Three years ago, we put out a call for a marketer to join our team. Fortunately, Teodora found us, and since then, she's been an indispensable part of the team.
She is hard-working, persistent in achieving her goals, and always cheerful! We're very excited to introduce her! Here is her story:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Teodora, but my friends call me Tedka. I am in the Marketing team at HackSoft. Tony, Rado, and I lead the marketing and design of HackSoft and HackBulgaria, and the event organization of HackConf.
My story with the Hack team started 3 years ago, while I was doing my internship abroad. One day I heard the interview with Radoslav Georgiev (the CEO of HackSoft) in the Superhuman podcast with Georgi Nenov. I applied for the position, passed the interview, and later got accepted into the team.
In the beginning, At the start, I joined the company, because of the job description and my interest in the marketing, design, and the event organization field. A couple of years later, I am still here. Not only because of my love for the work itself but also because of the people. Everyone's vision and values are very similar, and we are all focused on self-development, growth, and contribution. And, of course, the love and passion in our job keep us all united with eagerness to succeed.
What is your hobby?
I am still in search of my "Ikigai,” but I feel I am on the right path. My hobby is my job and I wake up every day energized to do something I believe in.
My other hobbies are running, photography, traveling, yoga, listening to autobiography books, and drawing on my Ipad.
What is the motto that motivates you?
"C'est la vie.", "Just do it.", and "Nothing is impossible, it's just wee more effort, persistence, and hard work to achieve it”. All of them describe me well.
Can you tell more about the difficulties you faced at HackSoft from the very beginning until now?
There are difficulties in every work, but the main thing for me is the progress I see at the end of every challenge. It might be tough, but that’s the force that drives me to push forward and go beyond my limits.
I am not afraid to be snowed under work. That keeps me stimulated and focused during the day. I've learned how to organize a conference, while Tony and I deal with the marketing and designs for HackConf, HackBulgaria, and HackSoft. All the while negotiating with sponsors, partners, and organizers, make decisions and keep in touch with everybody else involved in the conference. I work in all three different fields and it isn't easy, but it energizes me. I love it and I don't see them as problems or difficulties, but as challenges that I have to deal with. It makes it so much easier.
Name one HackSoft value that fits your personality?
They're all values of mine and I try to develop each one. There is one I’ve prioritized and am focused on at the moment: “Walk the extra mile”. It’s always nice to make one more extra effort and watch the effects accumulate.
What do you like most in your team?
Everyone supports each other and helps not only at work but with everything else beyond it. That's impressive to me because I've been to several workplaces, and I can say I've seen the opposite.
Can you recommend a few books you find useful and interesting to you?
I love not only reading but also listening to books and podcasts. That is how I fill in my time while I am running, cleaning, or driving in my car heading to Plovdiv.
If you haven't read those books, I'm sure you can find something for yourself from:
- Emotional Intelligence - Daniel Goleman
- Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It - Chris Voss
- Atomic Habits - James Clear
- Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
- Elizabeth Gilbert - Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
- Everybody Lies - Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
Here is my list of top 3 podcasts I follow:
- The Superhuman podcast with Georgi Nenov (The content is in Bulgarian)
- The huberman lab
- The design of things (The content is in Bulgarian)
How do you level up your skills every day?
I keep track of my goals and plans for the day, week, month, and year. At the end of each year, I see to what extent I've achieved my goals. That's how I see what I should focus on for the next quarter/year. Thus, in 2022 the focus is on professional development - courses, newsletters, articles, YouTube videos, anything else that is interesting to me.
Of course, leveling up my skills is not only about tech knowledge but also soft skills I learn thanks to my team - Radoslav, Antonia, and everyone else at HackSoft.
What drives you to come to work every day?
The challenges I face during the day and lessons I learn. That strengthens me for the following day.
