CRISTIAN NICOLAE

Cristian combines business expertise, life experience and a rare sense of clarity. He is pragmatic, results-focused and, at the same time, deeply empathetic and easy to engage with. His positive relational energy builds trust and openness, making his coaching sessions both impactful and inspiring.

Monica Grigoriu

Master Certified Coach ICF, Managing Partner @Coachingdipity

Cristian Nicolae is one of the longest-standing and most valuable members of the Maxwell Leadership Romania community. He is an extremely dynamic, friendly and engaged person, with a natural ability to connect people and build authentic relationships. He brings rare positive energy, a contagious passion for life, and a genuine desire to help and add value to those around him. Over the years I've known him, Cristian has always been close to people - present, dedicated and willing to contribute. I confidently recommend him as a coach and mentor, not just for his professional qualities, but above all for his character and authenticity.

Sorin Popa

President, Maxwell Leadership Romania

Beyond the Dragons – Be the hero of your own life! Every person has their own "dragons". What sets people apart is the courage to face them. I loved Cristian Nicolae's book for the authenticity with which he tells of his confrontations with his dragons: failures, losses, challenges, suffering and moments when life put him to the test. What I appreciate most is how, after every confrontation with the "dragons", he arrives at an extremely valuable life lesson. I believe the book's message is that we cannot control life's trials, but we can choose how we respond to them. With faith, optimism, work and gratitude, the dragons in our minds can become steps toward lasting growth. I especially love the way Cristian keeps alive in his heart the example of his parents, his roots, his sacred "icons" and his sources of personal strength. I wish I could have known them personally, I grew so attached to them just by reading about them! For me, the book Beyond the Dragons is much more than a simple life story. It is a genuine manual for maturity and authentic leadership: about how not to turn suffering into resentment, but into growth, courage and the power to reinvent yourself. It's worth reading because it reminds you that true victory isn't never falling, but choosing, every time, to rise with dignity and keep going. Cristian, congratulations for the courage to turn your life experiences into lessons full of wisdom for others!

Mihaela Stroe, PhD

Business Profiler, International Trainer & Speaker, Author

It would have been easy to say that this book moved me because the author is my brother. The truth, however, is that it moved me because, beyond the events I already knew, I discovered a man who had the courage to speak honestly about successes and failures, about love and separation, about fear, faith, and the power to always start over. "Beyond the Dragons" is not the story of a fearless hero, but of a man who learned to move forward in spite of his fear. It is a warm, deeply human book, written with humor, vulnerability and optimism. A book in which every reader can recognize, in one form or another, their own dragons, and find the courage to face them. I read it not only with a brother's emotion, but also with the joy of a reader who closes the last page feeling a little more confident in life and in their own power to keep going.

Dr. Ciprian Nicolae

Medic, Author, Health Educator aka Doctor Cip

I had the opportunity to work with Cristian, and I can honestly say it was one of the most valuable experiences of my professional journey. During a period when I had many questions, unclear ideas and blurred directions, he not only managed to give me clarity, but also inspired me deeply. I am deeply grateful for the professionalism, patience and openness with which he guided me. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone who wants not just to learn business, but to become a better version of themselves in it. Thank you, Cristian!

Mădălina Pop

Co-founder, Mommy's Help

Cristian, you were top-notch!

Raluca Niculae

Group HR Manager UK, VN, LTK, MD and RO at Alison Hayes UK

We worked with Cristian this year on two remarkable projects for us: "SMC Romania Day" in Bucharest and Timișoara. He was MC and speaker on motivation and leadership. I can only say this: professional and dedicated. Well done!

Victor Dahnovici

General Manager, SMC Romania

Cristian, you did an excellent job with the training. The feedback was great. We look forward to new projects in 2025!

Nacho Escobar

Regional Sales Director, USANA Health Sciences

Cristian Nicolae, honestly, I shouldn't have to write anything about him! He is a brand in himself! A unique personality, a wonderful human being... We know this, those of us who have worked with Cristian, as do the hundreds of high school and university students who changed their perspective on life after meeting him through the government's Romania Hub program. The man who gave dozens of motivational talks to young people just starting out… And he did it for free, just to create change in society! Well done, Cristian!

