From knocking on doors, to free falling through the sky

Darius is a door-to-door agent at Vodafone Romania. That’s right: one of those stubborn, resilient and passionate agents who knocks on 100 doors to open 10. 

He has been with Vodafone since 2020 and in this time, he has found a way to balance his job with a passion that literally lifts him off the ground. His story is one of finding excitement in the everyday and pushing boundaries, whether in sales or skydiving. 

A skydiver with his feet on the ground 

It’s not every day you meet someone who cancels a meeting to catch a sunset…mid-air! Instead of sitting down with me for coffee, he decided the skies over Cluj (a beautiful city in the Transylvania region of Romania) offered a better view, and who could argue with that?

When you’ve done so many skydives, chasing sunsets from the sky seems like the most natural thing in the world. But Darius doesn’t just ‘float’ through life - he’s one of the best door-to-door agents in the Cluj team and his professional and life story is truly inspiring.  

‘Everything happens for a reason’ – even when it comes to jobs!  

Darius didn’t plan on being a door-to-door agent. Like many of us, his career path took a few twists and turns. He initially had his eye on a role indoors with a Vodafone store job, but fate had other plans. He was offered a role more aligned to him, in Vodafone's door-to-door team, and he found out that this position fit him like a glove: being out there, in action and meeting customers face to face. 

His favourite part of the job? The team spirit between him and his colleagues. "We never work alone. It’s like going on a mission with your friends. We make sure we all hit our goals before we head home."  

Beyond the clouds: the skydiving passion 

You might wonder what kind of person looks at the ground from several kilometres up and thinks, "Yeah, I’ll jump." For Darius, it’s about freedom, and that moment of magic when everything goes quiet. “When you jump out of the plane, it’s like the whole world pauses for a few seconds. The wind, the rush, it’s all so intense, and then you open the parachute, and suddenly, everything slows down. You’re floating, and it’s peaceful, almost surreal." 

However, while skydiving might seem like the ultimate solo adventure, Darius finds a surprising resemblance between the hobby and his day job. "Both require perseverance. Whether you’re facing a difficult customer or about to jump out of a plane, you can’t hesitate. You must commit, push through, and trust yourself.”  

Inspiring others to jump, literally 

Darius’s energy doesn’t just stay with him. It’s contagious. Shooting a video campaign (click here to watch) ended up being much more than just a work project when after hearing Darius’s story, the film crew decided to jump with him. “The next day, we were all jumping out of the plane together! I never tell people they should try skydiving, but somehow, they feel inspired and do it anyway,” he laughs, recalling the excitement of that spontaneous decision.  

When asked if he’s ever felt scared during a jump, Darius laughs again. “Of course! Everyone feels scared. But that’s part of the thrill. It’s about trusting yourself and your training. The same goes for sales. You’re not always going to feel 100% confident when you’re about to pitch to someone new, but you’ve got to go for it. That’s the only way to grow."  

Balancing work and passion: Darius’s formula for success 

So, how does Darius juggle a demanding job and an even more demanding hobby? It’s all about balance. "Organisation is key," he says. “It’s about prioritising what matters. If I have a skydiving race planned for the weekend, I’ll make sure I’ve hit all my work targets beforehand." 

And Vodafone has been a huge support in allowing Darius to pursue his passion. "My manager understands that I’m passionate about what I do, both in and out of work, and he’s been great at encouraging me to follow my dreams." 

The sky is NOT the limit 

Darius’s future plans? His short-term goal is to hit 100 jumps by the end of the year, and to multiply his clients by ten. In the long run he says that “Maybe one day, I’ll become a pilot but for now, I’m happy jumping and exploring the skies in different places and countries, and making my clients open doors and providing great customer experiences.” 

Darius’s story is true evidence that with drive and sky-high ambition, your career and hobby can blend for a balanced life. So next time we’re faced with a challenge, let’s all remember Darius’s personal philosophy: Go for it. Trust yourself. And enjoy the ride!