Describe yourself in a few sentences?
My name is Ivaylo Ivanov. I was born in 1969 in Vidin, in the family of an international driver and a veterinary technician. Apparently that’s where my idea for the transport business came from – being close to my father who worked in Somat. I graduated from a mathematical high school, then an economics institute with a major in „Economics and Transport Management“. At the end of my 4th year at university, I started working in the representative office of a Swedish transport and logistics company.
I had the opportunity to gain experience in the largest Austrian logistics company in the world. Thanks to the acquired experience and partnership with an Italian forwarding company, in 2001 I founded MARANATA TRANSPORT GROUP LTD.
In a few sentences, synthesise years of your life. How did you turn to forwarding as a business?
Things developed as predestined – my desire was to study marketing. I was accepted to study Economics and Transport Management. I did not see much perspective in transport, but after the first year I had to do an internship. The choice was clear – Somat Vidin. After a month spent in practice, I was able to realize that there is a future in international transport for me as well. I continued my studies at the university, in 1995 I got married. My wife had an acquaintance at the Swedish company where I started a part-time internship. Day by day it became more and more interesting and dynamic, after which I was hired permanently.
Important lessons you’ve learned over the years?
I learned many lessons, most of them interesting. In the forwarding business, as well as in our company, human relationships come first. The business must be well organized so that there is a correct and fair redistribution of the acquired resources. The people in the company should be happy to work in it. Regardless of what the success and income are – the focus should not be shifted from the team and the person in particular.
Another important lesson I learned is about the ineffectiveness of the “one-man orchestra“. There is great power in teamwork. As the Bible says: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor”. One person is one person, he cannot do everything – there is a limit to education, intellect and culture. While a good team can really be like an orchestra – with responsibilities, duties and goals. A well-oiled machine, with working parts.
What comes to your mind when you hear the name MARANATA TRANSPORT GROUP LTD?
I know what I wished for when founding this company. The foundation of our company, ideology and philosophy is Christianity and God as described in the Bible. The very name “Maranatha“ means „Our Lord has come…“. The idea that the second coming of Jesus Christ is ahead is a constant reminder that we are on this earth temporarily. Our business, our whole life should be arranged in such a way that when we stand before God to give an account of our deeds, we will not be ashamed.
What happened in the 12 years since the company’s establishment?
If we look to the future, this period looks long. But for me, the time before those 12 years seems like yesterday. I remember very clearly how we started: two people at a desk, in the accounting room of another company. Now we give work and livelihood to 20 people.
What does it take to build a good team?
It cannot be explained in a few sentences. For every single person who has joined the company, I have sought guidance from above. I have not been so influenced by the business theories of recruitment or what I learned at university. The right people joined at the right time, thank God for His grace.
What are your predictions for the next year?
For this year, we have double-digit growth compared to the previous year. Despite all expectations of crisis, elections and uncertainty – I have a feeling that it will be successful, despite the difficulties.
What do you do outside the office?
I have a wonderful family with 3 children – two girls aged 17 and 11 and a boy aged 15. One of our children is adopted. Besides my family, I have two other businesses – we are importers of suitcases and bags with „Digital Partners“ Ltd. The other area in which I have invested is coffee – Lavazza – a preferred brand in Bulgaria.
In my spare time, I play basketball, tennis, football, ski, I love sports very much.
A wish for the readers of the MARANATA TRANSPORT GROUP LTD?
I will end with the words of one of the wisest people who lived on earth, Solomon. In the past, he was a king of Israel and wrote the book of Ecclesiastes: “Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Therefore, as I mentioned, we should be careful how our life will go.
