The time for the next “Meet the team” interview has come. This is our blog column where we share interesting stories of members of the big family of iCard. This time you will have the chance to meet the radiant lady in a beautiful folk costume from the photo above. Did we grab your attention?
Daniela Pencheva is Business Reporting and Analysis Specialist in the “Reporting” department. Although Dani has been part of the company for a few months, she quickly managed to make good friends and work well with the team. A curious fact about Dani is that she is collecting Bulgarian folk costumes, objects of historical value, and old ethnographic books. She already has more than 30 folk costumes. The oldest book she owns is published in the distant 1903.
Dani describes herself as an emotional and expressive person who always treats everyone sincerely. She believes that people around her are seeing her positive energy and passion for success. Find out more about Dani:
What do you consider as your most important quality?
The best feature I have is the strong desire and determination to achieve a goal, no matter if it’s personal or professional. I’m trying to be a realist and not to jump into new hobbies and initiatives before making sure that this is what I want to do. In all new things, there is always a mystery but this fact is not scaring me.
What is the most beautiful view you have ever seen?
I will always remember the first time I went to the Festival of Bulgarian folk costumes in Zheravna museum-village. It was really beautiful, especially during the night when there were so many people around a big fire. The view of the multitude wearing traditional costumes, the flames and the stary sky was very emotional.
Tell us more about your hobby of collecting traditional Bulgarian costumes, old items, and ethnographic books.
I used to sing in a choir in Veliko Turnovo, the city I was born and grew up in. I am a big fan of Bulgarian folklore since then. When I moved to Varna, I decided to try Bulgarian folk dances.
I inherited my grandma‘s folk costumes. She made them by herself over the years. Later I decided that I want to have more and started collecting other Bulgarian traditional costumes as now I have more than 30. I’m trying to get them authentic, i.e., with all their parts and accessories.
The other things I collect are historical household items (like distaffs, spindles, coal-fired iron, etc.) and also old Bulgarian ethnographic books. They contain compelling information about all the folklore areas in Bulgaria. They are the sources I can trust for information about the costumes and other items I have.
Do you love sports and what is your favourite sport?
As I mentioned earlier, I’m practicing Bulgarian folk dances for more than 5 years now. Thanks to iCard, I started running and even participated in a marathon. I signed myself for another one in October. I’m still a beginner but the team keeps telling me that I’m good at it.
What is your all-time favourite food?
I can’t stop eating Easter Bread with lokum (Turkish delight). I was on a trip once to a town called Targovishte and I found there one of the best Easter Breads with lokum I have ever tried. I loved it so much that this year on Easter I decided to went to Targovishte again for that special Easter Bread.
What does one typical work day for you look like? What is your favourite part of it?
My work involves creating processes for data transferring. You can imagine it this way: there is an information base where is all the data about clients’ transactions and accounts. This information has to be transferred to another information base. Sometimes these info bases should be united, processed, and adapted to different goals. I’m also responsible for the creation and maintenance of this type of processes, working with databases, making requests for extraction, and the formation of a specific set of data.
I couldn’t choose a favourite part of my work day because I like everything: the technology we use, the fact that I’m working with data, the different cases we have to solve, and the way we do it. I learn new things every day.
How did you get into the company?
Before I came to iCard I was writing my thesis. I didn’t work for some time. A friend of mine at the company told me that there were open positions.
He liked his job very much. For me, this meant that the company’s attitude towards its employees is good. I agreed to give him my CV and he sent it to the HR department. All happened very spontaneously.
What is your favourite memory at iCard?
During the hike to Chumerna hut, we have made a great photo shoot with one of the Bulgarian folk costumes, thanks to Yordan Rusev from the “Marketing” department. Back then I didn’t know most of the colleges but everyone was so good to me. They asked questions about my hobby and even helped us with cleaning the snow during the photos.
We have an idea to make a new photo shoot in which other colleagues and I will be wearing Bulgarian folk costumes. I’m collecting them to be shown and seen by more people, not to be hidden in my closet. That’s why I will be happy if we do it.
And what is your funniest memory related to iCard?
The birthday of the head of your department Zhivko Monev. We decided to take photos with the team and it was very funny. I even plan to print a collage of photos and put in our room to remind us of this day.
How do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope that my life will be partly the same as it is right now, with the same job and hobby. The difference is that in 10 years I hope to have children and a bigger family. I also hope to be an “ambassador” of the love towards the Bulgarian traditions and culture.
Learn more about iCard digital wallet and our team: https://icard.com/bg/
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