Traveling is one of the few truly 'essential' things in life

Introduce yourself in few words..

Hello! My name is Blagorodna Miladinova and I am a Strategic Recruitment & Growth Partner at HRLabs, where I am responsible for both the overall recruitment processes and the strategic development of the company in the market. Alongside this, I engage in career consulting and mentoring - work that brings me deep satisfaction, because it allows me to be there for people in key professional moments of their journey.

I believe in the potential of every person and that with the right approach, support, and understanding, exceptional results can be achieved - both in personal development and in creating successful teams and sustainable business relationships. For me, what is truly valuable lies in recognizing the person behind the CV and creating an opportunity for them to develop and contribute in the best possible way.

I have completed a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), which provided me with a solid foundation in both the field of human resources and organizational culture, as well as in building sustainable business models. In my work, I am guided by principles such as precision, responsibility, and respect, because I believe that the most meaningful results are achieved through partnership and trust.

What does traveling around the world mean to you?

For me, traveling is one of the few truly “mandatory” things in life. It is not just a way to change the environment, but a deeply personal process of development and rediscovery. I strive to travel with an open mind and curiosity, because every encounter with a new culture, environment, pace of life, or value system brings me back not only recharged and inspired but also with a broader perspective - something invaluable both personally and professionally.
Traveling helps me to restart, to break old patterns of thinking, and to discover new ideas that often reflect in my approach to people, business, and decision-making.

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

So far, I have visited 22 countries. One of the most specific and memorable places I have been to is Jordan, and more specifically, the Wadi Rum desert. There, you literally feel like part of a fantastic movie - the landscapes are so extraterrestrial and surreal that you can’t believe you are on Earth. It is no coincidence that several Hollywood productions related to space and other planets have been filmed there. This is one of those places that you don’t just look at, but experience.

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

Yes, I definitely love to return to previously visited destinations - usually for one of two reasons. Sometimes the first visit was too intense and didn’t allow me to feel the place and atmosphere deeply. In other cases, I simply find a location that I feel is “my place” - one that brings me a sense of harmony, inspiration, and fulfillment.
I usually don’t seek just relaxation, but an active experience - I love to soak up as much as possible from the culture, energy, and dynamics of a place. This type of travel recharges me and often helps me look at projects, people, and processes from a new angle - something I always carry into my work.

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

The first trip that truly changed my thinking was to Dubai more than 14 years ago. It revealed to me a world that until then seemed almost unreal - a world without borders, where ambition, vision, and large-scale thinking are felt in everything.
There, for the first time, I encountered the feeling that there are truly “no impossible things” - only mental barriers that we impose on ourselves. I saw what can be achieved when there is determination, a clear vision, technological advancement, and respect for order and discipline. This trip left a deep mark on me - it ignited in me the desire to think broader, to dream bolder, and to believe that personal and professional growth should not have a ceiling. Over time, this mindset has become the foundation of how I approach my work.

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

The most valuable thing that every new place reminds me of is how important adaptability, flexibility, open-mindedness, and curiosity are. I believe that every culture has something to teach us, as long as we are observant, open, and ready to communicate. This is exactly what I do every time I am in a new environment - I listen, watch, ask, compare.

Since my professional path is deeply connected with people, their development, needs, and individuality, the clash with different cultures is extremely valuable. It helps me build a deeper understanding of the perspectives of candidates, partners, and clients, especially when they come from a different context.
This makes me a more attentive and empathetic professional, as well as more confident in interpersonal communication. The ability to understand the person across from you in their cultural framework is invaluable in selection, consulting, and building trust, and that is exactly what is at the heart of my work.

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

A professional commitment took me for a slightly longer period to Luxembourg, where I was able to closely feel the differences in the work culture of the Western world. This experience showed me how different work models can influence daily life and motivation and prompted me to assess what model and environment I would like to personally follow. This realization guided me towards seeking a more balanced and aligned approach with my personal values, which I successfully apply to this day for myself, as well as in my work.

