women leaders Bulgaria

When an expert accountant and registered auditor with rich and diverse experience, such as Prof Svetlana Naydenova, PhD, manages a team of dedicated professionals, you can be sure that the services that they offer are top quality. However, the managing partner of SETY Auditing, an auditing company, is more than an outstanding professional. As a professor at the College for Management, Trade and Marketing in Sofia, and author of many specialised publications, Prof Naydenova eagerly shares her experience with professional and academia audiences.

When 13 years ago three women decided to found their own company for print and digital advertising, they dreamt of becoming a market leader. Today, GPTS Print Shop is a recognisable brand lead by its passion for innovations. Some of the latest are the 360-degree platforms – an arch and a podium for stunning party videos and the exclusive partnership with the Italian premium sportswear brand Mokà. Gergana Obbova, one of the founders of GPTS Print Shop, tells more.

How does it feel to be part of the management of GPTS Print Shop?

Since Antiquity, stone has been the preferred choice for construction of high-prestige buildings – palaces, temples, inspiring creations of contemporary architecture. Today this durable and captivating material finds new interpretation in modern interiors and exteriors. Casa Naturale is the place where designers, architects and developers find the best modern solutions by respected producers. It was founded by engineer Rumyana Blagova, a woman whose entire professional life has been connected to stone.

Some people are not just born entrepreneurs – they have also internalised the idea of life-long learning and constantly working on developing their talent. Angelina Borisova is such a person. When she founded the company for outsourced accounting services Anagami Digital Accounting in 2014, she had just got her MS in accounting from Sofia's University of National and World Economy. Thanks to her inexhaustible energy, curiosity towards the modern world, and skill to find talents and build teams, today Anagami is a reliable partner to scores of Bulgarian and foreign businesses.

When Venelina Vasileva and Kostadin Serafimov established their real estate agency, Loyal Advisers, in 2022, they had a clear idea of their outstanding expertise. As jurists with experience in property deals, they can consult the entire legal part of any real estate deal. Today, Loyal Advisers has the deserved reputation of a reliable and effective partner in property deals in Varna and the region. Venelina Vasileva shares more.

What inspired you to change careers from law to real estate deals?

The realistic appraisal of the true value and potential of a real estate, industry, machinery and even objects of intellectual property rights is key for having a successful deal. This is why thousands of companies have systematically chosen the partnership with Lasto Engineering. The expert appraisal company with impeccable reputation was founded by engineer Miglena Nikolova, a dedicated professional driven by genuine passion for her work.

What qualities should a lady and a professional possess to be a good appraiser?

Anxiety, depression, and burnout are just a small part of the challenges modern people face. Seeking timely professional help is crucial for successful therapy.

Nelly Paeva founded HEALTHIX to help people become mentally resilient, healthier, and more successful. The centre uses innovative approaches for brain diagnostics and therapy with top-tier QEEG LORETA equipment.

About a decade ago, Steliyana Yosifova accidentally offered a homemade oatmeal cookie to a pregnant woman she did not know. The woman spontaneously said that if the cookies were sold anywhere, she would definitely buy them. This reaction inspired Steliyana Yosifova to create the healthy brand Marsio – oatmeal cookies that are delicious and full of beneficial energy.

Baking cookies is typically considered a "female" thing. How did you manage to turn it into a successful business model?

You might be after smart real estate investment, the optimal rent profit or expert advice for a future mortgage: whatever the matter is, Svetlina Real Estate will help you to achieve the best results. The real estate agency was founded in 2011 by Tanya Tsvetkova – a confident professional with a background in property development and a vision for the future.

Why did you decide to replace property development with real estate brokerage?

Stretch marks, pigmentation, surgery scars, devastation caused by breast cancer treatment: when many women look in the mirror, the only thing they want to do is to erase everything from their skin – and realise that it is next to impossible to do this. Anna Yotova is the professional who can help in this situation. The first medical tattoo artist in Bulgaria skillfully hides cosmetic imperfections and restores the appearance of post-surgery breasts. In her studio, Flawless by Anna, she uses camouflage and inkless tattoos to make women feel well in their skin again.

