My passion is to add value to people and companies by helping them discover more effective management methods

Introduce yourself in a few sentences!

Hello! My name is Bogoy Bogdanov and my passion is to add value to people and companies by helping them discover more effective management methods.

That is why I am a co-organizer of the largest conference in our country dedicated to modern management and leadership Business Agility Bulgaria, which will take place on October 9th at the Inter Expo Center.

I am a co-founder of AgilePool, I conduct workshops and training, and I work directly with teams and managers of companies.

I am a proud father of two wonderful girls, with whom I spend every second of my free (and not so free) time.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

As a child, I wanted to become an astronaut. Then a veterinarian, because I love animals. My brother, however, discouraged me after informing me that I would have to dig in cows' behinds (the word was more colorful).

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

Since I was little, I have had an entrepreneurial spirit. In first grade, I learned that the Post Office buys used phone cards for 10 stotinki each (for the younger generation, back then we didn't have smartphones, and we used street phones that worked with cards).

I noticed that people were throwing them around the phones, and I organized my friends to collect them. We immediately “invested” the earnings in arcade games.

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 of information, and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

First and foremost, family and its surroundings. Then teachers, followed by friends. I have always chosen an environment with people who inspire me, have values and high goals. I believe in the saying: “You become like those you associate with.”

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

Yes, at the age of 17. At that time, I got my first summer job as a helper-waiter in a restaurant. I was actually a “jack of all trades” - washing dishes, setting up and clearing tables, cleaning. My colleagues, who had been doing the same for years, were quite older.

At that time, I realized that I didn't just want a job, but meaning - to add value and leave an impact. This motivated me to learn, to invest in myself, and to seek a path that develops my potential.

The same motivation lies behind Business Agility Bulgaria - the conference that we organize to bring together people and ideas that make management more meaningful.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was that decision correct, looking back today?

Entirely mine. My parents have always supported me and did not dictate the direction in which I should go. In 11th grade, I was at a crossroads - to become an actor or a programmer. On one hand, I was good at math, on the other, I actively participated in the school theater group and in the city youth theater.

In the end, I chose programming and graduated with a degree in “Computer Science” at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University, the most prestigious in this field at that time.

Today, I conduct training, give public presentations, and host a podcast, combining technical expertise with a love for the stage and communication.

From the perspective of time, my decision turned out to be the right one.

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

Professionally, I am interested in management, working with people, and process optimization. I read business books and biographies. These topics are also at the center of Business Agility Bulgaria.

By nature, I am curious, and I have a great passion for space and astrophysics. I am a big fan of Neil deGrasse Tyson.

In winter, I ski, I love to travel, but the most valuable for me is the time with my children and friends.

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

At the moment, I would say that I am “living the dream.” I work in what I want and love, and I do what I am truly good at.

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?

That I inspire, motivate, and provide workable solutions. That I help to see the bigger picture. That I am consistent, authentic, and always ready to help.

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?

As an expert in adaptability and flexibility, I apply everything I teach others. I live according to the principles of the Agile mindset. I set clear and measurable goals and regularly reflect, learn, and adapt my strategy.

Especially important for me is the principle of simplifying complex tasks. I apply the Pareto principle - I focus on those 20% of activities that bring 80% of value.

I seek a balance between work, personal life, and physical health. And most importantly, I follow the belief that “not everything is at any cost.”

I always find time to celebrate my victories, even the small ones. They are the fuel that maintains good condition and positive mood.

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?

The most important conclusion is that there is no universal approach because every person is different. Over time, I have learned to listen more than to speak, and to try to understand the other person's perspective before giving my own.

I believe that proper communication is a matter of respect, adaptability, and willingness to put yourself in the other person's shoes.

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 feeling of “enough” is a matter of mindset and goals, not a specific amount.

My father taught me that money is a means, not an end goal. When I was younger, I didn't fully understand it, but today I deeply believe in it.

They are a natural result of the value we create. If your true motivation is to solve problems and bring real benefits to people and businesses, money comes as a consequence. The greater the value you provide, the more sustainable the financial result.

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

Do not view your career as a straight line, but as a journey. Sometimes the most valuable opportunities come when you take a new path. Curiosity and the courage to try different things often lead to the greatest progress.

Such lessons and stories will be shared at Business Agility Bulgaria.