As Bansko Nomad Fest comes to an end, a sense of calm sets in—but only for a moment. Because behind every festival, every event, and every temporary bubble of inspiration and connections, something more permanent awaits. Something deeper within those of us who have chosen to live life on our own terms. For me, that something is entrepreneurship.
Bansko Nomad Fest is over for this year, and as the dust settles from the stage, my eyes are set on what’s ahead. Summer is in full bloom here in the Pirin Mountains, but the truth is that autumn always comes faster than you think. It reminds us of change. Of the next step. And for me, that means fully embracing what has always been my true path—being an entrepreneur.
Not Just One Path – But Many
What’s fascinating about entrepreneurship is that it rarely involves standing at a crossroads, choosing one single path. For me, it’s more like a crossroads with endless possibilities. The question isn’t which path to take, but what I want to create, build, and focus on. It’s a luxury problem—but one that demands brutally honest answers from myself.
What life has taught me is that entrepreneurship isn’t about making the “right” choice in the traditional sense. It’s about listening to yourself, understanding your own driving forces, and then designing your life and your business accordingly.
A Life Between Two Worlds – And Two Hearts
Today, we live a life between two places—Sofia and Bansko. Two completely different worlds that together create the perfect balance. The pulse and opportunities of the capital. The tranquility, the mountains, and the creative freedom of Bansko. And maybe… this is only the beginning of an even bigger journey. Because life has a strange way of opening doors you didn’t even know existed—if you dare to walk forward.
But let me be clear. Without Boryana, none of this would be possible. She’s not just my life partner—she’s my partner on every level. In conversations, in visions, in daily life, and in the future we are building together. She is my mirror, my rock, and my fellow traveler. She sees what I don’t. She catches what I sometimes drop. And she gives me the foundation I need to keep dreaming, creating, and making things happen.
This isn’t my journey. It’s ours. And every step we take—we take together.
Finances – The Uncomfortable but Necessary Question
Let’s be honest—money matters. I’ve always been the kind of person who says yes when others hesitate. The one who jumps before knowing where to land. But even the boldest have to deal with reality.
Starting a company here in Bulgaria is, practically speaking, not very complicated. The system is efficient. The bureaucracy is surprisingly light compared to Sweden. The tax system is straightforward and transparent. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy—because the real challenge isn’t filling out the right forms. It’s about building a sustainable daily life—a life I actually want to live.
Finding the right finances is part of the puzzle. It might mean selling my services, finding collaborators, working on smaller projects that fund the bigger dreams, or building passive income streams through smart business models.
The difference this time is that I don’t want—and refuse—to build a business that forces me to work 12 to 15 hours a day. I’ve seen that trap—and I’ve avoided it before. I know what it looks like. I’ve been there. I’ve watched colleagues burn out. No, this time it’s about something entirely different.
Entrepreneurship On My Terms
I know now when my creativity is at its sharpest—mornings. That’s when ideas flow. That’s when I solve problems, see connections, and shape the future in my mind. Afternoons and evenings? That’s when I’m better at walking, reflecting, maybe writing—but not doing the heavy mental lifting.
So why wouldn’t I build my life and my business around that?
I want to work when my mind is at its sharpest. I want to be able to put work aside in the middle of the day without guilt. I want to build a structure that fits my life—not force my life to fit a structure.
Seeds for the Future
There are several seeds already waiting to grow. Ideas born from travels, conversations, meetings, and my own experiences. Some come from my own journey as a digital nomad and entrepreneur. Others are born from the insight into what this community of freedom seekers in Bansko—and far beyond—truly needs.
It’s about meeting a growing demand. About creating solutions for people who want to live freer, smarter, and more sustainably. About helping those who, just like me, are standing at a crossroads wondering how to take the next step.
These are the seeds of something designed to support those ready to change their lives. Something that combines knowledge, technology, and human drive. Something built on the experience of living both simply and richly—of stripping away the noise and focusing on what truly matters.
And the beauty of it? I don’t have to choose. I can start with what feels most right, let it grow organically, and let the rest follow naturally.
Building for Life – Not Just for Business
This is about more than starting a company. It’s about building a life. A life where work is a part—but not the whole picture. I want my business to be an extension of who I am—not a suit I put on in the morning and rip off in the evening.
I want to take a morning walk toward the Pirin mountains and know that this is part of my job—because that’s where the ideas form. I want to sit in a café in Bansko or Sofia, work deeply for two hours, and then be done for the day if that feels right.
I want to be able to say no to projects that don’t feel right—even if they pay well. And I want to be able to say yes to projects that might not be perfect financially but give meaning, build networks, and open future opportunities.
A New Definition of Success
Over the years, success has taken on a new meaning for me. It’s no longer about building the biggest company, having the most employees, or hitting the highest revenue.
Success is waking up in the morning and feeling:
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I own my time.
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I work on things I believe in.
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I am in a place where I want to be.
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I am surrounded by people who inspire me.
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I am free.
That’s worth more than all the KPIs in the world.
Systems, Structure, and Balance
But let’s be honest. Freedom requires structure. Otherwise, freedom quickly turns into chaos.
So this autumn is also about building the systems that make freedom possible. It means:
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A calendar that reflects how I want to work.
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A workflow where I batch tasks—creating content on some days, meetings on others.
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Automation wherever possible—AI, booking systems, invoicing, customer management.
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Setting boundaries from the start—no late nights, no weekend work unless absolutely necessary.
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Defining what’s enough. When is it good enough? When is it the right amount?
The Biggest Threat – Myself
From experience, I know that the biggest trap isn’t the market, the competition, or the economy. It’s me.
It’s my own drive, my own restlessness, my tendency to say yes to too much—that’s the biggest threat to the life I want to build.
So my biggest challenge isn’t starting a business. It’s starting it the right way. To hold on to why I’m doing this. To remind myself that it’s not about filling the days—it’s about filling life.
Autumn Is Coming – And It’s Ours
As autumn sweeps over Bansko, turning the peaks of the Pirin mountains golden and red, we know it’s time.
Time to set the plan. Time to take the steps. Time to move from thought to action.
But this time on our terms. With freedom in the driver’s seat. With creativity as the compass. With entrepreneurship as a lifestyle—not a job.
Because we’re not here to get rich in money. We’re here to get rich in life.
By Chris...