The successful personal brand is the ability to turn challenges into new horizons

Introduce yourself in a few sentences!

I am Zhivka Nedyalkova – a financier and entrepreneur with over 18 years of experience. I have held positions as a financial director in both the corporate and non-governmental sectors, and today I am the founder and CEO of FinTellect AI – a startup that combines artificial intelligence and financial innovations to support businesses in their strategic development.

I am a recipient of the international award Excellence in Finance – Artificial Intelligence at FiNext Conference & Awards in Dubai, I am included in the ranking Top 30 Women in AI on LinkedIn, I have participated multiple times in the prestigious index Best of LinkedIn: AI and I am among the finalists of the prestigious index Bulgaria's Top 100 Talents 2025 at Career Show 2025.

I believe that the true power of finance is the transformation of raw numbers into decisions that create new opportunities for people and organizations. And my greatest inspiration is my family – my husband and our two wonderful children – a son and a daughter, who remind me every day how fulfilling and beautiful life can be.

 

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood years?

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a journalist and a writer. I even enrolled in my first university education with this goal – to explore the power of words and stories. However, life changed both the circumstances and my professional wishes. First, I became a teacher – a profession where knowledge is shared and leaves a mark. Later, I discovered finance and went through all levels in this field – from operational work to C-level management and positions as a financial leader.

Today, as the founder and CEO of FinTellect AI, I combine both passions – finance and writing. I continue to teach, this time about how to apply artificial intelligence in finance, I write travelogues and poetry and I am preparing my first book for publication. I believe that words and numbers are not opposites, but two different languages through which we can tell stories and build a future.

 

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

Even as a high school student, I started actively participating in the family business. I often got involved in activities related to collecting payments from clients. I was only 15 years old, but it often happened that clients were surprised – they did not expect such a young girl to speak with them in such a professional manner about amounts, deadlines, and receipts.

This reaction showed me that confidence and competence do not depend on age. This was my first encounter with responsibility in financial relationships – a lesson I carried with me later when I held positions as a financial director.

 

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?

I strongly believe that natural curiosity is the greatest driver of human development – and it is cultivated very early, in the family environment. Cognitive games, learning through movement and play in early childhood build the foundation for a lasting thirst for knowledge. This is the formula I applied in raising my own children – and today I see the results: they are much more independent and adapted to school, without requiring constant intervention from us as parents.

I myself had the fortune to grow up in a family where the love for learning was naturally encouraged – without pressure, without control, and without expectations for parents to realize their own unfulfilled ambitions through me. It was this freedom that shaped me as a person – it allowed me to choose my paths with confidence and to believe that every piece of knowledge is a new door to the future.

 

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

Yes, over time I realized that life should not be lived according to conventions and imposed ideas. Today my true driver is the desire to feel satisfied with myself – to create value that makes sense for others and for myself. I strive not just for success, but for happiness and inner balance. This gives me the freedom to choose projects and paths that resonate with my values and make me content with life.

 

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

Currently, I have four university degrees – two bachelor's and two master's degrees – and I consider each of them a correct step. All decisions regarding my education have always been entirely mine – my parents never interfered in my professional or personal choices. I have always had the freedom to make decisions for myself, and this gave me a sense of responsibility from an early age. Likewise, all the majors I chose have been extremely useful to me and I have applied them both in my professional and personal journey. I am convinced that it is this combination of knowledge that has shaped my unique perspective on finance and entrepreneurship.

 

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

Although I have little free time, I have many interests that enrich me and balance my daily life. I write poetry and paint, and as a hobby sugar artist, I have awards from world competitions – art has always been a source of inspiration and strength for me. I strive to find time for sports, yoga, and meditation, because I believe that caring for the body and mind is the key to inner harmony. I love to read, travel with my family, and discover new cultures and societies and  I perceive every trip as a lesson in awareness, gratitude, and a new perspective on the world.

 

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

At the moment, I find what I do to be extremely interesting and inspiring. The development of artificial intelligence is a field that not only changes business but also the way we make decisions and manage resources – that is why for me it is both a challenge and a field for creativity. I am particularly interested in the applications of AI in finance, education, and entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship – areas where technology can bring real value to people. I believe that it is precisely at this intersection of innovation and social benefit that the most interesting changes will occur in the coming years, and therefore not only would I not change my profession, but I also pay close attention to the trends – because it already gives me the opportunity to be part of this transformation.

 

They say that a 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?

Do you know what the three most important things are that you should know about Santorini – a dream destination for many? First – it is a volcanic island. Second – it has no natural water sources. And third – there are earthquakes every day of varying degrees. The locals have every reason to blame fate for the “lemons” it has handed them. Instead, they have turned those lemons into the most brilliant “sea lemonade” – and Santorini today is among the most desired destinations in the world.

This is what a successful personal brand means to me – being able to turn challenges into the best possible “lemonade”. If I had to summarize how I want to be remembered – it is with my ability to create value and working solutions even in seemingly impossible circumstances. I believe that it is precisely in challenges that the greatest opportunities are born and that our personal brand is built from the way we turn difficulties into results.

 

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 always try to put myself in the other person's shoes – this helps me to approach with understanding, not judgment. When you look at the situation through someone else's eyes, tension often turns into an opportunity for dialogue and solution. I strive to maintain balance through small rituals – sports, yoga, time with family, and moments for creativity. This way I keep my energy and find inner harmony, even in the most intense periods.

 

What are the most important conclusions you have drawn so far about maintaining proper communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily – colleagues, friends, close ones?

My most important conclusion is that good communication starts with the ability to listen and to put yourself in the other person's place. I try to observe the situation with “foreign eyes” – from the perspective of the interlocutor, not just through my own lens. This helps me to react more calmly, to build trust, and to find solutions even in tense moments. Ultimately, differences in character are not a barrier, but a resource, if we know how to approach with understanding and respect.

 

What do you think about money? What is its influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

For me, money has always been a means, not an end. They are a tool that provides freedom and opportunities, but true value comes from how we use them – to create new ideas, to support and build progress, to develop society. I have never measured my happiness in numbers – what matters more is the feeling of meaning and satisfaction. My advice is simple: view money as a resource that works for you, not as a measure of value.

 

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

Whatever career you decide to build, let it bring meaning to your day and give you a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Life is too short to spend it on activities that detach us from ourselves. Choose paths that are in harmony with your values, and professions that energize you, not exhaust you. Success comes when we find joy in what we do and when we live in sync with ourselves.