Why would someone leave a promising career in Munich and return to Varna? In this episode of Back2Bulgaria, Ivan Lyutskanov shares the story behind his choice to leave his role at Amazon in Germany to pursue a meaningful life and career in Varna. Ivan defies the stereotype that returning home is a fallback, showing instead that for him, it was a “fixed plan” inspired by his values and a desire to contribute to his hometown.

Ivan is on a mission to make Bulgarian data and insights accessible through his platform, Zemlevesh (@zemlevesh). Founded while he was still abroad, Zemlevesh presents essential information from reliable sources and data on Bulgarian culture, economy, and social issues to spark citizens’ curiosity and encourage them to explore these topics further. Rather than being a one-stop source, Zemlevesh aims to inspire Bulgarians to engage more deeply and independently with their country’s potential.Ivan emphasizes the importance of community, ambition, and why surrounding yourself with driven people can transform your perspective and your goals.

In this episode, we explore:

- Why moving back wasn’t about failure, but about finding purpose in his own community

- What are the cultural contrasts between Bulgaria, Germany, and the Czech Republic

- How Ivan's building a rewarding career in Varna as head of online marketing at Mania, challenging the myth that good jobs are only limited to Sofia

- The impact of social circles on personal growth and ambition

- His civic engagement through the data and statistics platform, Zemlevesh to inspire conversations and further research on Bulgarian and worldwide topics

- The importance of civic engagement and social responsibility

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about big the importance of experiencing life abroad, lessons learned from life changes, purpose, and building a future that makes a difference.

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Show Notes

Connect with Ivan on LinkedIn:

Follow Zemlevesh: https://www.instagram.com/zemlevezh | https://bit.ly/3NE3yGB

Check out Mania: https://bit.ly/3NEHhZhConnect With

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