Two twins with two different destinies

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

Elizabeth: Hello! My name is Elizabeth Marangozova, I am 30 years old and I am an actress and teacher. Recently, I released my debut original song “Zrqla Moma”.

Borislava: I am Borislava, I am 30 years old and I am a graphic designer and visual artist. I spent my 20s in England, where I studied and then worked, and now I am working in the advertising industry in Bulgaria, where you can find me creating for some well-known names in the market.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

Elizabeth: An astronaut (of course), then a chemist, and then the artistic dreams came - a singer, artist, actress.

Borislava: Since I was little, I have been engaged in drawing and I have always wanted to realize myself in the field of visual arts, but back then due to my interest in animated cartoons on Cartoon Network, I wanted to become an animator. I still haven’t given up on that dream, but in the meantime, I have dedicated myself to another one – to work as a graphic designer in the advertising field.

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

Elizabeth: I earned my first money from work at 16 years old when I was filming in a series.

Borislava: I earned my first money while still in high school, when it was also my first job as a bartender in the center of Sofia. The most interesting thing is that this was in the summer between the 11th and 12th grade, when I was very eager to start my first job and begin my work experience. It was quite an interesting first encounter with the real world and interacting with various people outside the bubble of school. It was a big challenge, especially when most of your peers and classmates spend their days on summer vacation, going out with friends and on holiday, but despite that, I was very happy with my choice. The feeling of earning your first salary while still in school is super motivating!

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? 

Elizabeth: As we all know, the external stimulus for development is just as important as the internal one, and that’s why I believe that a child should encounter good music as early as possible (both classical and children’s songs appropriate for their age), visual art - to look at paintings by different artists, but also to draw themselves. Curiosity is important to be nurtured and from other aspects, for example with expressed physical activity, a lot of sports, games, that develop motor skills and mental potential - (team games, swimming, chess), valuable time spent with parents, outside with other children and of course, a lot of quality food that gives the child the necessary energy.    

Borislava: As clichéd as it may sound, one must try to do all sorts of things while young. To work for a while abroad, to travel the world, to try jobs in different fields. Especially important in my journey was living abroad – this removal from the comfort zone of home and the native language helped me to break my mindset and see beyond the boundaries of the place I come from. The world is vast and colorful, and you never know who will inspire you for the next stage of your life.

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

Elizabeth: Definitely, and I think it’s in a growing progression. Over the years, especially now around my 30th birthday, I have noticed that with experience, inevitably one becomes more confident and purposeful. I say this because small setbacks and failures do not scare and discourage me, as they did when I was in the beginning and middle of my 20s. Back then, it strongly influenced me and made me give up more easily. It seemed to drain the pleasure from what I need to achieve. And precisely because I don’t notice this happening now, it pleasantly surprises me and I believe that with the years one becomes more confident and feels better and better if they set it as a goal. The decisions are in our hands, and what happens next is by God’s will.

Borislava: The short answer is “yes”, and the longer one is as follows. Over the years, I meet more and more people who are established personalities and characters, who have their own perceptions of the world and different skills for motivating those around them. Through my interactions with them, I discovered different groups of people who often share my ways of seeing things and in this way, it helps me feel understood and connected to my surrounding environment, and this inevitably motivates me to develop and seek more and more touchpoints.

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

Elizabeth: It was my decision to follow the path of art and my parents have always supported me (even when I didn’t support myself haha), but the moment I told them I wanted to engage in acting and stage, they were very happy. Not only my parents, but also my grandmother and grandfather greatly valued theatrical art and loved actors, and people of art in general. So yes, they were very happy about this fact. And for both my sister and me, because she took the path towards visual art and painting, then went to study “Film and Animation” in the UK. 

It is correct. I have tried several times to give up on artistry and it didn’t work out. Considering that I chose a path related to art, which has its underwater rocks and peculiarities (which path doesn’t have them…), I continue to believe in this, as do all my close ones. But even in moments when I said that I no longer want to engage in this, they have repeatedly dissuaded me haha. Indeed, at every moment, they have been and continue to be a great support, encouragement, and inspiration as well, because this emotional freedom and security gives you the space to create in peace.

Borislava: The decision was mine, but I wouldn’t have managed without the help of my parents, especially my mother. She was the one who supported me every step of the way and helped me in every way she could. Over the years, she has given me extremely key advice, which to this day has proven to point in the right direction and she has never been wrong. It is this support from both my parents that has given me the wind in my sails, the motivation, and the confidence to pursue what I want and not to be afraid.

