The personal brand is built through the balance between professionalism and human relations

Introduce yourself:

Slavi Kisyov is the Chief Operating Officer of Espas Auto with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. He graduated in Economics in 1999 from the University of National and World Economy, which provides him with a solid foundation for development in business and team management. 

His career has gone through various stages of development, accumulating in-depth knowledge of the market, strategic management, and dynamics in the sector. He is known for his practical approach, dedication to the company, and desire to develop the people around him. 

Outside of his professional sphere, Slavi is a fan of high speeds and a dedicated motorcycle enthusiast.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood? 

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a motorcycle racer. I was attracted by the speed, the adrenaline, and the freedom that the road provides. This passion has stayed with me to this day and has given me direction in my career.

At what age did you earn your first money?

I earned my first money at the age of 6 in a farmyard. I mowed the grass, took care of the gardens, and fed the animals. That was the first time I felt how pleasant it is to receive a reward for your work and how early one can learn responsibility.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an earlier 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?

For me, the family is the biggest factor. It is the first example of work, morality and way of thinking. A huge role for me was played by my personal passion and interest in high speeds. 

Did any significant difference occur in your perceptions in a more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something? 

Yes, over time motivation changes. At first, it is pure passion and the interests you have as a child. Then practice and life experience teach you to look more strategically and to think not only about yourself but also about the people around you. Dreams turn into responsibility and sustainable development.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? 

I chose to study economics myself. I have always had an interest in business and wanted to understand how it functions from the inside.

Was this decision correct, looking at it from today’s perspective?

I believe that the choice was correct - my education provided me with a solid foundation and helped me to view my interests in a profession and to look more easily and structurally at business.

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

I define myself as a multi-layered person with many interests. First and foremost for me is family, it is my balance. I often joke that one of my hobbies is work - simply because I really enjoy what I do. Besides my motivations, my new great passion is tennis. My new hobby is perhaps the only thing that can make me get up at 5 in the morning, to enjoy the game before a dynamic day.

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

Although I have many interests in various business areas, I would not choose another profession. The automotive industry is not just a job for me, but a passion and a way of life.

They say that the 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 would like to be described as a professional with a personal touch – a person who is ready to give and teach others, but first and foremost to remain human. I strive to be a leader who balances the needs of the business and his team.

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 find support in my family and manage to relieve tension through my hobbies. I believe that leadership requires the ability to balance - not only between work and personal life, but also between the different expectations and characters of the people around you.

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, close ones? 

Honesty and empathy are the foundation of true trust. Every person carries their own story and unique way of perception, so the ability to listen actively and to understand the other is invaluable. This achieves balance in complex situations and turns challenges into opportunities for development - both personally and professionally.

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 for me is a tool that can open doors, but it should not determine the direction. They matter because through them we create opportunities - for business, for the people around us, for family. But when money becomes an end in itself, it is easy to lose the meaning of what, we do. My advice is to view them as a means to achieve greater goals, not as the goal itself.

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

To be dedicated to what they do and always find something that brings them joy in their work. Not every profession is a dream, but every one carries value. When you see meaning and pleasure even in the small things, career becomes a path of development and satisfaction.