The Humans of smrtPhone: Oana Buruiana
Profile Update March 7, 2025
What is your current title or position:
Support Team – Team Leader
What are your new responsibilities?
Now, in addition to being on the Finance Team, I’m a Team Leader in the Support department. My new responsibilities include coordinating our team members and helping them grow in their roles, brainstorming ideas to organize our team better, and strategizing and establishing priorities to improve the team’s performance.
My role is now more dynamic and engaging. There’s always something new on the horizon, so there’s something new to learn constantly. This also helps me evolve as a human being outside of work.
Do you have any major life updates?
Not really. I have the same old habits. The only thing that has changed is the length of my hair. Haha! Ah, I almost forgot. I have a new hobby: bouldering. Actually, it’s not new. I started practicing it two years ago, and I’m doing it on the weekends.
Original Profile Published February 27, 2022
For our sixth installment of highlighting our awesome team members, we profile Support Team “smrtie” Oana Buruiana.
Name
Oana Buruiana
Title / Role in the Company
I am a part of the Support Team. I talk with clients and help them use our system and fix their problems. Lately, I have been working with the finance team to help with cancelations, billing issues, and disputes.
How long have you worked for smrtPhone?
Since February 2021.
What’s your background?
I studied journalism in school and received my Bachelor’s Degree. But I didn’t want to work in the field because I simply didn’t like it in practice. This is my first job working in software, but I worked for three years in a coffee shop so I know a lot about customer service. At that job, I got to meet a lot of people and talk with them daily, and I learned how to deal with people.
What was your first job?
The coffee shop was actually my first job.
What do you like about working for smrtPhone?
My brother is the lead developer and he tried for a long time to convince me to join the team but I kept saying no. Finally, I gave in. Switching jobs [to smrtPhone] was the best decision of my life.
I like that I can help customers when they need assistance or come across a bug. It gives me great satisfaction to help people using our system.
Describe smrtPhone in 3 words.
Complex. Powerful. Dynamic.
Is there a particular moment/project at smrtPhone that stands out and makes you feel proud?
One thing that stands out is the work I’ve been doing with the financial team investigating disputes. I feel like I’m doing something more for the company, getting more involved in the business. The first time I won a dispute where I gathered all of the evidence, presented it, and won – I was really proud.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to read a lot, mostly psychology books and modern novels. Actually, I like all books.
I like to go out in nature and walk. I love going to the mountains.
Also, I have a yoga routine. I’ve been doing it daily for years. I’m self taught through YouTube and I’ve been to a few workshops.
Name something that is on your “bucket list”
I don’t really make plans. But I would like to visit more islands because I love island vibes. It would be cool to have a chance to live on an island for a couple of months or a year.
What is a fun fact people might not know about you?
There are a lot of things people don’t know about me because I’m an introvert! Maybe a fun fact is that I’m obsessed with healthy eating and holistic nutrition. I spend a lot of time researching and learning. I believe in the power of healthy eating to help you build a good and happy life.
