Andrei Niculae is one of the most recognizable DJs and vibe creators in Romania, known for his authentic energy and for the way he transforms music into a memorable collective experience. His voice and musical selections are part of the Radio Nostalgia universe, where he brings back to life hits that have defined generations.

C&B: How did your passion for radio begin and what memories do you have from the first moments you entered a studio?

Andrei Niculae: My passion for radio started at the age of 7, when I watched “Good Morning, Vietnam”, a film in which Robin Williams plays a radio DJ during the Vietnam War, and it made me say that this is what I want to do when I grow up. Years passed and I kept dreaming, but also taking small steps. I first wrote for a newspaper, and later I managed to audition for a radio station.

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

Andrei Niculae: I think the most difficult moment was when, after 9 years in radio, I had to leave my home and build a radio station from scratch together with Monica Munteanu and Costin Gache. I never even dreamed that I would have my own radio station alongside my colleagues.

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

Andrei Niculae: I was lucky to learn from the best and to have the courage to try new things, even if sometimes they didn’t work out. Curiosity and the question “what if?” have always guided me. I think it’s essential to try things, otherwise you’ll never know whether they work or not.

C&B: How would you describe your professional journey from your first contact with radio to becoming a host appreciated by thousands of listeners?

Andrei Niculae: A roller coaster that I got on together with my audience and never wanted to get off. Some of the people who listen to me have become part of my life. I live a beautiful dream every day and I always wake up with a smile on my face. There has also been a lot of work and a constant desire to improve myself. I am still working on myself and I won’t stop.

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

Andrei Niculae: I think they would say I’m crazy, passionate, and that I probably have ADHD. At least that’s what I think. I’ve always tried to surround myself with great people.

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

Andrei Niculae: The fact that I almost suddenly laid the foundation of Nostalgia Radio in Romania. Things were going well where I had grown, but this kind of opportunity comes once in a lifetime in my opinion, and it shouldn’t be missed.

C&B: What do you feel when listeners recognize your voice or write to you about your shows?

Andrei Niculae: Many times I don’t know how to react to compliments because in my mind I’m still the same boy from the Militari neighborhood who dreamed of being on the radio. But I have to admit that when someone compliments me, my heart fills with joy, it’s hard to describe. I believe my job is to somehow make the day better for the people who choose to listen to me, and when someone tells me that, it’s the greatest reward for me.

C&B: You said you wanted to try acting, television or even becoming a magician. How do you see expanding your career beyond radio?

Andrei Niculae: I tried many things out of curiosity when I was younger. But I have some extensions that, combined, present me more as an entertainer. I play music, host events, I have various online campaigns with brands I once only dreamed of, and I am a radio person. Someone once told me that I am, in fact, an entertainer in this life.

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

Andrei Niculae: Now I spend more time than ever at the radio because we are at the beginning and we have big plans, but I also try to attend various events, document almost everything I do online, and on weekends I play music. I love the chaos in my life and it would be very hard without it.

C&B: What did it mean for you to test the limits of your relationship in the context of an intense competition like Power Couple?

Andrei Niculae: Power Couple was an extraordinary experience for us that brought us even closer together, and for that I thank Emilia Vlad and Alex Fotea for choosing us. Besides testing our limits, I was happy to see my girlfriend Claudia blossom in every way. I am more in love with her than ever, and that is also thanks to Power Couple.

C&B: What was the most difficult challenge you experienced during the show and how did it challenge you personally?

Andrei Niculae: Probably the first challenge, riding a bicycle upside down, is something I never thought I would do in this lifetime. On a personal level, I would have liked to win more challenges, because it’s clear I would have gone home a long time ago if I didn’t have Claudia by my side, who was very good at everything.

C&B: What advice would you give to young people who aspire to build a career in media and entertainment?

Andrei Niculae: It’s always a joy to meet young people and I take every opportunity to tell them to dream, to try even if it seems impossible, and not to give up even if sometimes everything may seem boring. They should always try to do a little more than what’s written in the job description and not waste time. I hope that one day they will enjoy an interview like this one, for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Andrei Niculae’s story is about the courage to try, passion, and the constant drive to grow. From the child who dreamed of working in radio to the voice that now brings nostalgia and joy to thousands of listeners, his journey proves that when you follow your dream, the results will eventually follow.

The post Andrei Niculae: From a childhood dream to the voice of Radio Nostalgia 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.

The post Dorian Ilie: About Courage, Authenticity, and the Meaning of Communication appeared first on careers-business.com.

10th-grade students had access to online vocational tests through the program “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, launched by Nestlé in 2024. The goal was to assess adolescents’ professional skills and interests and create a practical guide to support their career orientation. Data were collected between December 2024 and July 2025 via the Great People Inside platform, with anonymous responses from the counties of Botoșani, Buzău, Hunedoara, Maramureș, Mureș, and Suceava.

