Japan is my passion, and in Vietnam, I would develop a business idea

Introduce yourself in a few words..

I am Liliya Karamancheva-Dobreva or KaraDobreva, for convenience 😊 Mother, wife, and sister of three remarkable men.  Master pharmacist and psychologist by education, seeker of meaning and new horizons by vocation.

For 17 years I have been finding and creating meaning at Queisser Pharma Bulgaria – the manufacturer of proven and preferred products in support of health – Doppelherz. I love what I do and I do what I love, together with a remarkable team of great and genuine People beside me.

For you, what is traveling the world?

Traveling for me is new horizons, dreams, testing boundaries, adaptation, and acceptance of different cultures. It is often a cultural shock! My first encounters with Asia were challenging for me. Traveling is also the realization that we live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The feeling of returning is priceless!

But most of all – traveling is shared time, an experience,  a restart of the soul, and creating memories with dear people to me.

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

Maybe around 20 - Europe, Asia, Africa. South America is in the plans. Every trip has its charm – the wild nature and endless expanse of the savannah in Africa, the colors, tastes and aromas of Asia, deserts that turn out to be “alive” and unpredictable, just like the sea and the mountains, the charming and unrefined chaos of the Balkans, and the good old Europe, which is endlessly beautiful, although lately – a sleeping beauty.

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

I only repeat destinations that are entirely dedicated to relaxation – of course, Greece is such a place. Everything there is somehow easy and natural…The Greeks have achieved it. Austria is excellent for winter sports. And, Bulgaria has both! But, I would repeat and repeat Japan.

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

The first memorable trip for me was to Switzerland – I was a teenager. My mother worked in a Swiss company as a highly specialized scientist - chemist. She was invited, because at that time there was no Swiss person with such high qualifications. In 1992, I realized that knowledge and skills provide exceptional strength and independence. I saw the dreamed Switzerland and understood that when I know and can, I will choose where to be. I have always chosen to stay in Bulgaria.

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

I rediscover my ability to learn new languages quickly, test my social skills, resilience and adaptability. Often during travels, crisis management is also required, including dealing with natural disasters. We have experienced severe floods, freezing cold, and mercilessly high temperatures and humidity…. These trials have been the reason to uncover unsuspected capacities within myself. The sharp changes, that accompany travels – disaster, missed flight, lost luggage, lost direction – situations that take us out of our comfort zone, but remain unforgettable and bestow new experience.

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

Many colleagues in Germany have taught me invaluable lessons. I can say that the German model of work and thinking has shaped me as a professional. Partnership with people from Germany is very clear and open  – when you follow the rules of the game and know how to take responsibility – you receive unconditional support and freedom.

Do you think that traveling helps you expand your professional network? How?

Yes, always, when I travel I enjoy meeting and seeking people from my professional community. I love to enter pharmacies around the world and talk to colleagues. Different congresses and  exhibitions gather ideas and best practices proven in other markets. I often take working models, that we try in Bulgaria!

When you are in a foreign country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

In new and unknown countries, I feel inspired and alongside new experiences, I try to sense and recognize positive attitudes – discipline and respect in Japan, the contagious  enthusiasm of Vietnam, the calmness and genuine kindness of people in Africa, the ability to preserve and maintain quality in  Germany, the ease and beauty of everyday life in Italy…each destination is a piece of energy that I carry with me

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

Yes, definitely – Japan. This country inspired me to seek and apply the Kaizen philosophy - continuous improvement in personal and professional terms. The main idea is that small, but consistent improvements lead to great results - a way of thinking and action that leads to progress through small steps, rather than sudden and radical changes. ( “Kai“ – change and “Zen“ – for better). I was also inspired by the beauty, tradition, and strength of the tea ceremony, where we learn to appreciate the present, to be fully present in the moment, and to treat every person and every encounter with attention and gratitude.

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

My style and way of maintaining my balance is not to completely disconnect. I always leave some interval of time in which I “check” on work. This makes it easier and more sustainable for me – it takes much less time and resources than if I completely interrupt for 10-15 days and then dedicate a few days for a crash return to reality. It doesn't weigh on me because I love my work and for me, this is not a sacrifice, but a strategy for balance.

Do you think it is better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?

A matter of life stage and priority. When you have enough in your material world, the most fulfilling money spent is on travels. Especially shared with family.

How do you see the future of digital nomad life?

Freedom is a core value of the Gen Z and Millennials generations, who are also the main representatives of digital nomads. Many young people do not see the point in investing in housing or corporate careers.

The future of digital nomads is associated with even greater mobility, technological independence, and building global communities, where work follows the person – not the other way around. Bulgaria offers excellent conditions for digital nomadism.

If you could choose one place in the world to develop your next big idea, where would it be and why?

Asia, maybe Vietnam – a young, awake, and eager market, a wonderful country (except for the climate), and the people have a huge desire to work and be part of progress…in Europe, this driving force has quieted down.

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

Japan is my passion. A country of technology and deep tradition, where minimalism meets ultra-modernity, and everything happens with respect and precision.

In Japan, the person, nature, and technology are in complete sync. And perhaps the secret is that the person is not placed at the center.

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

Traveling expands horizons and teaches patience and dealing with changes, especially when you realize that the world does not revolve solely around your way of life.

Whoever has seen the world finds it hard to fit into narrow views.