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.

Cristian Chirnogeanu is, first and foremost, a full-time father and husband; only after that, an entrepreneur. He is married to the woman he knew he would marry since he was 10 years old and has a “cool” kid, exactly how a Chirnogeanu should be. He loves his family life and treats it as his most important investment.

He is the co-founder of CORNiCO Snack Food. He has made many mistakes—some he didn’t learn much from, but others taught him how to learn from them. His flaw? He works a lot. Just kidding. He works a lot, but sometimes he also gets bored of work. He draws energy from people, and if the work doesn’t involve interaction or isn’t useful to others, he no longer finds meaning in it. He is a social liberal. He enjoys entrepreneurship, but equally cares about people and the idea that things should work well for everyone.

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

Cristian Chirnogeanu: What defines me is more related to my family life than to my business life. However, if I were to identify a few key moments that influenced my professional path, they would be:

2015 – In a martial arts gym, I met the general manager of one of our main competitors today.

2019 – We opened the CORNiCO Snack Food Services branch in Romania.

2020 – The pandemic gave us the time and context needed to position ourselves in a market that had been largely monopolized until then—the Fan Food industry.
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying: for us, the pandemic was an opportunity.

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

Cristian Chirnogeanu: It depends on what we mean by difficult moments.
The most difficult moments were actually the ones I caused myself.

I’ll choose this one: in 2020, without formal entrepreneurial training, in a context where many of our clients were completely blocked, I decided to rent a larger warehouse—even though we didn’t have an immediate real need for it.

I did it based on a principle I had read in books: “in times of crisis, you must invest.”
Without a concrete plan and without a clear structure, that decision brought us very close to shutting down.

Looking back, it was one of the most valuable lessons: courage without strategy is not entrepreneurship, it is pure risk.

Here, the advice would be not to read books anymore. Just kidding. The real advice is not to apply mechanically what you read, without context, without numbers, and without a plan adapted to your reality. Books provide direction, not ready-made decisions. Entrepreneurship begins where you filter information through your own market, your own cash flow, and your own risk.

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

Cristian Chirnogeanu: My goal is to live long, live well, and be free.

And if along the way I can help other people do the same, then the journey becomes truly fulfilling for me.

C&B: Cornico.ro covers a very diverse range of products, from popcorn machines and nacho accessories to packaging and ingredients. How do you decide which products enter your portfolio?

Cristian Chirnogeanu: I’d like to know the answer to that myself.

A client who is used to a certain product in a cinema or stadium is very hard to convince to try something else. There are many people who tell us:
“I go to the movies just to eat nachos, especially for that cheese.”
Try convincing that kind of client to choose something else.

What we bring to the market are not just products, but indulgence moments—what we might commonly call “cheating moments.” People don’t come to eat differently; they come to reward themselves.

For this reason, the selection process is very rigorous. We receive many samples, we test a huge number of products, and without exact statistics, I can say that under 10% of them make it to real market testing, in commercial conditions.

I constantly attend industry fairs, where we discover new products that can naturally align with what we already have in the portfolio, without forcing changes in consumer behavior.

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

Cristian Chirnogeanu: Usually, people say that we seem like a very relaxed company.

However, when they look at the numbers and our evolution, they are often pleasantly surprised. That is actually the direction we want to reach. I would like CORNiCO Snack Food to be described like this: “It’s a relaxed company that handles any situation calmly, objectively, and with maturity.”

I know we’re not fully there yet, but this is the standard we set for ourselves and build toward every day.

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

Cristian Chirnogeanu: AIKIDO

Going to Aikido classes was by far the best thing I’ve done for myself.

It taught me to stay calm under pressure, not to force confrontation, and to use the energy of the context in my favor—lessons that apply just as well in life as in business.

C&B: What differentiates the equipment and raw materials you offer from other solutions on the market?

Cristian Chirnogeanu: Clients appreciate our openness in teaching them how to use our products so that it benefits them commercially, not just selling to them.

