Elena Koseva: "The combination of ambition, desire, belief in personal qualities and motivation are usually among the factors of success."
Elena 
Koseva is a CEO of St. St. Constantine and Helena Holding AD. The company manages the eponymous Bulgarian sea resort, which has over 100 years of history. Ms Koseva holds a Master's degree in law from Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar", and Master's degrees in economics and construction management and accounting and control. Elena Koseva has 13 years of experience in tourism in a managerial position.
Ms Koseva, what are your impressions of the master class Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Best Practices? I was extremely pleased to see some motivated young people, who not only attended the classes and listened carefully but also sought a dialogue with the lecturers. This makes me happy with a view to their further life and career advancement. Because this interest, I hope, will continue in their professional development.
How does it feel to be back at Varna Free University no longer as a law student but as a lecturer? I am honoured to have been invited by Varna Free University. It’s wonderful to be in the capacity of a lecturer alongside with people who were my lecturers and who have outstanding international achievements.
You have an impressive CV. We have already mentioned your Master’s degree in law from Varna Free University; you also have a Master's degree in economics, construction management and accounting and 13 years of experience in a managerial position in the sphere of tourism. Is it easy for a woman to succeed as a business leader in our country?
In my lecture I have included such issues - what the problems are and what should be done so that a woman can succeed. It is not easy, of course, but the combination of ambition, desire, belief in personal qualities and motivation are usually among the factors of success.
Do you think that the Bulgarian society is indebted to women business leaders? Yes, for sure, but I think that also women should endeavor, the process is never one-sided, so you cannot blame only one side. I think it's important for women to make efforts, and then the society will welcome them.
Do you think that the different economic situation gives a different perspective on business leadership and entrepreneurship and is the role of women as participants in these processes different? Definitely the economic situation in Bulgaria, the specifics of the regulatory framework and the many changes in legislation, the low income and the processes in the global economic environment definitely create difficulties for all managers, whether they are women or men, which require much more dynamic and much greater persistence in order to achieve your business goals. However, there are a number of good examples of successful Bulgarian companies, successful Bulgarian business leaders and foreign companies operating successfully in our market. So, I think with certainty that in the Bulgarian national psychology, including in the mentality of the Bulgarian woman, there are characteristics necessary to cope with difficulties.
Do you see feminization of certain professions as advantage or disadvantage?
It is a difficult question. I would consider this in a different way. In my opinion a woman should take advantage of the fact that she is a woman in order to be successful in her career.