A Founder’s Story with Serial Entrepreneur, Cristina Imre

Cristina Imre, is a serial entrepreneur in HR, AI, software, healthcare, branding, marketing, e-commerce, real estate. Trained and coached people at all levels since 2004. Interim executive in multiple industries using tactical operational competence, strategic thinking to create dynamic teams with purpose. She is part of several global networks such as CEO Worldwide & Female Execs. Extensive 9+ years of experience in constructing and leading remote teams (startups, SMB’s and multinationals). She works remotely with her clients from all over the world, mostly the US, Canada, and the UK.

My childhood? I grew up in Romania, and my childhood was challenging but not because of my country. It created a great playground to strengthen my character and make me navigate through all kinds of circumstances that later helped me a lot.

Officially I started right out of university. That would be 2003. Unofficially long before that. It was always in my blood. I believe selling stuff, having all kinds of initiatives, and making money as a kid are entrepreneurial indicators. I loved thinking about ways to make money, and I also loved people, interacting with them, knowing them, make them smile. My first business is almost like a precursor of Quantum Wins, where I also wanted to connect business with more esoteric stuff. Today, quantum fields, the energy world, meditation are mainstream and successful people know that those who make it gained these skills consciously or unconsciously. In 2003, it was a real challenge to bring controversial topics to the business world. I also looked like a teenager at 25, so that didn’t help either. All my employees were older than me and more experienced professionals in their fields, except my secretary. The experience was interesting but also fun because I felt energized by challenges. And, my life experience far exceeded my chronological age. Despite all of that, I managed to grow my business to a decent level and gain tremendous insights and experience in the trenches. My startup gained a lot of attention too, because of its novelty. I regularly appeared in the newspapers and on TV all over the country

One piece of advice would be not just to start a business because it seems lucrative or trendy, but you lack expertise or passion in that domain. If you cannot see yourself fully dedicated for a longer time, forget about it. An exception might be if you want to experience failure first-hand and can afford to do so for a while. Then, OK. Your business should be a combination of skills, excitement for that domain, and a big enough market to serve to sustain yourself in the long run.