Adrian Cadar is the founder of Bio Holistic and the Obio organic products brand, passionate about nature, music, and a healthy lifestyle. He founded the company in 2008, while the Obio brand was launched in 2012.

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

Adrian Cadar: Certainly, the moment when I joined a multinational company, which gave me early access to everything related to systems and processes within a large organization. And later, of course, the moment when I decided to leave the multinational environment and embark on the entrepreneurial journey on my own. However, both moments are rooted in my self-taught mindset and my early determination, from around the age of 18–19, to know what I wanted from my career. Of course, I did not know at 18 that I would work in the organic products industry, but I knew I would be independent and that I would eventually have my own business.

C&B: Bio Holistic has grown to a portfolio of more than 2,500 products and hundreds of partners. What were the most important strategic decisions behind this growth?

Adrian Cadar: Probably the most important decision was creating our own organic products brand, Obio. Choosing suppliers is also crucial, and we were fortunate to establish partnerships with some of the most renowned European suppliers in the organic market. Another important decision was focusing our energy on the traditional trade segment, or the specialized market as we often call it.

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

Adrian Cadar: Yes, from a young age I had the desire and ambition to be independent and to have my own business. Around the age of 18, I came across a book called “Secrets of the Mind, Secrets of Success,” which completely changed my perspective on what is needed to succeed in life. My personal development journey started with that book. I consistently applied everything I learned from all the self-development books I read. There was no internet back then, and books were the only source of information. To this day, everything I have set out to achieve has come true, without exception.

C&B: How would you describe the evolution of the organic products market in Romania from the time you started until today?

Adrian Cadar: The market grew rapidly until after the pandemic. Over the past two or three years, growth has slowed, but not only in Romania; there has been a decline or stagnation across Europe. We know that the European economic situation has not been particularly favorable in recent years, and this is reflected in the organic products market as well. Of course, the share of organic products is still very small in Romania, which I estimate at around 1% of total products, while in developed countries it can exceed 10%. There is significant room for growth, and the market will certainly continue to expand in the coming years. In countries such as Italy, France, and Germany, there are hundreds and even thousands of specialized organic stores, whereas in Romania we cannot yet really speak of organic stores (with the exception of 3–4 stores in Bucharest), but rather organic sections or corners within larger stores.

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

Adrian Cadar: They would probably say that we are very serious, that we operate with a high level of professionalism, and that we are trustworthy.

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

Adrian Cadar: Although I knew from a young age that I would eventually have my own business, I did not know in which field. So I would say that the decision to open a small natural products store in Oradea in 2008 was the one that ultimately introduced me to organic products and the organic products market.

C&B: In your view, what does a truly “holistic” lifestyle mean, and how do you translate it into business?

Adrian Cadar: Holistic essentially means seeing things as a whole, as I like to say. A holistic lifestyle means taking care of the body, the mind, and the soul (or spirit, if you prefer). I would say that an organization such as a company “lives” holistically when it pays equal attention to all aspects necessary for its proper functioning.

C&B: How do you select suppliers and brands for your portfolio in order to maintain quality standards?

Adrian Cadar: Of course, there is a technical selection process, so to speak. We look at certifications and product sources. But there is also the element of feeling, of value alignment with a supplier, something that cannot be translated into software. And very often, that is what makes the difference. If we do not resonate with a potential supplier, we do not start the collaboration. There are quite a few cases where we turn down partnerships. We have brands in our portfolio that we have worked with for many years, brands with which we share the same values and the same high quality standards, and which place great importance on what is called business ethics. We are proud of that and of our suppliers.

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

Adrian Cadar: In the morning, I wake up, drink one or two large glasses of water, and head to the office. I check my emails and read the business news when I arrive, then move on to the tasks for the day. Around midday, I pick up my youngest son from school and we go to the gym. Of course, he does not actually work out; he just supervises me, but I hope this routine becomes ingrained in his subconscious so that he will stay active when he grows up. After the gym, we go home for lunch, which is also my first meal of the day. I return to the office for another one or two hours, and by around 5–6 p.m. I am back home, where we have dinner together as a family. By 10 p.m. at the latest, I am in bed, as sleep is extremely important for recharging my batteries for the next day. As you can see, nothing unusual, perhaps even boring for some people. But I believe that routine and consistency produce the best results over time.