Our main differentiator is price. We are positioned above the market average, but the value clients receive is directly proportional to what we ask. We don’t just sell products, but also know-how, stability, and predictability.

Our clients are those who want to build a premium segment in the market, who also take care of their end customers. And when we talk about individuals, they are people who want the best for their families.

This should not be seen as positioning against competitors—on the contrary. We have different categories of clients, even if at first glance we operate in the same market. Our competitors do a very good job for the segment they serve.

There are situations where we send clients to competitors when we cannot deliver exactly what they need. We see this as a sign of maturity and respect for the market.

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

Cristian Chirnogeanu: My day starts around 6:30. I don’t use an alarm; although it may seem counterintuitive, alarms make me sleep poorly because I’m afraid I won’t hear them. So I wake up when my body tells me it’s the right time.

After 9:00, things get busy. If this were a video game, we’d say the characters are loading.
At that point, I paradoxically become less productive, but I’m immediately activated by a client who needs advice, help, anything. I really enjoy being of service to people.

It’s office work, but often also warehouse work. I like staying connected to what actually happens in our warehouse, not just what’s on paper.

Then comes my favorite moment: when I get home to Felix, our little boy. I tell him “The Jungle Book” story and we read from “Doctor Aumădoare.” These are, without a doubt, the most beautiful moments of the day.

Sometimes I go shopping before getting home, but more occasionally, usually weekly.

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

Cristian Chirnogeanu: My main value is freedom—my freedom and the freedom of the people around me. That’s when I know I’m on the right path.

C&B: What trends do you observe in the food service and fast food industry, and how do you adapt your offering to stay relevant?

Cristian Chirnogeanu: It’s important to mention that we only marginally touch the fast food segment. Our real market is Fan Food—places where people go to have fun and where our products complement the experience: cinemas, stadiums, events, entertainment spaces.

Even though I said there are people who come “for nachos and cheese sauce,” the reality is that our products are an added benefit in a context where people primarily come for the experience and entertainment.

Market trends are well known: healthier food, fewer calories, less sugar, less processing. We are not in conflict with these trends.
For example, popcorn is undoubtedly one of the healthiest classic snacks when we’re talking about fresh snacks, prepared correctly and consumed in the right context.

C&B: What are the strategic plans for Cornico in the next 3–5 years? Portfolio expansion, internationalization, or new services?

Cristian Chirnogeanu: CORNiCO Snack Food’s plans are not designed for 3–5 years, but for a much longer horizon.
We don’t constantly change direction or reinvent our strategy year after year. We have the same plan, consistently applied over time: to educate the market and bring cool products, regardless of context or market.

Yes, we are constantly looking at expansion into other countries. We have branches in several states and distribute to even more. For example, from Romania we consistently deliver to Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova. If we include occasional deliveries, we have long surpassed Europe’s borders.

For us, however, the rule is clear: existing clients have the highest priority.
New plans only appear when we are sure they do not affect relationships and the level of service offered to current clients.

Growth, in our vision, does not mean expansion at any cost, but continuity, trust, and long-term building.

For Cristian Chirnogeanu, entrepreneurship is not about rapid growth or spectacular decisions, but about balance, clarity, and consistency.

The post Cristian Chirnogeanu, CORNiCO Snack Food: Business doesn’t start with ideas, but with assumed decisions appeared first on careers-business.com.

In a labor market undergoing accelerated transformation, where fixed roles are increasingly questioned and flexibility becomes a competitive advantage, Ligia Adam’s journey is a case study in adaptation, professional maturity, and strategic clarity.

A commercial strategist specialized in technology and digital transformation, with more than a decade of experience gained in organizations such as Lenovo, Bitdefender, Digital Nation, or CivicTech Romania, Ligia Adam is part of a new generation of leaders who choose to exercise their expertise outside traditional structures. Recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 Romania, she now works as a fractional CMO and independent consultant, helping tech companies accelerate commercial success through integrated business, marcomm, and digital strategy.

A transition less abrupt than it seems

Although the term “fractional leadership” has only become popular in recent years, for Ligia this way of working is not new. As early as 2013, she combined a full-time job with consulting projects and project-based collaborations, at a time when freelancing had not yet gained today’s appeal.

She worked for years on UNICEF’s digital campaigns in fundraising and communication, then expanded her portfolio into tech, digital, mobile, FMCG, and lifestyle. These collaborations were not the result of a strict plan, but emerged organically through recommendations and natural opportunities, giving her cross-industry exposure to different business models.

This stage shaped not only her skills, but also her ability to work remotely, navigate diverse contexts, and deliver results without the rigid infrastructure of a traditional organization—long before remote work became the norm.

Fractional as a choice of professional maturity

After a professional break dedicated to family, Ligia’s return to the labor market came naturally through fractional consulting. This time, however, from the perspective of a senior professional, fully aware of the value she brings and of the limits she is no longer willing to accept.

For her, the fractional role is not a retreat from a classic career, but a form of professional autonomy. It allows her to work based on a real mix of competencies, avoid the rigidity of traditional job descriptions, and focus on impact rather than presence.

Direct access to decision-making and the reality of limited resources

One of the main advantages of this model is direct access to founders and top executives. Ligia often works with leaders who need fast, hands-on support in commercial development, in contexts where internal specialized resources are limited or nonexistent.

The challenges are real: tight budgets, lack of tools, or insufficient specialized talent. Yet this is precisely where the value of a fractional professional comes into play—the ability to build bridges, alternatives, and pragmatic solutions that close the gap between ambition and reality.

Measurable impact, not just theoretical recommendations

Throughout her collaborations, Ligia has contributed to successful go-to-market launches, strategic repositioning, and significant business growth. From B2B products with regional success that were aligned with international standards, to companies that tripled their leads through niche-targeted content or doubled online orders by refining e-commerce functionalities and communication strategies.

In a recent cleantech project, the impact translated into a shift from B2B subcontracting through third parties to direct contracting with a major real estate developer—a strategic move with clear commercial benefits.

But perhaps the most important impact is sometimes less visible: clarifying unrealistic expectations and recalibrating decisions before they become costly.

The difference between full-time and fractional leadership

While a full-time executive must operate within all internal organizational rules—processes, budgets, policies, culture—a fractional leader has the responsibility to deliver results without the “fluff” associated with these structures. They are simultaneously strategist, project manager, executor, and partner.

Working with multiple clients requires discipline, constant context switching, and strong time management. For Ligia, this rhythm is familiar, similar to the dynamics of communication agencies, where multitasking is a constant.

Skepticism toward consultants and how it can be overcome

For a skeptical CEO, the value of a fractional professional can be explained simply: it is a paid trial for senior-level expertise. Not just ideas, but real involvement, accountability, and responsibility.

The perception that a consultant “only gives advice” is, in Ligia’s view, outdated. A true professional takes ownership of execution, warns about risks, and stays involved even when results require adjustments or temporary downturns.

The future of work: more hats, more value

Ligia Adam sees fractional leadership not as a trend, but as the formalization of a way of working that has always existed. The difference today lies in context: accelerated automation and the widespread use of AI will make human expertise, strategic thinking, nuance, and differentiation more valuable than fixed roles.

In this landscape, professionals who can deliver transversal value across multiple organizations will have a clear advantage.

Advice for senior professionals

For those considering a transition to fractional work, Ligia recommends realism and preparation: a minimum of two clients for stability, a financial buffer for the first six months, and strong professional ethics.

Above all, what matters is a solid portfolio of real results, a well-built network, and the ability to highlight the skills that make you professionally valuable.

In an increasingly fluid world of work, Ligia Adam’s journey shows that flexibility does not mean instability, but can sometimes represent the most mature form of leadership.

This material is an original editorial feature, produced based on a previously published interview in our niche publication, Fractional. The full interview is available here.

The post Ligia Adam and the art of building growth through flexible roles: From a corporate career to fractional leadership in tech appeared first on careers-business.com.