No Plan, just trust: How two mentors helped Swipe.bg become a reality

Swipe.bg, founded in 2021, is a leading Bulgarian platform specializing in the purchase and sale of high-quality, pre-owned smartphones. The company ensures all devices undergo rigorous testing and certification, providing customers with a seamless, secure, and affordable experience.

By promoting the reuse of technology, Swipe.bg contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly electronics market.

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If we meet your business as a person on the street, how would it introduce itself to us?

Hey there! I’m SWIPE, your new best friend when it comes to saving money. Want to know my secret? You can get top-quality electronics—same warranty, same perks as brand new—for up to 50% less. Sounds good, right?

I know, I know… if only we’d met before you dropped 3,000 lev on that shiny new iPhone. But hey, now you’re in the know for next time!

Oh, and one more thing—why let your old smartphone collect dust? Sell it to me and turn it into the perfect gift for someone special. Win-win! 😉

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Tell us about a moment when you had to close one door to open another. What made you take that step?

Walking away from a high-paying corporate job to dive into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship was one of the toughest—and most life-changing—decisions I’ve ever made.

I made this leap when my first son was just a year old, right after the COVID pandemic, when unemployment was still high. To make things even harder, I had just been promoted to regional manager of a global company, overseeing business in three countries.

Leaving behind security and stepping into the unknown was terrifying. But the thought of missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Even scarier.

I know it sounds cliché, but we only get one life. If you don’t chase your dreams, you’ll always wonder, what if? No matter the risks, staying true to yourself will always be worth it.

Share a moment when someone lent you a helping hand without expecting anything in return, and it made a significant impact on you. What happened, and why do you remember it

When I decided that SWIPE was worth the risk—leaving everything behind to start this new venture—I made two important calls. The first was to Oggy Popov, founder of Broshura.bg, and the second to Nikola Pavlov, co-founder of Grabo.bg. I didn’t pitch them financial plans. I didn’t negotiate. I simply told them, I have an idea.

Their response? "What do you need? How can I help?"

No hesitation. No doubts. No bargaining. Just pure trust—not just in the business, but in me. And that meant everything. Without them, SWIPE wouldn’t exist today.

Every single day, I push myself to the limit to prove their trust was well-placed. They’re more than angel investors and mentors—they’re my driving force.

If you have someone in your life who believes in you unconditionally, hold onto them tightly. We all need people like that.

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Tell us about a moment when you stopped, looked around, and said to yourself: ‘Yes, this is exactly why I started!’ When was it, and what did you feel?

This past November and December, something incredible happened—both businesses I’m involved in were serving customers just a stone’s throw from each other. SWIPE’s store stood at 140 Rakovski Street in Sofia, while Benjamissimo had a kiosk at the Christmas Bazaar near NDK, barely 100 meters away.

One particularly busy day, SWIPE was packed. A line of customers stretched through the store, and I jumped in to help my colleagues process orders and serve clients. As I spoke with people, they shared how much they loved our service and how much money they had saved thanks to us. Their enthusiasm was contagious.

Later that evening, as I walked past Benjamissimo’s kiosk, I saw another long line—this time of people tasting chocolate, sipping hot cocoa, and simply enjoying the moment. I stopped in my tracks, taking it all in.

That was a proud moment. Seeing the impact of what my colleagues and I had built—businesses that not only attracted crowds but genuinely added value to people’s lives—was beyond fulfilling.

At the end of the day, this is what every business should strive for: to create something so valuable that people are willing to stand in line for it. No matter the industry, delivering real value is what truly matters.

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If someone were to create a comedy series about your business one day, which scene must absolutely be in the first episode?

Our team is like a big, slightly chaotic but hilariously bonded family—we joke, we laugh, and we keep things fun.

One of our absolute stars? A 17-year-old schoolgirl who’s basically a walking energy drink. She’s got enthusiasm on overdrive and never hesitates to fill us in on the latest school drama, her boyfriend updates, or whatever TikTok trend is currently breaking the internet. She’s the ultimate breath of fresh air in the office—whether we ask for it or not!

Now, here’s where it gets even funnier—her big brother works with us too. But if she’s a shooting star of chaos, he’s more like a calm and serious planet or biting in another galaxy. He’s reserved, she’s wildly outgoing. He tries to have a mature sibling moment, and she just slaps his arm and yells, “You’re silly, leave me alone!”

Watching their interactions is pure comedy gold. If we ever get tired of work, we just grab some popcorn and enjoy the sibling sitcom happening right in front of us. 10/10entertainment, no Netflix subscription required. 😆

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