The ability to "translate" your message into the language of the other makes communication successful

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Nadia Stanoeva and I am the owner of the company “Progresiva Group”, specialized in PR and training in soft skills. I also teach in the Department of “Marketing and Strategic Planning” at UNSS as a visiting lecturer – a role that allows me to share my experience with future specialists in communications and business.

I have been engaged in strategic PR for almost my entire conscious life – it is not just a profession, but my calling. I believe that good PR is not noise, but meaning – it starts from within, from the values and identity of the person or organization, and reaches out through authentic messages and consistent actions.

I naturally transitioned to training in soft skills – after realizing how many people face difficulties in communication, confidence, teamwork, and self-presentation. That’s where I discovered another way to provide value and create positive change.

As a natural continuation of my path and accumulated experience, the idea to create “Progresiva Group” was born – a company through which I could unite my two main professional strengths: strategic communications and human development. Because I believe that sustainable success comes when the personal and professional brand go hand in hand – authentic, organized, and with a clear direction.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

Since I was 10, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer -  I was sure I could convince anyone of my point of view and that no one could defeat me in an argument. J My family often joked that I was “a lawyer by birth” because I always found arguments and defended not only myself but also others.

Over time, I realized that what truly attracts me is not the courtroom, but the power of words and communication. I have great respect for words and strive not to waste them on empty talk. Communication is not just an exchange of information, but an argument for building trust, for inspiring, and for change.

Diplomacy and empathy are my strong qualities – they guide me in every professional and life interaction. And although I am not a lawyer by profession, in many ways I fulfilled my childhood dream – every day I use my skills to defend ideas, build bridges between people, and create value through strategic communication.

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

At the age of 16, I earned my first money as a radio host. The radio was not just a job – it was my passion. Every show was an opportunity to express myself and connect with people in a unique way. I poured my heart into what I did and did it with genuine pleasure.

I was not in a hurry to spend the money – for me, the moment when I first felt the satisfaction of earning income on my own was more valuable. This experience gave me a sense of freedom, independence, and inner strength.

Even then, I realized the power of personal branding – how your voice, your style, your name start to be recognized. For the first time, I felt the responsibility and power of being heard and remembered. These lessons and feelings laid the foundation for the professional path I later chose – a path related to communication, building trust, and creating meaningful content.

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?

From an early age, the strongest example for me was my family – mainly my mother. She has always been there for me with support, advice, and that personal example that does not impose but inspires. It is from her that I learned how important it is to be consistent, compassionate, and driven.

Since childhood, I have admired successful people – whether they are women or men – as long as they carry value with them and leave a mark. I have always felt that I want to be part of some positive change, to create value, to help with ideas, actions, or simply with kind words.

My curiosity about the world is another factor that has shaped me and is still part of me today. I remember how at the beginning of the summer vacation after first grade, I went to the city library and took 20 books. I wanted to read everything, to know everything. And this thirst for knowledge remained. Today, I direct it both towards my professional field – through the media monitoring I do daily as a PR specialist – and towards my personal development. My interests are diverse, and the information I consume daily comes from various sources – traditional media, podcasts, specialized literature, professional networks.

As for social networks – I use them, but I approach them critically. I believe that a person should develop not only a reading habit but also the ability to sift through the valuable in the flow of information.

And the recipe for curiosity? Perhaps it is a combination of internal motivation, a constant hunger for knowledge, and a sense that you can always become an even better version of yourself.

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

Over time, a person begins to look at motivation in a different way. In more mature age, you understand how important patience and acceptance are – both of people and circumstances. Today, my actions are guided not so much by momentary impulse, but by whether something has value and meaning – for myself and for the people around me. If that meaning is lacking, I prefer to refrain. For me, every action should be justified and bring added value.

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

The decision of what and where to study has always been my personal choice. Every subsequent specialty I chose was dictated by my desire to delve deeper into my knowledge and develop in the field of communications. Today, looking back, I am convinced that I made the right choices because they provide me with a stable foundation and confidence in my profession. And very soon I will take the final step in this direction – defending my doctoral thesis, again in the field of communications.

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

My interests are quite diverse – from communication in all its forms and directions, through topics like personal development, spiritual growth, social activities, and support for vulnerable groups, to European programs and politics. My knowledge and experience are also concentrated in these areas, with my strengths in PR, management, soft skills training, management of European projects, and organizing and moderating events.

As for hobbies, I am not one of those people with an endless list, but I have a few true passions. I love to travel and discover new places, opera is an inseparable part of my life, and I never miss an opportunity to immerse myself in its atmosphere. I enjoy attending concerts, and I am glad that in recent years there have been more and more opportunities for this in Bulgaria. I read a lot, most often classic literature, and yoga is my way of finding balance and inner peace.

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

I would not change my profession today because I feel that I am in the right place – communications, training, and organizational activities are the areas where I find meaning and satisfaction. They give me the opportunity to work with people, to impart knowledge, and to build valuable projects. Of course, my interests are broad and often intersect with topics like social causes, European projects, culture, and education – but I see them more as a natural continuation of my main professional direction, rather than a desire for change.

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?

I would like people to say that I am a person they can rely on – that I am consistent, fair, and genuinely engaged in what I do. That in my work I bring value and seek meaning, and in personal relationships – humanity and understanding. It would please me to know that I leave the impression of a person who can inspire, connect people, and uphold values. That would be the best confirmation of my personal brand.

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?

I would say that by nature I am a person in a good mood – I believe that if we are angry and unfriendly, it will neither help us overcome difficulties nor make our daily lives easier. Therefore, I strive to approach every situation positively, to remember that after the rain, the sun always shines, and to keep following my planned path. This gives me resilience and calmness, and good mood comes as a natural result.

I believe that the key to dealing with challenges today lies in emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility. They allow you to see change as an opportunity rather than a threat. In my work, I often emphasize these topics during soft skills training because I believe that without skills like empathy, communication, leadership, and teamwork, we cannot achieve sustainable success. These are the qualities that help us not just to “survive” in a dynamic environment but to develop and grow along with it.

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

Over the years, I have realized that one of the most important rules in communication is to accept that people are different and everyone expresses themselves in their own way. I try not to jump to hasty conclusions – if I face an unfriendly person, I prefer to tell myself that the person probably has a difficult day, rather than take it personally. For me, the key is adaptability – being able to adjust to the situation and the person you are communicating with.

I believe that effective communication does not mean talking more or louder, but finding the right approach to the other party. The ability to “translate” your message into the language of the other is what makes communication successful – whether it is about colleagues, friends, or relatives.

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?

The topic of sufficiency is multi-layered – for every person, “sufficient” means something different. Hardly anyone would say that money is not important – they are an integral part of our lives and in a sense represent the material result of how well we do our job. Therefore, it is important for everyone to learn to value their work and not underestimate its worth.

However, I believe that money in and of itself does not bring happiness, but is a tool – they can provide freedom, security, and opportunities, but cannot replace meaning, human relationships, and inner peace. My advice is: strive for balance – work in a way that makes you feel satisfied and valued, but do not set money as the only measure of success. True sufficiency comes when you know that what you have is in harmony with what you truly need.

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

The most valuable career advice I can give is to never stop developing and challenging yourself. The world is changing rapidly and those who continue to seek new knowledge and skills will always have an advantage. However, it is important not to forget to take some time for yourself, because it is the balance between professional development and personal well-being that makes us more effective and helps us feel good in our own skin. Curiosity, perseverance, and self-care are the keys to sustainable success and satisfaction.