Successful people manage to learn from their mistakes

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Ivan Radulovski and I am senior account manager at one of the most noble and successful advertising agencies in Bulgaria. I am also a self-producing independent artist and I love writing love songs. Since childhood, music has charged me and given me meaning. And to be independent, you need to understand and be able to do everything. To think both as an artist and as a strategist. To burn, to believe, and to want strongly enough.  That’s why the advertising industry helped me, where I have been developing for 10 years and learning something new every day that can help me both career-wise and in life. I believe that I skillfully combine the two worlds and walk my own path, with small but dignified steps. I started alone, now many walk with me.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood years?

As a child, I dreamed of being a musician. Not just to play or sing, but to tell stories through music that touch and heal. I grew up in a family that encouraged me to be responsible, to work hard, to have a craft with which to earn my bread. But music has always been my escape, my way to breathe. Even when they told me that this is not a "real profession," I never gave up. The dream of expressing myself through music still guides me today, and I believe that when a childhood dream survives through time, it becomes destiny.

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

Since childhood, I actively helped my parents. We had a tulip greenhouse, which the whole family was involved in. Working there taught me perseverance and patience, as caring for the plants required daily dedication. My first serious job was as an apprentice to my father, who was engaged in the production and assembly of furniture and windows. He taught me that in life nothing comes easy and that to receive, you must first give. I received my first reward in the form of a bicycle, around 13-14 years old. Then I earned money for a phone, for a computer, etc. These were my first steps into real work, and the lessons I learned then still serve me today. Later, I worked many other jobs and abroad: cleaner, waiter, in construction, warehouses, seasonal jobs that helped me see better how the world works, helped me respect and value every profession and human fate.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an earlier 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?

At an earlier age, we are most strongly shaped by the environment in which we grow, the example of our parents, the people we surround ourselves with, as well as those first moments when something shakes us from within, like a book, an interesting movie, a powerful song, or an inspiring conversation. At least for me, that’s how curiosity was born and my desire to seek, to understand, to find, and to ask "why".
My “recipe” for curiosity is simple: do not take anything for granted, listen to yourself, and allow that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. I believe that when you are open to the world, it starts to respond to you.

 

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in a more mature age regarding what motivates you to do or not do something?

Certainly, my perceptions have changed significantly over time. In my younger years, I was often driven by the desire to prove myself. To prove to myself, to others, and to the world that I can and that I have a place. Not to allow any failure to demotivate me and not to give up. But now, in a more mature age, my motivation comes from the meaning behind what I do. I no longer ask "how to get there faster," but "why do I even want to get there." I do not do things just because I have to, but because I believe in them, because I feel they carry value, truth, and direction. And that gives me the greatest inner strength.

 

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was this decision correct, looking back today?

The decision of where to study was more of a compromise between my dreams and the reality we lived in. I really wanted to study at NATFIZ or at the Conservatory, to immerse myself completely in art and conquer the stage. But back then, my parents simply did not have the financial means to send me to Sofia. So I stayed in my hometown of Ruse and enrolled in a more practical specialty related to business.
Today, when I look back, I do not regret it at all, because this decision taught me to fight, to seek ways to build my own path, and not to wait for the "perfect moment," but to act with what I have. And music never left me, because it always found a way to be part of me. And most importantly it taught me how not to lose myself along the way.

 

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

My interests have always been diverse, but at their core lies the need for freedom and depth. Snowboarding gives me that adrenaline that keeps you awake to life, helps me disconnect from everything and connect with nature. I also love diving because underwater I find the silence that sometimes lacks in the busy everyday life. Both remind me that we are part of something much bigger.
In recent years, I have been most absorbed by writing and producing music. It started as a hobby, as a personal escape from the noisy world, but gradually it became a direction and a mission. I devoted myself completely because I do not want someone else to hold the pen of my story. I do not want to be someone’s project, shoved into a mold. I want to create as I feel - with authenticity, with meaning, and with passion, so that there is music that is not just played on the radio, but heals and leaves a mark.
I also have experience in voice-over because I love working with my voice. I have voiced quite a few commercials, and that gives me another dimension of how sound can impact.
Another favorite hobby is cars, not just as a passion for machines, but as a symbol of movement, control, and the ability to choose the direction yourself. Ultimately, everything I do is an attempt to stay true to myself and turn my inner world into something that can be shared. Because I feel most fulfilled when what comes out of me is in complete harmony with what the silence within carries.