Young people prefer careers in the social and educational fields

The results show that most young people prefer careers in the social and educational fields, such as teacher, social or medical assistant, clerk, or administrative roles. The entrepreneurial profile ranks second, indicating an interest in entrepreneurship and management. Technical trades and creative professions, however, attract fewer young people.

Read also: Simona Paraschiv: Every young person has a unique potential, waiting to be discovered and nurtured

The vocational profiles identified in the study are:

• Social: focused on interacting with people; potential careers include psychologist, teacher, social worker, or coach.
• Entrepreneurial: attracted to coordination, projects, and leadership; potential careers include manager, entrepreneur, or lawyer.
• Artistic: interested in creative and design activities, such as painting, music, acting, or architecture.
• Conventional: appreciate routine and clear instructions; suited for administrative and office roles.
• Realistic: passionate about working with objects or materials; potential careers include engineering, construction, mechanics, or agriculture.
• Investigative: analytical and independent, drawn to research and science; potential careers include doctor, biologist, or researcher.

A need to develop dual education and promote technical schools

“ Nestlé Romania’s approach aimed to align the aspirations and skills and abilities of adolescents with the requirements and expectations of modern organizations, offering young people a professional perspective firmly anchored in the realities of the labour market. Although the main occupational profile showed a predilection for professions anchored in the community such as teacher or doctor, in second place is a profile conducive to entrepreneurship. On the other hand, there is a reduced interest in trades, which may lead to the need to develop dual education and promote technical schools.” explained Irina Siminenco, Corporate Affairs Manager, Nestlé Romania.

The initiative is part of the global program Nestlé needs YOUth, which aims to provide career opportunities to 10 million young people worldwide by 2030. In Romania, the company acquired vocational tests for 10th-grade students to help them discover which career suits them best.

The post Nestlé Romania supported vocational testing for over 15,000 teenagers across six counties appeared first on careers-business.com.

According to Eurostat data, Romania ranks among the EU leaders in foreign language studies in schools, yet over 64% of adults report not speaking any foreign language. This gap is reflected in the labor market: in 2025, 60% of published job listings required knowledge of a foreign language, especially English, followed by German, French, and Italian.

Eucom combines language training with organizational wellbeing programs

Between January and August 2025, over 16,000 participants attended Eucom courses, including 9,186 in English, 2,712 in German, and 1,976 in French. For the first time in Romania, Eucom combines language training with organizational wellbeing programs, covering nutrition, coaching, and emotional health.

Read also: Silvia Floares: Building Communities through Culture, Creativity, and Courage

This autumn, the company launches two key programs for 2026: EN Business (B2C), English courses for professionals seeking rapid career advancement, and 3D Lifestyle Program (B2B), an integrated package of language training, wellbeing, and soft skills for companies.

Eucom collaborates with over 200 companies and serves a client portfolio of around 100 organizations, covering sectors such as banking, IT, pharma, retail, energy, automotive, and tourism. The company offers personalized courses online, hybrid, or onsite, tailored to the learning styles and development needs of participants.

HeRoe.s HRing Podcast brings together HR și business communities

Eucom also initiated the HeRoe.s HRing Podcast, bringing together HR and business communities to provide solutions to labor market challenges. On September 24, the company will host the HR Evolution – Live Experience event, focused on building high-performing, healthy, and sustainable organizations, aimed at HR professionals and team leaders.

Eucom has a track record of over 180,000 hours of language training and assessment.

The post Eucom Supports the Careers of Over 160,000 Romanian Professionals Through Language Courses and Innovative Programs appeared first on careers-business.com.

Stoica Dragoș followed, as his main career path, engineering. A graduate of Automation and Computers at UPB, class of 2008, he worked for 5 years as a SCADA/DCS systems engineer in major companies such as Honeywell – in process automation for oil refineries – and later at Carrier, in refrigeration and HVAC systems. Then, in 2014, he made the switch to IT, as a DevOps – Cloud Engineer – more plainly put, an automation engineer in software.
His second job, that of photographer, took shape – on the side – from a passion born in childhood, which over time turned into his second occupation.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence, in such a way as to spark the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Stoica Dragoș: A very curious being, eager to understand the universe beyond this planet. The frustration generated by the current impossibility of doing so led me to turn my attention and focus toward the nature of this planet. From there came the drive and love for the art of photography.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Stoica Dragoș: Referring, of course, to the photo/video services company Creative Wizards, without a doubt a key moment was meeting my current friend and partner, Rusu Dumitru Costinel. There are 7 years between us in age; when we first met, he was in the latter part of high school. But as nothing happens without reason, the universe brought our paths together in life so that we could become very good friends and partners in this field, where we work with passion and dedication.

