AKSINIA TRIOVA: WHERE THERE IS TEA, THERE IS HOPE

True leaders demonstrate their qualities in moments of great need. For Aksinia Triova, that moment came in 2020. The sudden death of her husband, Georgi Triov, was a personal and professional shock. For decades he had been the driving force behind Bulgarian Tea Company, building it from a small business into a national leader. Now Mrs Triova and her sons, Dimitar and Aleksandar, had to overcome their grief and decide what to do next. Their initiative and determination was astounding – they expanded Bulgarian Tea Company's activities abroad, producing herbal blends for a growing network of international partners.

You took over the management of the company at a very difficult moment in your life. How did you manage to ensure the continued success of Bulgarian Tea Company?

Tea and life are the same – you make them and then you have to drink them all! My message is: everything is love – to people, to work, to life. Let's keep it alive, beautiful and fresh.

2020 was a nightmare for us, a hard and cruel moment for our family. Our determination and unity saved us in those difficult times. I have had many health problems in my life, but I have always prevailed, led by my optimism that the future will be bright!

Our first task was to maintain the family profile of Bulgarian Tea Company, as this allows for quick decision-making and flexibility. Dimitar and Aleksandar had already gained some experience in different positions in the company, which helped with the gradual transition and smoother succession.

We also continued our partnerships with established professionals and institutions specialising in herbal teas and medicinal plants and technologies. We expanded our partnerships with international companies and our production facilities, developed new blends and products, and paid special attention to establishing and popularising our portfolio.

The people of Bulgarian Tea Company have been, and continue to be, the key to our success – without their help and support it would be much harder for us. The fact that every business decision you make affects a team of 40 people and their families is a huge responsibility. These people trust us to provide good working conditions, proper training and fair pay.

Last but not least, a company can only grow if it takes on new challenges and responsibilities, creates new opportunities by developing new products and markets, and cares about its impact on the environment.

Bulgarian Tea Company is an established leader in the local market. What is your competitive advantage in foreign markets?

Bulgarian Tea Company has the capacity, competence and contacts to enter international markets with high quality herbal teas. We can prove that there is a future and a demand for innovative Bulgarian products of sustainable quality.

Herbal tea is drunk all over the world, a common symbol of warmth and hospitality, a strong cultural and social phenomenon. Our product is good value for money and fits perfectly with the current demand for wellness and organic herbal tea products.

Bulgaria has almost the full range of herbs, both wild and cultivated. This has allowed us to close the production cycle from sourcing to packaging.

Bulgarian Tea Company also develops brands for many of its clients – some large, some small, some striving for future success and some already established in international markets. We help them all to expand their product portfolios with exciting, intriguing, delicious, healthy herbal blends that help both body and mind.

Can you recommend us a herbal tea developed by Bulgarian Tea Company that will help us prepare for the summer, both physically and mentally?

We at Bulgarian Tea Company have developed over 270 recipes for herbal blends for every occasion, taste and moment. Now that winter is over and spring is in full swing, it is time to cleanse our bodies of all the toxins, negativity and fatigue that have accumulated over the winter.

To get started, I would recommend detoxing your body and mind with Detox Phytolek – a recipe developed with Dr Marian Ivanov to help shed excess body weight.

Detox Herbal Mix from the Medicinemen range is for people who want to make their own herbal tea.The recipe was inspired by Prof Stefan Nikolov, a renowned specialist in medicinal herbs, and boosts your mood when you feel overwhelmed, bloated, tired, anxious and depressed.

A healthy, delicious and immune-boosting combination for all seasons is our Ginger and Orange Tea with rooibos and melissa from the GINGER+ range.

Our Bulgarian Rose Tea is for connoisseurs of floral and aromatic infusions. It can help you relax and enjoy life more, and can become part of your holistic skin care routine. We offer it in biodegradable pyramids to ensure each sip has a zero carbon footprint. It is great hot or cold, a triumph of nature in a cup of tea.

The Bio Bouquet tea from our BIO range is another harmonious blend of premium organic herbs – a natural palette of flavours and aromas to boost your health. Available in biodegradable packaging, it is the green, responsible choice for your home and office.

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