Choose your career based on what truly excites you

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Jessica Stoilkova and I am the marketing manager of Netpeak Bulgaria – part of the international Netpeak Group. I have been involved in digital marketing for almost 8 years, responsible for the overall marketing strategy of the agency – from maintaining brand identity and key partnerships, to participating in international competitions, organizing events, and managing the internal marketing processes. I lead a small but very strong team of marketing and design specialists.

Tell us what the philosophy and values of the company you are currently working for are?

At the agency, we believe that sustainable business growth starts with value, trust, and results. We are not just a digital agency – we strive to be a long-term partner for digital growth. The foundation of our philosophy is clear: high results, transparency, technological innovation, and continuous development – for both clients and the team.

The values that guide us every day are:

●      Focus on results – clients come to us for the strategies, but stay for the real growth. Measurability is at the center of everything we do – whether it’s SEO, CRM marketing, or a large advertising campaign.

●      Transparency and honesty – we communicate openly and honestly with clients. If something isn’t working, we say it directly and offer a solution. This is part of the trust we build.

●      Personal approach and flexibility – every client is different and we adapt our strategies according to their real needs. We do not rely on ready-made templates, but on individually built solutions.

●      Standards and processes – we work with a strict structure – monthly planning, SCRUM methodologies, checklists, and multi-level quality control. This allows us to be effective, but also predictable in an ever more dynamic market.

●      Continuous learning – we have internal training, opportunities for obtaining certificates, and we closely follow global digital trends. Only in this way can we remain relevant and useful – for our clients and for ourselves.

●      Innovations and technologies – we work with internally developed tools like Serpstat, Ringostat, and other platforms for analysis, automation, and tracking. This helps us to always stay one step ahead.

●      Care for customer experience – we believe that the future of digital marketing lies in hyper-personalized experiences and an omnichannel approach. We strive to build campaigns that not only sell but create a connection with the audience.

At the core of all this is a team of over 80 people, based in Sofia, Varna, and Stara Zagora, who do not just "work in an agency", but build this culture where knowledge, initiative, and honest feedback are valued. For us, Netpeak is not just a workplace and a digital marketing agency – it is a way of thinking and a long-term commitment to quality and results.

How long have you been working at the current company? What are the main motivating factors that keep you there?

I have been working at the agency since 2018 – almost  7 years now. This is my first full-fledged entry into the world of digital marketing, after I decided to abruptly change my career path and leave my secure job in the financial sector. Since then, I haven’t looked back. ;)

The reason I have stayed so long is not just the nature of the work – although I love everything related to marketing, branding, content, and events. More importantly, Netpeak has given me the freedom to grow in various directions: as a marketing manager, as a leader, as a person who has a voice in how the company itself develops.

Here, I have never felt stagnation – every new project brings challenges and new responsibilities. I am involved in communication at group and international levels, which allows me to see the bigger picture.

But the most important thing that keeps me here is the team and the culture. I work with young and cool people, with whom we not only collaborate but truly understand each other and are friends. There is trust, freedom, and a sense of shared responsibility. A person needs not only opportunities but also an environment where they feel accepted, heard, and valued – and I find all of this in the agency.

In this sense, for me, the agency is not just an employer, but a platform for personal and professional growth – with all the difficulties, lessons, and successes that this brings with it.

If you had to recommend the company to your acquaintances or friends, what would you share with them to attract their attention?

I would tell them that Netpeak is not just a place where you work – here you literally live in a culture that is alive, active, and constantly evolving. What makes the company different is not just the projects and clients, but the internal ecosystem we have built over the years.

For example, we have a own internal Meme generator – and yes, it is absolutely real and actively used. It serves us not only for fun but also for relieving tension during busy periods, as well as for that "dose of self-irony" that makes every organization more human.

Recently, we also created the platform kursove.ai, which is completely free, and through which we share accessible, applicable (and in Bulgarian) courses for people who want to enter the world of artificial intelligence. This is part of our broader belief that knowledge should be shared.

Internally, we conduct surveys, training, and other academies almost every month – whether for providing feedback, working with a specific tool, or improving communication. We love to learn and improve, and we do it systematically.

We also have something unique – own internal currency called Netpeaks. Each of us can "gift" netpeaks to a colleague as a gesture of gratitude or recognition for help, idea, or just good attitude. This builds a positive culture where recognition comes not only from management but from everyone to everyone. After that, we can spend this netpeaks on completely real “products” in our Netpeak Store - our internal “online shop”, where you can buy anything from a book voucher to a day off. There are also other cool things… that I won’t reveal now. ;)

And last but not least – at Netpeak we support and actively participate in sports and volunteer initiatives. From football and tennis to mountain hikes, marathons, and yoga – we believe that caring for health and team spirit does not stop at the end of the workday.

