Every entrepreneur remembers their first earned money

Introduce yourself with a few sentences..

Economist with experience and intuition in entrepreneurship and politics. Before dedicatingmyself to managing one of the leading hospitals in the country, “Sveta Ekaterina”, I have built businesses in the field of new technologies, clothing manufacturing, online commerce, and media.  I have advised ministers in two governments. My dynamiccareer also includes television experience – thus, alongside strategic potential, I developa practical sense for the issues.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood years?

As a child, I wanted to work in a circus, to be a teacher, a pilot of a plane, a lawyer, and an archaeologist! Now, as an adult, my childhood dreams have come true, considering the following:

I absolutely love to travel! Well, the circus staff is always on the move! Aviation pilots really go to distant places!

I passionately love to read books: Well, I am a teacher, who loves their job.

I have an innate desire to help and advocate for others who are less fortunate: Becoming a lawyer also suits me very well.

My curiosity and interest in the history behind people, places, and objects: No wonder I wanted to become an archaeologist too!

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

Have you ever noticed that when interviewing successful people, there is one question that always makes them smile, namely: “What was your first income?” And suddenly the guest's face lights up when they remember that special moment. It’s funny, isn’t it? People may earn thousands or even millions today, but they still remember the joy of those first few leva. That first paycheck is something that no one forgets.

Jack Ma's first salary was between 12 and 15 dollars a month. He is a co-founder of Alibaba. Oprah Winfrey, now a media mogul, earned her first salary as a teenager working in a local grocery store.

At 17 years old, I worked all summer as an asphalt worker on industrial roofs and cleaned warehouses. With the money I earned, I managed to go to the sea.

Otherwise, it is very curious to be on a 25-meter lift and from about 1 meter (the distance to the roof) to toss 30-kilogram balls of wool at the person across, trying not to cause them minor to moderate bodily harm. The lesson – I learned a trade.

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?

Who are we? When we think about who we are, we tend to cite our origin, beliefs, experiences, and interests. But what is our true identity and what are the factors that contribute to the formation of our unique identity? I believe that everything we do, from the choices we make to the decisions we avoid, stems from how we see ourselves in the world and how we choose to interact with our environment. How do we shape our identity? Theoretically, every push we experience consciously and unconsciously throughout our lives influences how we create and characterize our identity. Our identity is influenced long before we even think about it. The fact is that our society has already begun to shape a person's identity through years of categorization and labeling based on traits and expected behavior. Although all our relationships with society are influential, our families and close ones have a significant impact on shaping our identity. Since they are the first people we encounter, we consciously and subconsciously turn to our parents, siblings, and family members for the formation of our identity.

One of the most complex and multifaceted factors that influence the formation of identity is ethnicity, race, and culture. These details of our lives often evolve.

Like society, the media influence how we should and therefore how we actually see ourselves. The media have an immediate effect on our reality. Consciously and unconsciously, we receive messages through advertisements, television shows, movies, and games that reinforce or contradict our beliefs about life and whether we should be satisfied with who we are.

In conclusion, if I had to choose one of these factors as the most important that influences the formation of identity, I would say that family and close ones have the greatest influence on your identity because your parents raise you and teach you different things that they do, while others do not, you interact the most with siblings and friends throughout your childhood, and spending time with the elders in your family will influence your thoughts on certain life perspectives.

I would like to emphasize the need to be proud of your identity. Do not try to copy others because what distinguishes you from others is your uniquely formed identity, and by using it, you will attract people to yourself, not the other way around, when you falsify your identity.

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

The neural mechanisms underlying our ability for self-perception may be much more complex than they appear at first glance. There may be several fundamental cognitive pathways, neurotransmitter systems, as well as external events that influence our self-perception. Andividual traits such as intelligence quotient, speed of visual and auditory processing, memory, and others can lead to variable results regarding self-perception. We tend to be more precise, detailed, and accurate in our observation and perception of things in the present moment, and our mental images become more blurred as we move away in time.

Everyone's motivation is different. Understanding what motivates you can be key to motivating yourself and staying motivated. My loved ones and my desire to cope better and feel better are what motivate me. When I struggle with a lack of motivation, I try to think about those reasons. I tell myself that the effort will be worth it. But of course, my motivation may not work all the time. Some days I feel more motivated than others. And probably it will be the same for you as well.

Of course, the advice may be suitable for me, but it may not be suitable for you. Even for me, it doesn’t always work. Determination and willpower play a big role. And honestly, sometimes we just want to lie in bed and do nothing. And that’s okay.

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

Factors such as parental influence, recommendations from high school teachers, quality of graduates, recommendations from colleagues, location, fees, learning environment, and university reputation are important considerations in the decision-making process when choosing a university.

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

I am a sociable person and I am interested in helping others. Besides helping people, I am interested in communications and persuasion.

I love puzzles and competitions. Currently, I find chess very interesting. I enjoy trying to discover different ways to solve some persistent problems. In chess, I am particularly impressed by how players must be able to somewhat successfully predict the outcome of the game before it is finished. I think that keeping a sharp mind through problem-solving and critical thinking, offered in games like chess and other strategically focused puzzles, makes me a better creator and leader for my team.

