Ioana Mocanu is the founder of Creative Board Gaming (CBG), an organizer of board game events for all ages, operating in Bucharest and the surrounding areas. Since 2013, she has been bringing together people open to socializing on a daily basis, sprinkling the entire experience with playfulness, suspense, and smiles. Alongside this business, Ioana is the mother of a 5-year-old daughter and, in her free time, she practices Latin dances, dabbles in playing the guitar, meets up with friends and, of course, plays board games whenever she gets the chance.

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

Ioana Mocanu: The first key moment was when I was proposed to start the Creative Board Gaming story. A second moment was when, after almost three years of trying the model of a board game shop combined with a leisure space, we decided to focus solely on events. We hadn’t managed to delegate properly and felt we were doing many things, but at a mediocre level. Around that same period, the partner I had started with decided to go in a different direction, so I continued on my own. The beginning was very uncertain, but I believe it was worth it.

Before Creative Board Gaming, during my bachelor’s and master’s studies, I worked in sales as a freelancer, then in a corporation and in two smaller companies. I feel all these experiences helped me later in business. Also, although I never ended up practicing what I studied, I believe it contributed to developing my way of thinking, my perspectives, resilience, and planning skills.

And to finish with key moments, the pandemic definitely has its place on the list. We struggled to create alternatives for people during that time.

C&B: What are the biggest challenges in running a business where the main product is entertainment, not just the sale of objects?

Ioana Mocanu: The fact that you constantly have to strive to be chosen. Especially in Bucharest, where there are extremely many entertainment options, it is both a joy and an honor that people choose to come to us. Another challenge is that entertainment is considered a pleasure, not a necessity, therefore during financially difficult periods people go out less and in smaller numbers.

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

Ioana Mocanu: I wanted my work to have meaning, to feel that I offer something that brings added value and, of course, that I enjoy. It is said that being self-employed brings freedom. In reality, you have less free time, but the satisfaction and even the adrenaline of making your own decisions can be defining if this suits you.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey and how do you feel you have transformed up to now?

Ioana Mocanu: At the beginning, I was very naïve. Gradually, I had to come down to earth. At first, I also believed I knew a lot. Now I understand how much I still have to learn and how fascinating that is. Also, at the beginning I didn’t have much to lose. Now I am much more responsible, especially since I also have a family.

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

Ioana Mocanu: I like to think they see me as a committed person who wants everything we do to turn out as well as possible. I also try to create a pleasant working environment, based on collaboration and common sense.

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

Ioana Mocanu: Starting to delegate. It’s good to learn everything, but you can’t be good at everything, and at some point you simply won’t have the time. It’s very hard to let go of the reins, and I still have work to do on that.

C&B: Your vision says that “the site calls itself a shop, but in fact we play them” — how do you explain the concept of an experience-based shop to someone who comes for the first time?

Ioana Mocanu: What we offer are beautiful moments, both alongside loved ones and alongside new friends met on the spot at events. I have nothing against objects, but we already all have plenty of them. An experience, however, shapes you, stays with you, and can reconnect you with yourself and with others. Daily worries pass more easily when you know that in the evening you will do something enjoyable that recharges you. Not to mention weekends, when you are not as pressed by responsibilities.

C&B: How do you differentiate yourselves from other online or offline board game shops, especially through your vision of “fun with friends/family/colleagues”?

Ioana Mocanu: We no longer sell games, so our relationship with shops is one of partnership. Our competition lies in other event organizers targeting exactly the same audience as us. We differentiate ourselves through meticulous organization, the fact that we address both adults and children (with separate sections), the option to purchase a gift voucher for someone dear so they can choose what they want from our offer, the fact that we rent games for home use as well, our corporate packages and, last but not least, our bonus points system. More precisely, anything you choose from what we offer, plus winning at our events, earns you points in your website account, which you can later use to choose rewards from the page called Prizes. There you’ll find all our partners listed, with options ranging from cocktails and relaxation massages to dance class subscriptions and even trips around the country. In addition, once every three months we give extra awards to the best players in each type of competition (besides social and relaxation events, we also organize championships for advanced players). We also offer personalized trophies, for proper recognition.

