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.

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Cristiana Dănășel is a professional who blends rigor with empathy and strategic vision with concrete action. With a detail-oriented and results-driven approach, she builds long-term projects and relationships, placing emphasis on trust, clarity, and real impact. Her journey reflects consistency, courage, and a desire to bring authentic value to everything she does.

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

Cristiana: I believe the moments that defined me the most were both the times of crisis and the times of success. My professional path has been marked by numerous ups and downs, each bringing essential lessons, not only professionally but personally as well. In this industry, especially at the beginning, the line between personal and professional life is extremely thin. The years spent building the foundation of a career require deep involvement and, inevitably, sacrifices, and only over time do the two areas begin to find balance.

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

Cristiana: The pandemic period was undoubtedly one of the most difficult stages, a time when the entire industry was put on hold in a context full of uncertainty. I went through that period with patience, but also with a great deal of reflection and planning, focusing on the next steps.
Another challenging moment was the transition from agency work to the PR department of a music label — a change that came with a much higher level of responsibility and decision-making power. It was an intense period, but one that settled naturally, supported by concrete results and a significant increase in confidence in my own decisions.

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

Cristiana: Yes, there is. It may sound somewhat classic, but I have always wanted to succeed through the projects I have been involved in. I did not focus on personal branding, but rather on building and developing projects with real potential, projects that can speak for themselves.

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

Cristiana: The transformation is major and very visible. I have matured a great deal, learned to work efficiently, to make more calculated decisions, and to understand the importance of strong networking. All these years of work have shaped me as a professional and as a person, giving me clarity about my value, as well as the freedom to express my creativity in a much more confident and intentional way.

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

Cristiana: I hope they would say good things. They would probably describe me as serious, loyal, organized, creative, and very attentive to meeting deadlines.

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

Cristiana: The decision to go independent and build my own entity, through which I could move projects forward according to my own vision.

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

Cristiana: For me, leadership style came naturally. The biggest challenge was strengthening my confidence in myself and in the decisions I was making. However, I was fortunate to be surrounded by highly experienced people from whom I constantly learned and who contributed significantly to my evolution.

C&B: From your experience, what are the most frequent mistakes brands or artists make in communication and how can they be avoided?

Cristiana: Lack of consistency and patience are, I believe, the most common mistakes. If something does not work immediately, the direction is abruptly changed, which leads to chaos and inconsistency. Many follow trends without analyzing whether they fit the project’s identity. I believe it is much healthier to adapt trends to your own universe rather than forcing yourself to fit into them. Otherwise, you risk creating a superficial, short-term image lacking authenticity — and audiences sense that very quickly.

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

Cristiana: A typical day is, most of the time, organized chaos. No day looks like another. There are extremely busy periods when time feels insufficient, but also moments when I can allow myself to breathe. The greatest satisfaction comes when the to-do list is fully checked off, things are aligned, and projects evolve naturally in the right direction.

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

Cristiana: Honesty, loyalty, diplomacy, and respect — both toward myself and toward colleagues, clients, and partners. When I commit to a project, I see it through to the end, regardless of the external factors that may arise along the way.

C&B: What are the biggest challenges in working with artists and how is a long-term relationship of trust built?

Cristiana: Strong relationships are built over time, through results, involvement, and consistency. When there is loyalty, real work, added value, and a shared vision, it is impossible not to create a strong bond based on trust. Of course, there are also situations where chemistry or vision differs radically, and in such cases it is clear that the relationship cannot be a long-term one.

C&B: What skills do you consider essential for young people who want a career in communication, marketing, or PR?

Cristiana: Work ethic is essential, followed by patience, creativity, and a constant desire to evolve. It is very important to stay informed, to continuously update your knowledge, and to think outside the box. That is where truly valuable ideas emerge. There are no bad ideas, only contexts or clients that are not the right fit for them. As long as you manage to evolve alongside the market and have well-defined ethical principles, things will naturally fall into place.

Cristiana Dănășel’s journey proves that solid results do not happen overnight, but are built through patience, consistency, and deliberate decisions. Balancing strategy with intuition, and rigor with creativity, she continues to develop projects that grow organically while maintaining authenticity in an ever-evolving industry.

The post Cristiana Dănășel: Consistency, vision and the courage to build independently 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.

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

Dragoș Saioc is the General Manager of the engagement and teambuilding agency Ecoxtrem. In 2006, while he was Marketing Specialist & Deputy Manager at Porsche Finance Group Romania, he followed his passion for nature and his interest in ecology, laying the foundation of the Ecoxtrem mountain club.
What started as an outdoor initiative, inspired by the desire to bring people closer to nature, quickly attracted interest and turned into a teambuilding agency, with a name inspired by the extreme spirit of its beginnings.
Although the name and spirit have remained unchanged, Ecoxtrem today offers much more complex services, tailored to the current development needs of teams: one of the largest portfolios of teambuilding concepts developed in-house worldwide, complemented by expertise in corporate events, training, assessment, and internal communication solutions.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence, to spark the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Dragoș Saioc: It’s hard for me to describe myself, but my colleagues would characterize me by courage and adaptability. In the 18 years of the agency, many things have changed – from the evolution of the market to challenges like the pandemic – and what has always kept us moving forward was the ability to reinvent ourselves and keep going.