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

Adrian Cadar: I try to be fair, transparent, and to encourage those around me to look at life with optimism and confidence. I strongly believe that we cannot receive unless we first give. If I can do a good deed, I do it, because I know it will come back to me in one form or another. We always receive what we give in life.

C&B: How did the Bio Holistic story begin, and what motivated you to enter the organic products and healthy lifestyle sector?

Adrian Cadar: It all started in 2008 when I opened a small natural products store in Oradea. I chose that business because I was passionate about nutrition and healthy living and had completed various complementary therapy courses at the time. Alongside the physical store, I also launched an online store. While searching for organic products, both for my family and for the store’s customers, I realized there was very little variety among suppliers at that time. So I began looking for suppliers myself. Initially, I brought products only for my own store, and in 2012 I launched the B2B distribution channel as well. That same year, we launched our first products under the Obio brand and launched the website www.obio.ro. It is a wonderful field in which I feel useful, helping people pay attention to what they eat while also protecting nature at the same time.

C&B: How do you see the evolution of this sector over the next 5–10 years, both in Romania and internationally?

Adrian Cadar: The current global context is a complicated one, and certainly the organic products market may also be affected. On one hand, we have wars that are significantly increasing energy costs, and on the other hand, Romania’s complicated situation caused by the political class. Despite this, I remain optimistic that the organic market will be less affected than other sectors. In the long term, Romania still has considerable room for growth, and opportunities lie primarily in processing, as there are currently very few organic product processors in the country. We export a great deal of raw materials and import many finished products. Within five years, we could witness a doubling of the market if both the global and national economies recover.

Adrian Cadar’s journey demonstrates how long-term vision, consistency, and a passion for healthy living can turn an idea into a leading business. Through Bio Holistic and Obio, he contributes to the development of Romania’s organic products market by promoting quality, sustainability and responsible consumption.

The post Adrian Cadar, Founder of Bio Holistic and Obio – on organic products entrepreneurship and the future of Romania’s organic market appeared first on careers-business.com.

Octavian Tupan is the founder of the Wurstaholics concept, a brand born in the midst of the pandemic that quickly established itself on Romania’s street food scene. Today, Wurstaholics is recognized nationally and internationally, being a Romanian food truck awarded the Superior Taste Award by the International Taste Institute in Brussels for its cheese-filled sausages.

C&B: Looking at your professional journey, what were the moments that defined you?

Octavian: I don’t see my career as a sequence of “key moments” checked off on a timeline. Rather, everything I have built is the result of applying a personal business philosophy, the Kaizen principles I deepened during my Master’s studies at the City College of New York: small, constant improvements, easy to implement, but done day by day. Over time, they create the difference.

C&B: What was the biggest challenge in turning a relatively new concept into a functional business?

Octavian: The biggest challenge was related to the novelty of the concept. Wurstaholics appeared at a time when, in Romania, vegetarian and vegan lifestyles were gaining more and more ground, and savory street food was dominated by burgers, mici, and dishes already familiar to the public.

At the same time, the Romanian sausage tradition means something different: classic recipes, mostly seasonal consumption, and very little openness to reinterpretation. Our concept, based on cheese-filled sausages and a variety of recipes from different cultures, was something different that needed time to be understood and accepted.

C&B: Was there a dream or belief that constantly guided you?

Octavian: Yes, there is a dream that has constantly guided me: the dream of the small entrepreneur who sees his product appreciated, grown step by step, and who manages to bring real change to a field.

For me, Wurstaholics means more than a business. It is the desire to contribute to the evolution of street food gastronomy through a coherent, well-executed concept that raises standards and shows that even in this segment you can achieve quality, consistency, and sustainable growth.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning and how do you feel you have changed?

Octavian: At the beginning, I was the kind of entrepreneur who believed things could happen quickly, almost overnight. I had a lot of enthusiasm and a strong desire to accelerate everything.

Over time, experience taught me that healthy growth requires patience, planning, and well-weighed decisions. Today I am much more calculated, I think my steps through in the medium and long term, and I focus on stability and consistency. It is a natural professional maturation that came with responsibility.

C&B: What would your team say about you?

