Lessons from Practice: How Local Entrepreneurs Motivated the Next Generation

On June 3, 2026, in the hall of the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Business Innovation Centre “Innobridge” organized a series of inspiring meetings between students from the High School of Economics and Management (PGIU) – Ruse and five entrepreneurs from the local ecosystem. The initiative is part of the activities under Project № BG-RRP-1.008-0008 “Construction of the International Youth Center – Ruse” and aimed to introduce young people to the real entrepreneurial environment, as well as the challenges and development opportunities in the region.

The meetings featured:

• Ms. Silvia Kabaivanova – Fashion.bg

• Mr. Dean Manev – MTM Fashion

• Mr. Nikolay Tsolev – Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry

• Mr. Ayri Memishev – “Momentum Lab” Association

• Mr. Milen Dobrev – Time Travel / Villa Dobrevi

Inspiring Personal Stories and Practical Advice

Ms. Kabaivanova shared her journey – from her very first website and international partnerships to creating the fashion portal Fashion.bg and developing a specialized fashion site in English. She spoke about the “Fashion Week” initiative and highlighted which educational and soft skills helped her build a successful career. Her story served as a natural introduction to a discussion about the students’ future plans and ambitions.

Dean Manev presented the activities of MTM Fashion through an interactive example, demonstrating why quality is more valuable than massive advertising. He encouraged the youth to make informed choices, find their market niche, analyze the competition, and evaluate the scaling potential of their ideas. Through a practical game, he demonstrated the negative effects of “bad multitasking” and emphasized the importance of focus, constructive criticism, and most importantly – the desire to learn and constantly improve.

A Look into Ruse’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Nikolay Tsolev outlined the role of the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry in fostering entrepreneurship and shared valuable observations on the processes shaping the local business environment. His contribution gave students a broader perspective on how the regional ecosystem functions and how various conditions – economic, political, geographical, and regulatory – shape a region, making it either suitable or challenging for entrepreneurial growth.

Ayri Memishev introduced the youth to a new initiative, the “Momentum Lab” Association – an example of how an idea can turn into a sustainable project that not only thrives independently but also supports civil society. He spoke about the organization’s mission and the importance of active civic participation, which serves as a driving force for the entrepreneurial spirit.

Entrepreneurship Across Sectors

Milen Dobrev presented his company, Time Travel, and his successful tourism project – the “Villa Dobrevi” guest house. He emphasized that regardless of the sector, the principles of good management, consistency, and customer care remain the ultimate keys to success.

The meetings unfolded into an active dialogue filled with questions and idea-sharing. The students walked away with valuable guidance, real-world examples, and the motivation to develop their skills and entrepreneurial mindset. This initiative marks yet another step toward building a sustainable connection between young people and the business community in Ruse.