About the elegance of being and the demanding work behind it with Teodora Tompea
I met Teodora Tompea last year on the occasion of a television show dedicated to the Romanian National Day. She invited me to talk about success and surely I felt flattered, but most important I was happy meeting her as we do share a common passion: jewellery.
I remember very well the moment when we first met, and how impressed I was by her appearance: tall, slim, beautiful but, most of all, elegant. Elegance is a word she uses many times in different contexts: the way people should talk, or should express their feedback, behave, work, or even love each other. If we add a bit of elegance to each aspect of our lives, life would be much more beautiful for sure.
She has been a journalist since 2008, with many years spent on radio and television. She studied journalism in Iasi, the place where she was born, and finished it with a scholarship in Brussels. She is fascinated by biographies and loves to travel. She believes that every experience helps her to ultimately become the best version of herself.
Photo: Alex Galmeanu
Since 2012, you have been presenting the News on Digi TV and you are the host of two programs: ”The planet is you" and "Focus on Europe.” How is it to be in the spotlight every day? What is the best part of it and how has this changed your life? Are there less pleasant sides to such an exposure?
It is a way of living. For me, being an anchor woman and having other shows on TV is the most important part of my life. You can say that it is only a job, but it is the job that I love. Even if it is a cliché to say that you love your job, I believe it is important to find a place where you can feel like home every day. And I don’t believe that in most cases people know how much work it takes on the other side, which is not in the spotlight. Maybe there are less pleasant parts, maybe you have to work harder sometimes to prove that you are the right person in the right place, maybe you have to face all the people who are judging you or those who believe that they really know you. There are people who always have an opinion about your life, about your way of speaking or doing things and so on. But you have to stay on your path and never abandon it. It is very important to work hard and never stop working harder.
Photo: Alex Galmeanu
You speak a lot about elegance. Who has inspired you towards it? Is it a heritage?
My mother and my grandmother are my inspiration. Because I see their elegance every moment and for a lady this is something very precious. I also believe that elegance can save you in the most difficult times or situations. Elegance makes you look very glamorous, even if you are a simple and normal woman. You can feel even better with a little shine and elegance on you.
As a public figure, you work a lot with your image. What are, in your opinion, the do's and don’ts when it comes to a good public image?
It is also about elegance and, at the same time, about hard work. You can’t achieve great things without hard work and elegance. And this is what I do. I work for everything that I have in my life. I also do believe that I have to read a lot about everything. Unfortunately, I don't have time to read as much as I want to. At the same time, I always try to talk with my team or with my guests from TV because it is very important to have a good professional relationship with them. I also have to be very calm and to pay attention to every partnership that I have, to be very selective and keep an eye on quality, not quantity. This is the most important thing for me when it comes to good image. Because all the other things have simple solutions. (smiling)
Photo: Ioana Dodan
Recently you have started an entrepreneurial project, on the top of everything you do in television. Tell us about the challenges of such an adventure? And how do you manage your time?
It has been a real adventure and it is a big challenge every day. It is a small family business — we are still growing after three hard years during the pandemic. It has been like a rollercoaster, but I think that this is the real beauty of it. Two years ago, I was not so relaxed and optimistic about my business, but now I know that I have to be calm and have trust in my business, to see the opportunity and believe in what I do. My biggest passions are sustainability and Bragadeco, my eco cleaning laundry — a place about carefulness. We all need care, but mostly Mother Earth needs care and attention. So, even if it is a big challenge, it is really something that is worthy.
Photo: Alex Galmeanu
When it comes to the balance between personal life and professional investment, where do you find yourself?
With my family. They are the most important for me, also they are my balance and my good friends, the people who I trust the most. And when I need some good time and good advice, I talk with my family. And I love to travel, to go to the sea — it is like a real therapy for me and I always find my strength near water and in the sunlight. I think that this is my way of recharging my batteries. And, very important, I try to keep a positive way of thinking.
You said in a recent interview that the biggest competition you feel is with yourself. Is this the real fuel behind your amazing achievements? If not, what drives you?
Yes, I believe that this is the secret. I don’t like to compare myself with others. I always compete with myself. I believe that I have my own path and all I have to do is to give my best every day. As I said before, I am a hard-working person so I’m never thinking to stop. I don’t believe that I have amazing achievements; I want to do more and also to grow more. I’ve always thought that I am a normal person, with a normal life.
Over the 12 years, you have combined a professional image with an elegant style, and I can't ignore your love for jewellery. So, what is your relationship with jewellery? Any special attachment when it comes to this passion?
Forever love for jewellery. I was born with this love. My mother and grandmother have always told me that good jewellery is the best thing that you can put on. And you don’t need to have a lot of accessories. Just to have the right ones. And I wear earrings and rings most of the time. I just love them a lot. I don’t get out of the house without wearing jewellery.
Which are your favourite jewellery pieces from The Sense of Beauty gallery and why?
I love the Pebble and Pearl Ring designed by Dolly Boucoyannis, the Coral Long Earrings designed by Raluca Buzura, but I also like the minimalism of the Drop Necklace designed by Aliki Stroumpouli. I also have a pair of earrings that I like to wear the most: Heritage Earrings.
If you were a jewellery piece, what would you be and why?
Earrings, certainly. To complete my face and neck.
Beautiful, slim, elegant… what do you do to keep yourself in such a great shape? Any beauty tip you could share?
Being careful. I recently decided to say no to sugar, even if I really love sweets. I eat meat only once a week. I try to rest properly. I wish to do more exercise and to relax more.
And what about your personal development? How do you feed your creativity and how do you take care of your soul?
When I travel and when I am at home with my family. And I also love to read when I am tired, and to watch movies during holidays.
What is Teodora’s definition of beauty?
Elegance. And grace.
Photo: Alex Galmeanu