Great ideas need a large market with high demand

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Yasen Guyev. I graduated in Hungarian Philology and Management from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and Euro MBA - a master's program in Business Administration from 6 European business schools, coordinated by Maastricht University - Netherlands. My career started in business journalism and transitioned through head of communications, relations with state institutions, and regulatory issues for companies in energy, telecommunications, publishing, and many others. For the last seven years, I have been involved in investments and consulting for businesses, both domestically and abroad. My latest idea is my YouTube channel, where I talk about business topics. I have published two books - “Reputation strategy” and “Revelation”.

For you, traveling the world is?

A challenge that gives me a new perspective on life.

How many different countries have you seen so far? Tell us an interesting story or highlights from your travels?

There are dozens of countries - I have been to most European countries, as well as some more distant countries like Japan, India, Malaysia, Israel, the USA, and Canada. The hardest for me was in Japan. The communication code is fundamentally different from the European one, and you constantly feel that you might inadvertently make a mistake. I had a wonderful translator who was invaluable. A large part of the people do not speak English or their knowledge is quite modest.

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

There are countries that simply cannot be covered in one trip. Such a case is Italy, which is extremely rich in history and culture.

What was your first trip that truly changed you as a professional and can be said, that changed your thinking?

I cannot mention the name of the investor, but I will tell you the city. Years ago, on my way to the USA, I had a meeting with a big investor in London. For three hours we established a contact that turned into an incredible partnership.

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

The cultural environment sets a different way of communication. I always read a lot about a given country and its culture before I visit it. If I have the opportunity, I trust a local colleague and ask for advice. When I am already in meetings, I try to listen rather than speak. Some of the things that work in our country do not work in other countries.

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

I have taken ideas and experiences from many people and experiences - from professors talking about the business models of Jeff Bezos and Lady Gaga to a farming family in Norway and the state of Kansas.

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

Every position in a large company or training at a university is a basis for creating contacts. A huge part of them will remain just a nice memory, but there are always a few that can help with future professional development.

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

The main thing is the ability to try to understand the society you have arrived in and to do your job well. Many people think that the main communication skill is the ability to speak - in my opinion, it is much more important to listen and understand.

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

In the USA, there are several cities that give you the feeling that everything is possible. These are New York, Los Angeles, Boston. It was the time spent in the USA that motivated me for some business decisions.

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel moremotivated or moredistracted? Why?

The exact word is that I feel concentrated. Getting to know new places and people requires dedication and attention.

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

Rome. I have the feeling that I am in the center of the world. The beauty that this city radiates is inspiring.

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

There is no such thing as balance - one suffers at the expense of the other. I will tell you a short story. I left for Madrid, where I watched one of the last concerts of the Eagles. I warned my boss not to call me at least for those few days. On the third day, my phone rang, and I had to go back to the hotel and spend a few hours in front of the computer and on phone calls with people in Bulgaria. The balance is not like the old scales at the vegetable market. You cannot allocate exact time for work and pleasure.

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

The attitude towards money is formed in the family. Abroad, you realize that there are relatively cheaper countries, like Italy and Austria, as well as very expensive ones like Israel, Iceland, and Norway. Money is a means. The main rule is to spend less than you earn. I am glad that there is an initiative to introduce financial education in high schools. This knowledge is extremely necessary.

Do you travel to find new ways to make money?

No. Information about everything is online, and there is already artificial intelligence.

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

In the USA, they educate children about financial issues and set them clear frameworks. The big investment in education gives young people there the first real lesson about the value of money.

In your opinion, is itbetter to spend on experiences, than on material possessions?

The material basis of life is a necessity. To feel well, you need a home, a car, clothes, and many other things. However, there is also a need for food for the soul - books, music, concerts, theater, travel. At some point, a person must realize that earning more and more money does not make you happy.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

It is already a reality for a group of people. Even digital nomads need human contact. That’s why meetings, discussions, and conferences are organized. Every  team will be more creative if they look each other in the eye. 

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

The USA is a nice place for investments and not so much for work. In Europe, it is exactly the opposite.

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

Big ideas need a big market with high demand - whether it’s a product or a service. The USA is always a good choice. Opportunities also exist in some business hubs like the UAE and Singapore.

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

The USA - because of the market and access to funding and knowledge.

The United Kingdom - because of the universities and financial markets.

Israel, the Netherlands, and Switzerland - to understand that even relatively small countries can be successful.

Italy and France - to set a standard for beauty.

What is the career advice you would give based on what you have seen around the world?

The first task is to choose something that you enjoy doing. The second is to find teachers and invest a lot of time in becoming good at it. I give an example - if you choose a sport and the choice is between football and volleyball, then in our country you should choose volleyball because we have world-class coaches. Different professions bring different money and different speeds of professional development. A good doctor is made after 15-20 years. In information technology, one can be at a high level by the age of 20 and a few years. The main question is whether work is just a source of income or a calling, a dream. For the vast majority of people, it is the former. If it is a dream, then it should be big and impossible. Otherwise, it is just a small goal, and a small goal is not inspiring.