The strongest message is the one that is said with respect

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..
My name is Anka Kostova and I believe in the power of words when they are spoken with responsibility. For nearly 20 years I have been in the world of communications – a field where a message can create trust, provoke action, or simply make someone's day more meaningful. Today I am part of the team at the Financial Supervision Commission, where I combine strategic thinking with a human approach, because I believe that institutions have a soul – when the people in them work with vision and integrity.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?
Even as a child, I felt that I would be part of a world where writing, speaking, and creating happens. I loved the stage, books, and language lessons. Intuitively, I knew that I wanted to communicate with people in a way that leaves a mark. Today I understand that those childhood impulses were the first steps towards my professional calling.

At what age did you earn your first money? Share an interesting story
I received my first reward at 20 years old, after winning a competition for a communication project while still a student. I remember not the amount, but the excitement – that I could be heard, understood, and appreciated. I have also worked in France in a small family where I was entrusted with a child and… a bread oven. This was a school of discipline, culture, and trust – lessons that are not taught in universities but shape character forever.

What motivates you today and how has that changed over time?
Over the years, I discovered that the strongest engine is the inner compass – the feeling that you are in the right place, with the right people, for the right cause. Today I am motivated by the fact that through communication I can inspire, open doors, and make the connections between people more authentic. And this is a priceless mission in a world that often chooses speed over depth.

What would you like people to say about you when you are not in the room?
That I am one of those people who illuminate, not overshadow. That I know when to speak and when to be silent. That I can lead without dominating and support without imposing. That my words carry weight because they are spoken with respect and honesty.

How do you cope with daily challenges to stay in good shape?
Rest for me is not an escape from reality, but a return to myself. I have found my rhythm – in the silence of books, in the movement of the body, in the value of quality conversation. I maintain balance because I know that to give, you must first be full. I believe in the daily hygiene of the mind, emotions, and relationships.

What do you think about money?
Money is energy – it reflects our value but does not define it. It is a resource, not a goal. Peace comes not when you have the most, but when you know how much is enough.
I believe that financial literacy is not just a necessity, but a matter of self-respect. One of my personal causes is indeed financial education – especially for young people who often make decisions without being prepared for the real consequences. The earlier we start talking about personal budgeting, responsibility, and the value of labor, the freer we will be as a society.

What are your interests and hobbies?
I love to be in motion – literally and metaphorically. Tennis brings me focus and adrenaline, skiing – a sense of freedom and space. Books are my quiet strength – I often immerse myself in crime novels, and I reread classic literature as a form of emotional stability and reflection. I like stories that surprise, but also those that remind us of eternal themes – good, choice, conscience. Meetings with inspiring people recharge me – they are like mirrors in which I see myself more clearly.

Would you change your profession today?
I would not change it – I would enhance it. Communications is a field that is constantly changing, and that keeps me awake. Development in this area is never linear – it requires curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to read the context. I dream of one day teaching, passing on my experience – not as a recipe, but as a personal story and life knowledge.
Even if one day I turn to another profession or role, I am sure that communication will remain at the core of everything I do – because it is that invisible bridge between people, projects, institutions, and ideas. Without it, there is no trust, no leadership, no sustainable result.

The most valuable career advice you would give?
Be clear, be precise, but above all – be correct and sincere.
In my career, I have been convinced that professionalism is not measured only by knowledge or experience, but by the attitude towards people. Those who succeed are those who know how to listen, who behave with dignity even in difficult moments, and who do not lose their human tone, regardless of the position.
Focus on opportunities – not to prove yourself to others, but to build yourself up.