Artesana’s Participation in TEDx or Other Events
by Daniel Donici
When we started Artesana in 2012, we weren’t thinking about stages, microphones, or spotlights. We were thinking about glass bottles, fresh milk, and how to do dairy differently in Romania—cleaner, simpler, and more honest.
But as the years passed, something unexpected happened: people wanted to hear our story. Not just customers, but communities, educators, entrepreneurs, even international organizers. And so, little by little, we began accepting invitations to tell that story.
One of the most meaningful moments came when we were invited to speak at a TEDx event in Romania.
We didn’t attend with grand ambitions. We weren’t there to impress. We were there to share something real—what it means to grow a purpose-driven food company in a modern world, where shortcuts are tempting and tradition often gets left behind.
Why We Agreed to Speak
At first, we hesitated. After all, we’re dairy people. Farmers. Craftspeople. Our days are spent in the factory, not on stage.
But then we realized: this is exactly why we needed to speak. Because stories like ours—quiet, grounded, regional—deserve a place alongside the big tech breakthroughs and innovation pitches.
We believe that food matters. Not just what’s in it, but how it’s made, who makes it, and why.
What We Talked About
Our TEDx talk wasn’t filled with slides or statistics. It was more like a walk through our journey. We shared:
The decision to use glass instead of plastic
Why we work with small Romanian farms and pay them fairly
How we make dairy products that stay close to their natural state
The unexpected emotional connection people form with food made honestly
What it feels like to resist industrial norms and still grow steadily
And above all, we talked about integrity. The idea that how you do something is just as important as what you’re doing.
The Response
After the talk, something beautiful happened. People didn’t come up to discuss logistics or market share. They came up to tell us how they remembered their grandmother’s milk. Or how they hadn’t trusted dairy in years until they found Artesana. Or how they were thinking of starting something small and were afraid they’d need to compromise to survive.
That moment—those conversations—reminded us that this work is bigger than just products on shelves.
It’s about culture, memory, and believing that honest business is still possible.
Beyond TEDx
Since then, we’ve participated in other events too:
Sustainability panels about ethical sourcing and packaging
Local food forums discussing transparency in labeling
Workshops for young entrepreneurs learning about artisanal production
Even nutrition-focused conferences, where our Sana and kefir sparked real interest
Every time, we return home with more clarity and more humility. Because there’s always more to learn. Always more stories to hear.
Taking the Stage Globally
Now, as we prepare to travel to London for the 2025 Go Global Awards, we’re taking that same spirit with us.
We’re not showing up as a corporation. We’re showing up as a team from Romania, built on community values, local milk, and the belief that quality should never be rushed.
The spotlight doesn’t change us. It just helps us reflect what was already there: purpose, patience, and pride in what we do.
Final Thought
Speaking at events like TEDx doesn’t come naturally to us. But neither did launching a dairy company in glass bottles in a plastic world.
We’ve learned that sometimes, the quietest stories leave the strongest impact. And we’re honored to keep telling ours—on stage, in glass jars, and through every customer who tastes the difference.
