5 years ago Dimitar Popov made one of the most challenging decisions of his career. After almost a decade as a retail manager, he found himself at a crossroads. He had a secure job offer, but on the very last day he needed to give his final answer, a friend mentioned an opening for a Feature Integrator at ICT Strypes.
“I honestly saw this as a huge challenge,” Dimitar reflects. “It was perhaps one of the most difficult choices I’ve made – whether to jump into something I had never even imagined I could or go with the safe option that wouldn’t enrich me beyond what I had already experienced.“
The risk paid off. After intensive preparation, dusting off old grammar books to refresh his English and learning Linux basics from scratch, Dimitar got the job. 5 years later he has already grown a successful career in the IT world, being promoted to Integration Lead and managing a team of 8 people at ICT Strypes
Responsibility as a Key to Making Meaningful Impact
Dimitar defines responsibility as the main quality that drives him and his teammates forward.
“First of all, is the responsibility towards the company, the management who have trusted you, the client, and your own team. As a leader I am responsible for my colleagues’ success and for making sure that everyone feels at the right place, has their work appreciated, and gets enough support to grow personally and professionally. I cannot be prouder, seeing two of ICT Strypes’ recently promoted team leads, coming from my team.” – adds Dimitar.
He also outlines the difference between ICT Strypes and his previous employers, the opportunities, and the privileges one has, if they are passionate and motivated enough to succeed.
Adventures Beyond Professional Life
Dimitar believes that having a hobby, something that keeps you alive and passionate about, is crucial for preserving your energy, motivation and strength: “It doesn’t matter whether it is your next trip, race, event, or other milestone, just make sure it is there and you are looking forward to it.”
Mountain Hiking as a Lifelong Passion
Dimitar’s love for hiking began in childhood, exploring the mountains near Sliven with his father almost every weekend. He finds physical activity and sports as re-charging rather than exhausting.
This passion led him to create ICT Strypes’ hiking group, which has grown to about 40 colleagues from all offices of our company. “I even designed a logo and printed stickers,” he says proudly.
“We try to have one hike every month, and it’s amazing how such activity brings people together in ways that office environments or standard company events can’t.” He adds that he has built numerous friendships, once he got the chance to know someone during hikes or other hobbies and spare-time activities they have done together.
Basketball as a Means to Re-charge After Work
Four years ago, Dimitar discovered basketball when enrolling his son in training. Gradually he started not only visiting every team’s match, but also encouraged other parents to form a fan group around the team. What started as parental support evolved into a deep passion for the sport itself for Dimitar.
“People might say I’m crazy – after finishing work at 6-6:30, I’m on the court until dark, playing almost daily,” he explains. “But instead of making me tired, it energizes me for the next workday. All this passion has developed with the kind support by the basketball community in Burgas – great people and already friends of mine.“
“What does basketball have in common with working at ICT Strypes? It’s the dynamics and team work required to score a point. And I love it, especially at ICT Strypes where every person and every connection adds value!” – he adds.
Latte Art: The Pursuit of Excellence
Dimitar’s talents do not end here. He is also skilled in latte art – the craft of creating designs in coffee foam. This hobby developed in his previous job when he wanted to set an example for his colleagues about delivering exceptional coffee experiences.
“I accepted it as a challenge to prove to myself that I could be more skilled than I thought,” he says. His dedication caught the attention of one of the city’s best baristas, who invited him into a closed group of coffee professionals. This experience taught him a valuable lesson about sharing knowledge: “This barista showed me that if you help someone become better than you, it only motivates you to become even better yourself.” This lesson has become fundamental in Dimitar’s philosophy about career and professional growth since then.
Exploring New Perspectives on the Road
Dimitar loves traveling by car, especially to Serbia, which he considers a “second home.” These trips aren’t just about sightseeing – they’re about gaining new perspectives and building deeper connections.
“When I travel with colleagues for work, those hours give us time for deep conversations. We get to know each other on a much better level,” he explains. During solo drives, he listens to motivational speakers like Jim Rohn and Earl Nightingale.
“My recommended destinations? I love travelling around Bulgaria, but I would also refer to a recent trip I had on the beautiful Transfagarasan Road in Romania surrounded by bears.”
“Your Only Limitation Is the One You Set Up in Your Own Mind.
This is not just Dimitar’s favourite quote from the famous Napoleon Hill, but also the saying that has helped him believe that he would start making art out of foam, succeed in the IT sphere, or empower others to outperform themselves.
Dimitar is living proof that limits exist only in our minds. Want more inspiration? Read more stories from ICT Strypes here: