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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Alex Ciucă founded Superior Media at only 21 years old, one of the first Online PR agencies in Romania. It was the summer of 2010 and he had just graduated from university. He had to choose between getting a job or starting his own business, and the idea of being an employee didn’t seem attractive, so he preferred to start from scratch. He went on to work with top companies in Romania and to coordinate communication for the most important cultural events in the country, the Sibiu International Theatre Festival (starting in 2022) and the Enescu Festival (2023 edition). Later, he contributed to the launch of the fashion brand Aceeași Mărie and founded Maison Créative, a space for creative intersections and corporate events.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence, in a way that would spark curiosity among those who don’t know you yet?
Alex Ciucă: I am a PR professional with a strong technical background and extensive experience in cultural communication.

C&B: If we were to follow a narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Alex Ciucă: In 2010 we started pioneering social media, convincing many companies to open communication channels on different social networks, including the Romanian Tennis Federation. Afterwards, for many years, we worked mainly with small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. Starting in 2017, we transitioned to larger companies, multinationals, and clients outside Romania. After the pandemic, we also specialized in cultural communication, through major projects in Romania such as the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, the Enescu Festival, and the Ideo Ideis Youth Theatre Festival.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Alex Ciucă: I think the most difficult moment was at the end of 2023, when I had to choose between two important projects in our portfolio: the Sibiu Theatre Festival and the Enescu Festival. I realized I couldn’t coordinate communication for both projects in the long run, after a very demanding 2023, so I chose to continue with theatre and withdraw from the Enescu Festival.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Alex Ciucă: I’ve always wanted to work on interesting projects that stimulate my creativity and challenge me.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have transformed until now?
Alex Ciucă: When I started Superior Media, I had no agency experience, so it took a long time to build an organizational culture, work processes, a pricing strategy, and so on. We had to reinvent the wheel, which I believe slowed down our evolution in the early years, but taught us many valuable lessons.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Alex Ciucă: That I’m a dynamic person, a doer, very detail-oriented, and that I strive to make things work out as best as possible.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?
Alex Ciucă: I think the moment at the end of university, when I chose to start a business instead of getting a job, changed my trajectory forever.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or your way of making decisions? Was it a natural process or something learned?
Alex Ciucă: It was all natural, based on common sense and an empathetic approach to people.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or your professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Alex Ciucă: We use creativity to find the best solutions, both on the technical side, if it’s a digital project, and in storytelling.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments of the day bring you the greatest satisfaction?
Alex Ciucă: In the morning I answer emails and deal with urgent tasks from home, then I head to the office. In the evening I go to Maison Créative, where we constantly organize or host events.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day by day?
Alex Ciucă: We always strive to be transparent in our relationship with clients. We are open to any feedback and we put the client first.

C&B: How did the idea come to you to start this business and give it this name?
Alex Ciucă: Each business came at the right moment and everything felt very natural. Superior Media came at a time when I wanted to work in communication but didn’t see opportunities in the market that appealed to me.

Aceeași Mărie is my wife’s business, which I supported from its launch. Thanks to this business, I learned a lot about clothing and accessory production.

And Maison Créative came at a time when we needed a space to bring several event ideas to life.

C&B: If you were to send a message to people who want to follow your example, what would it be?
Alex Ciucă: I think they should first learn what communication business means by working in a larger agency before taking the step toward their own business. Even if you are a good communicator, it doesn’t mean you know what running a communication business involves, so experience in another agency could prove very important.

Alex Ciucă’s story proves that passion, creativity, and courage can build strong careers and inspire the next generations of entrepreneurs and communicators.

The post Alex Ciucă: From Superior Media to Maison Créative – a Career Built on Vision and Courage appeared first on careers-business.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Constantin Paraschiv is an entrepreneur, business consultant, host of the show “Permis de Antreprenor” aired on Euronews Romania, and founder of several projects dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and developing the business ecosystem.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark the curiosity of those who don’t know you yet?
Constantin Paraschiv: I’m an entrepreneur who believes in the power of community and education to turn business challenges into real opportunities.

C&B: Looking at the narrative thread of your career or business, what have been the key moments that defined you?
Constantin Paraschiv: Launching my first e-commerce projects, starting out in business consulting, meeting mentors who shifted my perspective, and the moment I decided to create “Permis de Antreprenor”—a media and community platform dedicated to entrepreneurial education—are all milestones that shaped my path.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment so far in your journey and how did you overcome it?
Constantin Paraschiv: The hardest moment was taking responsibility for the failure of my first e-commerce project during a time of economic instability. I overcame it by learning to ask for help and rebuilding my business on healthier foundations, without the fear of starting over.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Constantin Paraschiv: I’ve always wanted to prove that it’s possible to build in Romania a business ecosystem based on trust, partnerships, and know-how, and that ideal has constantly guided me.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed since then?
Constantin Paraschiv: In the beginning, I was impatient, full of ideas but lacking method. Today, I’m much more balanced, wiser in prioritizing, and better at building teams and communities that can take ideas to the next level.

C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Constantin Paraschiv: I think they would say I’m persistent, sometimes a perfectionist, but always open to helping them grow and find their place in the team.

C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Constantin Paraschiv: The decision to share everything I learn through media projects, conferences, and mentoring has helped me not only create value for others but also constantly rediscover my motivation.

C&B: How did you develop your leadership style or your way of making decisions? Was it a natural or learned process?
Constantin Paraschiv: A mix: I learned a lot from people around me and from books, but many lessons came through trial and error. Today I guide my decisions with a rational process, but also with intuition shaped by experience.

C&B: What do you think differentiates your business or your professional approach from the rest of the industry?
Constantin Paraschiv: I focus on people and education. I don’t just sell products or services—I create environments where clients and partners can learn, connect, and grow together.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the greatest satisfaction?
Constantin Paraschiv: I dedicate my mornings to planning and strategic meetings, and my evenings to reflection and creativity. The greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the concrete results of the people I’ve helped.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Constantin Paraschiv: Honesty, perseverance, and a partnership mindset. I like to demonstrate them through actions, in the way I treat every client, collaborator, or employee.

C&B: How did the idea for this business come to you, and why did you choose this name?
Constantin Paraschiv: The idea for “Permis de Antreprenor” came from the desire to offer entrepreneurs a symbolic “license” to learn and make mistakes, while also understanding that entrepreneurship is a path to be learned and practiced with responsibility.

C&B: If you were to share one message with those who follow your example, what would it be?
Constantin Paraschiv: The courage to start is important, but even more important is to keep going when the road gets tough. Surround yourself with good people, learn from every situation, and never stop growing.

Constantin Paraschiv offered us an authentic and valuable perspective on the challenges and successes of the entrepreneurial world. Through his initiatives, he shows that success comes from balance, adaptability, and a genuine desire to build for people.

The post Constantin Paraschiv’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Challenges and Victories appeared first on careers-business.com.

Ciprian Ionuț Pintea, founder of Winarrow, is a serial entrepreneur and investor, a graduate of the Faculty of Automation and Computer Science at the Politehnica University of Bucharest, who has worked exclusively in his own businesses.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to make those who don’t know you curious?
Ciprian Pintea: At 20, I was driven to achieve rapid and significant success; I sought out successful mentors, learned from them, and quickly achieved very good results, guided by the mantra: “Laser Beam Focus.”

C&B: If we were to follow a narrative thread of your career or business, what were the key moments that defined you?
Ciprian Pintea: The firm decision to educate myself on the mindset of successful people and the determination to learn intensely, acting with strong leverage to generate major impact.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Ciprian Pintea: The toughest moment in business was when all partners were financially successful, but a very strong team imploded because everyone wanted to start their own business. We shifted from a joint venture structure to a classic one with a CEO and achieved new milestones thanks to an aggressive action strategy and fast execution. I sought to work with the best professionals available, which made a crucial difference.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, no matter the obstacles?
Ciprian Pintea: I always wanted to exceed my limits and climb as high as possible. For a long time, I believed that intense effort, like in the gym, was the key to success. Later, I focused on having a positive impact on those I influence. I’m still trying to find a balance between all forces and motivations at every level. It’s a major challenge to find a balance that brings harmony in life, not just business success.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey and how do you feel you’ve transformed up to this point?
Ciprian Pintea: At the beginning, I was “hungry” and full of passion. Now I’m more confident, far less naïve, more skilled at dealing with people and identifying opportunities. I’d do many things very differently today, not just in business – and that shows how much I’ve changed.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Ciprian Pintea: From what I’ve heard, many appreciate the time they worked with me because they learned a lot. Many are now successful, some at very high levels. I was away from the country for a long time, and those who came to the office were probably glad I was gone. I wanted to push things to the max and was probably like a strict “professor.” At the time, some criticized me, but later they appreciated it because my standards helped them grow.

C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Ciprian Pintea: The most important decision was to start as early as possible and to learn intensively, so I could grow at an accelerated pace.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or the way you make decisions? Was it a natural process or something learned?
Ciprian Pintea: I learned from books and mentors. For any experienced person, it’s usually a combination of theory and practice. Leadership is primarily about vision. Without a clear direction, it’s hard to lead. Many executive decisions are more about management than leadership. High-performance management is rare.

C&B: What do you think sets your business or your professional approach apart from the rest of the industry?
Ciprian Pintea: I tried to innovate quickly and maintain high speed. I trusted that if we gave our best, we could win.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what parts of the day bring you the most satisfaction?
Ciprian Pintea: I am now retired due to health reasons. During the period of intense activity, I worked a lot and constantly pushed myself out of my comfort zone. A principle I often applied was “Work hard, play hard.”

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?
Ciprian Pintea: I keep learning. I’m now in a recovery phase. I believe there is life after death, and I want to act as well as possible, considering both this life and what comes after.

C&B: How did you come up with the idea to start this business, and how did you choose its name?
Ciprian Pintea: I created businesses based on demand, focusing on emerging and growing industries. I focused on online ventures due to my technical background. The name was chosen to reflect the competitive spirit and focus on success.

C&B: If you were to share one message with those who follow your example, what would it be?
Ciprian Pintea: The better you know yourself and understand your motivations, the shorter your path to your goals will be. Introspection and asking “why” are essential to understanding causality and how the world – and you – truly work.

Ciprian Pintea’s story is about ambition, transformation, and a constant desire to learn and make an impact. A true model of authentic leadership and vision in Romanian entrepreneurship.

The post Ciprian Pintea, Founder of Winarrow: “I Wanted to Climb as High as Possible and Leave Something Behind” appeared first on careers-business.com.