Tinka Denisheva: Rise the Global Impact

In a world where visibility is often mistaken for success, Tinka Denisheva is setting a new standard—one where women don’t just show up, they lead. An award-winning entrepreneur, community architect, and international speaker, Tinka has made it her mission to help women turn presence into real power. From founding the Bulgarian Women in Business Club to launching Present Pathway, her work is transforming how Eastern European women—and women everywhere—build influence, own the stage, and rise without waiting for permission.

Your journey from Bulgaria to the UK has shaped your perspective as a global entrepreneur. How has your cultural background influenced your leadership and community-building style?

Being Bulgarian taught me to build with heart and lead with resilience. We are a culture of dreamers who are also doers. That spirit never left me.

Before I moved to the UK, I studied in Paris—pursuing a Master’s in International Hospitality Management. During that time, I noticed a pattern: many brilliant young women were playing it safe. They took internships that were comfortable and unchallenging, simply to get the requirements out of the way.

I wanted more. I visualised myself on the Champs-Élysées—and I got it. I worked at the Marriott Vacation Club, in one of the most prestigious addresses in the world. That role gave me more than a title—it gave me a seat at the global table. I became a saleswoman who could speak with confidence and elegance to an international audience. That was the beginning of me claiming my space, not waiting for one.

You’ve led over 80 events through the Bulgarian Women in Business Club. What have you learned about the power of connection among Eastern European women entrepreneurs?

I’ve learned that when Eastern European women come together, they don’t just network—they awaken. There is something sacred in our shared roots, and something revolutionary in our shared future. The connection runs deeper than business. It’s about identity, legacy, and pride.

One of the events closest to my heart was our International Women’s Day celebration on March 8th. The entire room sparkled with elegance and power—glamorous women wearing embroidered ballgowns, proudly showcasing traditional ethno motifs woven into modern silhouettes. It was a stunning visual of heritage and ambition dancing together.

But beyond the beauty, there was purpose. That night, through our collective generosity, we raised funds for One IVF—for One Life. It was our way of saying: “Because we are grateful for our lives, we give another woman the chance to create life.”
That is the true power of community. It’s not just what we build—it’s what we birth together.

Present Pathway focuses on turning visibility into influence. In your experience, what’s the biggest mindset shift women need to make to truly own the stage?
The biggest shift? 

Women need to stop waiting to be “ready.” The stage doesn’t require perfection—it demands presence.
We think we need more certificates, more confidence, more external approval. But the truth is: when you show up with clarity and courage, you are already enough.
Visibility isn’t about being loud. It’s about being true—and being willing to let that truth be witnessed.

Many women struggle with the fear of being ‘too much’ or ‘not enough’ when they show up publicly. What would you say to women who feel that way?

You will be too much for some, and not enough for others. That’s not your problem—it’s your proof. It means you’re stepping outside the lines society drew for you. The world doesn’t need a smaller version of you. It needs the full force of your truth. Be bold enough to take up space. That’s how we change the narrative.

What was the catalyst behind creating Present Pathway, and how does it bridge the gap between confidence and credibility in public speaking?

The catalyst was watching too many brilliant women hide their brilliance.
Present Pathway is about giving structure to your story and soul to your strategy. It teaches you how to own your message, but more importantly—how to believe in your voice.
We move women from stage fright to spotlight—not by changing who they are, but by revealing who they’ve always been.

As someone who has interviewed leaders like Fionnghuala O’Reilly, what traits or habits do you notice in women who rise with impact and authenticity?

They don’t perform, they embody. Their power isn’t in how loud they speak—it’s in how deeply they’re rooted in their message. These women invest in themselves, stay mission-led, and serve something bigger than their brand. They ask, “How can I serve?” not just, “How can I shine?”

Winning Business Woman of the Year – International is a huge milestone. What does that recognition mean to you personally, and how has it influenced your mission moving forward?

It means that my message landed. That women saw my heart, my consistency, and my vision—and they voted for it. The award was not just recognition of what I had done—it was affirmation of what I stand for.

But what followed became one of the proudest moments in my journey. After receiving the award, I visualised celebrating the second birthday of the Bulgarian Women in Business Club in a space worthy of our growth and our community.
Not only were we granted permission to host the celebration there, but we had the immense honour of welcoming His Excellency the Ambassador himself. 

He stood before a room full of ambitious women and acknowledged their contribution—not just to business, but to society and legacy.

It wasn’t about being given permission. It was about being recognised at the highest level. It was about seeing Bulgarian women celebrated, uplifted, and respected in one of the most influential diplomatic venues in the UK.
That night wasn’t just a celebration. It was a historic declaration that women—especially those who lead with vision and courage—belong at the highest tables.

You often speak about women not waiting for permission. What does self-permission look like in a world that often overlooks women’s leadership potential?

Self-permission is the quiet fire that says, “I belong here.”
It’s sending the email. Making the ask. Launching the brand. Walking into rooms where no one expects you—and owning them with grace.
In a world that still doubts women’s power, self-permission is the first revolution. It’s also the most personal.

With a strong background in sales and negotiation, how do you see those skills intersecting with female empowerment in business?

Sales and negotiation are not just business tools—they’re empowerment tools. They’ve allowed me to navigate rooms, build bridges, and shape opportunities that didn’t yet exist. These skills taught me how to advocate, how to hold space, and how to lead with both confidence and clarity.

At the core, sales is not about convincing—it’s about connecting. It’s the art of translating your value into action. Whether you’re in an interview, pitching a vision, building partnerships, or standing on a global stage, you’re communicating who you are—and what you stand for.

I don’t see sales as a role I’ve played. I see it as a language of leadership that every woman should be fluent in. When we own our voice, our value, and our vision—we don’t just participate in business. We reshape it.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to a woman who has the message, the passion, but hasn’t yet found her stage?

Start by visualising your moment. I did. I saw that second anniversary in the Embassy before it ever happened—and I asked for it.
Your stage isn’t given. It’s created.
So write the email. Make the call. Share the story.
Your next brave action might be the one that opens the doors—not just for you, but for every woman coming after you.