Meet Carmen Rusu

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carmen Rusu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carmen , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

My husband and
I came from Romania in 1999 with 2 children , 4 suitcases and $5000.
My husband Corneliu was hired as a social worker to open a community bookstore in Hoboken Nj. Symposia Bookstore
My role was supportive at that time . When he moved to another city for another type of work , I took over the managing of the bookstore. That’s when I started to develop myself , leadership skills , trouble shooting skills , etc . I flourished , I enjoy so much what I am doing , I am developing community around me through all the activities I am organizing . I am working with volunteers and organize regular parties for them .

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I began my career as an English as a Second Language teacher in my home country of Romania. I earned a Master’s in Education from Newbold College in England. After moving to the United States, I experienced the disorientation of leaving behind a familiar professional identity—something many immigrants can relate to. But in that space of uncertainty, a new opportunity emerged: I took over the management of Symposia Bookstore from my husband, and it completely changed my path.

Symposia is a nonprofit community bookstore in the heart of Hoboken, NJ, dedicated to fostering human connection through storytelling, creativity, and shared experiences. What began as a bookstore has evolved into a vibrant gathering place for people of all backgrounds. I’m deeply passionate about creating events and spaces that help build a more connected, joyful, and intellectually curious community.

We host an eclectic mix of activities: book clubs, comedy nights, musical open mics, game nights, meditation and yoga classes, author signings, and even a philosophy club that’s now in its third year. During these gatherings, people don’t just attend—they connect. Over the years, three couples who met at the bookstore went on to build their lives together. One couple even got married in the bookstore itself, with the ceremony officiated by our landlord and longtime supporter, David Roberts, who also happened to be the mayor of Hoboken at the time.
Another branch of my work is Puppetonia, a small puppet theater I created to bring stories to life for young children. Our shows are interactive, playful, and designed to introduce early language skills in English and Spanish. It’s a magical way to engage little ones and their caregivers in shared joy and learning.

One of our newest and most beloved events is the Silent Book Club—especially popular among introverts! Participants bring their own books, introduce themselves and what they’re reading, then spend an hour reading together in silence, followed by relaxed social time with snacks and drinks. It’s simple, soulful, and surprisingly powerful.

Whether it’s through puppetry, philosophy, or shared silence with a good book, my goal is always the same: to create spaces where people feel they belong. Symposia is more than a bookstore—it’s a home for curiosity, creativity, and community.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I believe three qualities were especially impactful in my journey: the courage to ask for help, perseverance in the face of difficulty, and learning how to connect across cultures.

First, asking for help. I learned early on that I couldn’t—and shouldn’t—try to do everything on my own. When I took over Symposia from my husband, I had no business experience. I had been a teacher, and suddenly I found myself managing a nonprofit community space. It was overwhelming. But even from afar, my husband was always there for me when I needed guidance—and I needed it often! I also turned to the wider community. I posted on Facebook and Instagram asking for volunteers to help with everything from running the store to organizing events. The response was incredible. People showed up with open hearts, and in the process, they built friendships and found a sense of belonging. That continues to be one of the most beautiful aspects of our organization. Seeing volunteers laughing, chatting, and forming real connections brings me immense joy.

Second, perseverance. The beginning was excruciatingly hard. Everything felt foreign and uncertain. But I developed a mental habit that kept me going: I would ask myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” I would visualize the worst-case scenario, and then remind myself: “I can handle that. It’s not the end of the world.” That simple practice gave me courage to keep moving forward even when things felt hopeless.

Third, learning how to socialize and make small talk in a new culture. Coming from Romania, I often felt out of place here in the U.S. I didn’t share the same cultural references, and I sometimes felt misunderstood or disconnected. But I realized that a lot of this was about perspective. One thing that helped me greatly was what I learned through our philosophy club, especially the Stoic practice of premeditatio malorum—the idea of mentally preparing for potential hardships. Each day, I tell myself: “I know today will bring challenges, setbacks, even failures—but I’m prepared. I’ve overcome hurdles before, and I can do it again.” That mindset has been incredibly grounding.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this: ask for help, build community, be kind to yourself when things are hard, and don’t fear failure—it’s just part of the path forward.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My husband has been incredibly helpful throughout my journey. He has always believed in me, supported me, and cheered me on—even when I didn’t fully believe in myself. His encouragement gave me the strength to face challenges I never thought I could handle. Even from a distance, he was always just a call away, ready to offer advice, reassurance, or simply to listen. I truly couldn’t have done this without him.
And I am so grateful to him for this.
Also I’m deeply grateful to David Roberts, the owner of the space we rent, for offering us an exceptional deal. Without his generosity, it would have been impossible to keep this business going, especially given how competitive and expensive good locations in Hoboken have become.

A heartfelt thank-you to Mayor Roberts and his family for their vision and commitment to the community. By providing and maintaining this space over the years, they’ve made it possible for us to continue our nonprofit work serving families in Hoboken.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.symposia.us and puppetonia.com
• Instagram: @Symposiabookstore and @puppetoniashows
• Facebook: Symposia Bookstore and Puppetonia Shows

Image Credits

Hartshorn Portraiture