When the new year starts for you a day earlier - on December 30

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Nikolai Vasilev, co-founder of "Yulins" Ltd., insurance agent of Generali Insurance.

How do you feel on your birthday and what do you associate with the beginning of this new personal year for you?

12.30. (my birthday) is a strange day for me. On one hand, I feel uplifted and joyful, and on the other – a day for reflections. Maybe because it coincides with the end of the calendar year, I “turn” back and look at the path I have traveled. How did I cope? What did I achieve? Where succeeded and where did I fail…? Which people stayed by my side? Especially now, when I am on the brink of 2026 – the year when I need to step on the gas again, despite my slightly advanced years.

Yes, this is always a special day for me! Joyful, analytical, lazy…

Which moment from the past year would you define as the most meaningful or transformative in personal and/or professional terms?

There were several key moments for me during the past year.

I was chosen to represent Bulgaria and my way of working before VIP Club of the region CEE of Generali. I really felt flattered! After all, the elite of Central and Eastern Europe is gathered there.

Although we parted ways with my biggest client (unwillingly from both sides), we remained on good terms. Even now, six months after their service has been taken over by another intermediary (international broker), their employees still seek my advice.

On a personal level… I took almost half a year off. I needed to catch my breath, to look around, to analyze myself… It’s good, even recommended for a person to stop for a moment, to look around, to step back even, so that they can see. And I saw a lot of things! Even those I don’t like, but I have allowed closer to myself.

What career goals do you set for your new life year?

In the next twelve months (until 12.30.2026) my main task is to restore positions and even to build upon what I achieved in 2024 – my record year. And that means a lot of work! Because in 2026 there will be many unknowns and shifting sands. Starting from the unstable political situation in Bulgaria, through the extremely dynamic processes in the world, and stopping at the emerging new technologies that will definitely affect many business processes. But… If you are afraid of bears, don’t go into the woods! I’m still young for retirement! As one of my competitors said, I still have something to give. And I emphasize quality, not quantity. Something that Artificial enhancers (still) cannot do, and I believe they won’t be able to.

What is the most valuable career lesson that life has taught you so far?

There are many lessons that Life has taught me!

One of them is from the Bible:

“Believe to see!”

About 12 years ago, I was on a downward slope and then came another lesson:

“The world is as you see it and as you make it!”

….and like the good Baron von Münchhausen, I grabbed my hair and pulled myself up.

Another lesson of mine:

Be open and be yourself! Whoever needs to – will find you! Whoever doesn’t need to – will leave on their own or I will make them leave. There’s no need for masks, hypocrisy, flattery… These are tools of the weak and those who have nothing to offer.

I received/learned many life lessons! Most the hard way.

What do you wish for yourself and what would you like to inspire in others through your personal example?

I wish first to be healthy and with my sanity. I wish for the woman beside me to have equally strong nerves and to endure my….tension.

Some people, even today, have told me that I have inspired them?! I didn’t set it as my goal.

Speaking of lessons, here’s another one:

When you make a statement, you must be ready to prove it! In practice, not just in words!

I only show what and how I do it. Whoever wants can follow me and try. But I believe that everyone has their own path, because even at the very start of life, we are not equal and everyone has their own little path and their own stones that should trip them.