I earned my first money as a student in New York

Today I am driven not by the desire to prove myself, but by the need for meaning. I want not just to achieve results, but for them to have value beyond numbers.

Introduce yourself in a few sentences:
My name is Dilyana Mihova and I am the Head of “Marketing and Sales” at SENTILION. Being part of a team that changes human destinies through advanced technologies and innovations is not just a professional challenge, but a personal cause. My work carries deep meaning because every day I contribute to giving more people in Bulgaria a chance for a more fulfilling and dignified life. With all my heart and energy, I strive to make our mission visible, recognizable, and inspiring. My colleagues often smile and say that the word “no” does not appear in my vocabulary – and they are right. For me, every challenge is an opportunity because I believe that with faith, perseverance, and a clear goal, nothing is impossible.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?
When I look back at my childhood, I realize that I never belonged to those children who know exactly what they want to become when they grow up from a young age. I did not dream of a specific profession, nor did I have a clear career plan. Instead, there lived in me a strong, clear feeling – that I want my life to have meaning, that I want to do something that inspires me and leaves a mark.

The only thing I was completely sure of was my desire for the world – I dreamed of traveling, meeting new people, touching different cultures, and learning from them. I have always believed that a person's true wealth lies in experiences and in encounters with others – those small moments of human connection that expand the mind and heart. I wanted to live as a citizen of the world, to feel that my belonging is not limited to one place, but extends everywhere there is goodness and inspiration.

Today, when I look at my life, I am glad that this dream is now a reality. My path may not have started with a clear map, but it took me exactly where I have always wanted to be – among people, causes, and experiences that bring me joy and a sense of true human presence.

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

I received my first reward as a student during participation in a summer work program in the USA. I had the incredible opportunity to work at one of the most iconic places in the world – the Statue of Liberty in New York. This was not just a job, but a real adventure that taught me independence, responsibility, and the value of money earned by myself.

I remember the feeling when I received my salary for the first time – the satisfaction that I managed on my own, in an unfamiliar environment, far from home, among people from different cultures. My work involved communicating with tourists and sales, and it turned out to be something that brings me real pleasure and later became the foundation of my professional path.

One incident remained deeply in my memory – unexpectedly, my manager came to me with a smile and presented me with a special award for my good work: an evening cruise on the Hudson River, with a view of the lights of Manhattan. This was a magical moment when I felt for the first time how recognition comes when you work with desire and dedication.

This summer internship was not just my first job – it was a turning point. There I felt for the first time how inspiring it can be to do something you love, and how far hard work can take you when combined with passion and perseverance.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests?

What shapes us as individuals at an early age is often realized only later – but it leaves deep marks. Family is our first school, where we learn about love, responsibility, and trust. Our parents teach us both through examples and anti-examples – sometimes their weaknesses show us what we do not want to be and motivate us to build our own values.

People who believe in us, even before we believe in ourselves, also have a strong influence – teachers, relatives, friends. An encouraging word can give us wings. Personal experiences – both good and difficult – shape our character, ambition, and direction.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in more mature age regarding what motivates you to do or not do something?
Yes, categorically – over time, priorities and motivation rearrange, gaining depth and value. In my younger age, I was driven by the desire to prove myself – to myself, to others, to the world. I chased results, goals, recognition. This was a stage of building, accumulating experience and confidence. And it is a completely natural and necessary period.

Today, however, I am driven not by the desire to prove myself, but by the need for meaning. I want not just to achieve results, but for them to have value beyond numbers. To leave a mark – in projects, in teams, in people. To see how what I do contributes to something greater. This brings me inspiration and true inner satisfaction.

Now I believe that success is not in external measurements, but in the quiet confidence that you are moving in the right direction. That you are not just building a career, but creating something meaningful – with heart, with ethics, and with the desire to leave the world a little better. This feeling motivates me today – and I trust it completely.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was this decision correct, viewed from today’s perspective?
The decision of where and what to study was entirely mine, and although my first choice turned out not to be the most suitable for me, I do not regret it. What mattered was that the choice was mine, and even then I realized the importance of taking responsibility for my own decisions. This gave me a valuable life lesson – that even when the direction is not completely right, you can always correct it, as long as you have the courage to look inward and hear yourself.

