Interview with Biser Kunchev for the WorkTalent platform with one of the founders of the "Sharena Zadruga" Association – Rositsa Mutafchieva
"Career Barometer" is a section of the job and internship platform WorkTalent, where the career experiences of people from various business industries are presented. We are grateful to its founder, Biser Kunchev, for the invitation to include the main inspirer behind the idea for the creation of the International School for Gastronomy & Heritage Crafts "Sharena Fabrika" – Rositsa Mutafchieva.
We are sharing a small part of the material, and you can read the full interview on the platform’s website HERE.
Which events and specific people leave the biggest mark on our career development?
The most difficult moments, the most challenging events, and the most vibrant and strong people are the ones that leave a mark on us.
It's clear that one learns from their mistakes, but what is the best response after making one?
I definitely believe in mistakes! They are incredibly important, and we should not guard against or fear them. For me, the main rule has always been to admit the mistake to myself and to everyone involved the moment I realize it. This way, I immediately set in motion the next steps – first, criticism, which is one of the most valuable tools on the path to personal and professional development, and second, reevaluating and rearranging goals, limits, and priorities.
What role does family play in our career development? Should we follow our parents' advice?
Family is a refuge, comfort, and warmth. It is strength, courage, and inspiration. It could also be pain, weakness, and disappointment. How could it not play a role in the development of each of us?! Family plays a huge role, both personally and professionally, for each one of us! Families are incredibly diverse, and they are almost never perfect. In fact, very often, children from non-traditional or broken families achieve impressive results professionally. Maybe because they choose to take the positives from the situation in which they grew up, namely, the opportunity to be better and go further. Maybe because they realized early on what it takes to be responsible and fight for themselves.
I personally grew up in an exceptional family of loving and supportive parents. I was allowed and encouraged to be bold and different. I was surrounded by a variety of people. My parents were friends with many musicians and artists – colorful, artistic, and free-spirited individuals. However, they themselves are engineers and architects and thus value precision, structure, and detail. For them, being hardworking, ambitious, and respecting the efforts of others are sacred values. Perhaps this mix gave me a good start and an example in life.
And to specifically answer your question, I believe it is very important to listen to our parents' advice! However, it is equally important to make our own decisions and never follow anyone blindly, even when we are headed in the same direction as the crowd.