C&B: What were the main challenges at the beginning of the road in such a creative and competitive field?
Stoica Dragoș: When we were developing between 2010-2015, there was certainly no abundance of information and channels like we have today. They were just starting out as well. For those born after 2000-2010, it sometimes seems hard to imagine life without the internet or Google, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.
Socializing, making yourself known, this obsessive “networking” we now use frenetically, was done more slowly, with visits and direct, live, face-to-face interactions.
As in almost any field, progress is slow but steady if you don’t give up. Acquiring better tools, gaining experience, and building skills takes years.
What is bothersome and still lacking in our market today, more so than in other countries, is the clientele’s desire for quality and the understanding of the cost of professionalism. In more trivial, vulgar terms, Romanians want it cheap and good. That’s impossible! That’s not right! If you want a Porsche, you pay the corresponding price, you don’t negotiate for Logan prices. The lack of education and common sense among the people is reflected in everything.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Stoica Dragoș: The classic “life is too short to do or be anything other than what you love.” And if you wisely choose to do what you love, then clearly you have all the motivation and aspiration to do it very well, to perform any activity at the highest level of performance and quality.

C&B: What did you look like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have transformed up to the present?
Stoica Dragoș: Definitely like anyone starting out: more immature, less experienced, more timid, not very learned, more gullible, more scattered… these things and traits are part of the beautiful and rightful process of maturing. Let’s not wrongly consider that maturing means stopping being children, stopping playing, stopping enjoying life, or being funny and mischievous in moderation for relaxation. Rather, it means becoming responsible, experienced, and accepting the reality that anything can happen anytime, both good and bad. Having expectations or placing trust without substance helps nothing. Be skeptical, reserved, cautious, weigh things carefully and choose wisely. But with courage and accountability. Without risks, there is no life. Once you choose, keep going no matter what. Whatever the consequences or outcomes, be happy with the path you have taken, learn from both failures and successes, and keep moving forward.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Stoica Dragoș: Only they know, but I hope they would speak honestly, whatever they might say. Overall, I wish they would be glad to know me and to have interacted with me, as we all are, with strengths and weaknesses. And that, even in the smallest measure, I have brought them something positive in their lives and in who they are today as conscious beings in this beautiful and mysterious universe.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?
Stoica Dragoș: Not to remain stuck in my first jobs – they required a lot of travel, and I wouldn’t have had time to achieve everything I have in the past 10 years. When something is not fully to your liking or requires too many sacrifices, CHANGE IT!

C&B: What are Creative Wizards’ long-term development plans?
Stoica Dragoș: We very much want to train, develop, support, and promote young talents, as I mentioned earlier, those born after 2000-2005 who resonate with the visual arts. And, of course, we want to succeed in having as diverse a clientele as possible, both locally and especially internationally.

C&B: What sets Creative Wizards apart from other photo studios on the market?
Stoica Dragoș: A classic question, but I don’t think it’s easy to give a fair, honest answer. Some may come across as arrogant or too banal no matter what they say. Let’s bite a little into the harsh reality as it is.
No one can work solely out of passion and pure pleasure 100%. In today’s society, you must earn the currency of exchange so that you can have the necessities and enjoy life’s pleasures: travel, material things, raising a family, etc.
Work, especially quality work, must be rewarded accordingly.
From one perspective, which I’ll detail immediately, we can divide those working in this field into two categories:

• those who ended up providing such professional services starting from a passion for this art;
• those who started out only with the thought of making money.

That’s why, worldwide, passionate people are always set apart from those merely eager for profit by their level of dedication and desire for quality.
Many people learn how to swim. How many reach the performance level of David Popovici? Do you think it’s only about an innate magical talent, or is it also about a lot of work? You have to love it. You have to feel fulfilled doing that activity. You cannot have the ultimate motivation that leads to the best results without loving those moments spent doing it.
We are by no means the only passionate or serious ones. We are honest and transparent about what we can and know how to do and what we cannot. There are others at least as good. We just want to become better and better.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Stoica Dragoș: The fact that you wake up again in the morning should already bring you great joy and fulfillment that you’ve lived another day. If you’re healthy, that’s wonderful. If your loved ones are also well, then you are completely happy. If the conditions mentioned earlier are fulfilled, then anything else can be worked for and pursued day by day.
A typical day – Monday to Friday, I work my IT job. I do sports as often as possible, not daily, but it’s very important not to take more than 2 consecutive days off. Photography activities take up a good part of the rest of my free time, combined as much as possible with traveling.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Stoica Dragoș: To always take responsibility, with anyone, in anything you do. Be at peace with who and how you are. Accept yourself, love yourself – if you’d like others to do the same. They can’t, until you do it yourself. Whatever you choose to do, do it well, not halfway. Don’t start something if you don’t intend to finish it. BUT – don’t persist if it isn’t healthy for you. We will always make mistakes or less inspired choices. Learn and move on. Don’t continue down a toxic path. We never stop learning. If I had the luck to live 100,000 years, every single day I would still learn something new and refine myself a little more.