Subsequently, I completed two more higher education degrees – in the field of business and international economic relations – these were indeed the topics that truly excited me and made me feel at home. Today I can confidently say that this path was right for me – not because it was ideal from the very beginning, but because it allowed me to grow, to seek, to find, and to build myself as a person and a professional.

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

I love walks – this is my way of organizing my thoughts, recharging with energy and inspiration. Time with my family is invaluable – it grounds me, reminds me what is truly important, and gives me strength to cope with daily challenges.

I wish I could say that sports are part of my daily life, but I will be honest – it is still not the case. This is one of the things I am consciously working on, and I hope to make progress soon because I believe in the balance between mind and body.

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

In general, I would not change my profession because I believe that every stage of my career has built me and prepared me for the next challenges. Changes come at the right moment and according to their time – they are not a goal, but a natural process of growth and development.

I love my job and it is this passion and satisfaction that form the foundation upon which I build everything else. It is extremely important for me to feel inspired and engaged with what I do because I believe that only in this way can we give our best.

Today, with the accumulated experience and confidence, I would accept greater responsibilities and challenges in the field of management – the opportunity to lead, to inspire teams, and to build sustainable strategies attracts me immensely.

I am keenly following areas related to innovations and technologies because they are the engine of change and create new horizons for development. But regardless of how my professional path evolves, I am convinced that true success comes from moving forward confidently, treating every challenge as an opportunity to improve and create value.What would you like to hear today as your personal brand?

For me, a personal brand means not only achievements but also resilience, trust, and integrity. Behind each of my successes stands a strong moral compass and perseverance, which are the foundation of true value and lasting impact. I believe that when you act with ethics and heart, the results are deeper and more meaningful.

My personal brand is a promise of positive change, support, and true leadership that creates not just success but meaning and empathy. This is the message I want my name to carry – strength, inspiration, and faith that nothing is impossible.

How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to be in good shape and mood?

Coping with daily challenges for me is a matter of balance and conscious choice. First, I try to start my day with a positive attitude – even when the tasks are many, I believe that every challenge brings an opportunity for growth and new experience.

It is important for me to take time for myself – whether it is a short walk or just a moment of silence to recharge my mind and spirit.

I love to maintain balanced relationships with the people around me – shared moments and support from my loved ones give me strength and inspiration. When things get tougher, I strive to look at the situation from a different angle and seek solutions, not just problems.

For me, the key is to maintain my inner peace and keep my focus on what I can control. This way, every day becomes an opportunity to give my best and move forward with a smile and inspiration.

What are the most important conclusions you have made so far for maintaining proper communication considering different characters?

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in communicating with different people is that communication does not start with the words we say – but with the heart with which we listen. A true connection is created not when we convince someone of our point of view, but when we create a space in which they feel heard, understood, and accepted.

Over time, I realized that active listening is more powerful than the best-prepared speech. That people do not want to be fixed, but want to be seen as they are. Every person is a world with their own logic, sensitivity, and truth – and when we approach this uniqueness with respect, true dialogue is born.

Communication is not just an exchange of information – it is a bridge. And the most sustainable bridges are built with patience, empathy, and the desire to reach the other, not just to express ourselves. When there is humanity in communication, everything is possible…

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? Advice to people who often think about them?

Money is important – we should not underestimate them. They provide opportunities, security, choice, even freedom. But over time I realized that money is not the ultimate goal. They are just a means. A tool with which you can create, support, and realize dreams – but only if you place them in the right place in your value system.

True wealth is not measured by sums in the bank account, but by inner peace, by meaning, by the connections you build, and by the contribution you leave behind. Money can make life easier, but they cannot make it fuller if there is emptiness inside you.

My advice to those who often think about money is simple but profound: do not place numbers before meaning. Think about the value you create, not just the price you receive. Invest in learning, in relationships, in kindness, in integrity – this is the currency that does not lose value, even in the most unpredictable times.

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

One of the most important lessons I have learned along my path is that success does not happen in stillness – it is born in movement, in continuous learning, in the desire to become better with each passing day. In a world where everything changes at the speed of thought, the safest investment is in your own skills – and in the determination to develop them.

But true development is not just in diplomas and certificates. It is in the way you communicate, in the ability to inspire, to lead, to remain calm in chaos, and to find opportunities even behind the most closed door.

And if there is something I would say to anyone searching for their path – do not strive only for lines in your CV. Strive for a mark. Create value, not shine. Because in the end, it is the value that remains.