I fulfilled dreams, traveled the world... but family is always the most important

Introduce yourself in a few words..

A person who does not stop dreaming and looks ahead despite everything that is happening in our country and around the world. Believing in the young and therefore I dedicate more time to them lately. Otherwise, a person of aviation. My whole life is one flight at different levels.

I graduated BBB in Dolna Mitropoliya as an aviation engineer at BG “Balkan”, because the system did not allow me to become a pilot. I worked in this airline until it went bankrupt, left in Israel,  with one interruption of 5 months to earn some money in Ireland. After that, I took the path of a consultant until I established the first independent engineering and consulting company in Bulgaria. Over the years, I started investing in aviation and other sectors such as software, medicine, construction, and other industries.

Four years ago, I was invited to create an Association for which I was elected as chairman of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (ABAI). I was invited and became part of the management of VVVU “G. Benkovski”, where I help young people learn modern software design software.

Two years ago, I became a member of the management board of BTPP. 

For you, traveling the world is?

Life, I breathe this way and enrich myself, as I enrich not my blood, but myself with knowledge, friends, and partners

How many different countries have you seen so far?

I think there are about 200 now, a few years ago I took the trouble to count them and there were 180.

Tell us an interesting story or highlights from your travels?

There are many and I would write a book at some point. But I will mention just one now. I had a dream as a child to engage in aviation and to travel the world, but I definitely wanted to see Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. After Balkan Airlines went bankrupt and I was left in Israel, I returned with the help and the personal funds of the person who made a difference in that airline. Scared of what my next step would be and where to go, I received a call inviting me to start as a consultant for a leasing company and to go to Brazil. Over time, I spent almost 2 years there and saw many things, like carnivals, football matches, New Year’s at Copacabana, concerts, one of which was by the Rolling Stones, where there were 1.5 million people. I had become more carioca than the locals because I kept traveling and enjoying life as Brazilians do. While negotiating with a billionaire to pay his debts to the leasing company, he received a call and he became like he just said, “Sorry, but I have more important things to do.” I didn’t know what could be more important than saving his airline, because we had prepared the crew for the next day for 2 planes to take them out of Brazil. After 4 hours, the owner of the airline returned, we sat down, and he said he would now order the money to be transferred. After I asked him what made him jump and leave the negotiations, he told me that those who had called him while we were sitting across from each other had told him that they had kidnapped his son and demanded a ransom within 3 hours. Fortunately, they were small players and there was no real kidnapping. I couldn’t believe it because his reaction during the conversation with the fictitious kidnappers was very calm and only his gaze changed. The lesson for me at 30 years old was that money, money, but family and children are the most important.   

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

Yes, I love it because you can see something else that you didn’t manage to see the previous time, or see how it has changed over time or you just have something inside you that draws you there. I would return to Argentina because there is still much to see, despite the 8 months spent there, in Peru because it energetically works quite well for me, in Asia like Thailand, Vietnam, China, and in Europe Italy and Spain, because I feel almost at home there.

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

I think my trips to Seattle for training at Boeing. In Seattle, I met many good professionals and people. People there are much calmer and kinder compared to New York, Chicago, and other big cities in the States. For the first time, I had the feeling that I could stay in another country to live, but my patriotism brought me back, even though I could have stayed. The city of Nirvana is green, interesting with many interesting things, but that’s a long story. I saw smiling people offering to help, getting into details as we worked, and I learned not to compromise in aviation.

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

I became more patient over time. Before, I was more aggressive in the business, impatient with other mentalities abroad. I changed over time and understood that in different countries I need to work with adjustments to my behavior and way of working to succeed in achieving what I came for. Regardless of color, religion, there are good and bad people, as well as good professionals and those who are just there to kill time and waste yours.

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

Of course, like every person in their life path, you meet such people, I call them “big river stones” that change the direction of the water, as long as they don’t create a whirlpool 😊. An American named Bob Dennis changed me and gave me direction, with whom I worked for 3 years around the world and from whom I learned a lot. I was young and worked over 12 hours every day, met many clients around the world and then I saw that I was good at what I do and still, I care for the airworthiness of aircraft from the engineering side. I created my aviation company, which this year turns 20 years old and I would say it is one of the best in the world with all its licenses.

Do you think that your travels help you expand your professional network? How?

Of course, face-to-face meetings in business are much better than online ones. I am now at a stage where our name works and helps in such meetings. I am invited to many forums as a speaker or specialist, expert, and in such places, you meet other good professionals with whom when we start talking, new ideas emerge, which sometimes we implement, sometimes we assess, that they are not the best and it’s not worth wasting time and energy. But almost everywhere I can call and ask for advice and assistance.

