tribute of love for those who receive it, a gift of the soul.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of the journey and how do you feel you have transformed until now?
Laura Iordache: At the beginning, I was just a curious person trying to understand the secrets of a living dough. Today I feel like a messenger: through my bread, through the courses I teach, I try to pass on an experience that means more than food – it means connection, tradition, and joy.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Laura Iordache: I think they would say about me that I am a person passionate to the core, detail-oriented, demanding, but always with an open heart and ready to share.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?
Laura Iordache: To leave behind the certainty of a “safe” path and choose the unknown of my passion. It was the decision that changed my life and gave birth to the project, making space for a life lived in authenticity.

C&B: What was the moment that convinced you this passion could become a dedicated and impactful project?
Laura Iordache: It came when I understood that people came back not just for the bread, but for the story, for the sense of belonging, and for the emotion conveyed. That’s when I knew SBJ had to become more than just a personal exercise.

C&B: What plans do you have for expanding or diversifying Sourdough Bread Journal?
Laura Iordache: I wish to grow its educational dimension: to hold more and more courses for those who want to bake bread at home, because only in this way can this love multiply and be carried further, and to create bridges with artisans from other countries. For me, the future of SBJ means communities united through bread and love.

C&B: What does an ordinary day look like for you now, and what moments of the day bring you the most satisfaction?
Laura Iordache: A day often begins with writing or trying out a new recipe. Then follow hours dedicated to communication and to the people around the project. The greatest joys come when I take out of the oven a bread that has exactly the fragrance and texture I dreamed of – or when I see, in my courses, someone discovering the magic of baking their own bread.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day by day?
Laura Iordache: Authenticity – because I started from zero and always chose the truth of my work; patience – because fermentation cannot be rushed; love – because it is the only ingredient that turns bread into a gift.

C&B: How did Sourdough Bread Journal come into being, and what drew you to the universe of sourdough bread?
Laura Iordache: From a need of people and from a calling of my heart. My bread began to be sought after and desired, and questions about “how it’s made” became more and more frequent. SBJ was born as an answer – a living journal of my journey, meant to share experiences, methods, and stories.

C&B: How do you see the future of artisanal bread culture in Romania and internationally?
Laura Iordache: I believe we are witnessing a renaissance. In Romania, artisanal bread culture is just beginning to take root, but I feel a real enthusiasm. Around the world, people are rediscovering the beauty of things made by hand and with soul. Artisanal bread has a secure future because, beyond taste, it speaks about community, patience, and love – values we need more than ever.

Laura Iordache’s story and Sourdough Bread Journal show us that bread is not only food, but also love, community, and authenticity. A journey that inspires and connects people.

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Dragoș Smeu has over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and performance media. Since 2010 and until now, he has worked in 4 digital marketing agencies, and in September 2016 he founded the digital marketing agency Mavericks. At this moment, they have a portfolio of over 100 clients from different fields of activity, ranging from e-commerce to B2B, lead generation campaigns, or start-ups. Dragoș has managed budgets of over 20 million euros for more than 500 businesses in Romania and has been involved in online promotion strategies for businesses such as Cărturești, Mobexpert, Edenred, Ceresit, Autonom, or Farmacia Tei.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Dragoș Smeu: I could even choose a single word: Aquarius. And no, I’m not a fanatic about zodiac signs, but I believe the sign I was born under describes me quite well. I’m a dreamer Aquarius who doesn’t necessarily set very high expectations but has ideals I believe in. And although some of them are counterintuitive from a business perspective, they helped me get to this point after more than 15 years since I started my career in digital marketing and almost 9 years since I founded my own agency. And here I’m talking about principles and ideals related to how the employer-employee relationship should be, about benefits and educating employees regarding the distinction between the two plans—personal and professional—as well as defining boundaries concerning industries we don’t want to work for.