C&B: If we were to look at a narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Dragoș Saioc: The first pivotal moment was my departure from Porsche and the desire to try, together with a group of friends without entrepreneurial experience, to build a teambuilding agency. Here we are, 18 years later, still here.
Another defining moment was the pandemic, when, like all event agencies, we suddenly found ourselves without activity. We quickly adapted and were among the first to bring and develop a portfolio of online experiences.
In addition, we realized that people managers need more, and the needs of teams are becoming increasingly complex. That’s why we made the natural step from a simple teambuilding agency to an engagement agency.

C&B: What were the first challenges when you introduced the concept to the market?
Dragoș Saioc: In 2006, when we started on this path, Romania didn’t really have a culture of teambuilding or human-level team development, so the demand was modest. It took a lot of education on our part, as well as patience, to show companies the benefits of these experiences. Today, however, the need for connection is evident and widely embraced.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Dragoș Saioc: I wouldn’t say it was a particular dream, but rather a mindset: that of succeeding, of continuously developing, and of contributing to the well-being of the workplace environment. We have always been guided by the desire to adapt and to communicate effectively with new generations so that what we do remains relevant and truly impactful.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of the road, and how do you feel you have transformed over time?
Dragoș Saioc: At the beginning, we were bold and creative – and we still are today. The difference is that, along the way, we developed as a multidisciplinary team, and the volume of projects forced us to become much more procedural. Even though it may not seem so at first glance, today we function like an agile corporation with an adventurous spirit.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Dragoș Saioc: I think the team and collaborators would describe me as having the courage to try, regardless of challenges. For me, adversity is not an obstacle but a driver that motivates me, and the idea of standing still doesn’t suit me at all.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?
Dragoș Saioc: The most important decision I made was a few years before the pandemic, when I realized we had to diversify our services. We broadened our horizons into training and assessment, and from there things took an upward trajectory. We expanded our portfolio and internal capabilities, developing in-house products that strengthened our position and impact in the market. That was the moment when we shifted our mindset from an entrepreneurial approach to a corporate, procedural one.

C&B: How did you see changes in the teams you worked with after the Ecoxtrem experiences?
Dragoș Saioc: We can only quantify changes in teams that work consistently and sustainably in this direction.
When team experiences are treated as one-time activations, it’s much harder to measure the real impact.
However, we do have teams that have been working with us for over 7 years, and with them it’s clear how a unified personality and a healthy organizational culture based on connection and shared values have formed. Moreover, by supporting them in marking other important moments – March 1st and 8th, Children’s Day, sustainability events – we see how these initiatives become internal traditions. In such cases, teams begin to behave like true families, and employee retention is noticeably higher.
Another relevant aspect is the growing appetite of companies for assessment and objective evaluation of progress. At the same time, we observe the adoption of a Never Ending Teambuilding attitude – as a continuous style of development, whether through teambuilding programs, trainings, events, or internal activations.

C&B: What makes Ecoxtrem different from other teambuilding companies?
Dragoș Saioc: We may believe many things about who we are, but the most important thing is what clients and the market say about us. From the feedback we’ve received, we learned that we are perceived as extremely adaptable and highly customizable, because we develop everything in-house. In addition, what truly sets us apart is our implementation team, connected to the communication styles and needs of all generations in the labor market – something that makes our experiences relevant and memorable.
Another essential attribute is constant innovation, combined with a deep understanding of clients’ needs and objectives. This way, we can deliver personalized solutions with a high level of customization.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments of the day bring you the greatest satisfaction?
Dragoș Saioc: Besides my role as a manager, I am actively part of the consulting team, which means I spend a good part of my day talking to clients, understanding their needs and challenges, and building solutions together. If you were to visit our office, you’d most likely find me on an exploratory call with a people manager concerned about their team and eager to create a better environment. These moments, when I feel we can add real value, are the ones that bring me the greatest satisfaction.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Dragoș Saioc: Adaptability, courage, and the conviction that a solution can never be one size fits all.

C&B: How did the idea of launching Ecoxtrem Teambuilding come about, and what inspired you to take this path?
Dragoș Saioc: Ecoxtrem started as a mountain club, built on values that naturally belong to a team – trust, mutual support, overcoming limits together. At some point, we realized there was demand, there was a need, and there was space for such experiences in the corporate world. That’s how we started and turned our passion into what is today the Ecoxtrem Teambuilding agency.

C&B: What has been the most memorable teambuilding experience organized so far?
Dragoș Saioc: There are many memorable experiences, and each of us has our own favorite. For me, I think the defining moment was the first event organized for 1,000 participants. That’s when I realized that we could handle any challenge and that we had all the resources needed to deliver at the highest level.

C&B: Where do you see Ecoxtrem Teambuilding in 5 years?
Dragoș Saioc: We couldn’t say exactly what the plans are, because they’re part of our competitive advantage. What we can say, however, is that we will remain attentive to the market, ready to adapt and grow alongside the needs of teams. In 5 years, Ecoxtrem will deliver solutions to problems that clients today are only just beginning to define.

Ecoxtrem has proven that business success is not only measured in numbers but also in the ability to build strong, motivated teams ready to overcome any challenge.

The post From Outdoor Passion to Corporate Impact: The Ecoxtrem Journey with Dragoș Saioc appeared first on careers-business.com.

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.

The post Mihai Vutof – The Story of a Co-founder Bringing Music to Life through Paragon Music Festival appeared first on careers-business.com.