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

Elizabeth: I have already shared that I am an actress, and I practice my profession as a freelancer. Alongside this, I teach Basics of Acting to children and teenagers. This is something that came into my life without me even planning it. My experience with teaching young people started in 2021 when in the midst of the fierce pandemic, I started working at a capital high school as an English teacher. Then I created with the students there an Interest Club - Shakespeare Theater in English. To this day, I conduct activities with children, work with tourists, and manage my personal projects, with one of which I recently premiered - my debut single “Zrqla Moma”, which you can find on all music platforms. A smooth transition in this direction - I am engaged in singing and piano accompaniment.

Borislava: Besides my strong interest in various visual arts (graphic design, architecture, interior design, fine arts), I am extremely passionate about fashion, styling, and aesthetics. I love riding my bike and attending performances of dance and movement theater.

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

Elizabeth: I don’t know if I would change it. I believe that life presents you with what you truly need at the right moment. Also, a very important thing - for me, every artist must have another profession. Not only for the financial aspect but also from a creative, personal point of view. You need to feed your art from real life. Otherwise, we tend to close ourselves in bubbles with the same people and experiences, and that robs us spiritually and personally.

Borislava: I would not change my profession for anything in the world, I even dare to say that I am one of the few lucky ones in this world who are extremely satisfied with their work and what they do every day. But if I had to choose what else to engage in, I would definitely work in caring for and helping animals.

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

Elizabeth: Things that are true. Unfiltered and unprocessed truth. Words that someone truly thinks, not just saying them for the sake of conversation or to keep up with some common attitudes. Also, I always wish the words I hear are completely devoid of personal projections onto me. I’m a bit tired of someone projecting “things” onto me. I am not a screen haha. 

Borislava: For me, the most important thing is kindness, compassion, and support that we can give each other as humans. The humanity that we can show to each other. This is to be kind to one another and this is one of my key pillars when it comes to values, and as long as it is present, everything else will be alright.

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

Elizabeth: I strive to nurture delicacy and politeness in communication with other people. I think we lack this. We have a somewhat distorted perception of these concepts as Bulgarians. If someone is polite, they must be hypocritical. No, they are just a well-mannered person. I am not obliged to like everyone, but I am obliged to treat them politely and respectfully, without crossing the boundaries of good tone between us. This also needs to be instilled in children. 

Borislava: I won’t lie, over the years it has happened that I lost confidence and direction for a moment, but with the help of faith and my naturally positive attitude towards everything happening around me, I have managed to get through these periods and somehow strangely when I look back I see the lesson from the obstacles and challenges I have overcome. This gives me strength and confidence that even in the present moment I can boldly act forward.

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

Elizabeth: Regardless of the communication situation - personal, professional, educational, etc., we should always strive to be concentrated in it, focused and present. Very often, people communicate distractedly, thinking about a bunch of other things and this distances us from each other. Quality communication is lost from something so small, and thus people generally drift apart. Let’s leave our phones and thoughts for the day, and be present here and now with the person across from us.

Borislava: When working with people – regardless of colleagues, friends, relatives, or in the service sector – it is most important for a person to approach with an open mind. In the world and in our country, there are all kinds of people, we are all different from each other and have different perspectives and experiences, which is why it is extremely important to be tolerant of one another, to set aside our differences and not forget that we have a higher purpose and not to let differences stand in our way. And to be flexible, of course – there is no benefit from unnecessary stubbornness.

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

Elizabeth: A very sensitive topic. Money is needed to live a decent and normal life. In recent months and years, prices are rising while salaries remain unchanged. It is widely overlooked that to achieve quality results, you must pay fairly, not pinch your purse, because cheap can be very expensive. It is an important topic, especially when it comes to personal relationships in a couple. I believe that a man should care for the woman beside him, not split 50/50. Every hardworking and capable person has a chance to earn a decent living, so they can ensure a normal life. Another important thing for me is that we should never get angry about money. Money comes and goes, and we should not be enslaved by it; it is just a means of living. If someone has taken more from you, you will be given back later. If you have taken more, you will also have to give back.

Borislava: I believe that money is not the most important thing that a person should strive for and should absolutely not be an end in itself or the only factor in decision-making, but a person should be materially secure to the extent that they feel comfortable being calm and able to create. Only then can they lead a favorable way of life that helps them develop and soar forward, without being trapped in their material existence. Maslow's pyramid in this specific case comes into play fully.

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

Elizabeth: This one is specifically for children and their parents. We often face a crossroads about which profession to pursue and whether it will provide us with decent pay and life. Parents often discourage their children from a more liberal career for this reason. I believe that you can have both. Develop in parallel what your soul desires and what you are good at and can bring you enough dividends (in case they are two separate professions). The more options you have for a career and work, the better. The saddest people I have seen are those who have not developed enough different skills and are forced to work something out of necessity, due to a lack of options. 

Borislava: Dream big, boldly, and without limits. Put your goals and happiness first. Remember that there is no such thing as too crazy a dream. If you set a goal and focus all your attention on it and nurture it, it will blossom.