There are many different routes to take towards the goal

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Milica Zikatanova. I love traveling, adventures, and nature. I love sharing positive experiences with loved ones. That’s why I am involved in a family business in the field of wine and wine tourism – Winery Villa Melnik.  I work with my family - we make wine with Melnik temperament at a world-class level. We are ranked among the Top 100 World Wine Destinations.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

From the very beginning, I focused on marketing and sales in the alcohol industry because I knew that one day I wanted to be part of the family winery. During my school and university years, I interned in the beer industry. I worked for several years in the corporate world at the largest spirits company in the world, Diageo. I graduated in the USA, after which I worked in England and Ireland.  For me, the family business is a true calling.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

There are many important choices, and none of them has been fateful. I believe that there is no wrong or irreparable decision – just many different routes to take towards the goal. Important choices have been which country to study in, which university, what major, in what field to intern, where to apply for my first job, at what stage of my corporate career to decide to return home and join the family business. The only choice that has never been in question is whether to return to Bulgaria – the question has always been not if, but when.    

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

Nothing is worth any price. The most important thing is people – to be respected and valued. If people are happy, work goes well. And people buy from people, so personal relationships are the most important.

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

The profession should be a combination of what excites you (your passion), what you are good at (your talent), what you can monetize, and ideally – what the world needs (your contribution). The combination of these factors is no longer just a profession, but a formula for a happy and fulfilling life.

What skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?

Everything related to modern technologies, health (physical and mental), and feeding the population will be relevant. Therefore, agriculture will continue to be a key sector.

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

On the contrary, we should always appear and be interested – showing genuine curiosity about someone is the surest way to win them over. When I meet new people, I sincerely ask them who they are, what they do, and what their story is. Sharing among people creates real connections.

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

I have had failed deals, delayed projects, experiences with disloyal partners, decisions that have caused me much stress and zero results, generally bitter experiences of all kinds, but I always look constructively and try to turn the defect into effect. I discover new opportunities in all difficulties.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

It is not shameful to ask for help, to take a break, or even to leave when the stress and effort become more than the positive results and satisfaction. Burnout in the work environment is something that is increasingly being talked about openly. It is important to preserve ourselves. Nothing is worth risking our health.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

There is nothing I would “fix,” but just out of curiosity, I would try different options – I would study in Asia instead of the USA, because there the technologies are very advanced and the society is structured differently. Maybe I would try to have an even longer corporate career before joining my family, or I would try to start my own business in a totally different field – just to have a different set of skills and experience. It would be interesting to try a different format of the current business – instead of investing in vineyards and a winery, to outsource everything and only deal with marketing and sales as brand owners. There are thousands of ways a career can unfold, and each of them can be exciting and successful.

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

There should be one big dream and goal. And along the way – many smaller goals. It is important to achieve the small goals step by step and to have a trajectory towards success. Even if there is stagnation or even a temporary step back or sideways, the trajectory continues to be forward and upward.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

For me, there is no balance; the two are intertwined. Our business is a lifestyle business. The whole family works together, we live next to the winery, we take care of it from morning to evening, because the vineyard has no working hours. Our travels and vacations are always related to drinking wine and visiting wineries; It is both a burden and a calling.

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

When you feel that you have given everything of yourself and there is no way to progress upward or sideways in a given industry; when the job no longer brings you pleasure and challenge, it may be time to look for another path.  At the same time, if you have untapped talent or capacity and see new opportunities elsewhere – this is an excellent opportunity for a career change!

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

Do not seek success for its own sake; it is a flexible and relative concept. Enjoy the journey towards success.

What is your definition of a “successful career”?

It brings satisfaction, pride, and prestige. It ennobles a person and contributes positively to their community and environment.