20 years, 1 President, 10 Questions with Florin Miron
In a few words, Florin’s story is that of an expat turned into an entrepreneur serving expats. In the early 2000s he was living in the United States, trying to keep in touch with his loved ones back home in Romania, when he realized he could help other expats like him call home and make this process easier for them by selling phone card PINs online. An initial investment of $100, two friends helping out with the business, and the rest is history.
20 years later, the evolution of the company is strongly connected with the latest technology development, and moreover it shows the drive and adaptability of the business.
We invited Florin for a quick chat about KeepCalling’s past, future, and business in general.
1. How would you describe KeepCalling?
First and foremost it is my hobby. I do business because I enjoy it and KeepCalling is the vehicle that allows me to follow my passion.
2. What are you most proud of?
Our company is very competitive. With the main office in Romania, we can compete on a global scale with companies located anywhere in the world. Our team members are highly accomplished professionals and I am proud they achieved such high standards working in an entrepreneurial environment.
3. When did you run into your biggest roadblock and how did you manage to overcome it?
There were so many challenges along the way, it is hard to choose one. So, I would say the biggest roadblock was starting the business. And I overcame it by just getting to work on it. :) So many people have ideas but so few of them try to make something out of them.
4. What’s your biggest motivation at the start of each day?
I promised to myself that I will only do what I like in life. If I wake up one morning and feel unhappy, I will change my career. KeepCalling allowed me to have big, strategic challenges to work on every day.
5. What do you enjoy the most about owning a business?
Freedom. This is why I started the company, to give me time to choose what I do and when I do it.
6. What do you appreciate the most in an employee?
Autonomy. My greatest satisfaction is to see how people working with me can become autonomous and can create their own strategies and career path.
7. What area of marketing do you feel is the most efficient?
I assume our colleagues in marketing will agree that Google Adwords is the most efficient. Every dollar going in can be measured on the way out.
8. 20 years later, how do you feel about KeepCalling?
It’s way more than I ever planned to build. There is still growth ahead and it gives me great pride to build a company that gives so much back to customers, team members and the society at large.
9. What are your plans for the future?
Today, my biggest project is to enable Tello to reach 1 million users by 2025. With every KeepCaller’s help and involvement, we will make it happen.
10. What are your 5 tips for fresh entrepreneurs?
Dream big, stay grounded, listen to people around you, follow your instinct and never give up.
