Ignore the fear of failure and others' opinions

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Eli Stoyneva and I am an entrepreneur and investor. I am the founder of a recruitment agency Top Skills Recruitment and together with my husband Dimitar Kalev we have been developing our business for 9 years.

My story begins with curiosity, goes through searching, and finds direction in creating meaning – through words, ideas, and actions. I am a person who believes that a personal brand is not a logo, but a voice. It is not a business card, but a feeling and emotions, that you leave behind. I believe in the power of authenticity, perseverance, and those small details that make you recognizable.

I have over 10 years of experience in recruitment and sales, standing out with creativity, confidence in the services I offer, and a positive attitude towards every challenge.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

As a little girl, I dreamed either of painting the world in colors, or making it a better place – with action, gesture, word. Art and helping people went hand in hand in my childhood imagination, and communication was the thread that connected them. I loved talking to people, listening to them, connecting with them.

Today, the company I created is exactly that – a meeting between the heart of service and the art of human contact. Every day I meet new people, learn from them, connect them in ways that benefit everyone. This is the beauty of our activity – it not only drives business but creates value, human and professional.

At what age did you earn your first money? Share an interesting story with us?

When I was about 15 years old, I started “earning” by helping my father with various activities related to the house or his work. He had the most pleasant job in the world (we lived in Portugal), and I had the opportunity to learn to appreciate the money that I earned through hard work thanks to him. I helped for 1 hour a day for 5 euros, and by the end of the month, I proudly counted my salary and even then I started thinking not only about how to spend, but also how to plan.

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, sources and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

I believe that at an early age, we are most strongly shaped by the three "worlds" in which we grow – the family, social, and inner. The family provides the first models – through behavior, values, and support. The social environment – school, friends – shapes our sense of belonging, rules, and freedom. And the inner world awakens through curiosity, questions, those small doubts or big dreams, that often no one else hears but us.

My “recipe” for curiosity as a child included a lot of observation, reading, asking questions, analyzing answers, and silence. In silence, the most interesting thoughts often came, and I loved to be alone at the end of the day. At the same time, I loved listening to the people around me – even when they weren’t talking to me, I loved psychology from a young age and followed body language. You can learn a lot about the world from gestures and conversations. Over time, I added books, movies, music, travel, discussions with people from different backgrounds – all things that open thinking and provoke imagination.

Did any significant difference occur in your perceptions in a more mature age regarding what motivates you to do or not do something?

If I have to compare myself to who I was 10 years ago, I would say that back then I was a draft, and today – confident in my first completed chapter. The difference is huge – and it doesn’t scare me, it makes me happy. Because it is a sign that I have developed in the right direction, that I have lived my youth with purpose – with experiences, mistakes, lessons, and dreams. Today I am much more responsible, brave, motivated. I realized that believing in myself is not just an inspiring phrase, but a muscle that is trained. And most importantly – I believed that I can achieve anything, as long as I truly want it and work for it.

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

My interests are strongly related to development – both in professional and personal terms. I am passionately excited about entrepreneurship, about creating businesses from scratch and building sustainable systems around them. Investing in real estate is also a field I have a strong interest in – I like the feeling of turning an idea or space into something valuable and functional.

On a personal level, one of my favorite “callings” is being a mother – it brings me the deepest joy and the most genuine lessons. I love nature, cooking, sports, reading books, and moments spent with my loved ones. They recharge and inspire me.

I am currently working on a book dedicated to achieving goals – in it, I share personal stories and approaches that have helped me along the way. I know how to communicate with people, listen to them, and provide solutions, not just advice. This is one of the skills I value the most – because good communication often opens doors that we didn’t even know existed.

They say that the personal brand is everything that people say about you when you are not with them in a room. What would you like to hear today?

Honestly, I would be most happy if people say that they can rely on me – that I am open, genuine, and always ready to help. That I am a person with whom it is pleasant to work, but also just to talk. I like the idea that I can inspire someone – not with big words, but with small, consistent actions.

If after meeting me there is a feeling that it was pleasant, genuine, and provided something valuable – then it means my personal brand was in the right place.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills are key conditions for success in recent years. How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to stay in good shape and mood?

Over time, I have learned to control my emotions very well and not to let a difficult moment define my entire day. Even when not everything goes according to plan, I always find a way to “lift myself up” – quickly, consciously, and with the mindset that this too shall pass. When a challenge arises, my first action is to take full responsibility. This gives me strength – because I know that if it depends on me, I can find a solution.

I approach with a smile, and often with enthusiasm – it sounds strange, but this attitude helps me maintain condition and stability. I realized that this approach works for me, and I am fully convinced that I will always follow it. Life does not promise to be easy, but we can choose how to react – and I choose to do it with ease and inner strength.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money for me is not an end in itself, but a tool – a means that can give you freedom, opportunities, and peace. I strive for financial freedom, not just for the sake of having, but for what it unlocks: the ability to create new businesses, to develop ideas from scratch, to take time for myself and for the most important people in my life – my family.

I believe in Robert Kiyosaki's principle: “Don’t work for money, make money work for you.” He also says: “The rich acquire assets. The poor and middle class acquire liabilities that they think are assets.” It is these ideas that changed the way I think about money – not as something that is simply spent, but as a resource that can be managed wisely and work for your future.

To those who often ask, “How much is enough?” I would say: enough is what brings you inner peace and real freedom – not to escape from life, but to be able to choose how to live it.

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

Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” – start with what you have, where you are, and be ready to learn on the go.

Perfectionism, the fear of failure or of others' opinions often stop us before we have even taken the first step. The truth is that growth comes not from waiting, but from action. Build habits, seek value, create connections, be curious and consistent. And most importantly – build such value that no matter where you are, it always goes with you.

If you have an idea, goal, or dream – try it. Even if it doesn’t turn out as you imagine, you will be closer to yourself than if you never start.