Vesela Ilieva - about the successes and the plans

At the end of a sucessful business year, it is the time to redeem the achievements and look ahead to the future. We meet Vesela Ilieva, Managing Partner at Unique Estates, to share with us the good news about her and the company and the plans she has for 2019.

This year, Unique Estates celebrates its 12th anniversary. What are the important things that have happened in the company over the past year?

One of the important things for the company were undoubtedly the results we recognize in connection with our membership in the prestigious international network Luxury Portfolio International. Two years after we laid the foundations for this partnership, we already see the real benefits of it. They are related both to the opportunity to bring the company to the world luxury property market and to the opportunity to implement the successful business practices our network partners have been using for years on our own market. Our team participated in the conferences organized by Luxury Portfolio International and met with leaders in the area. The trainings we've been through have helped us to incorporate all the novelties we have in the industry we know. The feeling of being recognized and accepted in this environment gives us confidence that we are heading in the right direction and we stand dignified in our leadership position here.

Another important achievement for me and the company in 2018 is the recognition we received with the award "Executive Director of the Year" given by AG Capital. This is an additional assessment of the work and success of the entire team of Unique Estates, which I highly value. For these 12 years, I can say that we have reached our maturity and built a large, constant customer base. There has been formed a solid core of people who have been part of the team since the establishment of the company. This is to show that Unique Estates is a preferred place to work and people here feel good and develop. These are professionals that our clients know well and are comfortable to work with. The trust they have gained is very valuable in building the stable and long lasting contacts on which our business is based. In the last year, the company has grown to attract more quality people who prove themselves every day. I am happy to be able to count on such a great team.

Over the past two years, we can also be proud of a really quality magazine like Unique Estates Life. We managed to create our own internal media that makes a high-level product, with interesting content that adds value to the company's business. Through it, many of the quality properties that are part of our portfolio come to the world. In our meetings with partners abroad, the magazine always gains the respect and admiration, for its level and the way the company and the properties are presented. I can not help but be proud of this fact.

What I would note as a personal achievement of the past year is the successful completion of the Executive Leadership Program at INSEAD. It was not easy at all, because this training was connected with a very intense schedule, a lot of books to read and projects I had to work on. In the final, however, I can say that I am extremely pleased with the outcome. It was a challenge for me, which made me feel more conscious and wiser. I analyzed my reactions, habits and behavior, took stock of what I had achieved, and planned my future, but now more consciously, aware of who I am really. Successful leaders need to be more moderate and wise, to master their emotions, to listen to the feedback they get from the people around them, and to have more patience. I have developed qualities that I think will be very useful to me in managing the company and communicating in general. I can definitely recommend this program to all those who want to develop professionally and personally, especially the leaders who hold high positions in our country.

What are your plans for Unique Estates in 2019?

I love to have many plans for the future. I am planning on looking more at the macro-framework for the company's development by delegating more rights to the people around me for the micro processes in it. I have the ambition to make the company even bigger. We are looking for a new, larger office that suits the level and scale of Unique Estates. I want all units to work together, and me to be closer to our customers.

We are also planning to develop the company in a technological manner so as to optimize and automate most of the office processes. We are working on completing our information system and our new web site, which will make access to information easier for the team and the customers.

What we will also be more concentrated on in the near future is the Rentals segment. We will develop new services in this direction, with which the company will grow further. My desire is to attract the right new people to the already established stable core of Unique Estates and to develop.

What would you like to wish the team for the New Year?

At the end of each year I always want to thank them. Thanks for their serious attitude and commitment to work. Because the company is often a priority for them and takes most of their time and energy. I also thank them for the loyalty, patience and desire that they approach to everyday case studies in the profession. That they believe in me and follow me all these years. I am happy that I have them and appreciate the efforts, the patience and the work that they put in order to achieve these successes for the company. I know we can do a lot together.

I wish them health and positive emotions. Have warm and bright holidays!