In this episode, we sit down with Mitko and Jen Katsev, founders of the Bulgarian Honey Company, who left Silicon Valley to bring new life to a century-old beekeeping tradition in Bulgaria. With a vision of making Bulgaria the world’s go-to for honey, they share their adventure of cultural surprises, business building, and personal growth. As an intercultural couple, Mitko and Jen reveal the realities of merging their American and Bulgarian experiences—from culture shocks and community...

Why would someone leave a promising career in Munich and return to Varna? In this episode of Back2Bulgaria, Ivan Lyutskanov shares the story behind his choice to leave his role at Amazon in Germany to pursue a meaningful life and career in Varna. Ivan defies the stereotype that returning home is a fallback, showing instead that for him, it was a “fixed plan” inspired by his values and a desire to contribute to his hometown. Ivan is on a mission to make Bulgarian data and insights accessible...

Съвети от Адвокат Милен Христов: Как да стартирате бизнес в България и да избегнете капаните В този епизод на подкаста "Back to Bulgaria" имаме удоволствието да разговаряме с адвокат Милен Христо, който споделя своите ценни съвети за стартиране на бизнес в България и как да избегнете капаните, които могат да ви изправят пред трудности. Милен е опитен юрист с над 15 години стаж, който е работил и развивал бизнеси в различни сфери, включително недвижими имоти, транспорт и авиация. Той е...

👋 Meet the inspiring Dessy Rey - a traveler, aspiring herbalist, and change maker with a profound story. ✅ Discover Dessy’s journey from a traditional Bulgarian upbringing to studying social work in the UK, and how her travels across five continents shaped her worldview.  ✅ Be inspired by how Dessy’s humanitarian missions and cultural experiences fueled her passion for social justice and her decision to contribute to change in Bulgaria.  ✅ Join us for a conversation about the challenges...

Join us in this episode as we explore the journey of Christiana Branzalova, an architect from Sofia, Bulgaria. She studied architecture in the UK and Italy before establishing her own firm, Kanatitsa, in Bulgaria. We discuss Christiana's experiences and challenges, from cultural struggles in the UK to discovering beauty and aesthetics in Italy, and appreciating heritage buildings in Bulgaria. Christiana shares her work with the municipality of Hvoina to preserve a historic school, her...

Join us as we talk with a familiar voice, the co-host of the podcast Anna-Maria Andreeva, also known as Anni. A true Texan at heart and a proud Bulgarian, Anni made the unthinkable move to Sofia two years ago. She's all about diversity, community, and believes in the power of leadership to create positive change in Bulgaria. In this episode: Anni tells us about her time at UT Austin, her exciting move to Sofia, and her experiences navigating adult life in Bulgaria. 🔑 Key...

In today's episode, we introduce Katy Andreeva, an American with Bulgarian roots and the co-host of "Back2Bulgaria." Katy shares her incredible story of bold decisions, cultural exploration, and her determination to create a lasting impact within Bulgaria. Meet Katy: Born in the US but deeply connected to Bulgaria, Katy's adventure started when she decided to study in Bulgaria at 19. Her journey led her to the Netherlands for studies and career growth. Working in growth marketing at the...

In today's episode, we introduce Aleksandar Dimitrov - born in Pleven and an entrepreneur whose global experiences have helped him stand out and gain a broader perspective on life, enriching his contributions to Bulgaria. Join us as we explore his journey from working abroad in the US to starting businesses in Sofia. About Alex Dimitrov: Explore how Alex's adventures in the US, Czech Republic, and Uganda have profoundly shaped his worldview and approach to both life and business. Alex also...

Today, we spotlight Hristomir Hristov, an entrepreneur, mentor, and the driving force behind Приказките (https://prikazkite.bg). From leaving uni in Manchester, working as a chef in France, to diving into Bulgaria's startup world – you won't want to miss his story! 🌟 Episode Highlights: Manchester to France: Hristo studied psychology and sociology in Manchester but decided to switch gears. He headed to France and picked up some cooking skills in like, Paris and South of France. French...

In this episode of Back2Bulgaria, we are joined by Maria Kalcheva, the remarkable artist and entrepreneur behind Miss Me Today? (https://www.missmetoday.com), whose journey led her from Hungary to Germany and back to the heart of Bulgaria. Maria shares her unique experience of studying and working abroad before realizing that her true home is in Bulgaria. Throughout the conversation, Maria emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental well-being and how it ultimately led her to make the...

In this episode, we chat with Gabriel Marchev. At just 10, Gabriel leaves cozy Dimitrovgrad, jets off to Bristol, UK with his mom, and fast forward – he's practically British, studying computer science at uni, and kickstarting a digital agency. But here's the twist – this journey loops him back to Bulgaria. Explore his early move to the UK, highlighting the highs and lows of living abroad, and the importance of community and friendships. Discover his insights on the opportunities for those...

Join us as we dive into the captivating story of Bogdan Rizov, an inspiring entrepreneur making waves in the Bulgarian business scene. 🇧🇬 In this episode, Bogdan shares his journey of resilience and success, from studying construction management to becoming a co-founder of Sketch CoWorking space and venturing into other exciting industries like healthcare. 💼 Unlike any of our other guests so far, Bogdan chose to forgo opportunities abroad from the get-go and instead invest his energy and...

In this episode, join us on an inspiring journey from Miami to Sofia — where plans meet determination and creativity sparks change. Meet Antonia — a passionate interior designer, artist, and community builder. She left her comfortable life in Miami to pursue a transformative path in Bulgaria dedicated to art, community, and a vision for a more creative and collaborative future. It's important to note that she had never considered moving to Bulgaria before. However, along this journey, she...

Welcome to the second episode of the Back2Bulgaria Podcast! Our special guest is Anes Malkanova, who takes us on a captivating journey of dreams, choices, and finding a home. Born and raised in Sofia, Anes had always imagined her future abroad. She set her sights on adventures in the USA and Germany, where she participated in work and study abroad programs — dreaming of opening a coffee or pastry shop somewhere abroad. But fate had a twist. When she arrived in Germany, she met her future...

Welcome to the first episode of the Back2Bulgaria Podcast! Our special guest is Stoyan Vlahovski. Growing up in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria, he decided to study in Germany to explore their growing startup scene. He takes us through his journey from Berlin back to Bulgaria after five years of studying and establishing his own business. Since making Sofia his new home, he's excelling in his business, social life, and health. And yes, he's absolutely thrilled about never having to cook...