The Nicoriuc family is “shaping their future” in wood, in Leordoaia

The passion for traditional wooden crafts, the longing for her loved ones made her return to the Republic of Moldova, after having spent 14 years abroad. This is the story of Natalia Nicoriuc, who tried her luck in several professions but, when (re)discovering that her husband Sergiu is a skilled woodcarver, decided to start up a business in Moldova – a carpentry workshop.

“In 2019, I lived in the United Kingdom and my husband was in Moldova. At that time, I was investing in a chinchilla business, but due to the difficult financial situation, I did not have the courage to return home. One day though, my husband had to go to the birthday party of one of my sisters, but did not have money for a present. I hence encouraged him to craft something out of wood, as I knew he was good at it. When I saw that special gift - a butterfly, I realized that his potential had to be harnessed and decided to return home,” recalls Natalia.

To develop their business, she sought the support of the National Employment Agency

Once back in Moldova, Natalia did not think long and driven by the ambition to earn her living, she founded the company Lord-Rustic in Leordoaia village, Călărași district: “When I returned to Moldova, I had the money earned abroad and I bought raw material for Sergiu to work on a massive item. Moreover, I think I wanted to prove to him that you can live well in Moldova, especially when you do something out of passion. My husband managed to do a superb item, which motivated us to continue working in this field.”

However, the money earned abroad was not enough to set up a spacious and properly equipped workshop. That is why Natalia applied for a subsidy of almost MDL 90 thousand at the Călărași office of the National Agency for Employment.

The National Employment Agency subsidizes 50% of the business start-up cost, but not more than 10 average wages in the economy for the previous year.

“We used to subsidy to buy the needed equipment from the United States. This helped us expand our business and now we can be proud of a rich portfolio of crafts,” says Natalia.

The workshop – a place where wood comes to life

The company run by the Nicoriuc family manufactures furniture, decorative objects and accessories from oak and ash wood.

If at the beginning Sergiu used to craft small items for relatives and friends, now he sells his crafts not only in Moldova, but also exports to Romania, Ireland, Italy, Germany, and France.

“I don't come from a family of woodworkers, but I discovered my talent which now helps me support my family. I wanted to work for myself, to be my own boss, but I didn't have the courage to start on my own and I have never imagined that one day I would carve wooden items and export them to other countries. At the beginning it was very difficult, especially when the number of orders increased, because I was working alone 10-15 hours a day and I had no time for my family,” says Sergiu Nicoriuc.

“I don't come from a family of woodworkers, but I discovered my talent which now helps me support my family. I wanted to work for myself, to be my own boss, but I didn't have the courage to start on my own and I have never imagined that one day I would carve wooden items and export them to other countries. At the beginning it was very difficult, especially when the number of orders increased, because I was working alone 10-15 hours a day and I had no time for my family,” says Sergiu Nicoriuc.

Teamwork, more productive

To help Sergiu meet the demands, Natalia once again turned to the National Employment Agency and managed to create new jobs.

“Ms Nicoriuc employed three people at their company. All of them benefited from labour mobility allowance. Anyone who commutes for work from another locality is entitled to the average wage for the previous year, which is MDL9,115 this year,” explains Elena Lungu, Head of Călărași Employment Department.

“I registered as an unemployed person with the Călărași Employment Department and was officially employed at Lord-Rustic. Before receiving this support, I used to travel home, to my village of Grozasca in Ungheni district, only once every two weeks. The transport cost was too high for me and I could not afford to commute every day,” says Emil Lupu, employee at the carpentry workshop.

In addition, because the business owner offered jobs to people over 50, she has also received monthly subsidies amounting to 30% of the average monthly wage in the economy for the previous year for a period of six months.

Determined to make their business profitable

Natalia and Sergiu have big aspirations. So far, they have managed to buy a spacious workshop of over 150 square meters in Ungheni district, which they are renovating to increase their production capacity.

“There are many obstacles, but I still think that one can succeed at home. We really felt the support received. We therefore advise everyone: to have strength, patience first and foremost and the desire to do something beautiful at home.” Natalia

UNDP and the Government of Switzerland are strategic partners of the National Employment Agency in providing job placement services, including counselling, referral, and labour market mediation.