C&B: How did the idea of Creative Wizards come about, and what made you start this photography company?
Stoica Dragoș: “Photography studio” is not quite accurate. It sounds as if we have a room where we do… photographic stuff. Yes, we are a firm/company because we need to operate within a legal framework, regulated by the – good and bad – laws of this state, far from being very well organized, but that’s the situation. We are a team of passionate and serious guys who provide their photographic services and activities, 99% outside of a “studio.” We most enjoy being on the move – in the mountains, at the seaside, in the plains, on construction sites, out in the fields.
It was therefore obvious we needed a company within a legislative framework – so we chose this funny name, we hope, that represents us: some creative wizards.

C&B: What advice would you give to young photographers or entrepreneurs who want to build a successful studio?
Stoica Dragoș: I think it’s nicer to call it a successful business or activity. I can certainly share from my hard-earned experience that there are a few vital and important aspects: Learn how to learn. Strive to achieve excellent results, but don’t accept to deliver them for free or for a pittance. Make yourself known. In today’s society, we cannot rise without connections.

Stoica Dragoș’s journey is about the courage to follow one’s passion, about finding balance between a technical career and photographic art, and above all, about building something authentic with people who share the same values.

The post Stoica Dragoș – from Engineering to Photographic Art and the Story of Creative Wizards appeared first on careers-business.com.

In a fast-moving corporate world, where decisions often seem to boil down to charts and KPIs, there are people who keep the human dimension of work alive. Radu Bourceanu is one of them. An Operations Specialist at Morningstar Sustainalytics, with over ten years of experience in the field, he talks about his career not as a succession of roles, but as a narrative thread full of challenges, revelations, and moments of stoicism.

Passionate about music, photography, and thought-provoking reading, Radu sees authentic dialogue as a more valuable resource than any process or procedure. He is concerned with how we react to events around us—how silence can become oppressive, how a delayed email solves nothing, and how happiness itself can sometimes make us vulnerable. And if there is a common thread in his story, it is simple: people matter more than the systems that surround them.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to pique the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Radu Bourceanu: I am the kind of person who learns the most from conversations: I enjoy people’s energy, but I speak only when I feel I can bring clarity. My extroversion doesn’t mean noise, but availability—to share what I know, ask good questions, and connect points between seemingly unrelated experiences. If it had to be a single sentence, it would sound like this: “A cheerful and curious person who prefers to give ideas, not collect them.”

C&B: If we were to look at a narrative thread of your career, what were the key moments that defined you?
Radu Bourceanu: Paradoxically, I was defined by challenges that seemed easy—“just a formality”—until I found myself alone facing them. These are the situations where seconds stretch, silence is audible, and it becomes clear that resilience is built behind the scenes. After a few such episodes, I learned something simple: success is a team sport. An honest conversation can shorten a chain of emails, just as a well-written email can save a pointless meeting. When you choose the right channel and ask the right question, time returns to its natural scale.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Radu Bourceanu: The hardest moments are those that touch people: restructurings, news that change destinies, or permanent losses. In such times, institutions seem very large, and the individual, very small. Stoicism helped me—not as a cold armor, but as a discipline of perspective: you acknowledge what you cannot control, strengthen what depends on you, and remain dignified. When, at the end of the day, you manage to feel at peace with the way you were there for others, you have solved most of the equation. The rest settles over time—and time usually has the habit of being fair.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Radu Bourceanu: Yes: to help people understand why seemingly small things matter disproportionately. A late email doesn’t relieve stress, it postpones it; a scanner fails exactly when urgency is at its peak, not out of malice, but because systems have their breaking points; bad decisions seem excellent precisely when emotions are too high. Obstacles themselves are directional markers: they force you to make better choices next time. Each challenge, faced lucidly, makes you a bit more “antifragile”—more capable of turning tension into growth.

C&B: How did you start out, and how do you feel you have transformed to this day?
Radu Bourceanu: At 22, I was working alongside people with much more experience, and I lacked the vocabulary for high-pressure situations. I started with the healthy naivety of someone who believes they can ask anything—and that saved me. Since then, I have moved from the “planet” of enthusiasm to the “planet” of structure and back, learning to care for what matters. Today I am more attentive, more patient, and more willing to listen all the way before responding. If I were to summarize the transformation: from “fast” to “right.”

