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Meet Andreea Dinu of Dinu’s Dive Services in Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andreea Dinu.

Andreea, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was a Dental Hygienist for 13 years and really got burnt out. I knew I wanted a change. When my mother passed away I felt so unhappy. I felt lost. I wanted to be near or on the ocean at all times in order to keep my sanity. I took a chance and made a career change and it was the hardest and best decision I’ve ever made. I applied to a corporate dive company. I had no idea how to breathe underwater at the time, but I was willing to try. The manager surprisingly gave me a chance and hired me, What an unexpected blessing. I made it through training and loved it. In a predominantly male field, it was a challenge at times, but I was always up for it. I dove for two years before I decided to branch off.

Has it been a smooth road?
It is a really physically demanding field. Most days I come home with arms that feel like jello. Just when I think I have built up the endurance, I’ll face another challenging day that will drain my energy. Things inevitably go wrong, like when my weight belt comes loose and all my tools fall deep into the ocean. My days over then, but the ocean has a way of reenergizing me. Juggling life, my other job, and making sure that I don’t rush into things too fast, has been a little tough, but I am determined and in no hurry.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dinu’s Dive Services – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Dinu’s Dive Services is an underwater boat cleaning and maintenance company. We also do search and recovery on selective cases. We clean the under carnage of boats and yachts. We inspect the metals, propeller’s the intakes. zincs for electrolysis and overall make sure the vessels are safe to be on the water. I deliver high-quality work. I provide photos for all my customers. A picture goes a million miles and validates my underwater work. Being female I get a handful of surprised reactions every day. Customers are surprisingly happy and encouraging when they see a female in this line of work.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love every bit about my city. I would not live anywhere else. My partner and I joke that if we couldn’t live in Long Beach we would have to move abroad.

Long Beach has so many activities year-round throughout the city. There is always something to see or do here and the people are amazing. Its a very small town feel for such a big city. As an immigrant, this is the first place in my 39 years I feel I’m home.

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

1 Comment

  1. Lisa Shadle

    November 14, 2017 at 06:46

    Super proud of you Andrea!😘

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