I dream of Bulgarian companies believing in their potential and becoming global
· Maria Gergova-Bengtsson
28 years – filled with ups, downs, victories, tears, insights!
Introduce yourself in a few sentences..
My name is Maria Gergova-Bengtsson and I have been living and
breathing communications for 28 years. I founded United Partners as a young girl with a big dream –
to create an agency that not only serves clients but builds meaningful
connections that move the world forward. Today UP is one of the most successful and bold agencies in the region, and
my new inspiration is United Partners Network – the first international
communication network created in Bulgaria to help businesses grow
beyond borders and fears.
How many years have you been with the company? How do you feel about
it and what does this stage mean for you?
28 years – filled with ups, downs, victories, tears,
insights. A true journey. I learned not to rush to label things as “good”
or “bad,” but to seek the lessons. Today I do not react impulsively – I breathe,
embrace what is happening, ask myself "What do I need to learn from this?" and
move on. I am grateful – for the people I have met, for the team with whom
we grow, for the fact that I am still excited. Right now we are experiencing a significant transformation – the new
realities like AI, crises, and uncertainty require courage and inner speed.
And I embrace with a smile this
challenge.
What are the most memorable moments or achievements from
your time here so far?
The most memorable moments for me are not just the awards or
the big campaigns, although we have quite a few
of them. They are those moments when I see someone from the team becoming better than me. When a client tells us: “You changed the way we think.” When a dream, born in the kitchen with
a glass of wine, becomes a reality. Or when we are in a foreign country and someone says: “Oh, you
are from United Partners – you are great.” Well, my heart sings every time.
What motivates you to stay and develop in
this organization?
UP is like a child that has grown up – you don’t hold its hand every day, but you love it endlessly. I have a great team that does things
better than me, and I can dream even bolder. This is how UP Network was born –
as another adventure that gives new meaning. We work with agencies from all over
the world that are like us – passionate, human, brave. And this is not just
business – it is a feeling of belonging, of creating something that matters.
How has your professional path changed from the first day
until now – and what has it taught you?
My biggest lesson: business is a tool for personal
development. A journey inward. My work has taught me humility, patience, and
what it means to lead with heart. Over the years I have managed to crystallize
my values, my mission. Every day I strive to be better than yesterday – and
this is my engine. When you live and work in sync with your inner compass –
mornings are bright, and
obstacles more meaningful.
What are your aspirations moving forward – both for yourself and
for the team or company you are part of?
I dream of Bulgarian companies believing in their potential. To
know that they can play on a global level. UP is proof of this – we have
the skills, we have the knowledge, we just sometimes lack confidence. We will continue
to expand UP Network, to stand shoulder to shoulder with companies that want to
step outside the box and tell their stories to a global audience. I will
continue to learn, to pass it on, and to dream… ever bolder.