The National Forum of Entrepreneurial Vocation organized by the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship (CONAF) has garnered an impressive number of 850 registrations, bringing together young aspiring entrepreneurs, established entrepreneurs, image influencers, and opinion leaders on October 9th at the National Art Museum of Romania. This cutting-edge forum marks a significant step towards creating a positive impact in society, with its main objective being to support female entrepreneurship and develop a local ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into sustainable businesses.
This national-level initiative, the first of its kind, was conceived by CONAF to valorize, consolidate, and stimulate female entrepreneurship, providing an authentic space for inspiration and development. Sharing experiences across generations and building a stronger, more connected community are essential for female entrepreneurs to receive solid support in their professional journey.
In this context, both the inaugural event in Bucharest and the upcoming editions in Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, and Brasov bring a completely new element, offering participants a comprehensive experience of personal and professional development. The structure of the events is designed to cover essential aspects from inspiration to training, debate, and networking.
In Bucharest, the inspirational speech was delivered by Cristina Chiriac, the founder of the national movement for the cohesion of female entrepreneurship, while the intensive masterclass was conducted by Marius Ghenea, the author of the first book on entrepreneurship in Romania. The panel discussion featured entrepreneurs Teodora Tompea, Amalia Nastase, Andreea Raicu, Daniela Mariscu, and Cristina Batlan. In each city, a nationally recognized female entrepreneur will deliver a motivational speech on how she developed her business „FROM ZERO TO HERO,“ providing participants with inspiration and concrete examples. Additionally, the beloved presenter Virgil Iantu, himself an entrepreneur, will moderate the upcoming events with the same professionalism, striking a perfect balance between rigor and humor, inviting reflection through well-directed questions and moments of relaxation.
The President of CONAF, Cristina Chiriac, stated: „We have rewritten rules. We have created alliances. We have inspired a community to believe in itself. And we have kept our promise to never stray from our mission of supporting every female entrepreneur to confidently say: ‚I believe in myself. I believe in what I am building. I deserve to be here.‘ De Vocație Antreprenoare is more than an event – it is the platform that brings together authentic voices that inspire and open new paths, creating a network of support and opportunities for every woman who wants to follow her passion and become a model of success.“
Marius Ghenea, Managing Partner Catalyst Romania, also highlighted the value of this initiative: „I was honored to conduct an entrepreneurship masterclass at the first edition of the Entrepreneurial Vocation Forum. The participation was extraordinary and very interactive, and the atmosphere in the Auditorium hall of the Royal Palace contributed to a successful event that CONAF will further develop in other important cities in Romania.“
Similarly, Virgil Iantu, the event’s moderator, stated: „The Entrepreneurial Vocation Forum that I presented was one of the most beautiful and interesting events I have had. Each guest offered us a lesson on how to build, grow, and sustain a healthy business, and the audience was captivated by all the situations presented on stage. I felt fortunate to be surrounded by so many intelligent and beautiful women.“
Each speaker brought added value to the forum, and for Teodora Tompea, a journalist at Digi24, the event was an opportunity to share important lessons: „How much do we realize that failure or mistakes in business actually represent a chance, a new stage in evolution. I know, it’s hard for us to be vulnerable and accept that, but I shared how it was for me a difficult stage considered a failure in the evolution of Bragadeco, but from which I learned tremendously.“
Amalia Nastase, CEO and founder of Amalia Nastase Communications, also shared her thoughts: „I was thrilled to discover women interested in our journey and the success stories shared on stage. I hope I managed to inspire them and give them more confidence in themselves. It was an honor to be alongside strong and successful women who follow their dreams with determination and passion.“
Andreea Raicu, the founder and creative director of Amalin, said: „I am glad that I had the opportunity to listen to and meet courageous and strong female entrepreneurs, whether they are at the beginning of their journey or not. I find it extremely important that I could share my stories, which can help other female entrepreneurs going through different situations, to give them more courage so they can look at the challenges they will encounter in their careers with peace. Vulnerability is a key element when we talk about the balance between personal and professional life. We also discussed the role of the community, how the support of those around us, whether colleagues, mentors, or friends, can make a difference in challenging moments. I am deeply grateful that I could share not only knowledge but also emotions, life lessons, and hope for the future.“
Daniela Mariscu, co-founder of the Aquatica Experience group of companies, also emphasized the impact of the forum: „CONAF highlights the female entrepreneurial vocation, materialized in inspiration and creative energy. Today’s conference clearly showed the multidisciplinary capacity and innovative spirit of female entrepreneurs in Romania.“
Cristina Batlan, co-founder of the successful brand Musette, stated: „CONAF is special, and the events are that unique moment where the positive energies of female entrepreneurs come together.“
CONAF President Cristina Chiriac concluded: „When women find their voice, they not only change businesses – they shape communities, influence generations, and create a future where success is defined by collaboration, empathy, and excellence.“
By harmoniously combining various learning and interaction formats, the forum becomes a true space for growth and evolution, dedicated to those who want to discover their vocation or deepen their entrepreneurial knowledge, whether they are just starting out or are already established entrepreneurs.
The National Entrepreneurial Vocation Forum is an initiative of the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship – CONAF, in partnership with the National Association of Entrepreneurs – ANAA, the Women Entrepreneurs Employers‘ Association – PFA, with the aim of bringing about, through its premium content, a change in mindset, an acceleration, and a cohesion of a community with enormous potential – female entrepreneurship.