I have a strong sense of justice

The story of Svetoslava Simeonova – engineer, entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainable future

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Svetoslava Simeonova, but my friends and colleagues call me Sisi. I am an engineer by education, but an entrepreneur by calling. I am a co-founder of Foody - a platform dedicated to combating food waste and the related climate issues. I love turning social causes into practical solutions that inspire and unite people.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

For a long time, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer because my sense of justice has always been strong. But I also had dreams in more creative fields, like being an actress.

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

At 15, I worked as a product promoter for a cleaning brand - my first experience in sales, so to speak. I realized that people shop more emotionally than rationally because there were those who probably had never cleaned their bathroom, but in the end, they took two or three products because I managed to convince them.

What are the factors that shaped you as a person at an early age?

There are several - definitely my family and the values they instilled in me, namely to be honest, responsible, and to accept different people. A big factor that changed me was the opportunity to participate in various European exchanges and projects from the age of 14, where I met young people from all over Europe and realized that “united in diversity” is more than a slogan of the European Union.

What are your interests and hobbies?

My interests and hobbies are related to my work - I am a true “foody” and love to discover new and interesting flavors both at home and around the world. To say that I love to travel would be an understatement; it is more of a lifestyle for me - I would call myself a globalist and a person who lives with the idea that I am truly part of something bigger.

Would you change your profession today?

Which one of all? - if I can answer with a smile on my face. No, I would not change my profession as an engineer; it gave me a solid foundation and way of thinking. I would not change the path I took, namely social entrepreneurship. I would not stop teaching students at the Technical University - Sofia, where I am a visiting lecturer and share my knowledge with younger colleagues.

What would you like people to say about you?

That I am a person who inspires through actions, not just words. That I have changed someone’s thinking and have given someone the courage to start something they have been delaying for a long time. Or simply to say that I am a good person - at the end of the day, isn’t that the most important thing?

How do you deal with daily challenges?

With persistence and empathy. The last four years as an entrepreneur have confronted me with many people, opinions, and different situations that I had to overcome, but also made me a better professional and person.

What lessons have you learned about communication with different people?

To listen before responding. Not to react too emotionally. And most importantly, that communication is not just words, but what happens after the promises.

What do you think about money?

They are a tool. The more we learn to handle them wisely, the more freedom they give us to realize meaningful ideas. But they should not be our leading motivator. In my case as a social entrepreneur, I often have to explain what is primary in our type of field, namely the cause over profit.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give?

Don’t wait for the “perfect moment,” start with something small, but start, because otherwise you might spend your whole life waiting.