When he heard about Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme from his friend, Lucian Costea, a young entrepreneur from Cluj, decided to participate in the programme without hesitation: “I took this decision in 10 seconds”, he said. Participating in an entrepreneurship exchange abroad, working together with an experienced entrepreneur was an opportunity Lucian couldn’t miss in order to develop his own business.

“It is not a business, it is passion.” (Lucian)

Lucian is a Romanian young entrepreneur living in Cluj-Napoca and runs an online shop called “Mr Charming” selling high quality fashion accessories for men. The business was started by him together with a friend in 2014, with a goal to become the #1 online shop in the field.

The fresh entrepreneur with great passion for fashion and ambitious plans was looking for a chance to learn more about marketing in Europe in order to make his business international. So, he successfully grabbed the chance. Applying to the programme and being accepted represented his opportunity to find out more about the fashion market in Europe.

With a special interest for the German fashion market, Lucian searched the programme’s online database with entrepreneurs, and found Mr Huy Thong Tran May, an experienced host entrepreneur living in Berlin. In February 2016, Lucian started his entrepreneurship exchange, working together with Mr May in his concept shop Oukan, for three months.

“It’s great how in these programme you can find another person who is also passionate about the same segment of market”, said Lucian.

The activities Lucian was involved in were mainly in online marketing & social media strategies. Actually, he made a remarkable contribution to Mr. May’s business with his practical skills about online marketing strategies, gained through his former career.

As a first experience in working abroad, it was a bit challenging for Lucian, but with his passion, it didn’t take so long to overcome problems of language and culture. Working in this European and Japanese fashion and food boutique, Lucian feels he took many benefits from the successful business model developed by Mr May.

“Having some contacts outside Romania will help you when you will open your business in other countries in the future” Lucian considers, and continues – “Knowing new people, new market is helpful for you, and for your business. It is important that new entrepreneurs to be open-minded, flexible and careful to the opportunities they might encounter.”

Now, at the end of the exchange, Lucian plans to sell his products abroad, applying the know-how he learned through Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.

Watch the interview with Lucian Costea, about his Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs experience here: