TSD marks a special occasion as we celebrate our colleague Maria Marinova and a significant milestone in her career. Joining TSD in 2014, she made remarkable transformations in her role, leading to her current position as a Business Development and Strategy Manager.
This interview is a glimpse into her incredible journey within the company, reflecting on the challenges conquered, dreams envisioned, and goals achieved.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Maria is an individual with a love for adventure, whether it is exploring the outdoors through running and biking or indulging her culinary curiosity through experimenting with various cuisines.
Explore Maria’s inspiring story and her professional path of 10 years and counting with TSD below.
1. Maria, how did your journey with TSD start back in 2014? Do you remember your first day?
Yes, I remember that day vividly. To be honest, I can still clearly recall my job interview. It was a pivotal moment in my life as back then I had come to a decision to leave Troyan and probably Bulgaria in search of a better life. Then, I received a call from TSD asking me to attend an interview that same day. The conversation was so pleasant and engaging, and we talked for a long time. TSD invited me to join the team on the same day and I started working at the company two days later. 😊
On my first day, I was greeted by everyone. At that time, we were a small team, compared to the Troyan office now, and I found out that I had met before about half of my colleagues. They showed me around. Back then, there was a tradition of having lunch together to welcome new team members, making it a fantastic first-day experience.
2. What was your role in the beginning, and where are you at right now? Can you make a comparison between then and now?
My first role was Junior QA. I began working for one of TSD’s (at the time) newest clients, and the project was very interesting. Four members of the team worked on that project. Even though two of us were relatively new at the company, our colleagues still trusted us, assigned us challenging assignments, and paid attention to our opinions.
In a few months, I realized how much I enjoyed the development process. That realization led me to pursue a career as a developer, prompting me to learn from the talented developers at TSD. Eventually, I transitioned from a QA role to that of a developer. During that period, we initiated the development and launch of our Relativity-based products. TSD provided me with the opportunity to engage more directly with clients, an interaction I found compelling. That allowed me to blend technical tasks with more business-oriented responsibilities. In the long run, I took the role of Program Manager for our Relativity business line.
Climbing the ladder step by step has brought me to my current role as Business Development and Strategy Manager. I am very proud that my attention is currently focused on our BPM platform, Hydrogen.
I want to emphasize that my drive for progress arose from the opportunity to collaborate with the exceptional professionals at TSD. Additionally, I have had the great chance to work closely with our CEO, German Gachevski, and had him as my mentor for years.
While the responsibilities between my initial position as a Junior QA and my current role may differ significantly, passing through each step of the journey and mastering the intricacies of every position has proven invaluable for my present role.
3. What are the everyday challenges you face in your work, and what are the fundamental skills or personal qualities needed to deal with those challenges?
In my work, I need to maintain a balance of creativity, consistency, and adaptability. Collaboration with various departments is essential, requiring alignment of our ideas. Drawing on my diverse background, I engage with both technical and business-oriented teams. While these collaborations can be challenging, we share common goals, and we consistently achieve positive outcomes. Effective communication remains the cornerstone of success, as it does in many aspects of life.
4. What is your favorite part about working in TSD, and how does your job inspire you?
Creating innovative solutions and collaborating closely with our clients to understand their needs and challenges are key aspects of my role that I find incredibly fulfilling. It is very rewarding to incorporate their feedback into our products and services, ensuring they truly meet their requirements and enhance their experiences.
5. What is the most important lesson you have learned over the years?
People should never stop learning. We are living in a constantly developing world and especially in our rapidly evolving field, it is of utmost importance to maintain a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
6. What does it take to become a Business Development and Strategy Manager, and what would you advise the guys following your steps?
Being highly creative, often thinking outside the box, and having a strong ability to understand the needs of others are crucial aspects of excelling in this role. This involves developing the skill to recognize what people require, even when they may not be aware of it themselves. Effective communication skills are equally important.
7. Why do you choose to remain a part of the TSD team after 10 years? What has the company offered to you in terms of professional development?
Remaining at TSD is not a one-time decision for me. It is a choice I continually reaffirm. The reasons behind my commitment evolve with time. The satisfaction of developing new ideas is probably the most important one. Currently, my main motivation is the opportunity to participate in the development of our platform – Hydrogen. I foresee significant growth for Hydrogen, and being part of this journey is incredibly exciting.
Moreover, the daily jokes I have with my colleagues (some of whom I can proudly call my friends) are an extra layer of motivation to my workday.
8. Who is Maria outside of the office, and what does she like to do for fun?
Outside the office, I have various interests. I am passionate about running. Although I am currently not able to run due to an injury, I am fulfilling my need for a run with swimming and biking.
I also travel a lot with my partner. We love traveling within Bulgaria and abroad. At the same time, I also love staying at home, watching TV, and reading books.
Additionally, I have a keen interest in culinary and like experimenting with recipes from various cultures, dedicating a significant amount of time to this pursuit.
9. What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
Seeing the sunrise (as I love getting up early), a cup of coffee, a walk (or even better – a run), and getting into the day ahead of me to see what new is coming around the corner.
10. How do you envision yourself in another 10 years?
In my personal life, I envision myself in a house in the countryside, with a huge yard, along with my family, and a lot of dogs. From a professional point of view – hopefully, at the top levels of the management team at TSD.
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