Rising Stars: Meet Desislava Nikolova of RDU

Today we’d like to introduce you to Desislava Nikolova. 

Hi Desislava, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I came from the small country of Bulgaria for the “American Dream”!!!😀 First step: I got deported from RDU airport, because of a wrong visa, didn’t give up came back, and made an entrance!!!! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have met many great people, which showed me respect kindness, and hospitality, I learn from them and I become better businesswoman and better person, very thankful for that! Met many cruel individuals, which locked the doors for me with ridicules stat ants like: “learn to speak American if you want to stay in our country” some of them work for me now and I show them, that I not only speak English, but I speak another few languages and I can Do it!!! 

Many ignored me because I am a female!!! Too bad for them, I am here to stay! 

And more and more and more I can tell you… 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have 2 Restaurants: Desy’s grill and bar 11 years and Sophie’s grill and bar 4 years. I am proud mostly surviving 2 restaurants during Covid, being a solo owner of 2 of them. 

Proud of my team: mostly my manager Neli Dimitrova which is with me from the beginning!!!! 

Proud of representing the eastern European culture and cuisine in the heart of the Carolina! 

Proud to be a part of the American dream 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never give up!!!! Stay a lady in the men’s world…. 

Not enough to dream big, but wake up early and work hard for the success!!! 

Be kind!!!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.sophiesgrillandbar.com