The history of the family business “Paine Domneasca” funded by Microinvest, began with the desire to offer the people of northern Moldova natural and high-quality bakery products. A few years ago, the Ninescu couple decided to return home from abroad and start a bakery business in their native village, Chetrosu, where they combined traditional recipes with modern technologies. Today, their business is known for its fresh bread, a wide range of bakery products, and welcoming cafés where people come to enjoy delicious pastries, as well as hot and aromatic beverages.
Find out from the interview with young entrepreneurs Victor and Sofia, Microinvest clients, how to manage a family business in Moldova, what the secret to success is, and what role Microinvest played in the development of their company.
Victor, where did the story of the “Paine Domneasca” family business begin?
I worked in a similar business for several years, learning all the nuances and intricacies of production. Later, my wife and I went abroad in search of a higher income, but over time, we realized that we wanted to return home and create something of our own. This is how the idea of starting our own business was born. We noticed a growing demand for products made from natural ingredients and understood that the market needed high-quality goods. That’s when we decided to create our own brand – the “Paine Domneasca” bakery. Another motivating factor for us was the desire to contribute to the development of our home village, Chetrosu. Starting the business allowed us not only to create new jobs for the locals but also to offer the villagers fresh, quality bread baked with traditional recipes.
Sofia, what products are available in your bakery’s assortment, and where can they be purchased?
Our bakery offers a wide range of bakery products, including rye bread, bran bread, bread with seeds, as well as traditional pies, buns, croissants, rolls, and many more. We also have round croissants, which are very popular today. We are happy to take orders for various events – weddings, and other celebrations. Our bakers pay special attention to the aesthetic appearance of our bakery products, creating original designs. Our products can be purchased directly from the bakery, as well as in our cafés in Drochia and Riscani, where, in addition to fresh bakery products, visitors can enjoy coffee, tea, and various cocktails. Additionally, “Paine Domneasca” products are available in many stores in the northern regions of the country.
How hard is it to develop a family business? What challenges have you encountered?
Honestly, running a family business is not easy, especially when it comes to balancing work and personal life. Even though each of us has our own responsibilities, we make all key decisions together. And when difficulties arise, we have to unite and find solutions together. Of course, we also have many funny moments, for example, when asked, “Who is usually at fault in certain situations?” The answer is obvious – “The wife!” But on a serious note, we fully understand that each of us plays a crucial role in our shared business. Victor takes care of production: he knows everything about recipes, technologies, and equipment. I, on the other hand, focus more on managing the cafés and stores and developing the brand. Thanks to this division of responsibilities, we manage to maintain balance and support each other.
How did you find out about Microinvest, and what is important to you in collaborating with our company?
We first learned about Microinvest back in 2017, and since then, our collaboration has only strengthened. What we appreciate the most is their operativity – every request is processed quickly, without bureaucracy. The financial analysis is done once, after which we can obtain the necessary amount within the approved limit in just 2 – 3 hours. It is very convenient and saves us time – one of the most valuable resources for entrepreneurs. Additionally, we want to highlight the professionalism of our loan expert, who has been working with us since the beginning. He is always responsive, answers any questions, helps us with suitable credit solutions, and provides useful recommendations. Thanks to this approach, we trust Microinvest’s reliability and confidently recommend the company to our friends and partners.
How do you cope with business challenges, and what motivates you to continue?
The secret to success in business is simple – it requires hard work, perseverance, and trust in what you do. Having your own business is wonderful, but behind it lies much more than it appears at first glance. Being an entrepreneur means having an unstable schedule, starting at 5 in the morning and sometimes working late into the night. You face a lot of unexpected problems that require immediate solutions. But most importantly, despite all the challenges, you have to do what you truly love. Then, all difficulties become insignificant. For example, when you see a student with one of our buns or a pensioner with a loaf of “Paine Domneasca” bread, you understand why you dedicate yourself to your work. And the greatest motivation for us is our family. It gives us the strength to keep going, regardless of obstacles.
*Microinvest is the only financial organization in Moldova that holds the international GOLD certificate in the field of customer protection. This signifies a responsible and transparent lending process, fair and transparent financing, and a constructive approach to any request.
