Bogdana Manolescu (FashionDays.ro): "Affiliates Deliver Consistently. They Are an Essential Part of Our Success."
FashionDays.ro had a Black Friday that launched them straight to #1 in the Unicorns ranking - essentially making them the best of BusinessLeague. Meanwhile, Bookzone mounted a serious comeback, and the leadership battle is far from settled.
Fashion Days' success in BusinessLeague is closely tied to Bogdana Manolescu, Affiliate Marketing Specialist at the company. She treats competition as a lever for learning — every result becomes a lesson for the next step forward. In other words: progress. That is probably the healthiest mindset any online store can have, regardless of size or category.
We sat down with Bogdana to understand the brand's journey and the weight she and her team place on affiliate marketing. The quote in the title says it all. What else?
"I strongly believe in the face-to-face meetings we have because they allow us, the people managing online stores, to connect directly with those who are still hesitant. It's not just about competition."
The full interview is below.

Fashion Days is now in the Top 2 of BusinessLeague. How would you describe the brand's journey in the competition — from the very first sale until today?
Fashion Days' journey has been a mix of drive, adaptability, and execution, even in the final stretch. We started with a clear focus on performance, and the fast pace helped us exceed expectations for the second consecutive year.
We are here because we continuously invest in our brand, because we have loyal customers who trust us, and because our Affiliates consistently deliver results. They are an essential part of our success.
If you had to name one thing you learned throughout this journey, what would it be?
The ability to adapt quickly.
You are never 100% prepared — and that's okay. Mistakes happen, and every mistake is an opportunity to learn and optimize for the long term.
Black Friday. What were your expectations, how did reality compare, what sold best, and which Affiliates contributed the most?
We expected strong results, but performance exceeded all expectations — sales and commissions grew by more than 150%.
The strategies our Affiliates used were a pleasant surprise and showed us how important close collaboration really is.
The CSS affiliate Big Convert generated the highest sales volume, followed by cashback partners ING Bazar and Dateio, and coupon platform WPD.
Best-selling products? UGG boots — confirming that a diverse affiliate mix can generate powerful results.
What does a successful Merchant–Affiliate relationship need in order to work?
Trust, clear communication, and transparency — combined with shared goals.
It's important to provide Affiliates with the tools and information they need, recognize their performance, and stay flexible enough to optimize quickly when necessary.
In short: a win-win for both sides.
How would you describe BusinessLeague in a single sentence?
BusinessLeague is about turning every result into a lesson for the next step and transforming experience into continuous progress.
Some Merchants are still hesitant to try affiliate marketing. How do we bring more stores into the game so they can compete with you? 😀
I strongly believe in the face-to-face meetings we organize because they create opportunities for direct contact between those of us who manage online stores and those who are still hesitant.
It's not just about competition. It's about building an active, informed community where Merchants understand the role affiliate marketing plays in their marketing mix and the value of having diverse acquisition channels.
Educational events are key — they help brands understand the long-term impact of affiliate marketing and give them the confidence to experiment without fear.
That's how we build trust and increase the chances of attracting more Merchants who contribute to healthy competition and shared growth.
Which Challenge is your favorite?
Target Strike — because it's about precision and strategy, not just sales.
It helps you understand what truly works and lets you adjust your actions quickly for better outcomes. Every test becomes a practical lesson.
Influencer Marketing
I strongly believe this program is especially valuable for smaller businesses — the influencer marketing market keeps growing and offers real opportunities for targeted exposure.
It's particularly useful for brands that want to increase visibility without massive upfront investments.
An efficient way to test and optimize campaigns strategically, with a focus on measurable results and meaningful visibility.
2026, let's goooo! 💃
In 2026, our goal is to maintain and improve the program's performance while focusing on profitability.
We will continue testing and exploring new approaches — because growth requires taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from them.
Most importantly, we will continue to trust both our brand and the Affiliates who represent it.