An honest interview with Popa Daniel, insurance broker and Destine Broker partner, about his transition from a banking career to the fractional model, the real impact on clients’ lives, and the future of this profession.
Popa Daniel, Insurance and Reinsurance Broker and Partner at Destine Insurance and Reinsurance Broker, has gained over three years of experience in the insurance industry. He began his managerial career in 2017, following an extensive background in the banking sector. His independent entrepreneurial activity has been in the field of event management, a sector in which he continues to operate to this day.
Starting in 2023, he began working as an insurance broker, initially focusing exclusively on life and health insurance, a segment in which he remained active until 2026. From 2026 onward, he became a Partner at Destine Insurance and Reinsurance Broker, gaining access to a broad range of products, including life insurance, non-life insurance, travel insurance, and more, serving a wide market and all age groups.
The two professional activities carried out by Mr. Popa Daniel complement each other seamlessly, enabling him to connect and interact with people of all ages and across all financial backgrounds. This synergy provides him with stability in the market in which he operates and a strong, long-term client portfolio.
Fractional Insider: How was your transition from a traditional career to fractional consulting?
Popa Daniel: The transition from a traditional career to a consulting one was difficult, as initially I did not believe in insurance. I entered this field at the encouragement of a friend who invited me to join his team.
Fractional Insider: What attracted you most to this model, and what challenges did it bring?
Popa Daniel: What attracted me the most was the team and the fact that you can help people in difficult moments of their lives. You become the person they call first when an event occurs, whether it is a positive one, such as the completion of a policy, or an unfortunate one in the case of unexpected events.
Fractional Insider: How do you choose the projects and clients you work with?
Popa Daniel: I can’t say that I choose my clients; rather, they choose me. I don’t aim only for high-income clients. What matters is helping anyone, regardless of their financial situation, and ensuring that throughout the contract and until its completion, the client is satisfied and willing to recommend you to others.
Fractional Insider: Tell us about a moment when you had a major impact as a fractional leader.
Popa Daniel: For me, a major impact is when a client calls to ask for help in an unforeseen situation covered by the contract, and you are able to support them financially, something that is extremely important nowadays.
Fractional Insider: What are the main differences between being a full-time executive and a fractional one?
Popa Daniel: The difference is that you set your own schedule. Full-time means being constantly present, while fractional allows you to be with your family during important moments, without the stress of continuous availability. For me, family is the number one priority.
Fractional Insider: How do you explain the value of a fractional role to a skeptical CEO?
Popa Daniel: You don’t explain it, you demonstrate it. When you present real-life situations to anyone, whether a CEO or another person, their mindset begins to work in your favor, bringing them into a comfort zone where everything becomes much simpler.
Fractional Insider: What are the most common mistakes companies make when working with fractional professionals?
Popa Daniel: I don’t believe there are major mistakes. Every company develops its business based on a well-established business plan before starting operations, and along the way, any issues are adjusted. No one is perfect.
Fractional Insider: How do you see the evolution of this career model in the coming years?
Popa Daniel: If this trend continues, it will certainly become one of the most sought-after career models on the market.
Fractional Insider: What advice would you give to a senior professional considering becoming fractional?
Popa Daniel: I don’t think they need special advice. The only advice I have always received is to trust my abilities, and I have always known that I can.
Popa Daniel’s professional journey demonstrates that adaptability, confidence in one’s own abilities, and a genuine desire to help people can build a solid career, regardless of the starting field. His transition from banking and management to insurance brokerage and the fractional career model was not merely a professional change, but a deliberate choice focused on flexibility, balance, and real impact in clients’ lives.
