In the village of Răspopeni, in Șoldănești district, a small family business with vision and passion is proving how creativity, perseverance, and European support can turn a simple idea into a recognised brand that reaches far beyond Moldova’s borders. This is the story of Cătălina Ioncu, the founder of a company that produces bespoke cardboard packaging for patisseries, confectioners, and small-scale dessert makers.
It all began in 2022, when Cătălina established a limited liability company (SRL) focused initially on creating handcrafted decorations from plywood, acrylic glass, and wood. However, responding to the growing needs of her customers and current market trends, she quickly pivoted towards a new product line: cardboard boxes for confectionery packaging.
“We create customised boxes for cakes and pastries. The most popular are for Bento cakes – especially 17x17 and 15x15 boxes. We also have special designs for macarons. If a client has a specific request, we can produce a new cutting die and a unique box model,” Cătălina explains.
To keep up with rising demand and streamline production, she applied for support through the EU-LEADER Rural Development Fund, part of the EU4Moldova: Local Communities programme, funded by the European Union under EU4Business initiative and implemented through the Local Action Group (LAG) “Trei Coline”.
Thanks to the non-reimbursable financial support, Cătălina was able to purchase a high-performance cardboard cutting machine. This investment significantly boosted her production capacity and allowed her to diversify her product range.
“With the help of the project, we bought a machine for cutting cardboard boxes. Now we can produce a wider variety of sizes and designs, much more efficiently. It was a big step forward for us,” the entrepreneur says.
The quality of her products and her reliable customer service have attracted not only local clients but also international ones.
Customer communication plays a vital role in the business. For those who struggle with assembling the boxes, Cătălina provides support through video tutorials and illustrated guides. “We make sure every client knows how to assemble the box properly – it’s a small gesture, but it makes a big difference,” she explains.
Looking ahead, her ambitions continue to grow. Cătălina plans to purchase a machine to personalise the packaging and hopes to apply for more EU-funded grants to scale the business further.
“The support from the European Union allows us to dream bigger. We want to stay here, in Moldova, and build something lasting, beautiful, and practical. I encourage every aspiring entrepreneur to be brave and apply. It really does make a difference,” she concludes with optimism.
Cătălina’s business stands as clear proof that when passion meets perseverance and the right kind of support, great things can be built – even in the smallest of villages.
