I joined the team of Edoardo Miroglio (EM) winery in 2007, just as it was starting to develop its distribution network on the domestic market. I was the first person assigned to the position of Export Manager, and I was solely responsible for the exports of the winery. I've single-handedly grown EM's international portfolio of customers from four (2007) to 40+ in 21 markets today, positioning EM as one of the biggest and most influential Bulgarian exporters of wine. My responsibilities included:• Finding potential customers globally by analyzing the market situation and identifying the opportunities for EM wines• Selecting the most efficient ways to penetrate new markets by participation in the most important wine fairs, promotional projects and business missions to the target markets• Negotiating the terms of collaboration and drawing agreements with the new customers• Looking after all operational details in the completion of a purchase order• Supporting the customers (if necessary) in all logistic aspects, including transport arrangements and cargo insurance• Collaborating with global customers and graphic design companies to develop EM's existing brands or create new ones• Developing the international reputation of EM products by participating in the world’s most important and prestigious wine competitions (e.g. Mundus Vini, DWWA, Mundial du Pinot Noir, Effervescents du Monde, etc.)• Submitting products for reviews and ratings by the specialized press and media in the key markets (e.g. Decanter Magazine, Wine Advocate, etc.)• Organizing promotional events in the target markets, in close collaboration with my partners and agentsMy key achievements:• During my period of employment (16+ years) I have built a networks of over 40 customers in 21 countries worldwide• The share of export during the same period has grown to almost 40% of the total company turnover• I am behind the development and implementation of the most successful company brand SOLI

I co-founded and managed a wine export company acting as a liaison between major Bulgarian wine producers and importers in North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The scope of activities included:• Identifying export market opportunities, as well as potential importers and distributors of Bulgarian wines • Selecting producers and identifying the most appropriate products for each target market• Negotiating terms and drawing trade and agency agreements• Organizing and supervising the flow of goods and information between producer and buyer to ensure successful exports• Preparing and issuing all required export documents for the respective markets and ensuring all payments• Launching marketing campaigns at the markets in close collaboration with the buyersDuring the lifetime of Vines & Wines Ltd I managed to optimize the portfolio of Bulgarian wines at the existing markets and to expand to new ones. A key achievement of mine was to provide new listing opportunities for Bulgarian wines in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, which led to doubling of the Vines & Wines export portfolio for the period 1995-1997.

I was solely responsible for exports of all Bulgarian wines to Canada - one of the biggest and most lucrative markets at the time. I've successfully listed a number of new products with the Liquor Control Boards in most Canadian Provinces, promoting Bulgaria as an emerging wine-making country. Key achievement:• I achieved a critical mass of wine listings, big enough for Bulgaria to be granted country signage in the liquor stores across Canada.