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

I definitely believe that traveling is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network, but it all depends on how open and motivated a person is to create new contacts. Especially business trips provide a chance to meet people not only from the specific company or project you are working on but also beyond them. It is always good to get involved in informal meetings, events, or conferences where you can meet professionals with different experiences and perspectives. These interactions enrich not only your network but also broaden your horizons, giving you new ideas and perspectives to apply in your work.

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

Categorically, the skills I develop most while traveling are adaptability, curiosity, and communication skills. These qualities are extremely important in my work, as I primarily work with people from different professional and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, traveling teaches me to accept and understand different perspectives more easily, which helps me to be more effective and attentive in communication and in finding solutions that satisfy all parties.

Also, the unforeseen situations and challenges that often occur in a foreign environment develop in me patience and skills for quick and effective problem-solving - qualities that are invaluable when working with clients, candidates, and partners.

All of this makes traveling not just a personal pleasure but a true investment in my personal and professional development.

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

France, and specifically Paris, inspired me to start a different project - a side venture related to personal style and fashion, which excite me as topics. Paris is a city where style, elegance, and sophistication are deeply rooted in culture and daily life, and it is this atmosphere that provoked me to start an endeavor that reflects these values.

This experience taught me how to carry my passion and attention to detail from my personal style into my professional work - in the care for detail, individual approach, and striving for quality in every challenge I take on.

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

When I am in an unfamiliar country, I always feel more motivated, energized, and inspired. Although physically far from my daily work environment, new impressions and situations unlock fresh ideas and perspectives within me. This helps me make useful parallels and generate innovative solutions that I can apply both to my own development as a specialist and to the processes we work on in the company. The unfamiliar environment stimulates my creativity and desire to improve.

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

I would conditionally divide them into three categories - each with its special impact on me.

The first category includes places that help me restart, inspire, and unlock my creative side - like almost every corner in Italy, where I have been (with its history, culture, and unique atmosphere), or the French Riviera. Here I would add some Greek islands, especially Santorini - places where you simply fill your eyes with beauty, enter a feeling of timelessness, and reconnect with your emotions and imagination.

The second category includes destinations that recharge me with ambition, motivation, and entrepreneurial spirit - like Dubai and Singapore. These are environments where you feel the power of development, the dynamics of business, and the opportunities that provoke you to think on a larger scale, bolder, and more strategically.

And the third category includes countries where I find comfort in the familiar because I have visited them multiple times and the feeling is like returning home or something very precious and personal has happened there. Such is Vienna for me - a place that always makes me feel stable and balanced.

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

I am not one of those people who manage or aim to completely detach from work during travels. For me, it is important that I stay in shape and keep track of what is happening so that I can smoothly adapt and not overload myself unnecessarily upon my return. At the same time, I love to immerse myself in the atmosphere of the place and have my moments of solitude. I believe that true balance between work and pleasure comes when the two spheres harmoniously complement and support each other, rather than hinder each other. This helps me to be more effective and motivated both personally and professionally.

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

Money has always been a means for me - an instrument with which to improve our quality of life and invest in our personal and professional development. Travels did not change my perception of their value itself, but they definitely showed me how important it is how you invest these resources. New experiences and changing the environment act as a catalyst - they give you energy, charge, and inspiration that can then turn into new ideas and opportunities for growth, both personal and professional. In this sense, investing in travels is an investment in oneself and in the future.

Do you travel with the aim of finding new ways to make money?

I never travel with the main goal of finding a new way to make money, but sometimes it is precisely travels that reveal new business opportunities or introduce me to people with whom we later develop joint projects. In general, every trip contributes to my personal and professional development, as it develops skills and perspectives that can then turn into new business ideas or improve existing processes, which often leads to increased revenues. So, in one way or another, travels are always part of this creative and entrepreneurial process - the important thing is to remain open, curious, and ready to seize the opportunities that arise.

