About
About Me
Born in Varna, Bulgaria in 1983. Started working when most people were still figuring out what to study.
By 19 I'd moved to Sofia alone, broke, and stubborn enough to think that was a good idea. I spent my teenage years ignoring school, obsessed with computers, video games, and the idea of becoming a hacker. When I got my first PC in '98, I thought I'd be a designer, but life shoved me into programming: PHP, websites, anything that paid rent. That's how it started.
I'm a Holistic Product Generalist, focused on AI adoption and engineering. Over the years I've worn most of the hats a product needs: I've built products, designed them, written their copy, measured them and helped them grow, and I've led the teams doing all of that. Wearing them all taught me to care about the whole product, not just the code. I'm curious by default, and I treat my own habits like a product: try things, keep what works, improve the rest.
Outside of Work
My world is made of books, motorcycles, travel, cooking, music, my family and my dog. The last two I'd gladly die for.
I get obsessive about learning; even after 25+ years in the industry, I still compare myself to the best in the field and feel like I'm far behind. Coffee in the morning is non-negotiable. Everything else can fall apart.
Values
I value intelligence and kindness, and I try to bring both to the people I work with. I believe in freedom: to try new ideas, to question old ones, and to change my mind when the facts change. I lead with creativity, looking for the unexpected solution and refining it until it looks obvious.
How People See Me
One face, no hidden settings, and no second opinion for when you leave the room. I try to be as clear as possible. Curious people love that; people who enjoy office politics find it a bit inconvenient. I can live with that.
Right Now
I'm learning languages, going to the gym, and pushing myself through university because I want to teach someday. Maybe that's my way of giving back, or maybe I just like making things harder than they need to be.
Quirks
Because everyone has them, mine are just louder
- I read multiple books at the same time and finish them unpredictably.
- I talk to my dog as if he's a rational adult, because he basically is.
- I hate small talk but can talk for hours about motorcycles, psychology, or why a line of code is ugly.
- I don't watch much new media; I rewatch the same favourite shows like comfort rituals.
- When I travel, I plan only one day ahead and leave the rest open to discovery.
- One person can be brilliant. A crowd mostly makes sure nobody stands out.
- I read the documentation. All of it. Sometimes twice. Thank the universe for AI summaries.
- I give honest feedback, but only when asked. Unsolicited advice is rude.
- I cook with love and twist every recipe until it's mine. Like chasing a good idea, getting a dish right is mostly about timing.
- I count the number 19 with my fingers constantly, for no good reason.
Let's talk
Have a question, an idea, or a good book to recommend? I'd like to hear it.