C&B: If we met with your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Radu Bourceanu: They would probably say I’m a jovial guy, quick with remarks when a topic excites me—and surprisingly quiet when it’s someone else’s turn to shine. They would say, I think, that I like to make light of difficulties, but not of people. That I care about the quality of conversation and know how to reduce a complex problem to a useful question. And the closest colleagues would add something simple and precious: “He’s a good guy and there when it matters.”

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Radu Bourceanu: Changing jobs—several times—and later, changing the direction of my career. Each time, it was a threshold between comfort and possibility. You take risks, recalibrate your professional identity, and learn a new language of work. And you discover that mobility is not a whim, but a form of ambition hygiene: it forces you to stay curious. Each pivot brought fresh energy and a finer compass.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it a natural process or learned?
Radu Bourceanu: I grew naturally, but I learned consciously. I “stole” know-how from leaders around me, but also from colleagues without titles—because the leader is often the person who knows, not the person who signs. My style combines the patience to listen with the discipline to act quickly when the direction is clear. I like consulting people who challenge me with good arguments; I also like the calm before a decision. It’s a mix of confidence and healthy doubt that keeps you away from excesses.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Radu Bourceanu: I prefer a personal approach: fewer polite formulas, more real conversations. A “Kind regards” doesn’t replace a “Let’s talk for five minutes.” On calls or face-to-face, people feel heard, not processed. And when the relationship is authentic, logistics simplify: decisions are made faster, conflicts die down more easily, and mistakes become lessons, not files.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Radu Bourceanu: The day starts with a decent to mediocre coffee—a good anchor in reality—followed by a short team meeting. Then come the conversations that matter: I explain decisions, translate strategies into human steps, align expectations. Sometimes I feel like a “help-line” for people—emotionally and professionally—but that is actually the essence of well-done HR. The greatest satisfaction comes when you see tension decrease and someone leave a conversation clearer than when they entered.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Radu Bourceanu: I am guided by three simple principles: unity, commitment, and reciprocity. They may seem abstract, but in reality, they translate into small gestures: listen before responding, be consistent even when no one is watching, give before expecting in return. Stoicism adds the necessary framework—it helps me distinguish between what I can change and what lies beyond me. Every day, I try to take a small step in the right direction: a clearer conversation, a better-weighed decision, a relationship strengthened by honesty. In the end, the consistency of these small steps is what builds trust.

C&B: If you were to send a message to people who follow your example, what would it be?
Radu Bourceanu: Be original and open to new things, without being carried away by trends. Read a lot—it’s the fuel of thinking—and talk to people, not just at them: leadership begins with successful dialogue. We all have the ability to train our minds: attention, perspective, and the courage to correct trajectories. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it certainly happens for those who remain curious and persistent. The rest is noise.

Radu Bourceanu shows us that career success is not just about roles and KPIs, but about how we relate to people, cultivate patience, and turn challenges into valuable lessons. Authentic leadership begins with dialogue, empathy, and continuous curiosity.

The post Radu Bourceanu: Authentic Leadership and Lessons About People in the Corporate World appeared first on careers-business.com.

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.

The post Malina Iordache Chirea – Authentic Leadership through SAGE appeared first on careers-business.com.

Andrei Kurtuy is the co-founder and CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) of Novorésumé, a creative educational startup born out of a desire to make building a professional résumé more accessible. After personally experiencing the challenges of integrating into the job market in Denmark, he and two co-founders decided to turn that experience into a practical solution now used by over 15 million people worldwide.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark curiosity in those who don’t yet know you?
Andrei Kurtuy: I’m a Romanian entrepreneur who, after sending over 1,000 résumés without receiving a single reply in my first year in Denmark, went on to co-found Novorésumé, a platform used by over 15 million people in more than 200 countries to create CVs and land their desired jobs.

