Don't lose sight of the big picture and move forward with small, but consistent steps

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Vyaра Mihaylova – a dreamer by soul, a strategist by thinking, and a person of action. I see the big picture, even when others are still looking at the sketch. I love to start new things, but not just out of enthusiasm, but with the idea of bringing them to completion, giving them direction, structure, and value. I believe that the solution always exists – you just have to find it. I represent the French company OuiLive for Bulgaria and I am the founder of Social Club VIP Moments – a space for ideas, connections, and development, created with a lot of vision and even more heart.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood years?

Even before school, I was at the center of children's games – I organized, led, and invented rules, which almost always included an element of learning. Later, in high school, when I wrote my first essay on this topic, my hand simply wrote: “I want to learn something so well, to master it so deeply, that later I can pass it on to others, to be useful with it.” This feeling has never left me – I seek, discover, develop, and give back!

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?

I earned my first money when I was about 5 years old, when I organized a game called "market-game", to the horror of the grandmothers in the spaces around the block. We collected lilacs, decorated them, made bouquets, and sold them to passing people. I have always had a sense of entrepreneurship and a desire to have my own resources.

Since fifth grade, I started working every summer – I had been a bartender, a waiter, a kitchen helper, a promotional face, and even a model for a while. By 12th grade, I was already working in an office environment, and after that, my real professional career began.

Retrospectively, I realize that I have always wanted to invent something, to develop it, to monetize it, and to be financially independent.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is your recipe for curiosity, sources and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

The environment is key to building personality – family, school, and friendship. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, where I saw firsthand what responsibility and initiative mean. From a young age, I observed how value is created and risk is taken.

My recipe for curiosity and personal growth includes human relations, seeking the true need of the person opposite, and empathy. Dale Carnegie's literature has been particularly helpful in this process – both in understanding and in practical application.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in a more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something?

When you are a person with potential and over time you build experience, but keep your humanity, empathy, and motivation – then you become a sought-after partner. What has changed for me over the years is the realization that not everything is at any cost. I started to choose with whom to do business – not only by ideas but also by values. And I learned to make this choice the hard but important way.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was this decision correct, viewed from today’s perspective?

When the time came for choosing education, my parents had a vision that I could be a good lawyer. At the last moment, however, I realized that this is not my calling. They fully supported me to choose what to study on my own, and that has been the case throughout my journey.

I hold several higher education degrees – history, journalism, PR, business administration, management and leadership, psychology. Just recently, I also completed training for a coach and nutritionist.

I believe that every education I have chosen has its place and meaning. I am grateful for all the ones I have gone through, as each of them has shaped me in a different way.

Share with us more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?

I have a strong interest in the psychological side of things and human relationships. I love to travel – it recharges and inspires me. And fitness has been part of my life for over 15 years – it gives me both physical and mental strength.

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity capture your interest?

Definitely for me, a complete change of profession is unlikely. I am a person who loves to develop – businesses, teams, people. To hire, to train, to build. That is my strength and I wouldn’t trade it. I would change the industry or field in which I work, as long as I believe in what it offers – to be quality, meaningful, and with people I want to be together in the process.

They say that the personal brand is everything that people say about you when you are not with them in a room. What would you like to hear today?

I would be happy to hear exactly what I often hear now – that I am a person you can rely on. That I have a wide but selected network of contacts, I approach with attention to quality, and I can recommend people, places, or services that I truly believe in. I am happy that people seek me for advice and connect me with precision, good taste, and real value.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills are key conditions for success in the last few years. How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to stay in good shape and mood?

I strive to maintain balance through clear priorities and discipline, but most of all through self-care – physically and mentally. Fitness is an integral part of my daily life - it recharges me and helps me manage stress. At the same time, I strive to remain adaptable, to see changes as opportunities, not obstacles. Soft skills – like empathy, patience, and communication – are my compass in complex situations. This way I manage to maintain good shape and mood, despite the challenges.

 What are the most important conclusions you have made so far about maintaining the right communication considering the different characters of the people you meet every day  – colleagues, friends, close ones?

One of the most important lessons I have learned comes from Dale Carnegie – to approach every person with genuine interest and respect. He teaches that everyone loves to be heard and understood, and this is achieved through sincere attention to the other. In my communication, I always strive to remember details about the people I talk to, and to show empathy to build trust and a genuine connection. This is not just a technique, but an attitude that brings success and sustainability in relationships.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money is important – through them we survive and have more opportunities and happy moments. I have always advised people to calculate how much their life costs per month and determine their “critical minimum”. This way they can understand how much money they need for basic needs and what they want to fight for additionally. I do not support the idea of endlessly accumulating money, but I believe in the balance between work, environment, and income – this brings true happiness.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?

The most valuable advice is to not lose sight of the big picture and to move forward with small, consistent steps. Success comes slowly, and failures are part of the journey – they often give us the most valuable lessons and new strength to continue.