Once you have earned the trust and respect of the people around you, you are already winners

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Radost Stoyanova. Pharmacist, model, athlete, and traveler. I have been working in the field of clinical trials for 5 years. In my free time, I actively play sports, work as a model, and travel around the world.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?
The first desire I had was to become a ballerina. Well, I never tried. My mom signed me up for folk dances. Instead, I kept walking on my toes around the house.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?
I earned my first money at the age of 6. I decided that I wanted to open a store in the neighborhood where we lived at the time. When my parents and I shopped at a large chain of stores, I bought products that I then sold at a markup. To make it more fun, I convinced a friend to join me in this venture. Everything was great until it was time to calculate how much money each of us had made. We argued, of course… And so came my first lesson before my 7th birthday that doing business with friends is not a good idea. I tell this with a big smile and nostalgia. My childhood was unforgettable. I wish such a childhood for today's children.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests?
Carefreeness and freedom are key factors for a child's childhood to be fulfilling. These should not be taken away from the child. Through them, the child develops creativity, imagination, independence, and many other qualities. The more carefree and free a child is, the easier it will be for them to understand their interests. Of course, the parental body and the home environment are also of particular importance. It is a priority for the child to grow up in a calm family environment so that the focus can be on their development, rather than being troubled by solving the problems of adults. Naturally, the first role models for a child are the mother and father. The child is like a blank sheet of paper, and the parents have all the means to write on that sheet.

What is your recipe for curiosity, sources, and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?
It is very important for a parent to instill a love for books in the child. I remember that even before first grade, my mother made sure I could read. When I was a child, I loved reading encyclopedias. I even remember that I often sent questions from the books I read to a great show from my childhood called “A Minute is a Lot.” I will never forget when I heard one of my questions being asked to a participant in the show. My question was not answered, but with the money they sent me for it, I bought another encyclopedia.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in adulthood regarding what motivates you to do or not do something?
Definitely, when you enter the world of adults, perceptions and motivations change. Financial stability is important for a peaceful life and cannot help but be a major factor today. However, one should not lose oneself in this material world and should try to maintain morality as a cornerstone.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study?
The decision of what to study was entirely mine. I do not believe that parents should choose the path for their child. This is a personal choice that carries consequences, whether positive or negative. The responsibility for the decision made should rest solely with the person faced with the choice.

Was this decision correct, viewed from today's perspective?
I have always liked chemistry and biology, and that was my natural path. These are fields that are extremely interesting to me and would never bore me. I am happy that I continue to engage with them and they are part of my daily work.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?
Through the variety of work commitments in different fields, I have the chance to interact with people who are total opposites. This gives me the opportunity to better understand the world and broaden my worldview. I explore the world in the literal sense. I love to travel everywhere! I find it one of the most meaningful things a person can do with their finances and free time. Surely after every trip, a person returns at least a little changed, and sometimes a lot.

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity capture your interest?
Sports is my first love. If I were not a pharmacist, I would continue to engage professionally in athletics. Unfortunately, my profession is currently incompatible with professional sports, and I mainly train for pleasure and health.

They say that your personal brand is everything that people say about you when you are not in the same room with them. What would you like to hear today?
I have always tried to be, first and foremost, a worthy and good person, just like my parents. I strive for dignity and kindness to mark every action and deed of mine. Perhaps that is what I would like to hear about myself. Over time, I learned that success should not come at any cost, and one of the most important things is to have a good attitude towards the people on our journey.

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?
Definitely, one should not allow themselves to be consumed by their work. This is extremely toxic. I believe that hobbies are the way to clear the accumulated and unnecessary emotional burden, which, once it piles up in front of your little house, could turn it into a dump. Movement always positively energizes me. There is no better remedy for mood than a few sprints or a jog in the nearby park.

What are the most important conclusions you have made so far about maintaining proper communication considering the different personalities of the people you meet daily – colleagues, friends, relatives?
At the core of proper communication is listening to the other, being tolerant and patient. And the saying “Silence is golden” works flawlessly in many situations.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?
Money is a primary incentive for work. I would say that they give me freedom and the opportunity to travel and explore the world. We live in an extremely material world, and despite everything, I believe that money is just a means. Over the years, I realize how my free time becomes more and more valuable, while money becomes insufficient to buy it.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?
Be consistent and fair to the people on your path. This is the best way to earn their trust and respect. Once you have earned the trust and respect of the people around you, you are already winners.