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

From different economies and cultures, I have realized mainly how different people's relationship with money can be and the concept of "financial independence". In some countries, for example, the emphasis is on stability, security, and long-term planning - there, people think in horizons of 10-20 years ahead. In other places, there is more flexibility, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to take risks in the name of rapid growth.

These observations have helped me to form my own philosophy - that financial independence is not just a matter of income, but of choices, discipline, and awareness. This includes not only how we earn, but how we plan, what we value, what we invest in, and what we are willing to sacrifice or postpone today to achieve more tomorrow.

The most valuable lesson, however, is that independence starts from within - with the confidence that we can cope in different environments, adapt, learn, and grow even when conditions are not ideal.

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

Honestly, I would say something different - it is best to invest wisely and thoughtfully in what brings us positive energy, motivation, and inspiration, which makes us feel better about ourselves and boosts our confidence. This can be both experiences that directly achieve these effects and material possessions that contribute to our better quality of life. For me, what matters is to spend purposefully on what enriches us and brings us closer to the version we want to be, regardless of the form it takes.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

I believe that the future of digital nomadic life will be more sustainable and conscious. More and more people will choose not just to travel constantly, but to create their hybrid model of life and work that brings them inspiration, productivity, and balance. This is no longer just an escape from the office, but an opportunity to build a rhythm and environment that resonate with you as a person and a professional. If approached consciously, the digital nomadic lifestyle can be a wonderful tool for development and personal freedom.

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

To be honest - Bulgaria. Although often underestimated, it has some of the lowest tax rates in the EU, a stable IT and outsourcing industry, as well as talented professionals. For me, it has great potential, especially for people who want to create or develop a business in an environment that allows flexibility and autonomy. Moreover, the business climate still offers many untapped niches and opportunities for innovation, especially in areas such as technology, education, healthcare, sustainable solutions, and digital services.

There is increasing support for entrepreneurial initiatives through various accelerator and investment programs, and life in the country allows for a balanced way of existence between work and personal life, which is increasingly valued nowadays.

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

I strongly believe in the potential of young people and in the environment that Bulgaria provides for realizing their dreams. Therefore, I would be extremely happy if one day I could support them even more actively - to work purposefully and consciously on their path to their dream professional development. I believe that here there are all the prerequisites for this to happen - an environment that allows for expression, freedom to create their own projects, and still many unexplored niches where young people can shine with their ideas, energy, and innovative spirit. That is why, if I had to choose one place in the world to develop my next big idea, I would choose Bulgaria.

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

There are countless impressive, beautiful, and iconic places around the world that can enrich every person both culturally and emotionally. I believe that traveling is one of the most meaningful ways to broaden our horizons, so I think a person should travel as much as possible. Personally, I would definitely recommend visiting:

Cities like Rome, Paris, and London, which are symbols of the past - historical centers that were once capitals of civilizations, bearers of culture, power, and influence. They tell us about the roots of humanity and the rich heritage they have left behind.

New York, Dubai, and Tokyo - because they are cities of the present and the future, dynamic metropolises that set trends in business, technology, and global development.

By visiting both these cities of the past and those of the future, one can build a comprehensive image in their mind of the path of human civilization - where we started, where we are, and where we are heading.

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

The career advice I would give is to never stop searching for the environment, the way of working, and the lifestyle that resonate with you as a person. My travels have shown me that there is no universal model for success - there are different cultures, different paces of life, different opportunities. But what makes the difference everywhere is awareness - knowing yourself, being open to the world, being curious, learning from the environment, and having the courage to adapt what you have learned to your own reality.

I believe in the balance between personal and professional life, in the value of inspiring experiences, in the power of networking, and above all - in the potential of people. For me, the most meaningful career path is the one that brings you closer to the person you want to be - more confident, more calm, more connected to yourself and the world.

That is why I would advise everyone to travel not only geographically but also internally - to explore, to ask questions, to listen for opportunities. The world is full of open doors, but you must be ready to walk through them.