C&B: Looking at the narrative arc of your career or business, what have been the key moments that defined you?
Andrei Kurtuy: The first defining moment was moving from Romania to Denmark at 19, knowing no one and not speaking the language. In the first year, I applied to over 1,000 jobs and didn’t get a single response. Instead of going back home, I took a bartending course, paid in installments. A week after I got my certificate, I landed my first job.
Then, in 2015, together with two university classmates, we took part in a project competition. I was frustrated by how clunky it was to create a résumé in Word, and with the help of Cristian (with a design background) and Ștefan (on the tech side), we laid the foundation of what would become Novorésumé.
In April 2016, we created a fictional résumé for Elon Musk as an experiment. It went viral internationally and brought in over 100,000 users in a very short time. It was a valuable lesson in how far well-crafted content can go.
Another important moment was learning how limited focus can be. We had a tendency to try too many things at once, and that cost us. The lesson was clear: learn to say “no” more often and focus on what we do best.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment so far in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Andrei Kurtuy: The toughest moment was in 2016. I was 23, had just been rejected from my master’s program, was on unemployment benefits after my contract at the library ended, and we had just launched Novorésumé. Everything felt uncertain — I didn’t know whether to find a job, hope for the master’s program, or go all in on the startup.
There were months when I didn’t know what I was doing. The pressure was real. What helped me was being flexible — I said “yes” to anything that could teach me something. Eventually, someone dropped out of the master’s program, and I got in. That led to a job in Business Development and gave me some stability.
Looking back, I think that uncertain, broke version of myself — but willing to keep going — was exactly what I needed. I learned to build in the midst of chaos.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Andrei Kurtuy: Yes, from the very beginning, our goal has been to help people find the right job and build the career they deserve. I’ve personally experienced how hard it is to present your skills professionally, especially when you lack connections or resources.
Even when we made mistakes or the market changed, our core mission stayed the same: to make access to career opportunities more equitable. We’re not just building a résumé tool. We want to give people a real chance, regardless of where they come from or what they studied.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve changed since then?
Andrei Kurtuy: At 19, I was full of energy and ambition, but pretty naive. I believed that if I worked hard and got visible results — money, traffic, users — I would be successful. I was impatient and quick to change direction if something didn’t work fast.
Now, at 32, things are different. I no longer chase immediate results. Success, for me, means having the freedom to make decisions aligned with my values and to build a balanced life. I’ve learned that real progress is sometimes boring — it comes from consistency, not sprints. Reputation is built over years. Clarity comes from action, not perfect plans.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Andrei Kurtuy: I think they’d say I’m authentic and transparent. That I take responsibility for decisions and don’t change direction every other day. That I stay calm under pressure — a skill I picked up as a bartender — and that I always try to see the big picture without losing sight of the details.
They’d probably also say I give them space to share ideas, try new things, make mistakes, and learn. I try to be a leader who values trust, continuous learning, and long-term growth — not just quick wins.

C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Andrei Kurtuy: I think the most important decision was to keep the freemium model for Novorésumé. Even though over 90% of users use the free version, we chose not to switch entirely to a paid model.
That decision helped us tremendously in the long run: it increased our visibility, built trust, and allowed us to grow a large user base. Many of them become paying customers when they need more. It confirmed that you can build a sustainable business if you focus on the value you provide, not just on immediate profit.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it natural or learned?
Andrei Kurtuy: It was shaped by everything I’ve done so far. From bartending — where I learned to stay calm and work well with people — to my job at the library, which taught me organization and patience. Then in Business Development, I learned how important clear communication is and focusing on real human needs.
In decision-making, I try to combine data with intuition. We constantly analyze user behavior, test, and measure. But there are also moments when you have to make quick decisions based on experience and instinct — especially when data doesn’t tell the whole story or when innovation is involved.

C&B: What sets your business or professional approach apart from others in the industry?
Andrei Kurtuy: We focus on personalization. In our industry, many promote the idea that a one-size-fits-all résumé is enough. We believe every job is different — so the résumé should be adapted accordingly.
We also stand out in how we approach content: we don’t create it to impress, but to help. We write clearly, for real people. Most people search “how to write a résumé,” not “how to stand out through storytelling.” When we understood that, we grew organically by speaking the users’ language.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Andrei Kurtuy: My day starts with movement — I either run or walk, and aim for 10,000 steps. It’s a daily reset that helps me think more clearly.
At work, as CMO, I handle everything related to digital marketing. I work with the team and external partners, test ideas, and constantly adjust. As fewer people follow brands and more follow individuals, I adapted — I now write a career-focused newsletter and create content that directly helps people.
The most rewarding moments are when we get messages from people who found jobs thanks to the platform. Outside of work, I unwind by reading. I just finished Lord of the Flies — still incredibly relevant.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day to day?
Andrei Kurtuy: Stoicism has influenced me a lot — especially the idea of Amor fati — to accept and even love what happens to you, even when it’s hard. I try to see obstacles as necessary parts of the journey.
Authenticity is a core principle. I try to be transparent and consistent, which builds trust in the team. At the same time, I know everyone is different, so I approach relationships with empathy.
I try to protect my attention, which I see as a very limited resource. I only say “yes” to projects that have real impact, align with our strengths, and don’t burn out the team.
And I strongly believe in adaptability. In a constantly changing industry, continuous learning is essential.

