Study: Romanian entrepreneurs experience higher sense of self-satisfaction, with taxes being their main source of stress

Romanian entrepreneurs are experiencing a higher sense of self-satisfaction this year compared to 2024, with taxes being their main source of stress, according to the Mind your Business study, released on Wednesday.According to this study on the mental well-being of entrepreneurs, nearly 8 out of 10 Romanian entrepreneurs have positive feelings about their self-image, compared to 2024, when 7 out of 10 felt the same. Taxes are the main source of stress for the entrepreneurs who took part in the study, a factor that also contributes to their distrust in the state, with only 1% of them feeling supported by local authorities.Essentially, the Mind your Business barometer provides a clearer picture of how Romanian entrepreneurs perceive themselves, how they choose to build their businesses, as well as their main concerns and sources of motivation in business, and the resources they turn to in order to grow their companies and teams.The main conclusions of the study show that: entrepreneurs face a double pressure - the business itself and maintaining the morale of the team; 5 out of 10 Romanian entrepreneurs practise cautious optimism when it comes to business development; 5 out of 10 believe they are doing very well in looking after their employees' mental health; 6 out of 10 entrepreneurs offer support for their employees' well-being.The barometer also reveals that, for Romanian entrepreneurs, difficult periods in business are handled through: maintaining a positive attitude and avoiding unnecessary stress (46%); analysing and optimising costs (37%); finding creative and alternative solutions to problems (36%); prioritising tasks and managing time better (35%).Team management was another resource used by entrepreneurs, ranging from transparent communication to asking colleagues for help, with 2 out of 10 entrepreneurs resorting to such methods. External help, such as consultancy and counselling, is a resource used by only 11% of the entrepreneurs who responded to the study.'The constant crises of recent years have solidified two ideas: on the one hand, the need to build more cohesion within the entrepreneurial community, and on the other, the desire to give something back to younger entrepreneurs. When it comes to support solutions in entrepreneurship, 34% of them mentioned meetings with other entrepreneurs, 17% referred to business conferences and events, and 16% opted for personal development courses,' the study reveals.As for mental health solutions in entrepreneurship, they continue to rely on their own resources and only turn to solutions such as therapy or coaching when facing personal problems. For 6 out of 10 entrepreneurs, conversations with close ones were the most helpful in the past, followed by gratitude - giving thanks for what they have (45%), on par with podcasts and personal development books. These resources are also the only ones where the level of interest decreases when entrepreneurs think about the future and the support solutions they envision.On the other hand, meetings with other entrepreneurs and exchanging experiences with them, mentioned by 34% of respondents, are the solutions most strongly considered for the future as well (10% of them). Regular therapy and coaching were mentioned by 16% of entrepreneurs, meditation and yoga by 11%, and a support group with regular meetings by 10%.Spiritual solutions, such as visiting spiritually significant places - like India - are on the rise year by year, chosen by 9% of entrepreneurs, with 13% seeing it as a future solution. Likewise, business retreats, mentioned by 5% of entrepreneurs as a past solution, now account for 15% when considering future approaches.Romanian entrepreneurs tend to exhibit cautious or reserved optimism, taking into account market blockages and stagnation. Still, even though they feel tired, they try to think positively, avoid being overwhelmed by uncertainty, and not let fears hold them back.Looking ahead to the next six months (that is, the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026), the main business objectives of entrepreneurs focus on strengthening their market presence and increasing competitiveness, while also exploring lateral approaches and discovering new market opportunities - such as launching new business lines or expanding into new markets.Growing turnover is a goal for 55% of entrepreneurs, followed by market or client base expansion (49%) and strengthening partnerships (46%). The least mentioned goals include survival (1%) and developing sustainability and social responsibility (9%).Family remains the main source of support, a refuge from all the stress and emotional turbulence of the past year. Thus, 28% of entrepreneurs feel supported by family and close ones, 20% by consumers/society, 10% by private investors, 6% by industry organisations, 6% by banks, while only 1% by the state.According to the study, the greatest pressure comes from tax payments, with 48% of entrepreneurs identifying this as their biggest source of stress (up 9% from 2024). Another financial pressure is the need for funds to grow the business, mentioned by 39% of entrepreneurs, followed by bureaucratic issues, which affect 30% of them.Entrepreneurs want funding for business growth, but in a more measured way - on one hand, they want access to finance to solve specific issues such as paying suppliers or making investments, but on the other hand, there is fear of taking on new debt in the current climate of uncertainty.Mind your Business is a study initiated by the editorial team at start-up.ro, in partnership with the research agency Unlock, and supported by BCR. The study analysed the mental and emotional resources of Romanian entrepreneurs, how they manage their mindset and pressures, where they find support, what their fears are, and what expectations they have in the process of building their businesses. This is the second edition of the study.