Presentation of the exchange:
Mihaela Tatu’s dream to open her own business is not just an opportunity for her to become a self-reliant architect, but also an opportunity for opening an architectural studio in a small town from Romania that has no architectural studios.
She chose to work in the EYE programme with an experienced entrepreneur from Italy – Mr. Giuliano Iamele. She saw in Mr. Iamele’s 10 years of experience in running a successful architecture business in Milano the best opportunity to get insights into the entrepreneurial world and learn the best practices to develop her own studio.
For three months, August-October 2015, Mihaela had the chance to experience the dynamics and challenges of a business, working side by side with Mr. Iamele and his business partner, Raffaelle Azzareli, from Rgastudio. Moreover, Mihaela witnessed the real environment of an architectural studio and discovered many tips and tricks in entrepreneurship.
Mr. Iamele involved Mihaela in real architectural projects, business meetings, contract negotiations, conferences, workshops, and sites seeing. He assigned her projects to manage from start to finish, as well as first hand presentations for clients. Her host entrepreneur’s experience and mentorship made Mihaela more confident in her management skills, and help her to develop a more versatile portfolio for a better start on the Romanian market.
Back in Romania, Mihaela is determined to enrol in the Architects’ Chamber of Romania and start her business. She plans to stay in contact with Mr. Iamele for further advice and potential business collaboration.
Profiles of the entrepreneurs:
- New Entrepreneur:
Mihaela Tatu, Sector of activity: Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services, Cluj-Napoca (Romania).
NE’s expectations from the programme:
“I participate in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs because I want to improve my architectural experience as much as possible, in order to be a great asset for my country and my hometown. I aspire to acquire the necessary knowledge to be able to open my own business. I consider this exchange as a great opportunity to continue to build on my architectural knowledge and develop my managerial skills, by gaining real professional experience. It is a great opportunity to observe and be involved in all the phases of an architectural project. I would like to take part in project management, client liaisons and site work assistance. I really think that this experience will mark my career as an architect and entrepreneur at the same time”. - Host Entrepreneur:
Giuliano Iamele, Sector of activity: Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services, Milano (Italy).
HE’s expectations from the programme:
“The program Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a great opportunity for both sides to enrich the working experience, develop new, international business relationships and rethink already existing business, from different perspectives”.
At the end of the exchange…
NE’s feedback
“Working side by side with Mr. Iamele, I had the chance to learn a lot of new things that help me in my training as a future entrepreneur and architect. Each week, we attended conferences, trainings and workshops for architects. I am more confident now, absorbing the know-how and experience of my host entrepreneur. It was a great opportunity to be part of this programme, and to learn about running a business, interacting with clients, suppliers, project supervisors, contractors, etc.”
HE’s feedback
“Mihaela Tatu was involved in our projects with a lot of passion, while being a very reliable colleague. She had the chance to improve her skills and knowledge in interior design, apartments’ redecoration and elaboration of architectural details and presentations boards. In all the projects she was involved, Mihaela successfully managed to bring her personal touch and developed her own vision of the project.
For our studio, the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme is a great chance to meet young architects and to create a network of professionals and entrepreneurs with whom we can then collaborate on different projects in Italy and Europe. We believe that, in managing and leading architectural projects, it is more and more important to have this type of network and to share our work. We hope that Mihaela will be part of our network and she will collaborate with our studio in the future.”
New and experienced entrepreneurs shall apply for the programme via the web page www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu
For further information about the programme:
Mrs. Cordelia Badescu
cordelia.badescu@fundatiadanis.ro
Mrs. A. Sarateanu, CSCS
This article was funded by the European Union’s COSME Programme (2014-2020).
The content of this article represents the views of the author only and it is her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the Executive Agency of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
