If you feel that your own business is "yours", you have no right to give up

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Eli Stoyneva and I am an entrepreneurch, investor, and soon I will also be an author of a book. I am the founder of an HR agency “Top Skills Recruitment” and together with my husband Dimitar Kalev we have been developing our business for 9 years now. I am taking serious steps towards investing in real estate and managing them.

I grew up in foreign countries, and today I am a mother and lead a dynamic life, where I combine responsibility to my family with the ambition to develop a sustainable business and to create long-term value.

I have over 10 years of experience in the field of personnel selection and B2B sales, as I believe in the power of good service, clear communication, and true partnership. I dare say that I use a creative approach, dedication to clients, and positive attitude with which I meet every challenge.

I manage a team of 10 professionals, and leadership for me means being an example, creating an environment for growth, and learning every day - especially regarding employer-employee relationships.

In recent years, I have been taking targeted steps in the field of investments in real estate and their management, with the clear goal of building a stable source of passive income and creating value through quality, transparency, and long-term vision.

Life has taught me that confidence does not come from knowing all the answers, but from the belief that you will find them.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

I love what I do. Having my own business is completely "mine", I manage well and live with inner peace. In business, I manage to use and combine all my strengths - creativity, sales skills, team management, and marketing. This allows me not only to build sustainable projects but also to feel inspired and fulfilled every day.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path Inand?

The most important choice that shaped my path was to start. Fate itself pushed me in this direction, and I – then a 28-year-old girl - just felt that this was my path and that it was the right one. From the moment I made the first step, I knew that I had no right to give up. It was this thought that gave me the strength to endure all the difficulties I encountered along my way - difficulties, that are not just inevitable, but in my opinion mandatory, if you want to build something real and meaningful.

The fact that I was not alone, but supported by my partner was extremely important and decisive at that moment, and I am grateful that life brought me together with the people who are still with me and support me.

What would you like to know at the beginning of your career, but no one told you?

I have always wanted to know more about managing finances, building effective processes, and leading people. It turned out, that this is not just not easy - but is one of the biggest challenges you can face as an entrepreneur. Especially when we talk about managing a team of professionals with different experiences, motivations, and needs.

No one had told me what to do with the income from the business - how to allocate, reinvest, plan. This is not taught in school, and often is not explained clearly. It took me several years, countless trainings, many books, and conversations with mentors, to understand what works for me.

Today I already have a clear direction and confidence that I am making informed decisions. The path was not easy, but thanks to it I am exactly where I want to be – with a business that grows, and with inner peace that I am doing it my way.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for them?

The profession is often chosen while we are still children, right? Or at least it seems that way - when we have to decide which school to apply to. Then, even before we have fully built ourselves, the direction begins to take shape. That is why it is good at this early age to ask ourselves a few important questions:

• What tasks make me feel fulfilled?
• In which activities do I forget about time?
• If I imagine doing a certain job every day - do I feel ease, meaning, and joy?

I believe that we should listen to our intuition - it is a quiet but clear advisor. Of course, at such a fragile age this is difficult. That is why it is useful to try different roles through internships, volunteering, freelancing, or short-term projects. Every practice is a lesson. Through action, you discover not only what inspires you but also what is categorically not for you.

Talk to people from different professions - not only about what they do, but also how they feel, when they do it. Their perspective can provide a new direction.

Sometimes people do not find “their” profession - they create it. Just like I did. A career is not a one-way street, but a complex map with many possible paths. And every turn can be valuable, as long as it leads closer to yourself.

How to build a network of useful contacts without appearing interested?

And why should we worry that we appear interested? In today’s connected environment, building a network of contacts is not only a reasonable step but a necessary investment in our personal and professional development.

My advice is: actively use LinkedIn. Keep your profile updated, engage with people in your field, and do not be afraid to send connection requests - even to people you do not know personally. Your common professional environment is a sufficient reason.