Whether you seek a new home, a quiet abode outside the big city or savvy investment in real estate, Ivanka Angelkova is the professional who is going to help you realise your vision into a concrete real estate deal. The founder of Home Life Point is passionate, competent and driven, the results of her unwavering efforts are satisfied and loyal clients. It is only logical that her agency was chosen for the franchise partner for Bulgaria of a respected foreign realtor, Home Life Real Estate Canada.

Success in fields such as banking and lending requires years of work, consistent growth, and gaining experience. The story of Maria Petkova is a great example. Before founding Creditchoice Ltd, a loans brokerage company, in 2017, she climbed the steps of the banking hierarchy from a mobile banking consultant to head of the Agent Network Department. Today, in less than ten years on the market, Creditchoice Ltd has helped thousands of clients successfully finance various projects.

Successful ballet teachers are professionals with a deep appreciation for both art and the delicate nature of a child's soul. They have a unique ability to pass on the magic of dance in a captivating way, inspiring young dancers to reach new heights. Ballerina Nina Gachevska is one such professional. Her Tiara Studio for Classical and Modern Ballet is renowned for teaching children grace, discipline, and a love for dance, and for its spectacular performances for both children and adults.

From small burns to chronic skin conditions, Vitassin cream has transformed thousands of lives with its family-guarded formula. Created over generations with a mission to heal, this remarkable cream is a testament to the power of traditional medicine. We spoke with Vanya Tasheva to uncover the story behind the Vitassin miracle.

Why is the cosmetic cream Vitassin so effective?

Anelia Miteva's career in HR goes beyond the traditional understanding of talent acquisition, training and consultancy. As the founder, managing director and inspirational leader of CATRO Bulgaria, she introduced on the local market some of the most advanced tools for encouraging creativity, adaptability and agility. As part of the Austrian leaders CATRO Personalberatung and dieBerater®, CATRO Bulgaria uses innovative know-how based on neuroscience that boosts productivity, supports professional growth and empowers clients to unleash their potential through smart HR solutions.

The way modern education in Bulgaria works results in children needing quality extracurricular activities to be sure that they learn effectively. Preschoolers should prepare for school in an environment that encourages them to master new knowledge critical for their future development. Elementary school students need additional help to learn their lessons and do their homework – but their parents often lack the time or do not feel prepared for this.

Fani Sokolova is an energetic businesswoman with several successful companies and an impressive talent to sense the essence of the people she interacts with. Her innate drive for personal growth and uncovering the mysteries of the human soul led her to the queens of therapies – regressive and reincarnation therapy, not only as a client but also as a practitioner. Today, she is a certified regressive therapist at the Institute for Regressive and Reincarnation Therapy under the European Association for Regressive Therapy.

A true leader in dental medicine – for years the clinic of Dr Katya Kinova, Dental Clinic Expert Russe, has had a spotless reputation and scores of loyal patients. Now Dr Kinova has shared her recipe for success and its female dimensions.

What professional and personal qualities a woman should possess to be a good leader, in your opinion?

The professional career of Tanya Staneva, CPA and registered auditor, is truly inspiring, marked by her unwavering drive for growth, passion for acquiring new qualifications, and ability to establish and manage successful financial service companies that thrive in both the Bulgarian and international markets. One of her most remarkable achievements is the independent financial audit company, Staneva CPA Ltd.

What inspired you to choose finance, accounting, and independent financial auditing as your professional career?

We live in a world that craves true leaders – and we want our children to become ones. But what is a true leader? For ten years, Martina Veleva and her team have helped children and young adults to know their strengths and weaknesses, manage their emotions and find their way in the world. Jagadamba Academy is an initiative that, through a holistic approach, seminars and camps for personal growth, helps young people to build qualities, values, and discover their life purpose, while laying the foundations for a fulfilling and balanced life.