C&B: How did the idea to start this business come about, and where did the name come from?
Andrei Kurtuy: The idea came in 2014, during a university competition. I was studying marketing, Ștefan was in Computer Science, and Cristian was in Multimedia Design. We joined forces and started working on a solution to a problem we all faced: how hard it was to create a résumé in Word.
We wanted to build an app where the design was already taken care of, and the user only had to fill in the information. That’s how the first prototype was born.
The name “Novorésumé” comes from “novo” (new) and “résumé” (CV). We liked the idea of a “new résumé” — something modern and professional. Plus, the domain novoresume.com was available, which was a big bonus.

C&B: If you could send a message to people following in your footsteps, what would it be?
Andrei Kurtuy: Don’t wait until you’re ready.
Many young people waste years waiting for the perfect idea, the perfect moment, or the certainty that it’s “worth it” to start. The truth is, learning comes from doing, not planning. Clarity comes when you begin — not when you’re just dreaming.
Talk to people who have the problem you want to solve. Don’t try to seem legit before you actually have something that works.
If you’re in your 20s, take risks. It’s the best time to try. If you wait too long, you might build confidence in the wrong direction — towards safety, avoiding uncertainty, routine.
You don’t need the perfect idea to start. You just need to start.
And maybe most importantly: enjoy the beginning. The long nights, the mistakes, the first little wins — those are the most valuable memories. You only build your first company once. Live the moment, not just the next step.â

This interview with Andrei Kurtuy shows us that success is not born out of perfection, but out of persistence, courage, and the ability to learn from failure. His story proves that obstacles can become the foundation of a remarkable career, and that true innovation arises from real-life experiences. Novorésumé is more than just a platform – it is a bridge between people and the opportunities they deserve.

The post Andrei Kurtuy – The Romanian Entrepreneur Revolutionizing Resume Building with Novorésumé appeared first on careers-business.com.

Peejay Vincent, percussionist artist and music producer, is the most authentic artist in Romania in the entertainment field (private events, clubbing, and corporate).

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence that would spark curiosity in those who don’t know you yet?
Peejay Vincent: I’m a complex and simple person, in the sense that I have a simplicity in the way I see things that even surprises me.

C&B: If we were to look at the narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Peejay Vincent: The key moments were when I worked as a support engineer at Microsoft for major companies, and at the same time, I was a percussionist in a club in Bucharest on weekends. I realized that music and the joy of making people feel good while performing made me feel even better.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Peejay Vincent: The most difficult and, at the same time, easiest moment was when I left my job as a support engineer at Microsoft to pursue music. After leaving Microsoft, I went through a year and a half during which my family’s income collapsed. Luckily, my wife supported my decision and took care of us financially and emotionally. After that period—which I saw as a time of testing and which I passed successfully—things started working again.

C&B: Has there been a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Peejay Vincent: Yes, my dream has always been to be a free man in what I do, and the ambition that has guided and still guides me is that nothing is impossible.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed over time?
Peejay Vincent: Like any beginning in any field—you have to persist, to learn, to observe, and to collect what is good for you, because people are not the same even if they do the same thing in the same field. I was lucky to have connections through friends with good people who helped me rise and become who I am today.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Peejay Vincent: That I’m a soulful person and, above all, a hardworking professional.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Peejay Vincent: I accepted the challenge to play club music at weddings and christenings—something that changed the way weddings are done today. A combination of traditional music for the older guests and club music for the younger ones, so everyone is happy at the wedding. I’m glad that I’m among the first, or probably even the first, who opened the door for this kind of wedding.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or the way you make decisions? Was it a natural or learned process?
Peejay Vincent: Building a career, no matter the field, takes time, a lot of work, sacrifices, and determination. For me, it was also a very natural process—I’ve learned a lot.

C&B: What do you think sets your business or your professional approach apart from the rest of the industry?
Peejay Vincent: With me, a promise made to a client is always kept. I’ve never promised anything I couldn’t do or deliver. I care a lot about professionalism and mutual respect. Moreover, the way I deliver my service is completely different. That’s why, after each performance, I’m 100% sure that at least two new clients will follow.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Peejay Vincent: A typical day starts with waking up around 9 a.m., 11 or 12 sometimes, depending on what I had going on the day before. I sometimes work from home, mow the lawn if needed, cook when my wife is very busy with work. Usually, I cook at home. Later in the afternoon or evening, I go to the studio to produce music with other artists from the city. I also post on social media from time to time.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day by day?
Peejay Vincent: My values and principles are: you are unique, be professional, always be respectful to those you work with and who respect you, and last but not least, be smart.

C&B: How did the idea of starting this business come to you, and how did you choose its name?
Peejay Vincent: My stage name, Peejay Vincent, simply came from the fact that I worked a lot with DJs (Deejays), and I thought Percussion Jocker would go well, similar to DJ – Disk Jocker. The idea to start this business came from the lack of this kind of percussion show in Romanian clubs. I am the first percussionist artist who started this kind of show in Romania, a few years ago.

