Stanislava Petrova, the General Manager of Van Equipment Pro Ltd., Syncro System’s sole representative for Bulgaria, was selected by Forbes Bulgaria to take part in “Forbes Women 2021”. The project involves 25 successful Bulgarian companies from five different sectors, all run by women. "Being selected by Forbes" - Stanislava Petrova tells us - "is a great honour not just for me but for the whole company. Van Equipment Pro Ltd. has grown thanks to our own hard work, but also thanks to the commitment of Syncro System, on whom we can always rely!”. As part of the project, Stanislava Petrova was interviewed, and an article published in the April edition of the Forbes Bulgarian language magazine. The complete text, in Bulgarian, is here. An English translation is provided below. An English translation is provided below. In Bulgaria, some 42% of company owners and managers are women. The country therefore provides some of the best conditions in Europe for women intent on making a career in business. With 15 years of experience as a lawyer behind her, Stanislava Petrova enthusiastically welcomed her husband’s proposal to set up a business installing and selling equipment for vans. "Van Equipment Pro Ltd" - Stanislava explains in the interview published by Forbes, - "is the only company in Bulgaria that supplies a complete range of van racking products – floor liners and protective panels, modular racking, roof racks, access ramps and so on." In response to the question “How do you balance work and family?”, Stanislava replies: “I’m happy to be working in a family business. We help and support each other, and I try to be a good career woman role model for my daughter! “ And prospects for the future? The business is growing constantly. "The number of vans we fit out is doubling every year," Stanislava Petrova relates, "and that means the number of satisfied customers is doubling too. [...] Well-equipped vans … save energy (and frustration), cut job times, keep the cost of materials down, save money and give their owners a more professional image.". English translation of the interview (Bulgarian language original published by Forbes Bulgaria in April 2021) What does your company do? Van Equipment Pro Ltd. was formed by my husband in 2016 and its main activity is to install and sell professional equipment for vans. Van Equipment Pro Ltd. is the only company in Bulgaria that supplies a complete range of van racking products – floor liners and protective panels, modular racking, roof racks, access ramps and so on. We are sole representatives for SYNCRO SYSTEM S.p.A., and a trusted importer for various EU companies. We prepare detailed 3D views in advance for all projects, to make sure they meet our customer’s requirements. We supply all our products with a minimum of delay and make sure they are installed perfectly. Our mission is to optimise our customers’ work. How does a woman succeed in the male-dominated world of van equipment? Enthusiasm and desire for success are not enough. A woman needs the knowledge and skills too! I was a lawyer for 15 years, so I had to learn the name and use of all our products very quickly. A woman can’t get respect from men if she calls every kind of fastener by the same name. As the only woman in the company, I provide a necessary balance to male energy. Brute strength is not the answer to everything in business! A little finesse is needed too! What opportunities has the crisis given you? All communication with customers takes place remotely by phone and e-mail until the time of installation. We have also introduced “Self-Assembly” and “Remote Installation” services that have gone down very well with our customers. We have increased our digital presence and launched a new website, www.van-equipment.bg, which illustrates our work with real photos. Personally, I made use of the lockdown to learn digital marketing and brand management. How do you balance work and family? I am happy to be working in a family business. We help and support each other, and I try to be a good career woman role model for my daughter! I am lucky that my job entails traveling abroad. Traveling with my family is my greatest joy and inspiration. How do you see your business over the short term? The number of vans we fit out is doubling every year, and that means the number of satisfied customers is doubling too. As skilled labour becomes increasingly scarce, labour costs are inevitably rising. The demand for well-equipped vans is therefore growing, as they save energy (and frustration), cut job times, keep the cost of materials down, save money and give their owners a more professional image.