Andreea-Maria Severa

Head of Office, Romania HUB, General Directorate for Entrepreneurial Policies

Because his name is Inspiration. Energy. Because from him you learn to Hope. To be Optimistic. To Survive. No matter how many Hardships you face. To Find Solutions to seemingly Impossible Problems. To Live with everything life brings you, enjoying it.

Ioan Nicuț

Coach, CPCC, CSC

I met Cristian Nicolae as a businessman, but also as a speaker and trainer. He is authentic, open, communicative, charismatic and has a great desire to share his ideas and experiences. In short, I'd say he is a man gifted with the art of speaking. He knows how to capture your attention, delivering interesting and motivating messages. His training sessions are true experiences from which you learn new things, find answers and discover ideas.

Adriana Alionte

Founder, Shakespeare School

I met Cristian during a JCI Bucharest event in 2013. We exchanged ideas and I knew right away he was someone you could build with. Since then, we've collaborated on JCI Bucharest events, the launch of the Female Leadership Organisation, The Alpha Group and Meet the Mentor, with him as speaker and trainer. As a speaker, he is absolutely motivational and inspiring. As a trainer, he helps you work with your skills and develop them. As a person, he will surely infect you with energy and positive thoughts.

Bianca Tudor

Managing Partner, More Solutions and Founder, Elite Business Women

I discovered Cristian at a presentation, and I should have guessed from the first moment that he was from Oltenia. One of those Oltenians who, in the interwar period, were known as the hardest-working and shrewdest merchants in the kingdom. Once you get to know him better, you can't help but love his authenticity, humor, courage and entrepreneurial spirit in everything he does. If you need inspiration and energy in entrepreneurship, don't hesitate - connect with Cristian.

Dragoș Nicolaescu

Business Angel | Executive Coach | Change Facilitator

I had the chance to meet Cristian in 2014 at the 11even Experiences Conference in Craiova. And I say chance because I rarely meet people I can immediately sum up in a single word… And in Cristian's case, that word is INSPIRATION! An extraordinary speaker, a successful entrepreneur, a man who inspires and motivates! Cristian inspires young people and entrepreneurs looking for the key to success, and always finds time to personalize every process and bring authentic stories. He is definitely the expert you need for motivating your team, streamlining work processes, and understanding the importance of community involvement!

Adina Marina Calafățeanu, Dr.

President, Center for Sustainable Community Development; Senior Trainer, Expert Youth Partnership - Pool of European Youth Researchers (Council of Europe - European Commission)

Cristian Nicolae is one of the most convincing motivational speakers in our country; moreover, he's also a talented trainer. Although he has read many books on the subject, his business stories have substance and charm because they come from real experience as a Serial Entrepreneur - together with his whole family - with ups and downs, lessons learned and a winning spirit.

Radu Limpede

Managing Partner, EU Advisory

From his trainings you can learn the human values that guide Cristian Nicolae: respect for partners and clients, dynamism and passion, the desire to share relevant business experiences with others. One recommendation that stuck with me, applicable in service-based businesses: "you have to be obsessed with after-sales service."

Cristian Tudorescu

Managing Partner, Explore Asset Management and Executive Vice President, JCI Bucharest 2015

I've learned a lot from Cristian. He is a man with very rich experience and a truly special energy. I recommend him wholeheartedly.

Dragoș Voinea

Co-founder, Marsilian

The SSG team, made up of members of Toastmasters clubs in Romania, has decided: Cristian Nicolae, speaker at "Conference 3 - Perseverance, the Guarantee of Success Over Time", receives the top rating "Excellent", based on the scores obtained on the criteria: achievement, effectiveness, value, appearance, voice, timing, suitability and coherence.

Călin Iepure

Coordinator, Speaker Support Group, Business Days Cluj 2014

Thank you, Cristian, for all your support, you are an inspiration to us. The fact that you spoke to us from books but also gave us examples from your own experience convinced us. See you soon for the next level of coaching :)

Hulya Suliman

Franchisee, 5 to go