The Most Valuable Lesson I’ve Learned as an Entrepreneur
Resilience. Patience. Focus. Decisiveness. Adaptability. Since starting my entrepreneurial journey in 2007, I’ve learned countless lessons—many of them through hard-earned experience.
But for this first article in my LinkedIn newsletter Entrepreneurship Unleashed, I decided to go deeper than my regular posts.
I aimed to deliver something authentic and fresh—an article straight from the heart.
So, I stepped back from social media for a week to reflect, asking myself: what’s the most valuable lesson I’ve ever learned as an entrepreneur?
I deliberately avoided external sources like ChatGPT or other forms of artificial inspiration.
Focusing on my personal journey, I came to this realization:
A Movement-Driven Business Theory
A movement-driven business goes beyond transactions—it taps into the deeper motivations and values of your audience. It’s about creating a community that believes in what you’re doing, not just what you’re selling.
Over the years, I’ve seen the power of this approach through startups I’ve launched—Beyond Business School (a networking-oriented executive training program for high achievers), Bonapp (a mobile app fighting food waste), and my next venture, Station R (a temple dedicated to startups, technology and innovation).
These are more than companies—they represent ideas, aspirations and, in my case, dreams, even, that resonate with large communities of advocates, not just scattered customers.
What is a Movement-Driven Business?
A movement-driven business isn’t just about selling products or services. At its core, it’s built on a clear vision that inspires people to take action and be part of something bigger than themselves.
These businesses forge strong emotional connections by addressing shared challenges, goals, and dreams. Customers aren’t just buying your product; they’re buying into your cause, idea, and the values you stand for.
This emotional connection creates a loyal, engaged community of advocates who help spread your message willingly.
Case Study 1: Beyond Business School — Networking-Driven Business Education
Beyond Business School is a movement in itself. With no prior experience in the education business, I didn’t want to launch just another executive training program solely focused on delivering business fundamentals.
My business partner Andra and I envisioned a community of high achievers, people deeply committed to joining a value-driven network of ambitious individuals willing to take their career to the next level.
Our mission? Building the Next Generation of Romanian Business Leaders.
Our motto? Work Hard. Network Harder.
The name Beyond Business School invites our community to ‘go beyond’ in everything they do—primarily climbing the corporate ladder while staying true to their values.
We never call our participants "students"; we call them "Beyonders."
Joining our fast-track Executive Training Program is not just about gaining business knowledge. It’s about becoming part of an elite—a powerful, influential alumni community that supports each other over the long run.
In our inaugural cohort in Q1 this year, we had 31 students—brilliant Romanian managers with an average age of 35, from prominent companies like Renault-Dacia, Auchan, EY, Colliers, PepsiCo, Up, Total Energies, Philipp Morris, PwC and Google. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with an overall satisfaction rate of 4.77 out of 5.
Key takeaway: A movement-driven business starts with a compelling purpose that resonates with its audience. In this case, it’s not just about delivering education; it’s about inspiring leaders to create change. I wanted to launch Beyond Business School for many years and this dream finally came true. As a founder, you must be passionate and believe wholeheartedly in your movement. If you don’t, people will sense it, and no one will be inspired to follow you on the journey.
Case Study 2: Bonapp – Transforming How People Connect with Food
When Diego, Luka, and I launched Bonapp, we weren’t aiming to create just another food tech startup.
We wanted to tackle a large issue—food waste. Bonapp isn’t just about convenience; it’s part of a broader mission to make sustainable food consumption accessible to everyone. By connecting retailers with customers looking for discounted meals close to their expiration date, we attacked food waste head-on.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Our community doesn’t just use Bonapp for convenience; they believe in the impact we’re making together. They see themselves as part of a larger movement to reduce food waste while enjoying great meals at lower prices.
We never refer to our clients as “users.” They’re our “Food Waste Fighters.” With 40% of global food production being wasted and 10% of global CO2 emissions tied to food waste, we’re on a mission.
Before launching, I had a strong sense that Bonapp would succeed—because I hate food waste, and I knew many others felt the same. Today, over 350,000 "food waste fighters" use our mobile app.
Key takeaway: Bonapp shows how aligning your business with a larger positive cause that inspire others can create a powerful movement. When your business addresses a cause people deeply care about, you build a community that feels emotionally invested in your mission.
Case Study 3: Station R – The Collective Hub for Romania’s Innovation
Station R is another example of turning a business into a movement. Launching next year, Station R (for “Station Romania”) won’t just be another co-working space—it will be THE hub for entrepreneurs, startups, and creative thinkers to collaborate and innovate.
I don’t just want to create another workspace. Instead, I’m planning to realize my latest dream: to create Romania’s tech temple. Station R will be the ground-breaking hub for startups, innovation and entrepreneurship in Bucharest.
The Romanian tech ecosystem has huge potential, but it lacks a large, centralized facility to harness it. Station R will unite entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and innovators in one vibrant ecosystem where startups can meet, thrive and scale their ideas globally.
Just as Station F symbolizes innovation in France, Station R will be the beating heart of Romania’s tech revolution.
Key takeaway: Building a movement also means opportunities for people to meet face-to-face in breath-taking and memorable places, to share ideas, and build something greater than themselves. Station R aims to foster an environment where collective innovation flourishes and make Romania truly shine on the European innovation map.
The Blueprint for a Movement-Driven Business
Here’s what I’ve learned from building movement-driven businesses:
Final Thoughts
The future of business isn’t just about selling—it’s about leading and inspiring.
Entrepreneurs must create movements that engage and drive positive change to society.
Whether through education, sustainability, or innovation, my ventures—Beyond Business School, Bonapp, and soon, Station R—are about building communities around a cause that goes beyond traditional, transactional business.
So, as you think about launching a new business or pivoting from your current model, ask yourself just two questions:
When you find these answers, you might be onto something big, meaningful, and lasting!
Ready to turn your business into a movement? Join the conversation by sharing your views in the comments below.
Subscribe to Entrepreneurship Unleashed for practical tips and real-world insights! This weekly newsletter takes you through the thrilling highs and challenging lows of the entrepreneurial rollercoaster.
My articles are intended for founders who aim to succeed while staying true to their values. Learn how to navigate the startup world, achieve impact-driven success, and become a leader who inspires others—without losing your soul and health along the way.
Operations Lead
1moVery inspiring ! Thank you for sharing with us these insights !👏
Founder at PitchandMatch.biz and Proxiwave.com. VP board member French Tech Bucharest
1moVery inspiring ! Thank you !
CMO @ HATHI | x OSN | x ORBIT ! x SUN | x ASIANET| SPORTS BROADCASTING | CODE CUTTER | OTT | CABLE | SATELLITE | SPORTS CONTENT| NEWS | BUSINESS
1moGrégoire VIGROUX agree that not a product or solution make business but creating an ecosystem builds business these days, so never limit Beyond Business School to Romania
ESG for Banking and Finance, Chief Finance Officer Investment Banking EMEA, International Tax Planning, M&A
1moVery interesting, looking forward to meeting you in Paris soon