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

Ioana Mocanu: It depends on the day. Sometimes I work from home, other times I go to the locations where we have a permanent game collection available for people who want to go out and play with friends outside of events. For the most part, I try to spend as much time as possible with our daughter after we pick her up from kindergarten. The moments that bring me the greatest professional satisfaction are those when I hear clients laughing wholeheartedly and their phones remain untouched. They look each other in the eyes, talk, disconnect from stress and bring out the child in them through play. Not to mention how many people have, over time, become good friends, neighbors, colleagues or even couples.

C&B: What important lesson have you learned as the founder of a niche concept focused on experience and community?

Ioana Mocanu: That the beginning is much harder when the market doesn’t yet exist. In 2013, many people believed board games were slot machines and didn’t associate them at all with chess, rummy, Monopoly or classic card games. At that time, there were already thousands of titles worldwide, but in Romania there were very few players in this field and it was very difficult. In such a situation, you need either a lot of patience or very effective techniques to educate and attract the audience to what you offer. Luckily, we had the patience — the second part came later . In any case, today there are incomparably more players on the market: shops (physical and online), Romanian producers and distributors, plus other organizers, both in Bucharest and across the country. Competition, as a principle, gives anyone chills, but it also contributes to market creation and stimulates continuous growth. What helped us the most in CBG’s activity, however, was the idea of community, of belonging, of bringing together people with the same energy. This emotional aspect contributed significantly.

C&B: How did the idea of CBG Shop come about and what inspired you to turn your passion for board games into an experience-based business?

Ioana Mocanu: My former partner, Cosmin, came up with the idea at a birthday party of mine where, of course, we were playing board games. I was already working in the games industry at the time, giving a lot of passion to my job, but the manager back then had started treating us very badly. When I told my friends I was about to resign, the proposal came up and initially, of course, it was a laughing matter. Until the next day, when I received a message from Cosmin with information about youth funding programs he had already found online that we could access to open the business. We were both just over 20, coming from ordinary families, without money or business role models around us. We started from zero and also rushed into large initial expenses, which was not good at all. My advice now would be: start wisely — not overly cautious, but don’t throw yourself into too much either. Grow gradually, with a plan, but with a lot of flexibility. Have patience and perseverance. Try, learn. Surround yourself with people who support you and, ideally, from whom you can learn. Do it as early as possible, so you have time to dedicate yourself before other responsibilities appear.

C&B: What is your vision for CBG Shop over the next 3–5 years — expansion, new locations, local gaming communities, partnerships?

Ioana Mocanu: A game collection in even more venues in Bucharest (we currently have 6 partners), events for even more game titles — at the moment we have Catan, Whist, Table, Dungeons & Dragons, Puzzle, Board Game Nights where we play all kinds of games, and many others. Collaborations with more afterschools and schools (for programs like “Școala Altfel” and “Săptămâna Verde”), with more companies for team buildings and employee benefits, plus more partners for the prizes we offer at events. And last but not least, I wish to continue waking up in the morning with enthusiasm and energy, because life flows very fast, and being able to work at something you love seems to me one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.

Ioana Mocanu’s story is one of courage, patience, and purpose in an industry built around joy and connection.

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Liliana Maria Jgheban is a clinical psychologist, integrative psychotherapist, co-founder of Therapy Home, and President of the ME WE by Therapy Home Association, an organization she co-founded with Diana Șorop. Through her work, she combines individual and family therapeutic practice with educational and social projects, bringing mental and emotional health closer to people and communities.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to spark the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?

Liliana Maria Jgheban: I am a person who has transformed my own search for balance and meaning into a mission to support children, adolescents, adults, and families in rediscovering their confidence and power to build healthy relationships.

