Expert to Know: Stefan Chiriacescu

August 22, 2025

What’s your backstory — how did you end up starting (or joining) an agency?

I started eCommerce Today after more than a decade of building and managing online stores across Europe and North America. I had worked both as an entrepreneur and a consultant, and I saw how overwhelming the digital ecosystem had become for most brands . Dozens of disconnected tools, rising ad costs, and limited internal resources. I launched the agency to help brands cut through that noise with a full-service approach that’s strategic, hands-on, and focused on measurable results. Today, we specialize in Shopify builds, email marketing, SEO, digital ads, and performance design. All working together as one ecosystem.

What was your first entrepreneurial moment as a kid or teen?

Between the ages of 7 and 12, I used to clean neighbors’ yards and collect scrap metal to sell. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me the value of effort, negotiation, and earning your own money — even in small amounts.

What’s a belief you’ve changed your mind about in the last 3 years?

I used to believe that speaking logically and clearly was enough. I’ve since learned that communication is not one-size-fits-all — I now adapt my tone and message depending on the personality of the person I’m speaking with. It’s made me a better leader and collaborator.

When do you feel most energized at work?

When the person I’m working with finishes my sentence and jumps in with “I got this.” It means we’re aligned, the handoff is seamless, and trust is in the air. That kind of momentum is powerful.

What’s a day in your life really look like (no filters)?

10 hours of focused work, 3 hours with my family, 1 hour for sports, 1 hour to unwind and be lazy, and 9 hours of solid sleep. Not every day is perfectly balanced, but that’s the structure I aim for.

What’s a personal ritual or habit you credit for your success?

Hard work and perseverance. I show up, even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain — especially then. That consistency has been the foundation of everything I’ve built.

What’s one mistake you made early on that taught you something lasting?

I tried cutting corners once, thinking it would save time. It ended up biting me in the a** and costing more than it saved. Since then, I’ve learned that doing things right the first time is always the faster route in the long run.

What’s something people get wrong about you?

People often think I’m cold or detached because I speak calmly and logically — but the truth is, I’m very sensitive to others. I care deeply about people’s emotions and wellbeing; I just express it through actions more than words.

What do you do to recharge outside of work?

Gardening, spending time in nature, going to the gym, and playing board games with my kids. It’s the perfect mix of movement, stillness, and fun that helps me reset.

What’s your definition of “success” right now?

Being healthy, surrounded by family, happy teammates, and clients who trust us. That kind of balance — professional impact and personal peace — is what I’m after.

What makes your agency different from others in your space?

We’re a full-service agency with deep expertise — but what really sets us apart is our ability to deliver that level of service at a competitive price. We've worked with hundreds of brands across industries and geographies, so we know how to move fast, stay lean, and drive real results.

What type of clients or projects are a 'no' for you?

We don’t work with clients in the guns, gambling, or adult industries. And we steer clear of toxic dynamics — if a client is consistently disrespectful, that’s a hard no for us. We believe in mutual respect and healthy partnerships.

What’s a principle or value your agency lives by?

Hard work, honesty, and respect. We’re transparent about both our wins and our mistakes, and we believe that being upfront builds trust — internally and with our clients.

How do you hire? What do you look for in people?

We hire for mindset over credentials. The most important thing we look for is a strong desire to learn and grow. Skills can be taught, but curiosity and grit are non-negotiable.

How do you foster creative thinking on your team?

We run creative challenges and reward innovation with visibility and bonuses. Whether it’s a new campaign format or a smarter workflow, we make space for experimentation — and we celebrate it when it works.

What trend in marketing/advertising do you think is overhyped?

“AI everything.” There’s a lot of noise right now — tools promising magic results without real strategy or structure behind them.

What’s a trend you’re betting on long-term?

Also AI — but used the right way. As an assistant, not a replacement. When used intentionally, it helps us deliver better, faster, higher-quality work.

What’s one small decision that led to a big result for your agency?

Clarifying roles and responsibilities. It instantly improved communication, accountability, and overall efficiency.

What advice would you give to someone starting an agency today?

Create processes for everything. It may feel like overkill early on, but it’s the only way to scale without burning out.

What’s something you’d do differently if you were starting from scratch?

Same answer: I’d build those processes way earlier. Trust me, it compounds.

How do you approach pricing — any rules you live by?

We aim to stay in the middle — not the cheapest, not the most expensive — but always delivering excellent value for the price.

How do you prioritize growth vs. sustainability?

We prioritize sustainable growth. That means staying slightly overstaffed so we’re never overwhelmed, and when demand spikes, we’re not afraid to pause our sales machine to protect delivery quality.

Who’s one founder or operator you really admire — and why?

Steve Jobs — because he was truly one of a kind. A visionary who combined design, product, and storytelling like no one else.

What software or tool do you swear by?

Teamwork Projects and Gather Town. Together, they form the backbone of our fully remote operations — keeping projects clear and team culture alive.

What’s one resource (book, podcast, etc.) that changed how you work?

A mix of Tony Robbins and Zig Ziglar books. They shifted the way I think about life, work, and especially sales — blending mindset with practical tools.

Remote, hybrid, or in-office — what’s your ideal setup and why?

Fully remote. I love it — and while it’s not right for everyone, for the people who thrive in this setup, it becomes the only way. I want to continue building a workplace that supports that freedom.

What is your most controversial or unpopular belief?

Time tracking!  Track every single minute. If done right, it’s not about control. It creates clarity for clients and for the person doing it. It reveals how you’re investing your most precious resource, time, and whether that investment is going toward growth or just execution, toward leadership or firefighting.

What’s one thing you wish clients understood better about agency work?

That we’re like mini superheroes. We often know more than any single employee or even entire internal teams — and that’s the value we bring. Trust the advice you're paying for.

What’s your favorite thing about being in this industry?

The learning. Ecommerce is the foundation of everything. Every product people buy shapes their life and the world around them. We get to watch that in real time, patterns, trends, behaviors, and help shape the future of commerce.

What is one (1) fact or statistic about your industry that most people don't know?

Running an ecommerce store is serious business. It’s more work than running a physical shop. Some people think you set it up and orders just roll in. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

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