Raluca-Ioana Man, Founder and CEO, RSEVEN Ltd
Raluca Ioana Man is the founder and CEO of RSEVEN Ltd since 2017. Raluca Ioana Man is also the president of the Rotary Club of Nicosia (2021-2022), a member of BPW International and AIPFE Cyprus-Women of Europe.
She has over ten years of experience in branding, personal branding and reputation management, marketing and customized training. Raluca is also an accredited business, wellbeing, NLP, and emotional intelligence coach.
RSEVEN LTD has business partnerships in Europe, United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore. Raluca is known for being a specialist in bespoke personal branding solutions, from background identity, personal identification and evolution to present image measurement and determining to disable images for individuals and corporations.
Her new project, "BRANDNESS", offers a one-stop solution for all the necessary tools and technics that can assist you in achieving an excellent balance between your professional and personal life.
Raluca and her team at RSEVEN believe in respect in striving for greatness. "We empathize with and value our customers, and with efficiency and necessary tools, we create for you… your success is our success!"
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I have two: LinkedIn - because it is a great business platform. Instagram - because it offers a bit of everything, with great creative tools for personal and professional accounts.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I have always loved working with people. And for many years, I was in a quest. A quest that began with me. I wanted to become better. To change my mindset, to be more disciplined. And when I became the person I wanted, I realized that I could support other people transforming their life too. Main interest? To offer tailor-made solutions. For each individual or entity's needs. I will always be interested in anything that has to do with branding, personal branding and coaching.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
That I am able to be part of the change, of an individual, group or an entire entity.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
"To believe in me. Because everything starts within."
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
Depends on my partner, the people around me, my clients. And at my "worst "moments-myself. Because I decided a while ago to follow a path that brings me joy and peace, every time something goes unexpected, in a negative way, I remind myself about that path and always find strength and courage to "never ever give up".
With time, I also realized something else: if you are happy with who you are, you don't need something or someone to be motivated or inspired. When your dreams or goals come from within, from passion, you will move forward no matter what. You will be "crazy" enough to keep going, keep "fighting". Like Barbara Sher said: "As soon as you start to pursue a dream, your life wakes up, and everything has meaning." Remember: the best motivation comes from within!
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I am proud of many things, but the most important one is the change I made regarding my mindset. I made my dreams a reality as soon as I changed the way I thought. I had a pessimistic mind that kept me from finding balance and wellbeing.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Forums, different events, especially for the physical ones. For the virtual way: Clubhouse and LinkedIn.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Adaptability and flexibility because times and things are changing, and it is extremely important to be able to adapt; and be flexible. Realism and rationality because when I realized that my negativity would never bring me achievements, happiness or anything positive. I had not only to accept it but also be rational enough to find the best ways to make the right switch.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
That I have the power to achieve anything I can dream of. Mindset is everything. And everything should start with self! I can be my greatest ally or my worst enemy. I chose to be the greatest ally I can be!
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Someone who is not afraid to apologize or admit a mistake. Someone who hit rock bottom and still found the within strength to come back up. And if I have to give names, I admire Howard Schultz, who came from a poor family, who managed to be the first one to get a college degree and founded Starbucks.
He once said in a speech. "A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what other people don't see and pursuing that vision."
J.K. Rowling, the world-renowned author of the Harry Potter books, books that were rejected 12 times. This is a great example of "never ever give up."
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?
Reading, practising mindfulness, spending time in nature, swimming, quality time with my partner, playing with my dog.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
I feel so sorry for all those who lost loved ones, jobs and businesses. However, the pandemic had a positive impact on myself and my business. I had time to focus on some projects I postponed for quite some time, to build new signature programs, to work on myself, spend time with my partner and read a lot. I continued to do parts of my work remotely, I planned my next moves and strategies, and I shifted my priorities.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Not anymore. I reached a point where nobody knows me better than I do, so I can be my own confidant, best friend or toughest critique. I did mentor people, and I still do. I love coaching and mentoring people. I have coached people for over ten years.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Start with yourself. Analyze and get the best version you can be. Accept yourself with both flaws and qualities. Build your own personal brand; coach yourself before building someone else's brand or personal brand. See if you can be coachable before trying to coach others. My motto: "Grow yourself enough, so you are enough. Enough to support others with their growth."
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Not a clear vision, a clear goal. Not enough resilience and discipline. And like I mentioned before: If it's not coming from your ears, from and with passion, then maybe it's not your true desire, your true dream!
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Excellence is not a gift, but a skill that takes practice. We do not act rightly because we are excellent; in fact, we achieve excellence by acting rightly." - Plato.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is measured differently for every single one of us. For me:
Success is being able to spend time with your family and loved ones.
Success is understanding that simple things matter more than money.
Success is being grateful for every single moment.
Success is living in the NOW.
Success is "Enjoying the ride", not only the destination.
Like the lyrics in Morcheeba's song: "Feel the joy of being alive the day that you stop running is the day that you arrive stop chasing shadows just enjoy the ride."