Octavian: I have the best collaborators. I remember a difficult moment when, for objective reasons, I was not able to pay everyone on time. Then I heard something I will never forget:

“For us, you are more than a boss. You are like a father, like a brother, like a friend.”

It was a powerful reminder of the responsibility I have toward them.

C&B: What was the decision that truly changed your trajectory?

Octavian: Without a doubt, the moment I asked my wife, Andreea, to marry me and fortunately she said “yes.” For young entrepreneurs, I always say the same thing: choosing your life partner is the most important decision. It can make the difference between failure and success.

C&B: What did the Superior Taste Award mean to you?

Octavian: The Romanian customer is generally conservative, especially in the street food area: burgers, mici, langoși. The international recognition helped us moderately with the general public, but it was a real advantage in the corporate events segment.

Personally, I deeply appreciate the fact that the evaluation comes from an anonymous jury made up of Michelin-starred chefs and top European chefs. Even if we do not have the largest customer base, I can sincerely say that we have the most civilized customers, and they deserve all our efforts, including the invisible ones.

C&B: What makes Wurstaholics different from other food trucks?

Octavian: Our Smart Food concept: quality products, easy to prepare and quick to serve. But the real difference is honesty toward the client and predictability of quality. Standards are non-negotiable.

Equally important is our pricing policy. We want profit, but in a sustainable way, without putting pressure on customers. For example, in the last three years we have kept the same prices at the Christmas Markets.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you?

Octavian: My days are quite structured. I try to start the morning with sports because it helps me maintain clarity and energy for the rest of the day. Then comes the operational side: supply lists, stock checks, discussions with the team, and meetings that require my direct presence.

As the day progresses, I try to maintain a balance between business and personal life. For me, it is important to get home and spend time with my wife. I believe an entrepreneur functions well in the long term only when there is a real balance between work, discipline, and personal life.

C&B: How do you maintain quality in a business with mobility and fluctuating volumes?

Octavian: You have to be a little crazy. We prefer the term passionate. It all starts with rigorous organization, which at first consumes time and energy but later makes your life easier. You need serious partners and the courage to trust them. You cannot do everything alone.

C&B: Did your aviation experience influence your management style?

Octavian: Very much. On an aircraft, space is limited, every object has its place, cleanliness is impeccable, and responsibility is at its maximum. The exact same principles apply in a food truck.

We have clear hygiene procedures, sheets for each piece of equipment, and constant temperature monitoring. I often say that I don’t know if we make the best-tasting product on the market, but we are certainly at the top when it comes to cleanliness.

Written large on the food truck wall is:

“In this unit, no product is sold until it complies with the standard.”

C&B: How do you see Wurstaholics in the next 3–5 years?

Octavian: My model is Pax Romana, a period of stability and consolidation. We want to focus on corporate and private events, while remaining open to street food only under fair and sustainable conditions. At present, many participation fees are unrealistic, and I believe this paradigm needs to change.

At the same time, I have specialized in consultancy for organizing street food events. Last year we launched Oktoberkult, our first proprietary event, organized in partnership with Hotel Caro, a unique concept dedicated to German-speaking culture.

Octavian Tupan’s story is not about overnight success, but about consistency, clear standards, and small improvements applied every day. Wurstaholics is the result of a vision built with patience, discipline, and respect for the customer.

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Alin Trușcă is the founder and CEO of EVOhoreca, a company that also includes the brands JUKO, Studio32, truEvents, and MobilaMania. For 23 years he has been active in entrepreneurship, launching Romania’s first online furniture store in 2004 and developing businesses that combine quality, sustainability, and innovation in HoReCa, urban furniture, playground equipment, and residential and consumer solutions.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Alin Trușcă: I am an entrepreneur who learns from mistakes, constantly reinvents himself, and believes that people and the team are the true value of any business, even when challenges seem insurmountable.

C&B: The key moments that defined you
Alin Trușcă: Since my teenage years I dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, and this desire motivated me to start in 2002, while still in my second year of university, with only a few months of work experience. In 2004, I launched Romania’s first online furniture store, and in 2006 I founded a furniture factory and a turnkey online store development agency, combining my passion for design and technology.
Since 2005, my wife, Raluca Trușcă, has worked alongside me, holding the position of COO of the company and actively contributing to the development of the team and daily operations. The decision to temporarily close the business came in 2009, due to financial blockages caused by the economic crisis, and it was a tough lesson in responsibility and perseverance.
The period 2011–2019 marked the peak of EVOhoreca’s growth, and the subsequent crises forced me to launch JUKO and consolidate the brands Studio32, truEvents, and MobilaMania, each with its own domain: Studio32 for premium residential furniture, MobilaMania for entry- to medium-level consumer residential furniture, JUKO for urban furniture and playground equipment, and truEvents for equipment, furniture, and special lighting for event venues and conference halls.

