The ability to manage our money is the key to realizing our dreams

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Rositsa Vartonik and I work in the field of communications and financial education. I am the founder of the "Initiative for Financial Literacy" foundation, and I work in these areas with various organizations and business associations. For me, it is particularly interesting at the intersection of finance, education, and communications - to create meaningful, impactful content, to find the most appropriate way for it to reach people and leave a mark. That’s why we are constantly looking for new, effective formats – educational games, workshops, theatrical performances – with which the world of finance literally "comes to life" and becomes understandable, even for the youngest. My greatest satisfaction is to see how something we have created is used in practice – in school, in a community center, at home – and truly leads to change. This is the essence of everything we do.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

Apparently, I was not particularly consistent in my dreams, because I can recall at least a few options for a professional future in which I saw myself as a child - an artist, a writer, a teacher, a journalist, an architect, and many others. Probably this curiosity has led me to my current professional realization, where there is a bit of everything.

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

I grew up in the 80s of the last century, and back then the topic of money - how to earn and manage it - was not in focus, if I may put it that way 😊. At the beginning of the 90s, the situation changed – opportunities appeared, but it was also very difficult, it was considered lucky to find a job in a café, for example. I didn’t have such luck and decided to try making art hairpins. I sold them on a bench in the "Kristal" garden, where at that time there was something like an improvised market. I didn’t achieve any significant financial results, but the feeling of creating something with your hands and having someone appreciate it remains unforgettable. This was my first experience with entrepreneurship, without having thought of it that way.

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?

Family, teachers, mentors, coaches, friends – they provide a path and direction. Once planted, the seed of curiosity needs care, and the responsibility for that is ours personally. And since we are talking about sources of information – in my childhood, among them was the only available encyclopedic series at that time, the "Great Soviet Encyclopedia" – I loved to dig through the volumes, reading chaotically, even though I didn’t understand everything.

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

Not really, the main thing remains - the combination of "I have to and I am interested".

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

The choice of my first major – "Slavic Philology" – was in some way predetermined: by my parents, myself, and my environment. However, for the second one – "Business Management" - the decision was mine, already dictated by a desire for specific professional realization.  Many other, quite diverse qualifications and trainings followed.

The truth is that I love to learn and I have actually never stopped. I am interested in various fields, sometimes even seemingly distant from each other. At the moment, for example, I am studying in a program related to artificial intelligence. For me, there is no "lost time" when it comes to learning – every piece of knowledge, every competence helps us become our better version.

And in my case, this is directly related to my work – for example, I wouldn’t be able to develop financial literacy programs that are attractive, methodologically sound, and substantively correct, without having knowledge and experience from various fields.

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

I am very good at renovating old furniture, turning them into art pieces. I love the process of creating  and the silence that accompanies it.

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

I like what I do, in fact, I am currently practicing several professions. I think this is true for many people, it’s just that nowadays the boundaries between different professions often blur.  

They say that personal branding is everything that people say about you when you are not with them in a room. What would you like to hear today?

That I can combine idea and execution. Or at least – that I have left something useful behind.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills are key conditions for success in the last few years. How do you cope with daily life challenges to stay in good shape and mood?

A simple "mantra" helps me: if you can change the situation – act, instead of getting angry. And if you can’t – then there’s no point in getting angry. For me, balance between movement and pause is also important – to be active, but also to give yourself time to recharge.

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

First – there are no ideal people, neither are we, nor our loved ones, colleagues. Understanding the diversity of human characters gives us a chance to accept what is foreign or incomprehensible to us, and to open our own boundaries to the different and the value it brings.

Second – I always look for the positive and a way to productively "harness" the strengths of each person in the common work. One thinks strategically, but is more distracted; another is extremely precise and organized, but lacks a creative approach. If these differences are recognized and utilized, the result is beneficial for everyone.

For example, one of our most successful educational products – the lesson-theater "Carousel of Money" – is the result of such differences. In the team, there is a financier, a theater expert, a teacher, a journalist, a psychologist, and a communications specialist – each with their own perspective and work rhythm. But it is precisely this variety that turned the idea into a living, working project.

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?

Managing personal finances is a topic I have been professionally engaged with for many years. I have always said that the ability to manage our money is directly related to our ability to realize our dreams. Money itself is neither "good" nor "bad" – it is a tool. The question is to use it wisely and purposefully – so that we feel secure, free in our life choices and useful both to ourselves and to others.

The good thing is that the level of financial literacy in our country is gradually increasing – although not at the pace I would like. And the thought that I have contributed at least a little to this change is what truly makes me happy.

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

Try - you can … if you try!