A successful person is a happy person

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Nikolina Kurteva and for more than 20 years I have been involved in sales and business development in the field of hospitality and tourism. I like to help and maybe that's why people often turn to me for advice. I love being with my family and friends, as well as communicating with new people. I am a member of the Alumni club of The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

From the very beginning of my professional journey, I have been developing in the field of hospitality and tourism, starting from the lowest level and going through various career levels. The last one was Sales and Marketing Director for one of the major international hotel chains. For several years now, I have been consulting new projects in tourism or those that need change.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

The most important choice for me was my decision to move from the operational departments to the field of sales, which opened a new path in my career development.

What would you like to know at the beginning of your career that no one told you?

To follow myself, not others.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for him?

The easiest way is by trial and error. Everyone knows themselves best, and if they think they would be good at something, then they probably are. However, if they don't try, they won't know.

Which skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?

Creativity, flexibility, analytical skills, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, the ability to set boundaries and maintain balance. However, my favorite is the ability to pass on knowledge to others. There is no benefit in what you know if you keep it only to yourself. It is important to be able to pass it on to the people around and after you.

How to build a network of useful contacts without looking interested?

With sincerity. Be sincere and authentic, and you won't appear interested. In fact, your interest will be genuine.  

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

Maybe it was the period when I let myself box too long in one place, waiting for something to happen from the outside. Change must come from within ourselves; we must be proactive and seek development.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

Believe me, you will recognize it immediately. No one should tolerate a toxic environment for any reason. We tend to make excuses and look for reasons to leave, whether we like our job too much or it's because of specific people or the team. But we should not be tolerant of toxic people and environments, because we can harm ourselves, including our health.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I would apply to the programs of CWBB (The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria) much earlier.

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

With something new. It doesn't have to be in our professional field; it can be a new hobby or something new that we have always wanted to try. A friend of mine started studying psychology out of personal interest, and she was super successful in her career and continues to be. I enrolled in the Leadership Academy of The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

This balance is different for each person. For some people, there is balance when they are more engaged with their work, for others – when they have more time for their personal life. It is important to understand what balance means for us, when we feel our best. After that, everything becomes easy.

When is it time to change our career, not just the job?

When we have new inspiration or when we have lost interest in what we do.

If you had to give only one piece of advice to people who are seeking success, what would it be?

Don't stop developing and improving yourself.

What is your definition of a "successful career"?

For me, a successful person is a happy person!