I love trying new cuisine. Especially when I try food from different regions, I love seeing the new and inventive ways that flavors combine. This usually inspires me to learn about different cultures and see how history has truly shaped and influenced food.

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

Personal interests often revolve around hobbies or activities that I enjoy in my free time. They can lead to personal growth, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment. Some examples include: Creative arts: Participating in painting or crafts allows for self-expression and exploration.

Sports: Participating in football, yoga, or hiking promotes physical fitness and teamwork.

Music: Playing instruments or singing encourages creativity and emotional connection.

Travel: Exploring new cultures broadens perspectives and enhances understanding. These interests significantly contribute to overall well-being.

Professional interests are closely related to career aspirations. They shape not only job satisfaction but also skill development.

Technologies: Fields such as programming, cybersecurity, or data analysis offer huge opportunities for innovation.

Finance: Engaging with investment strategies or financial planning opens doors in the corporate environment. Education: Interests in teaching methods or the design of curricula can transform the educational experience.

Focusing on these areas m helps builda a fulfilling career aligned with my passions.

They say that your 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?

Jeff Bezos said: "Your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room" – that’s why your reputation is more important than your resume.

This is a simple yet profound idea that can change the way you approach your career. Forget about your resume for a moment and think instead about your reputation – that’s what really matters. You see, your resume is like a snapshot of your past achievements, as it tells people what you have done, but it doesn’t necessarily show who you are. Your reputation, on the other hand, speaks volumes. It’s the impression you leave behind, how people perceive you when you are not even there. It’s about your authenticity, consistency, and growth. Your reputation is your personal brand. We live in a world driven by perceptions. What others think of you, their perception of you, is your personal brand. It’s your reputation and it follows you wherever you go, whether you are in the room or not. Think of it this way: Your resume may get you through the door, but your reputation is what keeps you in the room. It’s what makes people want to work with you, trust you, and invest in you. Your reputation is built on authenticity, consistency, and growth. It’s about being true to who you are and what you stand for, being reliable and consistent in your actions, and continuously striving for improvement. That’s why your reputation, your personal brand, is more important than your resume. It’s not just about what you have done, but about who you are as a person and people will remember that long after they have forgotten the details of your resume. That’s why it’s crucial to nurture your reputation from the very beginning, because while your resume may provide a short-term win, your reputation paves the way for long-term success.

Above all, your reputation depends on authenticity. It’s about being real, being true to yourself, and living that truth in every interaction. In a world where many people present polished and often with unrealistic versions of themselves, authenticity stands out. Authenticity resonates, builds trust, and fosters connection. Be real and be yourself, because your most authentic self is your greatest asset, and showing it is the key to building a reputation that truly matters more than any resume. Reflections on authenticity and reputation. And our true value is not hidden in a piece of paper, but in the impression we leave on others. Authenticity is not about putting on a facade or striving for perfection. It’s about being sincere, being true to yourself, and allowing that truth to shine in all your interactions – building a reputation that is so strong that it continues to speak for you even when you are not present. Consider this: How do people perceive you when you are not in the room, and what impression are you leaving behind? Furthermore, does your reputation reflect the most authentic inyou? Your resume may help you get in, but it’s your reputation that will define your path – makeit matter!

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

The emotional intelligence (EQ) can matter more than your IQ, especially in professional life.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to manage both your own emotions, as well as understand the emotions of those around you. There are five key elements of EI: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. People with high EQ can identify how they feel, what those feelings mean, and how those emotions affect their behavior and in turn the behavior of others. It’s a bit harder to "manage" the emotions of others – you can’t control how someone else feels or behaves. But if you can identify the emotions behind their behavior, you will better understand where they are coming from and how to best interact with them.

A high coefficient overlaps with strong interpersonal skills, especially in the areas of conflict management and communication - critical skills in the workplace. Employees who can self-regulate their emotions are often able to avoid making impulsive decisions - they think objectively before taking action. Working with empathy and understanding is a critical part of teamwork. The ability to attribute someone’s behavior to a hidden emotion will help you manage relationships and make others feel heard. On an individual level, being aware of your feelings is the first step to not allowing those feelings to control you. Recognizing how you feel and why will help you sit with those feelings and then move forward in a productive way.

Effective leaders are often very emotionally intelligent. In the workplace, it’s important for them to be self-aware and able to look at things objectively. This is expressed in understanding your strengths and weaknesses and acting with humility, which must be balanced with empathy – employees who feel valued and appreciated at work are not only happier but also more productive.

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 daily – colleagues, friends, close ones?

What is effective communication? Communication is the exchange of ideas and thoughts, but effective communication is more than that. Effective communication is clear and the recipient understands its purpose. So both the sender and the recipient of the message are satisfied. Effective communication is not just transmitting information, but explaining it in a way that is understood. The recipient also focuses on understanding the whole meaning of the conversation and makes the other person feel heard and understood.  The exchange of ideas and information is carried out efficiently and effectively, improving collaboration on given tasks. Effective communication will enhance motivation, engagement, and satisfaction.

