Give 105% of yourself, because the last 5% are the most important

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..
My name is Enea and I am a passionate traveler and an incurable dreamer. Beyond that, I am a publisher and co-author of the book "Financially #free - A Guide on How to Invest in the Stock Markets." At 21, I became the youngest editor in the oldest business media in the world - Forbes. For four years, I told the stories of the most successful Bulgarians. Then I made a sharp turn and chose the role of AI product manager at the international fintech company myPOS. 

I have a master's degree in artificial intelligence, I studied "Innovation Management" at the London School of Economics and leadership at Babson College. I conduct training on AI, lead events, and moderate discussions on the topic. 

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

As a child, I heard many examples that business is a dirty word, and company owners are bad people. They were said to only look for ways to squeeze their people to make more money at their expense. I didn't understand how a normal person becomes a “bad boss” and why business needs to turn you into one.

The rebel in me didn't like the picture they painted for me. I knew there were good managers who develop their people and help them grow. I didn't know where they were, but I knew the world was big and they were somewhere out there. I wanted to find them, learn from them, and become the leader we all deserve, but few of us have. And today I am moving in the same direction. It is no longer a dream, but a philosophy that I follow.At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?
It was September 2019, and I was very proud of myself. I didn't want to be a financial burden on my parents and was determined to earn my own money. I started working a month before university. I was a reporter at Economic.bg and translated analyses for media such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and CNBC. I was reading them anyway. It took a little extra effort, and they even paid me. The even bigger bonus was that I made connections between the economic terms from university and how the global economy actually works. 

After a few months, the translations were no longer a challenging task for me. I am grateful to the editor of the media, Georgi Zhelyazkov, for giving me the chance to write my analyses on various sectors of the Bulgarian economy.

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?

The people we admire have the strongest influence on who we are. We imitate them without thinking. This is very clear in children. They don't listen to everyone and certainly don't follow instructions. Instead, they observe and copy the actions of the most interesting people to them down to the last detail. 

As we grow up, this remains. Often, our favorite subject in school is the one taught by our favorite teacher. I remember how much I liked computer science because of my homeroom teacher, Krasimir Asenov. Then I was surprised that without him it wasn't as interesting. I realized that I needed more communication and business thinking in my daily life to feel in the right place. I took the algorithmic way of thinking and the lessons learned and promised myself to be curious about myself. I often ask myself the question, "Why am I doing this and not that?" and allow myself to be as honest as possible in the answer.

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

On January 2, 2026, I will turn 26. I don't know how mature age is defined. However, I know that both my nephew, who is 10, and I are impressed by people who are passionate about what they do. It is so energizing to communicate with someone who puts their whole soul and heart into what they do and knows why they do it.

For me, the greatest motivation is to be that kind of person myself. To wake up in the morning not with caffeine or a cold shower, but from the excitement of experiencing that day. I have promised myself to ask daily why I do what I do. And if I don't like the answer, to have the courage to choose myself. We work at least eight hours a day. It would be incredibly sad not to like what we do. There are so many ways to provide value to people.
Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? 

The decision was partly mine, partly a consequence of circumstances. I wanted to study at the American University in Blagoevgrad, but even with a scholarship, I couldn't afford it. I had already been accepted at UNSS through a competition for an academic essay on the topic "The Place of Bulgaria in the Global Economy." I enrolled in MIO in English with the idea that I would raise funds and apply again next year for the American University. I didn't have to do that. I fell in love with economics, thanks to the professors in the MIO department. I learned so much from them. I gained knowledge about how money and geopolitics work, but also many life lessons and a good example of authentic leadership.

Was this decision correct, looking at today's date?

This decision gave me a great start in my career, which I otherwise wouldn't have had. I am grateful to the people who believed in me and gave me a chance. I am also grateful to myself for the courage, nerves, and sleepless nights of studying, dreaming, and planning. 

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

I love to travel. This way, I seek both ideas and inspiration for new projects, as well as unknown parts of myself. In the last 5 years, I have had over 180 flights, in 35 countries, on 4 continents. 

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

I am excited about technology, social causes, and finance. I am sure that in the coming years I will be involved in various fields that are connected in one way or another with these areas. 

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?

She is a person who is constantly evolving and helps others to be the best version of themselves. 

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?

Meditation, sports, breathing practices, and I hope for a dose of luck. Whatever happens, I try to give my best. Sometimes it works, other times - I receive valuable lessons.

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

1. We are equal, but not the same
Everyone is a universe unto themselves - a beautiful and unique combination of experiences, beliefs, values, roles, dreams... This is a philosophy that allows us to be open-minded and give people space to be who they are. In the end, the differences between us don't matter because we are equal, and this allows us to achieve common goals and grow together. 

2. Words are not the meaning we give them. From the first rule, we know that we are different people, and this defines our perception of the world. This is also the reason why sometimes we use the same words, yet have completely different expectations. 

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?

When earned wisely and honestly, money is a measure of how much added value we give to society. It is inspiring to solve problems, and those problems can be so big and meaningful that people pay for the solution. 

There is no reason to avoid the topic of money. If we do, it means we have some internal resistance, and it is important to work on it. I have been earning my own money since I was 19. I believe that I am the person responsible for allowing myself the lifestyle I dream of. That is why I haven't wasted time. I have been investing (and donating) since I was 21. I started with 25 euros every few months. Now it's more, and that money works for me. I have the freedom to choose how to live, and I know that if something happens to me, I have a horizon of at least two years in which I can continue to lead the life I have without receiving any income. 

If I can have this freedom with my start, then anyone can. 

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

Every extra effort is noticed. Don't give 100%, give 105%. The last 5% are very important. They are your fingerprint. Think about what that thing is that would add extra value. Be creative and do it in a way that no one expects. 

Of course, you won't always be able to be at 105% in everything. That is normal. Whatever happens, stay true to your values, do what you like, and spend as much time as possible with the people who inspire you.