Every journey is a source of fresh ideas

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Boris Mechkuyev, a representative of a fourth generation of artists. I graduated from the National Academy of Arts in Sofia. For the last 30 years, I have been involved in creating corporate exhibition stands all over the world. I grew up professionally in the company “Mechkuyev Design” – a family business that is a leader in this industry in Bulgaria, and for the last two years, I have been heading the “Exhibitions” department at Euro Games Technology – one of the fastest-growing Bulgarian companies on a global scale. I am responsible for the realization of all corporate pavilions of the company at the events it participates in worldwide. Apart from that, I am the main shareholder and co-founder of the Home for the Elderly “Petrich”.

What does traveling the world mean to you?

Traveling the world for me is a choice, sometimes it is an obligation, but often it is a necessity. It happens that I am far from my family, changing cities and time zones, sometimes I wake up and for a moment I don’t know where I am. The absence weighs heavily, but every new place gives me something valuable – color, sound, taste, lesson. I don’t learn from textbooks, I learn from the streets, from people, from local food, from the events I attend.

I seek inspiration – sometimes in a noisy market, other times in a lonely mountain. And I find it. Always. Because this restlessness, this thirst to discover, leads me to the next project, the next idea, the next “me”.

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

I have been to about 75 countries. Some I have seen almost fleetingly, in others I have stayed longer and had the opportunity to explore in more detail. The highlights from so many travels are hard to be uniform, but when I travel for pleasure, I try to combine historical landmarks with a good place to relax at the end of the trip and a highlight with some interesting and colorful metropolis or pristine natural treasures. Most travels are based on the main rule “Maximum result with minimum effort,” which means short time, a tight schedule, and a pragmatic approach to selecting sights – and all of this packed into an economical budget.

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

Every self-respecting traveler asks themselves this question. The world is big, colorful, and full of wonders – it’s logical to want to see as much as possible. As a pragmatist, I tend to favor travels to the new, but sometimes there are places that remain in the heart. And then you return, because you seek something deeper. The first trip is often superficial – you roam sights, try typical food, take pictures of the most famous views. But one place reveals itself truly upon a return visit. You start to feel it, not just see it. You talk to the locals, find nooks that are not in any guidebook. And most importantly – you yourself are already different. Returning, you see the same place with new eyes. Of course, there is always the temptation to discover new horizons. But sometimes inspiration, relaxation, and true stories are hidden not in the unknown, but in the familiar, experienced again. For me, repeating destinations is not a loss, but a deepening. It is a journey not only in space but also in time. A rule for me is to repeat only places that have truly impressed me.

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

The year 2007 was the moment when I started traveling. At that time, I visited an exhibition in Shanghai. This trip and the opening of the door behind which lay the freedom to see how people on the other side of the world do work like yours, and how colorful and contrasting it is, related to culture, religion, even climate – it was unforgettable and very useful for learning to adapt to global approaches and trends.

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

Sometimes I pride myself on what I demonstrate in my work, and the accumulated experience speaks for itself. There are also cases when you tell yourself that you could do better – and you seek a way to enrich your own possibilities. Precisely because you have the chance to be in this incredibly different place and absorb as much knowledge as possible from the source.

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

My work is related to the constant need to create a fresh flow of ideas and travels are crucial for my development. All artists suffer from the fear of losing inspiration. We live in a consumer society where fresh ideas are the greatest wealth – and I can boldly say that every journey is a source of that wealth.

Do you think that your travels help you expand your professional network? How?

Of course, my travels help me expand my professional network. My work is directly related to organizing and participating in forums with hundreds of thousands of people – everyone with one goal: to expand their professional network.

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

I develop skills for orientation, for adaptation, for dealing with all kinds of stressful situations in the field. There is almost no exhibition without some situations of the most diverse nature. In dealing with them, you gain confidence and assurance – which makes you feel at home, wherever you are in the world, even if it’s your first time.

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

Creating a home for the elderly in the city of Petrich with friends was inspired by Germany – a country known in my field as the “soft” of trade exhibitions. My frequent business trips there gave me the opportunity to touch upon social policy and the attitude of Germans towards the elderly. The German model impressed me with respect for the individual, a homely atmosphere, and high quality of services. There, old age is not loneliness, but a period of dignified and active life. I saw the opportunity for this concept to be applied here – by creating a home that combines professional care, attention, and an individual approach.

I believe that good European practices can be the basis for a stable business with a mission.

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

To avoid being distracted, I allocate a large resource to planning. I prepare a program for each trip, with each day planned almost down to the hour. It contains information – from a budget for specific activities to a weather forecast. This approach makes me more prepared and often creates the feeling that I have already been there.

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

Only true rest can qualitatively restart you. These are the destinations that connect you with nature – without a strict program, with cocktails by the pool, contemplation of the jungle or ocean, lounging on the beach at sunset.

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

My passion for travel balances with work and makes me feel useful while practicing my hobby.

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

I had a period when everything I earned was calculated in plane tickets. But over time and family life changed this way of thinking.

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

I do not travel with a specific profit goal, but I always look for ideas for business ventures that are unpopular here.

According to Vis it better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?

I think these are different periods in everyone’s life and it is impossible not to have swayed in both directions. The truth is that there must be a balance. We cannot do without either one.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

Digital nomadism is something I do not understand. I don’t think it is a permanent phenomenon; in my opinion, it is for people of a certain age. I am structured, no matter how much I travel for work or pleasure, always in the end to return to my own home.  I am attached to my family and home and do not exchange it for endless travel, even if it is the most exciting.

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

Costa Rica – Nature is preserved and is in an incredible symbiosis with tourism, without interfering with each other.

Myanmar (Burma) – The people and history together with nature. A country that has been in civil war for many years and closed to the outside world has preserved the ideals and values of the local people, and one feels very well there, despite the heavy misery and poverty of the population.

Japan – It definitely has to be the cherry on top for every traveler. Traveling to Japan is in most cases not like traveling to another country or continent, but rather like traveling to another planet. The main factor is the people and their energy for that feeling. A place where you walk smiling down the street, but have no clear idea why. 

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

Breaking traditional stereotypes about business based on atypical business models for the area where you live is a serious joker, so I would advise - Travel, seek, find and do not hesitate to experiment. Measured risk is at worst a good lesson.