With a good understanding of how important effective communication is in the workplace, let’s look at the best tips for effective communication, including the key communication skills you need to master, how to prioritize two-way communication, how to organize communication, and more.

For effective communication, first ask yourself these questions. What is the goal? Who needs to hear this? How should I convey the message? Ineffective communication often happens, so make sure that the goal of your communication directs you to the appropriate recipients. Also, choose the most suitable method of communication from the various communication channels for the situation.

One of the most important things to improve communication and engagement is embracing the unique communication style of each person. This means you need to learn about the preferred different communication channels and styles. Then adapt your communication methods to the chosen style.

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

The term "affluenza" – a portmanteau of the words "isobility" and "viral infection/flu", defined as "a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overconsumption, debt, anxiety, and waste, resulting from the relentless pursuit of more, is often dismissed as a silly buzzword created to express our cultural disdain for consumerism. Although it is often used jokingly, the term may contain more truth than many of us would like to think.

Whether affluenza is real or imaginary, money really changes everything, as the song goes, and people from the upper social class tend to see themselves very differently from others. Wealth (and the pursuit of it) is associated with immoral behavior and not just in movies like "The Wolf of Wall Street".

Wealth can cloud moral judgment. Wealth is associated with addiction. Money itself can become addictive

A person who is addicted to some form of behavior has learned, albeit unconsciously, to manipulate their own brain chemistry. Although process addictions are not chemical addictions, they involve compulsive behavior – in this case, addiction to the good feeling that comes from acquiring money or things – which can ultimately lead to negative consequences and harm the well-being of the individual. Addiction to spending money – sometimes known as shopaholism is another, more common type of addiction related to money.

Money cannot buy happiness (or love) We tend to seek money and power in the pursuit of success (and who doesn’t want to be successful, in the end?), but this can hinder us from the things that truly matter: happiness and love. There is no direct link between income and happiness. After certain income level, which can take care of our basic needs and relieve stress, wealth almost does not change our overall well-being and happiness and, if anything, only harms well-being.

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

Once I sat across from a boss and listened to him give me a brutally honest review of my performance . At that time, I was working as a specialist at the Ministry of Finance. Although I don’t remember the positive feedback I received that day, there is one piece of constructive feedback that stuck in my mind. “Georgi, the problem is with you“.

Professional advice: Instead of reacting immediately to all feedback, take some time to think about the person giving it. Ask yourself: Do they have your best interests in mind? Do they have experience or expertise on the topic they are giving feedback on? If the answer is “no” to any of the questions, it might be good to reconsider taking the feedback to heart. Flirt with your future self. It’s normal to feel the urge to try out different roles or career paths. The idea is to consciously experiment and “try on” different roles, and actually also leadership styles, to see what suits you best. For example, I think that the natural next step for me someday would be to become a teacher. But will I really enjoy teaching? There are small experiments I can conduct in my current role that help me understand this better, including conversations with people who have made similar transitions to see what surprised them.

Professional advice: Try to switch from work mode to play mode more often. Treat it as a small experiment. Do you feel inclined to make a new career move? Make a list of five people you can talk to who can give you insight into that career. For example, if you want to move towards a travel blog, ask colleagues who they think are the best travel bloggers and connect with them on LinkedIn or other social media channels for a chat. Boost your curiosity and make a list of things you want to know and questions you might ask. For example: How do they make money? How did they start? How many hours do they work?

Schedule a life check-up. We go to the dentist and doctor every year for a health check-up. And yet most people do not consciously stop and do a life check-up. A life check-up involves asking yourself how you are doing with your career and work. It ensures that you are...

Professional advice: When doing a life check-up, it can be tempting to assume that the grass is greener on the other side. If, for example, you are considering moving to a new company, it’s worth thinking about what attracted you to your current role and organization and then considering whether you really need to leave to achieve your goals. Once you have that clarity, you can take the time to talk to your boss to share your goals and ask him if he sees opportunities to achieve them where you are. Do your current job well – even the boring parts. Millennials are well known for having high expectations of their work. This is a good thing. But it’s good to accept that no job is exciting or challenging 100% of the time. And ironically, it’s often the less “fun” parts of the job that allow you to shine. If you are asked to photocopy 200 pages  show them that you are the best photocopier they have ever seen. I have observed that younger people who are ambitious in their careers tend to avoid tasks they consider to be more menial, or complain about doing tasks that may be boring. If people believe you can handle the small things, they are more likely to believe you can handle the big ones as well.

Professional advice: Don’t complain about the boring or tedious parts of your job. Every job is a mix of good and bad parts. Do them all well to stand out from the rest. While good advice is helpful, it’s worth noting that there are also many bad pieces of advice. If the advice you’re given doesn’t resonate with you, doesn’t help you get closer to your goals, or won’t be beneficial in the long run, don’t take it. It’s easy to fall into autopilot mode when it comes to your career, but to make better decisions about it and consciously steer yourself in a more fulfilling direction, take good advice from those who have “been there and have done that”. They can be helpful.