C&B: If you were to send a message to the people who follow your example, what would it be?
Peejay Vincent: If you truly want it—if you feel that this is what you want to do in life—you’ll need a lot of work and seriousness. Don’t do it just because you see all kinds of videos on social media; otherwise, the end result will be a burden and a waste of time.

Peejay Vincent’s story reminds us that true calling always finds its way. The courage to follow your passion can transform a life—and a career.

The post From Microsoft to Live Percussion: The Story of Peejay Vincent, Pioneer of Music Shows in Romania appeared first on careers-business.com.

Despina Ponomarenco has over 20 years of experience in real estate. She is the founder of the most active associations in the field: Bucharest Real Estate Club and Romania Property Club, which represent the entire real estate industry. The two associations organize more than 10 events and campaigns annually in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Brașov, Iași, and Constanța. Moreover, Despina founded the first educational program in the field, REAL ESTATE ACADEMY, which will reach its sixth edition in 2025.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to intrigue those who don’t know you yet?
Despina Ponomarenco: Passionate about the real estate industry, I organize numerous campaigns, events, and educational programs that bring together people in this field to contribute to raising professional standards and improving the quality of the real estate market in Romania.

C&B: If we were to look at the storyline of your career or business, what were the key defining moments?
Despina Ponomarenco: Choosing to study communication at both undergraduate and graduate levels (FJSC & Master in PR & Communication at SNSPA) and deciding to enter real estate—a very dynamic field full of challenges and opportunities. I’m an optimistic person who consciously chooses to see the glass half full, and I apply the same principle at work: I communicate the importance of the industry and highlight the players who innovate and transform the communities they operate in.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment so far in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Despina Ponomarenco: Difficult moments are inevitable in any career. The most important thing is to carefully choose your “battles” and know which ones are truly worth fighting for until the last drop of energy.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Despina Ponomarenco: It’s essential for me to do something I truly enjoy and to see concrete results from my work. Some of my greatest satisfactions have come from the BREC ACADEMY project: witnessing graduates’ career changes and their achievements brings real purpose and fulfillment.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve changed over time?
Despina Ponomarenco: I like to believe I’ve maintained my optimism and passion while becoming wiser and more patient.

C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Despina Ponomarenco: That I’m passionate about what I do and that I move things, people, and projects forward whenever I believe the stakes are high and the outcomes support our mission.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Despina Ponomarenco: Ending a partnership with someone in business with whom I realized I didn’t share the same values. You learn that not all motivational quotes apply in real life, like “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it natural or learned?
Despina Ponomarenco: I believe leadership style stems from a person’s character as well as from the lessons they learn along their career, including those from other leaders who shape their path.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Despina Ponomarenco: All our initiatives have a strong educational component, so people always leave our events with new information. Additionally, we develop integrated campaigns—our events benefit from research, PR, and digital promotion components.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and which moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Despina Ponomarenco: I try to schedule each week with communication with member companies (emails, calls, meetings), event preparation—coordinating research materials, editing catalogues, invitations, liaising with authorities and partner companies, PR content, and digital campaigns. In the past two years, we’ve grown significantly, with over 10 events organized annually in various cities. However, this growth also comes with a large amount of bureaucratic work that takes up quite a bit of time.

C&B: What values or principles guide your actions, and how do you apply them daily?
Despina Ponomarenco: Work ethics, innovation, and added value for our member companies and partners are extremely important to me. I don’t believe in shortcuts—consistency and the desire to constantly improve always bring results and are the foundation of long-term partnerships.

C&B: How did you come up with the idea to start this business and choose its name?
Despina Ponomarenco: I had worked in the real estate industry for many years, and in 2017 I founded BREC to give a more institutionalized image to the local real estate market. Since there were no educational initiatives, I launched REAL ESTATE ACADEMY, the first private real estate educational program. As we grew, companies with projects outside Bucharest approached us to organize similar events in other cities. That’s how RPC – Romania Property Club, the national extension of BREC, was born.

C&B: If you were to share a message with those who follow your example, what would it be?
Despina Ponomarenco: I don’t like giving unsolicited advice; I believe everyone has their own path and pace. In professional life, I think it’s important to genuinely enjoy what you do and to feel a sense of fulfillment beyond just the financial aspect. If you dread every Sunday because of Monday, it might be time to re-evaluate your career and look for other opportunities.

With over two decades of experience and a clear vision for the real estate sector, Despina Ponomarenco is a benchmark for professional growth in Romania. Through her initiatives, she builds bridges between leaders, young professionals, and communities.

The post Despina Ponomarenco, founder of BREC and RPC: A model of female leadership in real estate appeared first on careers-business.com.