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

Liliana Maria Jgheban: The first defining moment was the decision to leave a career in a different field to pursue psychology and dedicate my time to the emotional healing of others. Then, launching Therapy Home together with Diana Șorop, at a time when the idea of therapy was still viewed with reluctance, was an act of courage and a choice that completely changed my professional path. Another defining moment was the founding of the ME WE by Therapy Home Association, again with Diana Șorop — a step that took my work beyond the therapy room and into the community, through projects with social impact.

C&B: What were the main challenges you faced when launching Therapy Home, and how did you overcome them?

Liliana Maria Jgheban: The biggest challenge was to build trust in a sensitive and often stigmatized field. People used to, and sometimes still do, see psychotherapy as a weakness rather than a tool for growth and healing. I overcame this obstacle through consistency, by nurturing genuine relationships, and by creating a space that conveys safety and closeness — a therapeutic “home.”

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

Liliana Maria Jgheban: My dream has always been to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and unconditionally accepted. I deeply believe that every person has the inner resources to heal and that the right kind of support can radically change lives.

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

Liliana Maria Jgheban: At the beginning, I was more fearful and very focused on perfection. Today, I’ve learned to value authenticity, flexibility, and courage. I’ve become more present and open as a person.

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

Liliana Maria Jgheban: I think they would say that I’m both firm and kind. That I listen, encourage, and give them confidence, but also challenge them to go beyond their limits. And, above all, that I always put people first.

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

Liliana Maria Jgheban: The decision to move from individual practice to entrepreneurship in psychology. Therapy Home and the ME WE by Therapy Home Association would not exist if I had chosen to remain in the comfort zone of one-on-one therapy.

C&B: What is Therapy Home’s mission, and how is it reflected in your daily activity?

Liliana Maria Jgheban: Therapy Home’s mission is to provide safe spaces and concrete resources for healing, emotional education, and relational reconnection. It’s reflected in every therapy session, in our support groups, and in camps and workshops on various topics.

Through the ME WE by Therapy Home Association, this mission extends to the wider community through charitable and educational projects that raise awareness about the importance of mental health. We do this through psychoeducational initiatives led by a team of professional therapists with extensive experience in counseling teenagers, adults, and couples in Romania.

C&B: What has been your greatest professional satisfaction from this project so far?

Liliana Maria Jgheban: The real transformations I see in people. Watching a teenager learn to express emotions or a woman regain her confidence — these are the moments that give meaning to my work. The fact that Therapy Home and ME WE by Therapy Home Association have become trusted pillars in the community is a profound fulfillment.

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

Liliana Maria Jgheban: A typical day includes individual and family therapy sessions, as well as time dedicated to social and educational projects. The most fulfilling moments are when clients or participants tell me: “I’m grateful that you exist in my life!”

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

Liliana Maria Jgheban: I’m guided by authenticity, respect, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance. I apply these values every day through the way I listen, support, and create contexts where people feel safe and can flourish.

C&B: How did the idea of founding Therapy Home come about, and what inspired you to start this project?

Liliana Maria Jgheban: The idea came from the desire to offer more than a traditional therapy office — to create a warm, welcoming space where people feel they belong. I was inspired by the real need people have for a place where they can receive support not only as individuals but also as families and as part of a community.

C&B: How do you envision the development of Therapy Home in the coming years?

Liliana Maria Jgheban: I wish for Therapy Home to become a reference center for mental health in Romania — a place where people find support through innovative therapies, educational programs, and community projects. Through the ME WE by Therapy Home Association, we aim to expand our social impact by getting involved in more programs for children, teenagers, parents, and families in need.

Liliana Maria Jgheban’s story is one of courage and purpose — the courage to turn her own inner search into a mission to help others heal.

The post From the Search for Balance to a Mission of Healing: The Story of Liliana Maria Jgheban and Therapy Home appeared first on careers-business.com.

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.

The post Laura Iordache – Bread as a Form of Love and Community appeared first on careers-business.com.