Cristina Bâtlan, Founder of Musette, Bucharest, Romania

They say if you give a woman the right shoes, she can conquer the world. Cristina Bâtlan, the visionary founder of Musette, embodies this spirit as one of Romania’s most influential female entrepreneurs. In this insightful interview, she unveils the driving force behind her brand—her why. Dive in to discover her journey, her passion, and the inspiration that fuels her success. Let her story be your next dose of motivation.

1.To start, could you please share with everyone why Musette started?

Thank you for these thoughtful questions. It’s actually the first time someone has asked me why Musette started, rather than simply how it all began—and that’s truly what matters.

When I was 18, I didn’t fully understand why Musette had to come to life, but I always knew that what I had learned from my family, my education, and my deep care for people would naturally pour into my work. Initially, I thought I might pursue a career as a lawyer or prosecutor, but those paths didn’t resonate with me at all—I couldn’t see myself in that role.

Musette was born because it didn’t exist at the time. I didn’t feel represented in the market, even though I knew a lot about fashion and beauty. Growing up with stories from my grandmother, where women took pride in quality products, I wanted Romanian women to feel the same sense of confidence. I didn’t want them to be looked down upon.

During the communist era, I felt that Romanians suffered from an “isolation syndrome,” as if our country didn’t matter. That was painful to witness, because I love my country, I love my people, and I never imagined living anywhere else.

So, why did Musette start? Because there was a void in Romania—no Musette existed. Musette stands for the quality and refinement that Romanians deserve. Since I crafted the very first pair of shoes, I haven’t worn anything else. I feel deeply connected to my customers and to the 2.5 million pairs of shoes that have since traveled the world.

In essence, Musette represents the journey of women worldwide—a woman who rises, evolves spiritually and professionally, and is always open to discovering herself.

2.Entrepreneurship can be challenging at times. Have you ever been afraid of failing and relying on a Plan B? If not, how did you overcome that fear?

Entrepreneurship can certainly be challenging, but I believe an entrepreneur doesn’t start their journey with a mindset focused on fear or relying on a Plan B—because with that mindset, you’d never get the work done. Entrepreneurship is about reinvention, creating values around risks, and it feels like putting together a puzzle without a map. In many ways, it mirrors life itself. We don’t have a map for life either, and we never know exactly where it will take us. This is especially true in the early days of entrepreneurship.

Over time, as we gain experience, we learn to plan and project, but sometimes those plans can distance us from our deeper, intrinsic mission. Rigid projections and objectives can limit us from truly discovering the potential of a business or project. While the challenges are real, what truly makes entrepreneurship fulfilling is the magic that comes from putting your whole self into it. That magic completes the challenges and makes it all worthwhile.

Fear is natural. As humans, we are born with it, and we must learn how to manage it, rather than be afraid of it. Courage without fear is uncounciosness—it’s through acknowledging fear that we find true strength.

3.How has motherhood been for you as a busy businesswoman? Have there been moments when you felt guilty for focusing more on work? What was your mindset in those situations?

Motherhood and being a businesswoman can sometimes feel like opposing forces, but they can also be deeply synergistic. On one hand, being a mother requires giving 100% of your attention to your child, which can make it seem like there’s no room for a business. On the other hand, if we view it from a business perspective, we realize that our children are not truly “ours” in the sense that they have their own lives to live, their own experiences to gain, and their own freedom to explore.

Children naturally absorb the examples set by their parents, just as I did with mine. I always felt proud when my parents made things work and lived with gratitude for even the small victories. I still remember how excited we were as children when our parents came home and shared their successes. It became a source of inspiration for us. In the same way, I believe that work, like motherhood, is a story—a beautiful one that we get to write. Our children will be inspired by the stories we live and tell, and those stories can become a guide for their own professional and personal journeys.

A mother will often feel like she can never do enough for her child. No matter how much she gives or how much she knows, there’s always that lingering sense of wanting to do more. But in those moments, I remind myself that the most important thing is to be present and create a positive example for my child to follow.

4.I’ve listened to some of your podcasts, and I was curious to ask: you started the business with your then-partner and future husband. Now, after the divorce, would you mix business and personal life in the same way again?

Partnering in life, much like partnering in business, is probably a science we all discover over time. Interestingly, in my case, it tunerd out that business partnerships lasted longer than personal relationships. Through this, I’ve learned not to become overly attached to either. This mindset has served me well—it helps me stay objective and allows me to appreciate what I have without the need for more.

It’s given me the ability to feel content and grateful for my health, my friends, and everything I have in the present moment, without constantly seeking something else. It’s about finding peace in gratitude.

5.What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your years of entrepreneurship as a woman in business?

During my years as an entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize that respect is just as important as love. To build a quality business, respect must be a fundamental value—a non-negotiable condition that should never be compromised. If you choose the people around you based on this principle, you’ll be able to create a business that is not only successful but also built on solid values.

Respect forms the foundation for trust, collaboration, and long-term growth, making it essential for any thriving business.

6.Lastly, what advice would you give to young mompreneurs and women in business when it comes to their careers? How can we find fulfillment in our jobs and make wise career choices?

I am a creative at heart, and I love to innovate and invent just as much as I enjoy working with people, learning from them, and sharing my knowledge in a friendly, collaborative environment. When you pour passion into a business or project, you don’t feel drained—in fact, the exhaustion becomes a source of energy. However, I’ve also learned that sometimes projects don’t fully nourish the soul. That’s why it’s important to balance working on your inner self just as much as your external self, like your appearance or your achievements.

I believe this is the greatest transformation a business person can experience—learning how to allocate resources and efforts wisely, and understanding what truly matters and what comes first. You come first, before others. By building yourself into a valuable person, you can then help others and show them how to do the same.

When God gives you knowledge, it’s meant to be shared, not stored away. Knowledge is not something to accumulate and keep hidden—it’s yours to share with others. It will always remain your most valuable asset, and no one can take that from you.

By Bianca Bonta (Ruta)