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

Interesting question. Maybe patience, precision, quick napping to overcome jet lag to finish my fresh work meetings and inspections that I do. Generally, they reflect well on my work, but I no longer know if it’s good for my health over the years.

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

There have been, but everything has been temporary. Ireland and Vietnam are among the latest.

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

My motivation is always very high regardless of where I am. I would say that abroad I work more calmly because the intrigue is missing, which in Bulgaria has been too much for me in recent years. Here, I am often used to help certain people break through or finish their project and then they change, which has demotivated me lately. While abroad, for 25 years I have worked with partners and clients with respect and regard.   

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

Over the years, different countries. The States, France, Germany, and Ireland. These are countries where the aviation sector is very strong and the State is behind this sector, and you see it after certain Forums and Aviation exhibitions. Also, Vietnam lately, because there I see how the aviation sector is developing. This week when I was in Paris at the Airshow, 100 aircraft were ordered from a Vietnamese airline. You understand how this affects people in the industry in that country. Airports are being restored, new ones are being built. And I always want to copy that here and make Bulgaria an aviation hub, but politicians are not interested in aviation because the revenues will come after years, not immediately. And I feel like Don Quixote in the fight to preserve airports and create conditions for the development of large aviation. Fortunately, allies are now appearing, but without political will, it won’t happen.

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

I always try to combine them, but I don’t always succeed, because I am quite responsible and try to do my job well, but if I have the opportunity and I am there for a longer period, I will go to see interesting sights in that city, country, I will attend a concert, opera, or football match, as well as good restaurants or venues. This life is one and should be lived,  not just worked. From dreams and saved money, there are no memories 😊

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

They have never been a goal, but a result of my work, of the ideas I realized. Over the years, my values have changed more and more, and not money. Because of them, I lost valuable time and friends. We won’t leave with them anyway. They are a means, but not the valuable thing in this life for me.

Do you travel to find new ways to make money?

Short answer yes, but the long one is that I travel for meetings to see if I can realize certain ideas and projects, which of course require money. 

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

Maybe in Singapore and the States, I learned the most and that is to be independent and not subject to corruption. That’s why I have refused to engage in politics in Bulgaria.

I am religious to some extent, as well as influenced by Buddhism, when I briefly practiced aikido. Buddhism makes you rethink before reacting spontaneously, to use the opponent's attack force for self-defense to defeat him, but you don’t need to attack a person with bad intentions and thoughts. And the most important thing a person should understand is that having a lot of money does not make you happy and better, so you need to find balance.  

Do you think it is better to spend on experiences, rather than material possessions?

Over the years I have changed. Coming from a very poor family, I was frugal to be able to buy a car, an apartment, and other things, but after that, I haven’t stopped spending on excursions, concerts, sports events, and all kinds of other experiences. There is nothing better than beautiful experiences with family and friends. In recent years, I try to help young people, especially in aviation, because God has given me the luck to reach this point in aviation and I must pass on what I have learned and given.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

Hmm, it’s interesting. I see new laws being passed by BESCO for them. These are a different kind of people who may be needed for the development of the economy, or maybe we are transitioning to another way of life and work. I am from another generation, but I accept it with interest.

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

Many. Ireland changed its laws and made it so that it attracts aviation 20 years ago and billions have been pouring in there for years. The States, the land of endless possibilities also offers duty-free zones and reliefs, the United Arab Emirates. Now Croatia has sent me what it offers for investors, Malta, Singapore, Spain (Madrid). Here, you need to invest and also invest in infrastructure and donate it to the state if you are not part of the scheme and the elite to become dependent on them.

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

Maybe Vietnam, because since 2003 I have maintained quite good relations with partners there and I see how the country has developed in recent years and has a lot of potential. But I definitely want Bulgaria to change, so we don’t have to worry about investing here in Bulgaria instead of looking at how to take our money abroad.

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

I could probably list almost all of them when I think about it 😊. Brazil, Argentina, and Peru in South America for sure. Mauritius from the popular resort destinations is the most beautiful place because besides the beautiful beaches, places for snorkeling and diving, there is a mountainous part, clean and beautiful with wonderful food.  

Otherwise, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Korea are super pleasant to me and there is much to see or they are wonderful places for relaxation.

I definitely aim for Antarctica and want to visit it. Last year I missed the chance to fly there, but I am sure I will like it while it is still wild.

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

Do not slam doors shut, the world keeps turning and you may need to knock on that door again. When one door closes, another opens. Sleep on it before making a decision or giving a final opinion. There is always another perspective on a given issue and it’s good to use consultants with experience in a field where you want to invest.