Do not seek security, seek meaning

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Kolyo Kolev. I am the director of the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural and Historical Heritage – an organization dedicated to preserving Bulgarian cultural memory through innovations, educational formats, and large-scale projects with a patriotic mission. I work at the intersection of entrepreneurship, culture and education in values. For me, personal branding is not self-promotion – it is a trace.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

I dreamed of being an explorer. To this day, that has not changed – only the scale has shifted from the external world to the spiritual and cultural. Instead of seeking new lands, I seek how to revive the treasures of the Bulgarian soul.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us some interesting story?

I earned my first money around the age of 13, helping my parents in the family business. I learned that the value of work is not just in the payment, but in the trust you earn when you are responsible even in the smallest task.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us some interesting story.

I earned my money at around 13 years old, selling “chorbajijski” peppers at the market in Sliven. It was summer, early in the morning I was setting up the stall, and the peppers shone in the morning light like gold. At that time, I was learning not only how to arrange goods, but how to communicate, how to earn trust, how to read people by their eyes.

I remember an elderly woman who approached, looked at the peppers and said with a smile that had more wisdom than jest:
– Boy, these peppers are like for a wedding – beautiful, shiny... but surely their price is like for a wedding?
I replied:
– Granny, for you the price will be like for a relative. After all, at weddings we invite relatives to treat them, to feed them, to make them happy and not to profit from them!

She laughed, bought two kilograms and before leaving, she stopped, looked at me seriously and said:
– Remember something from me – whoever can sell with respect will also be able to lead people with dignity. Trade is not just a deal. It is a relationship.

This market lesson stayed with me forever. The first money taught me not only about value but about worth. And no matter how far I have come, that market morning in Sliven always brings me back to the root – that every true work begins with heart.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is Your recipe for curiosity?

The influence of the family environment, parents, first teachers, and encounters with inspiring personalities are key. Curiosity is nurtured through questions, not through answers. I recommend a broad and comprehensive outlook - from books, travels, art, and even from silence – because inspiration often comes in moments of conscious observation.

Has there been any significant difference in perceptions You have in more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something?

Yes – with time, priorities become deeper. In youth, we seek opportunities, in maturity – mission. Today, I am motivated not by what is in my interest, but by what leaves a mark in the community and the future.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was this decision correct, looking at it from today’s perspective?

The decision was mine, but influenced by the environment. Over time, I realized that education is not an end station – but a starting point. The right choice is not “what we study”, but “what we do with our knowledge”.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?

I am interested in cultural policy, history, social entrepreneurship, and the future of education. My skills include strategic management, team leadership, and communication with a mission. My hobbies often merge with my work – books, nature, and conversations with inspiring people. My main hobby is writing children’s stories. I am known among children by the pseudonym Chicho Nik.

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity interest Your interest?

I would not change it – but I would expand it. I am interested in global educational platforms, digitalization of culture, and creating bridges between tradition and technology.

What would you like to hear about yourself when you are not in the room?

That I am a person with vision and heart. That I have left not only projects but a culture of integrity, ambition, and inspiration. That I can be a support and direction.

How do you deal with daily challenges to stay in good shape and mood?

Through a clear system of priorities, sports, spiritual discipline, and time for silence. Balance is not constant – but it is possible through self-observation, humility, and good organization.

What are the most important conclusions for maintaining proper communication considering different characters?

The key is empathy + clear boundaries. We cannot expect that everyone thinks like us – but we can respect the difference and be consistent in tone and intention. Communication begins with the ability to listen.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? Advice to people on the topic?

Money is a tool, not a goal. They amplify the scale of what we are – if we are creative, we create more; if we are chaotic – chaos grows. My advice: build value and the money will follow.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?

Do not seek security – seek meaning. When you find what you would do even without a salary, turn it into a profession. And never stop developing.