Florin Pețu on Failure, Personal Growth, and Happiness as a Life Goal

On November 18, students from the School of International Business at the Romanian-American University had the opportunity to meet Florin Pețu, a 2008 graduate and one of the most dynamic professionals of his generation in digital marketing and entrepreneurship in Romania.

The event was part of the Meet the Graduate series, organized by the RAU Alumni Network, a program designed to connect students with the university’s successful alumni.

Back in the Classroom – Lessons on Courage, Failure, and Personal Development

The meeting with students was sincere, energetic, and deeply inspirational. Florin spoke openly about his early beginnings, the work & travel experience he pursued after graduation, his first businesses, and the challenges he encountered as an entrepreneur. He explained to the students that networking, even from the university years, was one of the essential elements of his professional development.

A memorable moment was a lesson he learned in high school, from his physics teacher:
“You don’t have to do anything special to fail a class. You simply don’t have to study every day.”

This seemingly simple remark later became, for him, a profound understanding of personal responsibility, the importance of education, and the value of consistent effort.

Florin Pețu told the students that he chose the Romanian-American University together with his friends – for them, it was important to attend the same university, to stay close, and to enjoy every moment they spent together.

Seventeen years after graduating from the Romanian-American University, Florin believes that the university is doing something remarkable: it constantly adapts, seeks new programs, organizes events, brings professionals in front of students, and implements projects dedicated to their development.

Florin shared several key messages with the students, from his professional and personal experience:

Education remains the foundation of development, because it teaches you to think critically.

Communication is one of the most important skills in any field.

Stepping outside your comfort zone is essential – ask questions, search, explore.

Opportunities arise when preparation meets the right moment.

Success cannot be built without failure, and resilience is crucial.

Reading and self-knowledge are investments that pay off.

Read, walk, run, talk to people, ask for help – do it all!

You need different skills, in addition to the knowledge acquired during college, skills that you can acquire through volunteer activities, internships, or part-time jobs.

“Courage has been my trademark for quite some time,” he said, encouraging students to take meaningful risks, expose themselves to new contexts, and cultivate their inner resources.

On Entrepreneurship, the Future, and True Happiness

Florin also discussed the entrepreneurial landscape in Romania, emphasizing the need to increase the number of young people who choose this path. Romania ranks last in the EU in entrepreneurs per capita, and he encouraged students to try, test their ideas, seek resources and funding, and remain persistent.

“Investors invest in people first, especially when it comes to start-ups.”

He also spoke about the myths surrounding socially promoted “happiness”:
“The objective in life is to be happy. And that means, first of all, to be at peace.”

And he urged the young people: “You must become those people that we, the older generations, fail to be!”

Today, he acknowledges that one of his priorities is to live more presently and more balanced, enjoying everyday experiences—a conclusion that clearly resonated with the students.

A Valuable Experience for RAU Students

Through his authenticity, concrete examples, and openness to speak about failures as much as about successes, Florin Pețu offered students a real model of learning, courage, and personal evolution.
The meeting was animated by questions, discussions about students’ concerns, and many words of encouragement for those exploring their professional path.

When asked by students what books he recommends, Florin mentioned “Into the Magic Shop” and “The Magic of the Mind” by James R. Doty, as he is fascinated by neurofeedback, as well as “Restart” by Yung Pueblo — a book that deeply impressed him, especially given the difficult personal context he was going through at the time.

Florin left them with a simple and powerful message:
“The most important thing is not to give up, no matter how hard it gets. Keep going.”

Who Is Florin Pețu?

All About People!

Florin Pețu is the Co-founder of The Business Alliance and Partner at Happy Advertising România, actively contributing to the development of business and communication strategies for both local and international brands. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing, advertising, and entrepreneurship, he has coordinated more than 1,200 online and integrated campaigns, standing out through his vision, innovation, and ability to build long-lasting partnerships.

He is also the Vice President of the Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Bucharest–Ilfov, where he advocates for collaboration, the Romanian entrepreneurial ecosystem, and initiatives that connect people, companies, and innovative ideas. He holds shares in four companies and is involved in business consulting, digital projects, and educational initiatives.

Florin is a graduate of the Romanian-American University – School of International Business (Class of 2008) and holds a Master’s degree in Economics and International Business from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (2008–2010).

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florinpetu/