After having a near-death experience, Peter De Kuster founded The Hero’s Journey and The Heroine’s Journey and invited professionals from all over the world to tell and share their stories about their passions, what makes them happy, what are their worst enemies within, how and where to get inspiration in their city, who are their role models, which projects they look forward to.
In a way to get away from stories and strategies based on fears or doubts and to refocus their story on the basic drivers of all successful heroes and heroines throughout time: passion, adventure, happiness, inspiration, action execution, a perpetual self – renewing entrepreneurial story.
One of the entrepreneurs invited to share her story was Fabiola Duro, an important actor of the Albanian Ecosystem and a strong woman in business and life.
Fabiola is the Founder and CEO of INNVEST. She has more than 15 years of professional experience in working with angel investors, entrepreneurs, start-ups, incubators, and government stakeholders through capacity building and advisory support. Lately, she is building the foundations of an Innovation Management Academy in Albania (IMMA).
Read her interview for “The Heroine’s Journey” below!
What is the best thing that I love about my work?
The best thing ever that I love about my work is that I love it. I have dreams and pursue my happiness to achieve what I want to be. It is all about the freedom to explore, having great experiences, and being on the side of success other storytelling of human beings. I enjoy everyday aspects of it. I’ve discovered some of life’s great turn-ons for me. But, while I am creating the perfect job for me, I enjoy the way I am are doing my present and cherish ones and keep celebrating and expanding all the other joys of life that surround me.
What is my idea of happiness?
Have the freedom to do what I want to do. It is a choice. And I choose to be happy. It is only a one-way direction. But always stay as much as I can with my beloves and cherish ones accompanied by good food, good wine.
What is my greatest fear?
My great fear it is not failure. It is still a success that failed. It is restricting my freedom and losing my loved ones.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
I am not a big fan of my inner control freak.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?
Humility, the ability to learn and integrity. And of course, big visionaries that inspire others.
What is my greatest extravagance?
I’d say my greatest extravagance is traveling.
On what occasion would I lie?
When I believe I can protect someone I love through a lie.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
Micromanagements.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
Now. Since Nov 2019 in Tirana. I create my perfect job accompanied by a lovely team.
If I could, what would I change about myself?
Overthinking. I like to change it. I can ensure that I’m trying.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
Independence, expressing my creativity and vision. Success for me it’s about the difference I can make in people’s lives.
Where would I most like to live?
A big multicultural historical metropolis next to a lake with clearly defined four seasons.
What is my most treasured possession?
My most valuable possessions are my family and friends‚ love‚ and my memories.
What is my most marked characteristic?
Loyalty, Pragmatic and Careless- I am extremely lucky in this last department!
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
Tirana’s lake. I run almost 8 to 10km every single day.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
My Sweet Home. And then, Fustanella Farm is close to Tirana. Even in Korca, another golden city in Albania where my family root originates.
What books influenced my life and how?
Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This book is a war story. The central emotions of conflicts, isolation, fear, and uncertainty are alleviated only by intimate speech and love. Distancing real emotion from normal life. This charming story took me on a trip all over the universe, a fascinating trip discovering and realizing true values.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?
Bohemian Rhapsody.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
The Pursuit of Happyness
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
Apart all my family I got inspired by father. A rarely man that taught me the freedom to choose who I am.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
The Pursuit of Happyness and Django Unchained.
What role play stories in my life and work?
They motivate me. They make me smile and cry. They inspire me.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?
We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
My beloved family. My better half, Arbri, and my son, David. My parents and my sister, Herida also for sure.
Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022?
Albania Tech, Holberton School Albania, Tirana Municipality, Korca Tech Hub and Korca Municipality, AESS, Facilization, Easy Pay, Credins Bank, Abkons, Noa Financojme, Alexadria Organic, MVM architecture, OGR Torino, TUMO Tirana and Faktory Berlin.
What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on?
Creating a multifunctional space where everybody can meet and explore each other’s storytelling. Sharing is caring. A unique place with great minds can meet, where art, culture, architecture, labs, science, AI, innovation, business opportunities, and creativity are becoming together in one place. Another 2022 milestone is the Innovation Management Academy Albania (IMAA) to expand it to another level for intrapreneurs.
Where can you see me or my work in 2022?
Happy of course and with more ambitions to write another chapter of my storytelling.
Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Aneida Bajraktari
Klea Pashaj
Figali Dardha
Herjola Spahiu
Joana Kocarri
Mireda Thana
Genta Ahmeti
Credits: The Heroine's Journey
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