To summarize in one sentence: there is a balance in the agency between structure, work processes, and freedom, learning, and a true, genuine culture of collegiality. This is something you cannot simulate – either it exists, or it doesn’t. With us, it simply exists. :)

What does your company do to organize a constructive and productive working environment for everyone? Should we be friends with our colleagues?

The agency relies on open communication and mutual support. We do not have a formal style of communication – anyone can propose an idea, give feedback, or ask for help. Friendship is not mandatory, but it is a result of a culture that values trust. Many of my colleagues have become close people – and this brings additional ease to the work. I come to the office with pleasure every day.

In the agency, every 6 months we receive a general survey, in which we can give our feedback (from the employees towards the company) and this is very important - this way both sides know where they stand in their development and relationship. There are no hidden agendas. Everything is transparent and clear. In addition, there are weekly 1 to 1 meetings between employees and managers - this is also very important for providing feedback and discussing potential problems, concerns, etc.

Tell us a little more about your responsibilities in the company? What makes you enjoy going to work? How do you cope with difficult and stressful moments?

As the marketing manager of the agency, I am responsible for the overall marketing strategy of the agency. This includes managing online presence, creating and implementing marketing campaigns, brand development, coordination with partners, and participation in international competitions. I lead a small but key team of marketing and design specialists and we work closely with other departments in the company – so communication and adaptability are a daily part of my work.

In addition, I am the editor-in-chief of Netpeak Journal – one of the most read blogs on digital marketing in our country, where I take care of the quality of the content, the tone of communication, and its strategic direction.

I also participate in building our partnership program Netpeak Alliance, which unites leading agencies in various fields, and allows us to offer comprehensive digital solutions to our clients.

Event organization is also an important part of my work – we are the organizer of one of the largest conferences on digital marketing in our country - Online Advertising Conference with 8 in-person editions so far (and the online format OA Conf Live with 5 editions), as well as Netpeak Friends Day  - an internal event for the agency's partners. I believe in the power of live communication and that is why these formats are particularly close to me.

What makes me enjoy going to work is the feeling that what we do makes sense. I see how our efforts actually help clients, how the team develops, how our campaigns create impact, how people know us and are aware of what we do and how. I like that I have the freedom to propose an idea, develop it, and implement it – without unnecessary bureaucracy, but with responsibility and trust.

Coping with difficult and stressful moments is part of every dynamic job. For me, the key elements here are structure, support, and self-reflection. We work with clearly defined processes and a well-organized team, which helps us maintain control, even when tasks pile up. With my colleagues, we maintain open and honest communication and constantly help each other.

On a personal level – when I feel tension, I take a short break, go outside, exercise, or simply change my perspective. I work in a environment where it is not shameful to say that you are tired – and that, in itself, is a strong buffer against burnout.

Ultimately, I believe that difficulties are not a sign to give up, but an invitation to grow – and that is what helps me face them with focus and inner resilience.

What work model does your company adhere to – office or remote? What are the advantages in your specific case and position?

We work in a hybrid model – most of the time 90% of our employees work in the office, but since the company is very flexible - anyone who wishes can take home office when it is convenient for them. For me, this is the ideal formula – I personally need social dynamics, but also moments of focus and calm. In marketing, you often have to switch between logistics, creativity, and communication – and this freedom helps a lot.

What have you managed to build upon most seriously in your work during your time in this company?

I have built the most in strategic thinking – from how I structure a campaign or brand positioning, to the way I approach partnerships and internal communication.

Netpeak has given me the opportunity to test, make mistakes, learn, and become a better version of myself every day. No matter how clichéd it may sound, it really is like that for me. Netpeak is literally an “academy” for me, where you learn a lot and acquire skills that last a lifetime. Very valuable skills - both personal and professional.

How important is hierarchy and what does it mean to you?

Hierarchy makes sense to me when it is related to responsibility, not power. At Netpeak, we have a clear structure, but I have never felt a barrier to turn to any colleague – regardless of their position.

Truly effective teams are not held together by control, but by trust and clarity about who plays what role. When communication is open, work goes much more smoothly.

What is your career advice for all people building a strategy for their professional development?

The most valuable thing I can say from personal experience is: do not be afraid to start over and do not cling to the idea of the "right career path". A career is not a straight line, but a dynamic process of searching, trial, error, learning, and rediscovery.

I myself made a sharp change in my direction when I already had several years of experience in another field. My advice is not to choose your strategy based on “how it looks good on paper” or what others expect from you, but based on what excites you, what challenges you, and where you feel you have the potential to grow. Follow your interests, be honest with yourself, and do not wait for the “perfect moment”. Sometimes it comes when you simply take the first step.

And one more important thing – building a career is not only vertical movement upwards, but also in depth. The better you know yourself, your values, and the environment in which you develop best, the more meaningful your path will be. And success – it comes when you are in a place that gives you energy, not drains it.