No journey and meeting are random

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Silviya Pacheva, a mother, a beloved woman, I seek beauty and ease in everything, I believe that God (consciousness) is one, one, I never stop climbing peaks and I already know that the steeper and darker the “path” is, the brighter it will be up there afterwards!  The search to find a solution for myself, my skin, health, and beauty was inspired by the power of nature and I built a brand for natural skin care -  ZARANA.

What is your journey around the world?

Passion. Inspiration. Love. Challenge and pleasure!

How many different countries have you seen so far? Share with us a curious incident or highlights from your travels?

I have visited 17 countries. No journey and meeting are random. If we listen to our inner voice, we will always be in the right place. We are connected to so many people and places around the world, and it is not necessary to believe in reincarnation to acknowledge that when we go to a place for the first time, we have the feeling that we have been there, that we feel at home! More and more people are touching this feeling. We find friends from different cultures, religions just after a brief encounter, in the difficulties of traveling we meet strangers who treat us like their closest person and remain in our hearts forever. Personal growth and the expansion of our consciousness lead us to success in our careers and businesses. I have so many incredible personal stories that I could provide a script for several movies (smile). Travels change us, test us, tempt us. I saw the Iguazu Falls, which are the largest in the world. Niagara is like a small stream in front of them. This water element makes you humble before the power of nature. I cried like a child when I first stepped into the Vatican, I felt as if I was returning! The painting of Van Gogh in his museum in the Netherlands made me freeze, it enchanted me. I was 20 years old, I didn’t understand art. I knew it was great, but I stood there, I don’t even remember how long in front of it and I didn’t want to leave.  The most magical place I have been and always return to is here in Bulgaria – Belintash. The magic truly changes my life, there I receive answers, I recharge, it must be experienced personally!  For those who don’t know, the legends say that this is the temple of Dionysus, there is much to tell…

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

I will always return to Italy, this country is so mine. History, art, food, the pleasure of life. The architectural wonder of Venice struck me, when I am in Italy I am silent and just absorb the sensations and beauty of the city.   

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

If we talk about business, every journey is a check of your watch, where you are. This year I visited for the first time the largest and most prestigious exhibition in the beauty industry – Cosmoprof, Bologna. When you see over 3 thousand exhibitors from all over the world and over 7 thousand brands in one place, you take a deep breath. This industry has impressive dimensions, and the Korean government pours millions into promoting their brands. Support that we in Bulgaria do not have, although I boldly claim there are Bulgarian brands that are and are at a world level in terms of quality.

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

This is a practical test of everything you have learned and can do. The new cultural environment is extremely delicate and dangerous, because if you lack experience in different cultures, one wrong gesture or negligence can ruin years of built work and huge investments. I give an example from my last visit to Turkey at an exhibition again in the cosmetics sector. There were entrepreneurs and manufacturers from Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. A lady from France ruined a deal prepared for a year because her partner from Istanbul, a deeply religious person, did not shake her hand, but slightly bowed with his hand on his heart. This offended her and she left the negotiation room. Here is an example of how not knowing and not respecting a religion and another culture can lead to loss – a lot!

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

This is the most valuable – meetings with people. We must keep our eyes always open to everything that others do in our field of activity. To learn from them, to be able to listen, we should never accept that we already know everything, that we are prepared. It is exactly at this moment that we are the most vulnerable! The lesson comes immediately.

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

An American, my client asked me: Silviya, why do you talk about travels, experiences, hobbies, where you skied, what you ate in Brazil in 80% of your meetings? Because business is done by people who have desires, longings, the great entrepreneurs have seen everything. With one click, they get whatever they want on their table. But, the experience, the uniqueness that the soul brings and how you understand the world makes you interesting. You sell emotion, experience, the ability to communicate. Everything else is dry matter. In the last 10 minutes before the meeting ends, you ask: when should I send you the contract? This is the secret of every successful salesperson – to be able to sell yourself as value, to invest and to have values.

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

Business travels are my true passion. Because in just a few days I have to give the best of myself in dozens of meetings. They are short, with people from different countries, cultures, each next one is different. I learn to focus, to listen, to look for hidden traps.

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

Yes, I saw a white male peacock in an exotic place that inspired me for the logo of my business.

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

New destinations energize me because there is so much to discover.

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

Besides Belintash and Italy, the clean air of the Rhodopes and Stara Planina energizes me.

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

I just sleep a few hours (smile). I love to take maximum from the experience. It fills me, I have a strong thrill in the whole ritual of preparing for the day, meetings with partners, business dinners in the beautiful streets of the new city, exchanging experiences, culture, solutions. Yes, it is very tiring, but I like it this way!

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

They made me more frugal!

Do you travel with the aim of finding new ways to earn money?

This is an important part of the puzzle. Every year we visit several international exhibitions. I am extremely grateful to my partner in life and business, Aleksandar, who manages to find time to make our business trip a pleasure!

What lessons about financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?

From different cultures I learned, that financial independence is not just a matter of numbers, but a philosophy of life. In some cultures, the emphasis is on creating community networks and mutual assistance, while in others, the individual approach to investing and long-term planning is valued. And true freedom comes when you learn to manage both resources and your vision for the future.

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

Strongly valid for me.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

The future of digital nomadic life will bring significant opportunities for creativity and professional development, thanks to the diversity of cultures and ways of thinking that nomads will encounter. Living in different cultures will broaden horizons, inspiring new ideas and approaches that would be impossible in traditional work environments. This freedom of choice and flexibility will encourage innovation while helping digital nomads become better professionals, thanks to their ability to adapt and extend their global networks and experiences.

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?

Bulgaria is extremely favorable for work and investments, especially in the beauty industry, since the country is home to numerous manufacturing facilities and innovations that serve leading global brands. Bulgaria offers high-quality natural ingredients that are sought after for cosmetic products, and at the same time has competitive production costs. The combination of strategic location, skilled workforce, and support for industries makes the country an ideal base for the development and production of cosmetic lines for the global market. Moreover, Bulgaria is part of the EU, which provides access to a large internal market and opportunities for international business partnerships.

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

Brazil! The country has a huge market for natural cosmetics, with consumers increasingly engaged in using products that are ethical, sustainable, and natural. Brazil also offers a wealth of unique plant ingredients that are sought after in the global industry, and the growing attention to sustainable production makes it ideal for innovations in this sector.

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

The castle Le Mont-Saint-Michel in France, the Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina, Piazza del Duomo in Florence, the British Museum, Venice in spring, the rock plateau Belintash in the Rhodopes, Koncheto in Pirin.

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

Travel whenever you can. Fill yourself and your soul, when you are whole and centered, your career will be successful!