However, it is important not only to accumulate contacts but to build relationships. A small, meaningful comment under a post or a personal message with a compliment about a project can open doors.

Do not try to hide your interest - it is better to show it with authenticity, goodwill, and a desire to exchange value. People sense when you approach with the intention of creating a relationship, not just for benefit. This is what makes relationships sustainable and useful in the long-term.

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

I do not trust easily - especially if someone is trying too hard to convince me to do so. This is one of the most valuable lessons I learned in recent years thanks to my profession. My work brings me into contact with many people and has taught me to rely not only on my intuition but also on the actions and persistence of the other party.

Another important lesson is related to managing revenues. For a long time, I was not sure how exactly to reinvest the profit from the business and often postponed important financial decisions. I would not call this a "mistake", but rather a natural learning process. Today, however, thanks to this experience, I manage my investments with confidence and clarity.

Mistakes (or lessons) are an inevitable part of the journey - the important thing is what we choose to do with them.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I would not change anything

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

For me, times of stagnation are not a failure - they are a sign that it is time for a restart. In such periods, I allow myself to slow down, to look inward, and to remind myself why I started in the first place. I do not seek inspiration outside of myself - I return to the dreams that once pulled me forward, and I ask myself a simple question: “What would I do today if I were starting from scratch again?”

I often change my perspective - travel, a new book, a conversation with an inspiring person, or just a walk without a phone. Action, even if small, always returns my energy . Motivation does not come before action, but after it.

And most importantly - I allow myself not to be 100% all the time. I give myself space to be human and this helps me to return stronger, more aware, and with a new direction.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

For me, balance is not a constant formula – it is a daily choice. It comes from the ability to set boundaries, but also from a deep awareness of what really matters to you at a given moment.

As an entrepreneur and a mother, I often feel divided between tasks and time with my loved ones. But I remind myself that presence is more important than perfection. I plan my time so that there is room for work, play, and rest. I have days for business meetings, but also evenings when the phone stays aside.

I believe that balance is not in the number of hours, but in the quality of time, which you dedicate. I am not afraid to say “no” to things that are not a priority at the moment - because I know what I am saying “yes” to.

Sometimes business needs more, other times - family. The key is in flexibility, in trusting yourself, and in the ability to combine your roles with love, not with guilt.

When is it time to change our career, not just the job?

When the feeling of dissatisfaction is deep and prolonged - it is not due to the boss, the team, or the company, but to the very essence of what we do.

If we often ask ourselves “Does all this make sense?” and even after changing several jobs, the feeling remains the same, then perhaps it is not just about the need for a new employer, but the need for a new path.

If the job does not awaken in us interest, and only fatigue or eventhe feeling that we are using only a small part of our potential – we need to change something.

A career is not a lifelong contract, but is a journey that we can reshape in a direction that better reflects our values, interests, and desires. The best moment to start is when you realize that you no longer want to wake up on Monday with a feeling of emptiness.

If you had to give only one piece of advice to people seeking success, what would it be?

Don’t wait for the “ideal moment” – start with what you have, where you are, and be ready) to learn on the go.

Perfectionism, the fear of failure or of others’ opinions often stop us before we even make the first step. The truth is that growth comes not from waiting, but from action. Build habits, seek value, create connections, be curious and consistent. And most importantly – build such value that, no matter where you are, it always goes with you.

If you have an idea, a goal, or a dream – try it. Even if it doesn’t turn out as you imagine, you will be closer to yourself than if you never start

What is Your definition of “successful career”?

My definition of “successful career” is not measured only by titles, salary, or recognition - although they also have their significance. For me, a successful career is one in which Iwake up with desire on Monday morning, Ifeel that I contribute something meaningful and valuable, Iam developing as a professional and as a person, Iwork with people I respect and from whom I can learn. Not least - Ifeel inner peace and satisfaction, not just achievements on paper.

A successful career is not static - it transforms with us. And most importantly is that it does not have to look “successful” in the eyes of everyone, but to feel meaningful in our own hearts.