The world is colorful, human understandings too

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Ralitsa Sharkova – an explorer at heart, a fan of mathematical jokes, and an admirer of initiatives with added value. My path began in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, passed through the big corporate IT world, and at the moment I am a Senior People Manager at Telerik Academy School.

For you, the journey around the world is?

Exploring the world within me and around me. I feel happy when I discover and explore – from food, through the history of the destination to the characteristic customs of the people there. Traveling with the whole palette of experiences changes you, puts you in front of new questions, and gives you many answers.

Do you like to repeat destinations? Give examples and motivation “for” or “against”?

Traveling is not just geographical movement, but a personal journey. No matter how many times you have been to a given destination, you can always discover something new in it. Maybe people don’t think about it, but often the way we perceive and “see” a given journey depends on our current emotional state – and it’s hardly always the same?!

What do you learn about yourself and your professional skills when you are in a new cultural environment?

The cultural environment is like career fitness – it tightens you, stretches you, and sometimes you leave with muscle soreness of habits. Most often I realize what works universally and what is a product of my own environment.

Have you met people or ideas during your travels that have influenced your career path?

More than 13 years ago, together with a few others, we were driving the entrepreneurial organization Start It Smart. At that time we actively traveled and participated in various entrepreneurial initiatives. Through these travels and experiences, I created exceptional friendships and business contacts that permanently changed my path. A few mentors in our pre-accelerator program left a strong imprint on me - and here I mean the overall character of these people as values, attitude towards the world, and understandings of business and life.

Do you think that traveling helps you expand your professional network? How?

Firmly and unequivocally “Yes”. Conversations in an informal setting often open more doors than even the best-prepared meeting.

What skills do you develop the most when you travel, and how do they reflect on your work?

Traveling is like a crash course in adaptability, quick decision-making, observance, and communication. From lost luggage to navigating in an unfamiliar city – every experience trains you to think quickly, adapt swiftly, and communicate clearly. At work? Absolutely the same rules, just with fewer suitcases.

Is there a city or country that has inspired you to start a new business or project?

Every destination is a breath of fresh air and can give you wings for a specific or new work direction. I am a person who draws inspiration from everything and everyone. At this stage, only specific situations have influenced me for a new work direction, but who knows, I might soon find my inspiring city or country.

When you are in a foreign country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

I love traveling and feel in absolute sync with myself when I am on the road.

Are there destinations that act as a “restart” for your creativity and ambition?

Absolutely yes! There is one paradise spot that gives me everything I have known and didn’t know I wanted. This is Montreux in Switzerland. It’s no coincidence that Freddie Mercury chose it as one of his homes and together with Queen created there for many years. And Queen is my favorite band – coincidence?!

How do you manage the balance between work and pleasure when you travel?

If you know where the best Wi-Fi and the tastiest coffee in the city are, the balance is ready. Changing the location is changing the context, which always has added value, not only for work but also for inspiration.

How have travels changed the way you perceive the value of money?

Money should be an instrument, not a goal – an instrument for freedom, choice, and meaning. Its value lies in how you use it – not how much you have, but what you do with it.

Do you travel with the aim of finding new ways to make money?

I do not travel with the aim of “hunting”, but rather to absorb contexts that can later turn into projects, collaborations, or solutions.

What lessons on financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?  

True independence comes from not how much money you have, but how you manage it, what it brings you, and whether it gives you time, not just things. In Asia, people achieve freedom through minimalism, in Western Europe – through systematic approaches and investments, and in the Balkans – with inventiveness and adaptation. The world is colorful, human understandings too.

Do you think it’s better to spend on experiences rather than material acquisitions?  

My grandmother is 93 years old and every time we talk or see each other she tells me the following: “Grandma, travel, don’t stop traveling and exploring the world. In time, these experiences will warm you the most, they are the only ones that remain.”

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

We live in the era of the technological revolution and undoubtedly we all notice how quickly the work dynamics are changing. I expect to see more and more “remote-first” businesses that will create jobs without geographical limitations. Nomadism will not be just for freelancers. A new culture of life and work will emerge, where the location is a matter of choice, not necessity.

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?  

To this question, I can only answer from indirect observations and global analyses. I still don’t have personal experience to answer specifically.

If you could choose one place in the world to develop your next big idea, what would it be and why?

Bulgaria! Not only because it is home, but because there is untapped potential here – in the people, in nature, in the way we can create without getting lost in noise. Bulgaria is small enough to feel a connection with the community, but also rich enough in culture, history, and contrast to inspire great ideas. And the strongest ideas often arise where there are roots.

What are the destinations you would definitely recommend to be visited and why?

Everything is strictly individual and depends a lot on the current political and economic situation. One thing is for sure – traveling enriches. If you can, discover and conquer this colorful world.