Ana-Maria Ciubota Celebrates Double Recognition as a 40 Under 40 UK Award Winner and Business Elite 40 Under 40 Europe Honoree

Two years after starting Exclusive Branding Edge Academy from her bedroom with one laptop, one notepad and plenty of coffee, Ana-Maria Ciubota has a growing business and two significant 40 Under 40 achievements to celebrate. Recognition as a Business Elite Awards 40 Under 40 Europe honoree in Vienna was followed by a 40 Under 40 UK award win in the Communication category. For a founder who began with basic English, no audience, no influential network and zero visibility, those milestones carry a deeply personal meaning.

When she started, no one knew her name in the market she wanted to enter. There were no business awards attached to the academy, no published articles telling its story and no magazine covers introducing its founder. Visibility and authority were things she would have to build through her work.

Marking two years in business, the academy is still growing, learning and helping others pursue their ambitions. Planning is already looking ahead to 2027 and 2028, with retreats and masterclasses among the next initiatives intended to expand how the academy supports its community.

The two 40 Under 40 recognitions are accompanied by finalist places in four categories at the Women’s Business Awards UK in December 2026: Female Founder of the Year, Female Leader of the Year, Inspirational Woman in Business and CEO of the Year. Together, they make 2026 a significant year for Ciubota and the business she leads.

Winning in the Communication category has particular resonance for the Romanian founder. English is not her first language, yet communicating ideas and helping others express their expertise have become central to her professional life. The achievement reflects a journey that required her to develop her own voice while building a business around the value of being understood.

That background informs her message to entrepreneurs who feel held back by their starting point. She knows what it means to introduce yourself when your name carries no reputation, to explain a business before anyone has heard of it and to continue learning while trying to establish credibility.

40 Under 40 recognition in the UK and Europe

Ciubota dedicated herself full time to building the academy, with no plan B. She made the decision to give her ambition her full attention before anyone knew her name or recognised her work. That commitment remains central to her message: everything begins with what you believe is possible, followed by the drive and action to pursue it.

Through Exclusive Branding Edge Academy, she now supports founders, CEOs, business owners, coaches, consultants and creators, from startups to medium-sized businesses. Her work combines personal and business branding with positioning, PR and media strategy. The purpose is to help clients explain their expertise, present their businesses confidently and pursue opportunities that fit their goals.

For a new founder, this can involve defining an audience, clarifying an offer and learning how to introduce the business. For an established owner, it means communicating their experience, achievements and the value they deliver so prospective clients understand why they should choose to work with them.

One-to-one mentoring gives Ciubota space to work through those decisions directly with clients. She helps them identify their strengths, examine how they currently present themselves and prioritise practical changes. Clearer messaging, preparation for media opportunities and a more confident professional presence are all part of helping expertise become easier for others to recognise.

Her promise to help people win is rooted in that practical approach. A meaningful result could be a stronger client presentation, the confidence to speak about their work or a clearer direction for their brand. She wants clients to use what they learn and put themselves forward with purpose.

Celebrating at the 40 Under 40 UK awards

Looking ahead, the academy is planning retreats and masterclasses for 2027, with a particular focus on women who want to start a business, build a personal brand or develop an existing company. The retreat plans welcome aspiring entrepreneurs alongside founders, business owners, coaches, consultants and creators, including those at startup stage and those leading medium-sized businesses.

The intended focus includes business direction, personal branding, positioning, confidence and showing up with authority. Ciubota wants to create space for participants to examine their goals, learn from guidance and exchange ideas with people who take their ambitions seriously. The masterclasses are planned as another way to share practical knowledge and support its application.

Having experienced the demands of beginning alone, she also values the relationships such settings can encourage. The ambition is to bring women together in an environment where they can discuss their plans openly and develop useful connections. Details will be announced as the programmes take shape, while broader planning continues towards 2028.

For Ciubota, the lesson of the past two years is that a modest beginning does not settle the future of a business. Her own name became more visible as she learned, worked and gave others opportunities to see what she was building. She wants that experience to encourage people who are still at the stage she remembers clearly.

The awards mark how far she has come. The academy’s next chapter is about what she can help others build from here. Her reminder to anyone pursuing their own ambitions is clear: “A reminder for you: where you start doesn’t decide how far you can go. Give yourself a chance. You might be surprised by what you achieve.”

To explore one-to-one mentoring with Ana-Maria Ciubota, learn more about Exclusive Branding Edge Academy or follow announcements about the planned 2027 retreats, visit exclusivebrandingedge.com or connect on Instagram at @anaciubotabranding.