There are no magic formulas in business

Business Lady 2003, Chairlady of the Supervising Board of Investbank AD, and Chairlady of the Board of Directors of Festa Holding AD

Mrs. Slavova, your name has been long known in the business circles, but you became popular among the broad public with the prize Business Lady of the Year 2003 which you won in the contest organized by Nie Zhenite newspaper. How do you perceive this unique prize in Bulgaria aimed at distinguishing and popularizing the big business ladies in our country?
I highly appreciate the Business Lady of the Year prize. I perceive it as a distinction for the managerial team and everybody working in the structures of Festa Holding and I thank them for their dedicated work. I was selected in tight competition and I sincerely wish success to all worthy business ladies who participated in this prestigious national contest. I am glad that we do not forget to be simply women with a flair for beauty and striving for all human values.

What is your business position actually?
Investor in several branches. It often happens that one investment leads to new projects, sometimes unforeseen even by myself. Like any private enterpriser I try to determine the line of development for my companies in accordance with the economic situation, the free market niches and other factors determining the success of business activity. These are usually difficult tasks but their settling brings satisfaction not only to me but also to the managers I have chosen to work with in a team.

Your activities concern a large-scale and diverse business, with big investments and the running of many companies. How does a frail woman like you cope with this?
Every investment line requires concrete corporative structures, organization and experienced people. To build them you need knowledge of the particular production cycle, the specificity of the branch, the trade aspect of the processes. I have to know all this. You can’t do anything without being in on the minutest details. You can’t form a working team without a sense of the qualities of the person you meet.

The wines of your wineries are famous for their quality and they are awarded many prizes. Would you name the most important ones?
At Vinaria 2004 we won the Golden Rhyton Grand Prix for Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 from Burgas, silver medals, honorary diplomas and Wine of the Year prizes. Last year Black Sea Gold AD was awarded the Gold Cask for best producer and best presentation. We have three consecutive Golden Rhytons for Chardonnay. Vincom AD also won a Golden Rhyton for Rose from the Southern Coast. The wine brandy Black Sea Gold 33 XO of the winery in Pomorie is winner of the prize for best vision at the International Wine Salon BULVINIS. We always do well at international wine exhibitions because for us quality is above all. Our drinks are a pure natural product. They are made of quality raw materials with modern equipment and qualified labor.

The acquisition of the wineries by Festa Holding entailed investments in the growing of the raw material. You already have 5000 decares of newly-planted vine massifs and you are going to plant more. Is it with ease that you embark on an entirely different activity – agriculture?
It is not easy for me. I had to do it because in Bulgaria vine massifs are very old and not of high quality and the making of quality wine starts from the vineyard. This is a very hard task, a large investment, long in time, we are also dependent on nature. But I discovered the enchanting world of sun-bathed vines, the merry feasts of grape harvest.

Festa Hotels makes considerable investments in hotel-keeping. Tourism is a sector associated with the future of Bulgaria. Perhaps that is why you try to establish world standards in this field?
In 2003 we made a major investment in hotel Festa Panorama Iberostar. The hotel received the award of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, it won the distinction Building of the Year 2003, the prize for quality Primo of the World Travel Exhibition in London and first prize at the competition Façade of the Year 2003. We demonstrated that we do not simply sell beds but a good tourist product.

Recently your company turned the first sod of a modern complex in Bulgaria Blvd. in Sofia. What will the complex look like?
This will be two linked buildings of very interesting architecture. One part of it will be a city hotel and the other will house the head office of Investbank. I trust that we shall all be proud of the new acquisition – the bank, the clients, the inhabitants of the capital which is visited by tourists from all parts of the world.

How many employees does Festa Holding AD have?
In the different lines over 1500 are employed now. I am very exacting towards them but at the same time I feel responsible for them. As owner of the business my duty is to secure its development and give field of action for the managers.