About Us
We're not your typical financial advisory firm. Started by folks who got tired of watching people make expensive mistakes with their money, Ashford Partners exists to fix that. We work with individuals and businesses across Brașov who want someone they can actually talk to about their finances — no jargon, no hidden fees, no condescending explanations. Our whole thing is this: your money decisions shouldn't feel like deciphering ancient hieroglyphics. We dig into your situation, ask tough questions, and help you build something that actually works for your life.
Over time, we’ve built a reputation for reliability, quality, and clear communication. We treat each project as a partnership and aim for outcomes that last.
Our Story
Ashford Partners launched in 2016 when our founders realized the advisory industry had lost sight of something basic: listening. After working in corporate finance for years, they saw clients getting generic advice that didn't match their actual lives. So they walked away from the corporate world and started fresh. Thirteen years later, we've built something different. We've worked with 47 families, helped 23 small businesses restructure their finances, and somehow managed to stay independent while everyone else was getting swallowed by big firms. That's no accident — we did it on purpose.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide everything we do
Brutal Honesty
We'll tell you what you need to hear, not what makes you feel good. Sometimes that means saying 'no' to a strategy everyone else is pushing.
Your Interest First
We don't sell products. We recommend solutions. Our fees align with your success, and our advice never benefits us at your expense.
Keep It Simple
Complicated doesn't mean smart. We explain everything in plain language because if you don't understand it, you can't trust it.
Long Game Thinking
We're not chasing quarterly wins. We build strategies that survive market swings and serve you for decades.
Meet Our Team
The people behind Ashford Partners
We’re a team that values ownership, clarity, and growth. We celebrate wins, learn fast, and keep client outcomes at the center.
Cristian Ştefănescu
Founder & Chief Advisor
Started his career in investment banking before realizing he was helping people make worse decisions. Now he spends his days building retirement plans and occasionally convincing folks that cryptocurrency isn't their emergency fund.
Elena Popescu
Financial Strategist
Obsessed with tax optimization and business restructuring. Has saved clients ridiculous amounts of money by asking one simple question: 'Why are we doing it this way?' Also makes excellent coffee.
Andrei Ionescu
Client Success Manager
The person who actually answers your calls. Manages client relationships with the kind of attention most firms don't bother with. Has a talent for translating financial jargon into words humans actually use.
Our Mission
Help our clients make confident financial decisions by delivering straightforward advice, cutting through the noise, and standing beside them when markets get weird. We're here to translate complexity into clarity and turn financial stress into genuine peace of mind.
Our Vision
A world where regular people feel in control of their financial future. Where good advice isn't something only the wealthy can access. Where financial planning feels like talking to a smart friend, not sitting through a sales pitch.
Our Approach
Our approach combines proven methods with modern tools. We start with discovery, align on goals, plan clearly, and execute with quality checks at every step.