Andreea Spaima, Sustainability Officer, evolvT
Driven entrepreneur focused on positive-impact projects, specialised in operational planning, but forever in love with branding and marketing. I have worked with marketing, business development and purpose-driven projects in the corporate environment before adventuring in the world of entrepreneurship.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I spend most of my time on LinkedIn and Instagram because most of my network is there.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
The role of a Sustainability Officer is often coordinated with every department in a company, and it implies a leadership task. However, sustainable change happens through small contributions from every single member of the organisation, and the task becomes bearable as a group. It is my job to inspire our team to action for both climate and social impact.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
Sustainability as a core business value is still a novelty for many, so I get to test new approaches and frameworks, which often offers a lovely surprise element.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Be true to yourself. Authenticity is a topic that has been on my mind for a while because it requires one to be acceptant of both aspirations and limits in an honest, transparent way.
Activating that inner entrepreneur requires that we fill most of our time with activities that we are passionate about, even though a founder's journey is filled with administrative tasks. We can not afford to use our drive on activities that drain us of energy. So, we either start delegating, or we work ourselves out of being passionate and innovative.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
I am motivated by working with business models that enable access, empowerment and overall wellbeing. Furthermore, I am proud to work with both social and climate sustainability because one without the other is incomplete.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Having found a purpose that creates income for myself and others. Some people know instinctively what they want to do and dream big until they reach material stability; some have to compromise dreams for income. I am lucky to have my entrepreneurial dream to create revenue, and that gives me the strength to rely on my set of values for strategic decisions.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I like to meet people face-to-face, preferably in an informal, relaxed set-up.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Perseverance and resilience. I believe that dreams never look the way we think they would, and plans always change, so it becomes crucial to believe in our vision.
In some professions, it is more visible than in others that the vision is bigger than the job: a doctor can save lives even after their shift, and a mathematician would still see the world through numbers regardless if they are at a desk or in their free time. Entrepreneurship is no different; if you have it, it is part of you; it is not a job.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I wish I had understood from day one how important it is to have a balanced life. Being strong to deal with uncertainty and big amounts of stress implies taking even more care of the founders. This often feels like indulging when resources are tights, and they always are in a start-up.
However, the wellbeing of the founders creates mental space for creativity, innovation and enforces them to believe in their capabilities.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
I absolutely love listening to Morgan Freeman, Kevin Hart, Will Smith or Dwayne Johnson when they talk about their craft and learnings. While they are not the most business-focused profiles I am following, they definitely found a way to do what they love, be themselves and create a difference for the better. This, for me, is the definition of accomplishment for any professional.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
My family and friends are receiving most of the time I have outside of work. Luckily for me, they also like to explore gourmé foods, trips in the forest, personal development chats and the occasional workout.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
The pandemic has created a very unstable environment for us as a company because the e-commerce volumes fluctuated. Firstly because of the increased sales. And secondly, because of the goods movement restrictions. In between all these, most major distribution companies decided to lower their prices and present new contracts to their subcontractors. This motivated us to stop all the subcontracting contracts and work directly with stores.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I am lucky to have three mentors, five advisors to the company's board, and a personal coach. I am also a mentor at the Founder Institute since this summer.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Be kind to yourself and never forget to empathise. This will be your strength.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of resources: funding, moral support, not investing in themselves as founders, overworking.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"If something is too cheap to be true, someone less vocal is paying the price."
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Ørsted has been declared the most sustainable energy company in the world, and I love following their journey. I also love to work with KLS, a Danish printing company that prints only on climate-neutral and fair trade paper.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is the ability to generate income while being true to yourself. This also creates transparency for the team and helps followers align based on their visions.