Be true to yourself, but be ready to change

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..
My name is Ivaylo Velkov and I am a managing partner at the communication agency Ideas Bulgaria. I have been working in the field of communications for over 15 years.

I am a member of the Bulgarian Public Relations Society and I am part of the Board of the Commission for Professional Ethics at BDVO.

I am a Master Bohemist.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?
I wanted to become a journalist. I loved words, stories, and the impact they can have on people. That's how I started to engage in journalism and for more than 8 years I worked in various media – television, radio, and newspapers. Today this dream is simply dressed in different clothes – as a PR and communication consultant.

At what age did you earn your first money? Share an interesting story with us.
I was about 15 when I first stepped into a real editorial office to learn how journalism is done. There I wrote my first texts, which were published and... paid! I remember the feeling – as if the whole world was telling me: “Yes, you can. Keep going.” That was the moment I realized that work can bring not only money but also deep satisfaction. But the real pleasure came when with some of my material I could provoke some change for the better or solve a case for someone.

What factors and examples shape our personality in early age? Your recipe for curiosity and inspiration?
In my opinion, as much as it is a personal trait of a given person, curiosity also comes from and is shaped by the environment in which you grow up. From the questions that adults ask you and generally the way they communicate with you. From the books you read. From the school environment. For me, inspiration was and remains in conversations with meaningful people. In my childhood, I was inspired by various television shows that I watched with interest and which were often incomprehensible to some of the older people around me because to them I was a child.

Has your motivation changed with age?
Probably. And it may be a normal stage of a person's growth – both age-wise and mentally. If at first I sought recognition (I still remember how happy I was from winning the “Young Pen of the Year” award from the newspaper “Standard”), today I am more likely to seek meaning in what I do. I try with my work to create value, to help others develop, and to leave something sustainable behind me. As Yovkov says, to leave “sebab” behind us.

Whose decision was it where to study? Was it the right one?
It was mine. I chose Bohemistics - Slavic Philology with Czech language. This choice has always helped me – both in journalism and today - as a professional communication advisor, to understand people. To be able to “translate” between different stakeholders. Definitely my choice was the right one.

Share about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies.
I am interested in human behavior, in strategies that do not manipulate but inspire. In good examples, good stories, and good people. I love to travel, because it is the best way to recharge and broaden my perspective. I enjoy good food, drinks, and company. This satisfies my hedonistic soul. That's why often culinary experiences and my gastronomic searches are an excuse for travels.

Would you change your profession today? Which fields attract you?
No, I would not change my profession. I believe that a stone is heavy in its place.

What would you like people to say about you when you are not in the room?
First of all, I would like people to say the same in my absence as they would say to me when I am there. I hope they say   , that I am a person you can rely on. That I inspire others to be better – not through words, but through actions. That I am a person who listens more than speaks. That I give more than I take. And that I am one of those who appear just when you need them the most – without fanfare, but with presence and ready solutions.

How do you cope with daily challenges?
With calmness, planning, knowledge, a good team, and… humor. I try not to lose focus on the important things, to take time for myself, and to accept failures as part of the journey. When I was preparing for my university entrance exams, I had to write on a topic “The rooster crows to show you, not that a new day begins, but that another day of your life has gone irrevocably.” Since then it seems something turned in me and I start each day with a smile. Literally. I start with the thought that what awaits me is not just a “to-do list”, but an opportunity for my team and me to make our day meaningful. That's why the fact that I love my job, I like what I do, probably helps me too.

11. Conclusions about the right communication with different characters?
The most important lesson is to listen actively. Not to start from your own frame, but to try to understand the other point of view. Everyone carries their own truth. The key is not to convince, but to empathize. Listening is the new superpower. Sometimes silence says more than words. And honesty – even when difficult – always leaves an imprint that is remembered. Empathy, clearly expressed expectations, and respect are at the core of every good communication.

What do you think about money and its influence? Advice?
Money is just an opportunity – it depends on what you do with it. I do not believe in the idea that happiness can be bought, but I believe that financial stability gives freedom. My advice is – do not measure success (both yours and others') only in money. Make it so that money serves you, not you to them.

The most valuable career advice you would give?
In this dynamic world we live (and work) in, be true to yourself, but be ready to change. The career path is not a straight line – it is a map with many twists, sometimes like a road through a mountain pass. Do not wait for the “ideal moment”. Start with what you have, and with what drives you from within. But follow your inner compass and do not forget that your reputation is your longest-term investment. Because the most important brand is your name.