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

I would not change my profession today because everything I do (from music to my work in the advertising agency) has become a reflection of myself. Music gives me that personal space to express myself without filters, while the agency allows me to participate in creating meaningful messages that reach people in a different but equally impactful way. The truth is that I love to move between the artistic and communication world. In advertising, I encounter ideas, people, businesses, and causes that inspire me. This teaches me discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking, and these are things I transfer to my music. At the same time, my creative activities in writing and producing songs give me that energy that I put back into the agency’s projects. I would say that I am not looking for a change, but rather an expansion of horizons.

 

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

I would like to hear that I am a person who remains true to myself, regardless of the direction of the wind. That I am someone who works with feeling, with an idea, and with respect towards people and what I create. That I am consistent, but not in the ambition to be everywhere, but in the desire to be the right person in the right place when it is needed.

 

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?

For me, emotional intelligence and adaptability are not just terms, but daily practice. In the world we live in, changes are constant and often unexpected, so I try to be flexible and not lose focus when things do not go as planned. My way of coping with challenges is to seek balance and adapt without losing myself, to accept and understand my emotions, rather than suppressing them. For example, when I am under stress or pressure, instead of closing myself off, I try to acknowledge them and deal with them constructively. This can be through music, sports, or just spending time with family and friends. Sometimes a little walk or just switching off from everything for a while is enough to restore my mental energy. To stay in good shape and mood, I often allow myself to be in a moment of silence or immerse myself in something I love, like music or creative processes, I feel that this restores my balance and gives me energy for new challenges.

What are the most important conclusions you have drawn so far about maintaining the right communication considering the different characters of the people you meet every day  – colleagues, friends, close ones?

Sometimes communication is less about what you say, and much more about what others hear. When you talk to someone – whether a colleague, friend, or close one – you need to learn to be truly present in the moment and to be interested in their perspective. This way you can not only understand what they want, but also create space for open and sincere communication, which builds trust and respect. It is important to recognize the differences in the communication styles of the people you work with. Some people prefer directness, while others need more time or space to open up. Sometimes, to create healthy communication, you need to adapt to the opposite way of expression and be patient and attentive. When it comes to close people, it is necessary to be open and vulnerable. True communication with friends and family is not just about sharing joys, but also about being open about difficulties and doubts. This sincerity helps not only to strengthen the relationship but also to better understand each other.
Perhaps the most important thing is to be polite and have positive intent, even in moments of stress. If you manage to stay calm and approach with constructiveness, you will have a much greater chance of resolving the conflict or misunderstanding in a way that is beneficial for both parties.

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 is a tool that helps us achieve goals and create comfort in our lives. They are just part of the bigger picture. The most important thing is how you use them, because they can be a means of development and freedom, but they can also be pressure and burden. My advice to people who often wonder whether money is sufficient or what influence they have on their lives is to focus on what they want to achieve, rather than just on the amount of money they need. It is important to understand that money comes when they start putting effort into something that truly inspires them and has value. You do not have to do everything for them. In my opinion, in the long run, money follows good decisions to support dreams and goals. It is very important not to compare ourselves to others, because every time we start measuring our success in money, we can lose our true focus. Being grateful for what you have and striving for development at your own pace is a much more valuable approach than trying to reach someone else's standard. True wealth comes from within, from how we feel in our own skin and what contribution we make to the world around us.

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

The most valuable career advice I would give to people is to be true to themselves and their values, even when it means taking a difficult and not always popular path. The ability to choose the path that truly resonates with you, rather than the one that someone else thinks you should follow, is extremely important. Sometimes you will have to make compromises, but do not let external pressure divert you from what you truly want.
And do not be afraid to make mistakes. What truly makes the difference between successful people and those who do not succeed is the ability to learn from their mistakes and not give up. Success does not come immediately, but through perseverance and efforts to improve yourself and what you do. There is no universal recipe for success, but if you follow your inner feeling and work honestly, the results will come.