C&B: If we were to look at a storyline of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Dragoș Smeu: Most likely, the choice of my first job. At my first job, I applied thinking it was another type of agency; I was looking for a job in a political marketing agency, but during the interview, I found out that the agency I went to—Republika Interactive—was not a political marketing agency but a commercial one. That was the point where I discovered this area that, honestly, I didn’t even know existed. And if I look back now, I can say I was lucky, but in reality, it wasn’t luck. It was a decision that, although not informed, changed my entire professional trajectory. At that job, I worked for more than 4 years and managed to build a relationship with some clients that I still work with today, 15 years later. And I say this not only from the perspective of the budgets managed but especially because of this long-term relationship and the fact that we share many common values.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment so far in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Dragoș Smeu: Probably the beginning of COVID-19. I remember I was on a short vacation in Eforie, and in just one week, we lost 30% of our client portfolio due to the lockdown. It was a shock, but I quickly realized I had to make quick and strategic decisions. I focused on retaining the remaining clients, supporting them as much as possible during that period, and at the same time, I adapted our services to the new needs that arose in the market. And surprisingly, we ended that year with one of the biggest growths in terms of revenue and profit in our 9 years of existence.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Dragoș Smeu: Try to do my best. And to do good through the actions I take. For example, when I started, I couldn’t even imagine the level I would reach now. I wouldn’t have dreamed that I would become a speaker at some of the largest digital marketing and communication events in Romania, that I would end up speaking in front of hundreds of people in a room, or that I would become an associate lecturer at the faculty I graduated from.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed since then?
Dragoș Smeu: Oh. I’m a completely different person. Sometimes when I think about how I was before Mavericks, I say it was a different life altogether. I was shy, reserved, lacking the confidence to express myself or make important decisions. Over time, I’ve learned to trust myself more, to take responsibility, and to face challenges with courage. All these things changed me… Actually, I wouldn’t say they changed me but rather led me to the point of evolution where I am now.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Dragoș Smeu: Hehe! I’ll let you ask them because sometimes there can be a big difference between perception and reality I think they would say that I am demanding but fair, that I encourage them to develop, and that I try to be there for them when they need me. At the same time, they would probably say that I am a visionary who sometimes moves too fast for everyone to keep up with me.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Dragoș Smeu: Most likely choosing the path of entrepreneurship. It was neither the safest nor the easiest decision, but it was the one that allowed me to build something of my own, according to my values and principles. And from that moment on, I no longer looked at things the same way. I no longer perceived work as a simple job but as a responsibility, a project that depends on me and the decisions I make. And I still see all the plans around me as a big strategy game where I have to arrange things and see where this whole evolution leads me.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it a natural or learned process?
Dragoș Smeu: It was definitely a natural process. I never consciously set out to build a certain leadership style. It came from experience, from interactions with people, from mistakes and lessons learned along the way. Today, I can say I lead by example, through authenticity and openness. But I’m also aware that this style will continue to evolve. If in 5 years I completely agree with today’s version of Dragoș, it means I haven’t evolved at all. And… I wouldn’t want that to happen.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or your professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Dragoș Smeu: When I started, I had a lot of fears. A LOT. I didn’t think I could compete with the big agencies, I didn’t think I could build something stable. But what differentiated us from the beginning and continues to differentiate us today is authenticity. We don’t pretend to be what we are not, we don’t make promises we cannot keep, and we always try to bring honesty into discussions with clients. We are authentic and honest with each other, even if this doesn’t always work in our favor in a specific selection process.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments of the day bring you the most satisfaction?
Dragoș Smeu: I wake up, we wake the kids, get them ready for school/kindergarten, then I get to the office, where I spend about half of my time in meetings. The rest is divided between strategic activities, discussions with the team, or planning. In the evening, I spend time with my family, and those moments are the ones that bring me the most joy. Around 10 PM, it’s bedtime because the next day we start over.

C&B: How did the idea of starting this business and giving it this name come to you?
Dragoș Smeu: This idea grew in me during the period I was working at Kubis. I felt the need to build something of my own, to put my mark on an agency that reflects my vision. As for the name, Mavericks came naturally. It’s not just a name but also a state of mind. Mavericks are those who think differently, who challenge conventions, who aren’t afraid to take risks. And I think that describes us very well.

C&B: If you could send a message to people who want to follow your example, what would it be?
Dragoș Smeu: If you think it’s too hard to start your own business… you’re right! It’s hard, very hard. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. On the contrary, it’s one of the most beautiful and rewarding experiences you can have. And no matter how difficult it seems, if you truly believe in your dream and are willing to work for it, you will succeed. Just as I am proud and equally amazed by what I have achieved so far. DO IT!

Dragoș Smeu’s journey proves that authenticity, perseverance, and the courage to think differently can turn challenges into opportunities. His example shows that true success comes when you stay true to your principles and build your path with patience and confidence.

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Malina Iordache Chirea is a psychologist, organizational consultant, and founder of SAGE Leadership. She has been delivering training for nearly 20 years, since she was spotted and recruited by UNCTAD to deliver the Empretec training program in Romania – a 9-day behavioral change bootcamp for entrepreneurs. Malina has worked with dozens of organizations across 32 countries, always focusing on personal leadership and its impact and dimensions – both organizationally and personally.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark curiosity in people who don’t know you yet?
Malina Iordache: I’d tell them I’m a person with many hats: I’m a psychologist, a mother, an entrepreneur, passionate about sports and healthy living. I do my best to be the person I talk about in training sessions – I believe in congruence and decency. I love traveling – who doesn’t?! – and having meaningful conversations with people from all over the world. That’s one of the reasons I love my job so much.

