Romania

As a child growing up in the small Romanian city of Alba Iulia, Bogdan Moga dreamed of being his own boss rather than depending on someone else for his livelihood. “I did not want the 15th of the month to mean a payday for me,” he said.

In 2014, Moga took a risk and opened a small, family-run tailoring business. To be truly competitive, he knew that he had to produce more efficiently than other tailors. Like most new entrepreneurs, Moga needed to make capital investments, but he did not have the financing to do at the time. He applied to a start-up contest created by Vitas Romania, called the Declaration of Independence Competition.

The competition funds original and innovative start-up ideas, including Moga’s tailoring shop, which uniquely specializes in protective equipment. With the contest award, the equivalent of about $2,300, Moga purchased three cars that doubled the productivity of his workshop. He has also purchased a machine that cuts material more efficiently, a professional ironing station and a powerful sewing machine that handles the work of 4-5 people.

Moga’s start-up now has 10 permanent clients, providing the necessary income to grow and maintain the business. He aims to double the number of customers and increase profits, as well as making new investments in equipment, hiring another person to help distribute the workload and expanding into other market segments.

“The contest, named Declaration of Independence, gave me above all the support I needed. It helped me to start every workday with a lot of confidence,” Moga said.