site.btaSwiss Success Story Inspires Job Creation in Village of Smilyan Thanks to Mariana Roder

Mariana Barakchieva-Roder is one of the young Bulgarians who have been educated abroad and have brought their business ideas back home. An IT graduate from Switzerland, Mariana returned to the Rhodope Mountains with her husband, robotics engineer Simon, to run a family business in the village of Smilyan, selling their products worldwide. Their story shows that in the post-COVID era, the world is increasingly a global village, with online sales leading the way in marketing.

The company, Nanka Creative, makes merino wool clothing in Smilyan, shipped to customers in the US, Switzerland, the UK, Germany and increasingly in Bulgaria. Their clients prioritize high-quality, environment-friendly materials. Through the online store, customers can specify their preferred cut, size and colour combination and order bespoke garments, each piece made individually rather than as part of a mass-produced collection.

"All clothes are made from 100% merino wool imported from Finland. "It was very important for us to source from Europe to ensure all ecological production standards are met," says Mariana Barakchieva-Roder. Finnish merino wool is finer than wool from Bulgarian breeds.

In addition to clothing, the company makes wooden and metal items, including ski holders for bikes, lamps and their latest product, a wooden toy excavator.

The Roders have invested their savings in Nanka Creative in Smilyan. According to Mariana, relocating their business from Switzerland to the picturesque Rhodope village was a rather risky investment. "We have no formal business education; we rely on intuition. But we felt this was our passion and that it could work," she says. Asked if their family venture is a success, Mariana says: "It depends on how you define success. For many, it means millions in revenue. For me, a successful business is one where I can pay my employees well, have time for my children, feel at ease and stay true to my values."

Together with Simon, they are raising their two daughters aged three and one in Smilyan and Smolyan. Years ago, a friend predicted they would return to Mariana's home region. The prediction was based on the idea that people from the Rhodope Mountains feel happiest only in there.

"Some kind of magnet pulled me back to Smolyan after nearly seven years in Switzerland," Mariana recalls.

This winter, their 17-year-old nephew from Finland is completing a compulsory internship at the family business in Smilyan. 

For Mariana, what matters most is creating jobs in her native region, the Rhodope Mountains. She says her two employees are wonderful women - diligent, honest and kind.

The company is currently looking to hire an assistant to help with various tasks, including communicating with customers, packaging orders and developing new products for the online store.

The Roders' business plans include expansion. The company recently won EU-funding for small family businesses and artisans, which will allow them to purchase two more machines and a cutting robot. This growth requires additional production space and a new building, for which Mariana and Simon hope to receive at least some support from municipal or state institutions. "The help we need is to have tenders announced for renting or buying suitable premises. If we stay here, we will be creating jobs; as we expand, there will be even more employees," Mariana explains.

The family is already wondering whether their business can stay in Smolyan Region if the challenges facing small enterprises persist. Compared with their experience in Europe, red-tape hurdles here are overwhelming. "In Switzerland, our company managed with just two Excel sheets for accounting. Here, we hire an accountant and still struggle to understand what exactly we are signing in our reports," Mariana says.

"It is not easy to do business here in any way, but you need the energy to change the things you don't like," she adds. What she loves about the Rhodopes is the sense of freedom and calm. The family does not lock their home, garage or car. "If someone honks at you in the street, it means they know you and are greeting you, not that they are a frustrated driver," Mariana jokes.

This is the kind of environment she wants for raising her children. She has always wanted to contribute to the Rhodope region, not only through the family business but also by organizing an academy for aspiring young entrepreneurs, helping others learn how to bring ideas to life and transform the local business landscape.