C&B: Looking at your career or business narrative, what were the key moments that defined you?
Malina Iordache: It’s hard to point to just one moment – there were many. I believe the most defining ones were conversations with people I genuinely liked or admired. Some of them became friends, which I’m very grateful for. Others I only heard speak at a conference or in a TED talk online. People have an incredible ability to spark something in others. That’s probably another reason I love this job so much.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Malina Iordache: Again, there have been many moments. But the hardest was probably when I had to close the NGO I was leading, 10 years ago. It was a path I truly enjoyed, but it came with constant challenges, and I realized that in order to grow, I had to go in a different direction. It was a really tough decision – one I still remember vividly.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, no matter the obstacles?
Malina Iordache: Yes, I have a vision. I believe everyone who starts something has a personal vision. And I have this huge passion for turning vision into reality. For example, last year I had the idea to conduct a nationwide analysis to understand how Romanians are reacting to the pressure of ongoing changes. We used a psychometric tool from transactional analysis that we use in our company. We already have over 3,000 responses – well above the statistical threshold. We’re launching the results this September at a very special event. I can’t wait!

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve changed?
Malina Iordache: I think I’ve changed a lot, and I’m deeply grateful for it. Two paths have shaped me: psychology and entrepreneurship. Psychology teaches you to be introspective, to be aware of yourself and your emotions. Entrepreneurship teaches you to be grounded, realistic, and attentive to your environment and the people around you.

C&B: If we asked your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Malina Iordache: I hope they’d say I genuinely care about them and their wellbeing. I hope they’d say I push them out of their comfort zones – but not too much. I’m sure they’d say I’m a restless person full of ideas, that I laugh a lot but am also very serious when it comes to work, client-focused, and always looking for solutions – no matter how complex the situations in our development projects may be.

C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Malina Iordache: It’s hard to pinpoint one single decision – there were several that brought me here. There were moments when I felt the path I was on no longer represented me, so I changed direction. What matters most to me is enjoying my profession. I graduated from the Faculty of Letters at UVT 20 years ago. I taught English to elementary school children for a few months but felt the system was too restrictive. I pivoted to marketing and worked in the music industry – I’ve always been a music lover. Then I moved into marketing and sales in the IT events sector. I stumbled upon social entrepreneurship and started an NGO focused on emotional education. I went back to school and studied psychology. From there, organizational psychology was a natural step. I explored a lot before finding my space. I discovered it nearly 15 years ago, and I feel at home.

C&B: How did you develop your leadership style and decision-making process? Was it natural or learned?
Malina Iordache: I’d say it was a naturally learned process. Meaning, I made a lot of mistakes. I learned from each of them. Some lessons weren’t clear at first, so I repeated the mistakes. But eventually, with attention and clarity, we learn from all the things we go through. When it comes to decision-making, it’s crucial to learn from our mistakes. Each of us has a unique decision-making process, like a fingerprint. It’s essential to stay realistic and not fear our mistakes. What we postpone eventually comes back to us anyway.

C&B: What do you think sets your business or professional approach apart in the industry?
Malina Iordache: Professionally speaking, we are the only training and consulting company in Romania that uses certified transactional analysis tools for the organizational environment. We are either certified or in the process of certification. There are very few professionals in this field in Romania.
On a human level, everyone might have a different answer. I don’t know what sets me apart from others, because I don’t know every training firm in detail. What I can say about us is that we care. I say it clearly and with conviction: we care about our participants, the organizations we work with, and we genuinely want to create change. We often combine training and consulting to ensure things move forward effectively. We don’t fall in love with solutions – we focus on results.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what parts bring you the most satisfaction?
Malina Iordache: A typical day for me is a disciplined one. I believe discipline is a wonderful and often forgotten trait that brings major rewards in our adult lives. I wake up and dedicate the first part of the morning to family. I start work and continue until the afternoon. I always take a phone-free lunch break. If I’m feeling tired, I go for a short 10-minute walk. I work out almost daily in the afternoons. For us, sport is a couple’s activity. In the evenings we cook and spend time as a family. I try not to work after 6 PM – and I usually succeed. Every night, I read a few pages before bed.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in your work, and how do you apply them daily?
Malina Iordache:

• Consistency – I aim to be emotionally intelligent, as a sign of respect for the people I work with.
• Perseverance – even when initiatives don’t turn out 100% as planned, it’s important to stay focused on the final goal.
• Authenticity – doing things that truly bring me joy and that I can promote honestly.
• Enthusiasm – for my work and the way I can contribute to the community around me.
• Modesty and curiosity – to never stop learning, no matter how far I’ve come professionally.

C&B: How did you come up with the idea to start this business and choose its name?
Malina Iordache: SAGE means “wise” in Old English and in French. In modern English, it also means “sage,” the plant associated with calm and mental balance.
Our first product was a board game – we called it SAGE, and the name came naturally. In games, the Sage character appears to offer players the resources they need to move to the next level.

C&B: If you could send a message to people who look up to you, what would it be?
Malina Iordache: My message is to be authentic, curious, open, relaxed, to stay humble, and focus on creating quality for those around them. The good things will follow naturally.

Malina Iordache Chirea’s story is not just about professional success, but about the courage to pivot, the consistency in the face of challenges, and genuine care for people. Through SAGE Leadership, she continues to inspire, transform, and create spaces where leaders can grow with integrity and clarity.

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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.

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