C&B: The most difficult moment and how you overcame it
Alin Trușcă: Between 2009 and 2011, the business went into total financial blockage: debts, lawsuits, foreclosures. I went through a period of physical and emotional exhaustion, supported only by my family. The essential part was taking responsibility and working constantly to pay off debts, rebuild the business, and keep the team intact. This experience taught me the value of resilience and perseverance.

C&B: A dream or ambition that has always guided you
Alin Trușcă: To build businesses that generate real value for clients and the community, to create stable jobs, and to prove that success comes through work, innovation, and respect for people.

C&B: How you were at the beginning and how you feel you have transformed
Alin Trușcă: At the beginning, I was naïve, impulsive, and very passionate, without practical experience. Today, at 42, I am more calculated, strategic, and aware of the impact of my decisions on the team, clients, and community. But the enthusiasm and the desire to create value have never disappeared.
Over the years, I have built a small but dedicated team, hiring entry-level colleagues whom I trained and mentored with care. Many of them have advanced and now work in large companies or have become entrepreneurs themselves, which brings me joy and motivates me to continue investing in people.

C&B: What would your team or collaborators say about you?
Alin Trușcă: They would probably say that I am demanding but fair; that I put pressure when needed, but always with the goal of achieving results; that I never give up and that I always try to encourage innovation and responsibility.

C&B: The most important decision that changed your trajectory
Alin Trușcă: The decision to temporarily close the business in 2009 and rebuild everything from scratch was the pivot of my entrepreneurial life. I learned to prioritize cash flow, relationships, and the team, and to treat every financial decision with maximum responsibility.

C&B: Your leadership style and decision-making process
Alin Trușcă: It is a combination of instinct and experience. I made many decisions “on the go,” but each mistake taught me how to plan more strategically, how to communicate more transparently, and how to involve the team. My leadership was shaped both by experience and by taking responsibility and self-mentorship.

C&B: What differentiates your business
Alin Trușcă: EVOhoreca and its associated brands are not just about profit. The difference lies in quality, customization, sustainability, and taking responsibility for everything we deliver to clients. I have always maintained the human dimension of the company, relying on close relationships with the team and on the internal development of talents, which allows us to have an authentic and high-performing organizational culture.

C&B: A typical day and moments of satisfaction
Alin Trușcă: A day starts with numbers, orders, negotiations with clients, and discussions with suppliers. The moments that bring me the greatest satisfaction are when I see the team mobilized, clients satisfied, and projects delivered flawlessly. These remind me why I built everything and why every effort is worth it.

C&B: Values and principles
Alin Trușcă: Honesty, perseverance, respect for people and money, innovation. I apply them every day in strategic decisions, in relationships with clients and suppliers, and in the way I lead the team.

C&B: The idea and name of the business
Alin Trușcă: EVOhoreca was born out of the desire to deliver real value in HoReCa. The name “EVO” comes from Elegant. Versatile. Original., which from the beginning reflected the brand’s philosophy. After a few years, I kept the EVO acronym but changed the slogan to “We make every space count!” because it better expresses our current mission.
Over time, we expanded the portfolio with:
● JUKO – urban furniture and playground equipment;
● Studio32 – premium residential furniture;
● MobilaMania – entry- to medium-level consumer residential furniture;
● truEvents – equipment, furniture, and special lighting for event venues and conference halls.

Each brand reflects its mission and field, but all share the same vision: quality, sustainability, and innovation.

C&B: A message for those who follow your example
Alin Trușcă: Be brave, perseverant, learn from mistakes, take risks, respect people and your values. Obstacles are not barriers, but steps that shape you and show you how far you can go.

The journey of Alin Trușcă and EVOhoreca shows that perseverance, innovation, and respect for people are the keys to entrepreneurial success. An example of authentic leadership and value-driven strategy.

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