Good morning, friends!

My book HIDDEN GENIUS (“Скрита Дарба”) is now available for pre-order in Bulgaria!

If you know my story, you know that this is a particularly cool moment for me. Below is the foreword I wrote for the Bulgarian edition that will give you a glimpse into why. I hope you enjoy.

Dear reader,

Bulgaria is my home. I was born here, and I went to first and second grade in Sofia.

My first (and my favorite) teacher, Evelina Androva, recognized my passion for the written word and encouraged me to pursue it even as a 7-year-old. I wrote poems, letters, and short stories that she carefully read and edited. It was in her class that I realized my love for writing, and that love transcended borders and languages.

In April 2000, when my parents and I moved to the United States, I suddenly lost the ability to do the things I enjoyed the most — reading, writing, and communicating. I didn’t speak English, and it took some time to learn. But for me, writing wasn’t a skill to hone — it was a way of life.

I was obsessed with turning my love for writing into a career. I started as a reporter for my high school’s newspaper, became the editor-in-chief of my university’s newspaper, and then I went on to work at prestigious news outlets, including CNN, USA Today, and FORTUNE magazine. Finally, I quit my full-time job at FORTUNE and started my own media company, which then gave me the freedom to write a book. Isn’t that the American Dream?

I’m certain that some people underestimated me because English is not my native language, but being underestimated has been my greatest advantage. Immigrants have to work twice as hard in order to learn the language, understand the culture, and create a brand new life in a foreign country.

But I’ve always been proud to be Bulgarian. I’ve never been afraid to work hard, and I think that relentless persistence is what differentiated me from many of my peers.

I like writing about people whose paths did not turn out the way they had anticipated. I enjoy stories of people who succeeded, failed, learned from their mistakes, and then succeeded again. Life will always be uncertain, and I’m fascinated by the people who find ways to re-invent themselves and grow during the hardest moments in life.

These are the types of human stories you will find in this book because, in a way, they reflect my own. And I hope that they encourage you, dear reader, to take a risk, bet on yourself, and make your own passion a reality.

— Polina

—

BOOK SIGNING EVENT: Are you in NYC? I’ll be signing copies of my book ‘HIDDEN GENIUS’ at The Strand Bookstore in Union Square on April 18! (Bourbon and books provided.) RSVP here.

—

PROFILES.

— The investor building a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway [**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**]
— The youngest Kardashian changing her look
— The pop star pivoting to country
— The people hosting their own ‘living funerals‘
— The book publisher disrupting the industry

PEOPLE TO KNOW.

The investor building a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway: In 2006, Andrew Wilkinson was a young college dropout working as a barista while pondering his next move. His trajectory changed after a casual conversation with two Web designers who had turned the coffee shop into a makeshift office. “I ran the numbers in my head, and I realized that these guys were making a fortune,” remembers Wilkinson. Flash-forward 20 years, Wilkinson stands at the helm of Tiny, a publicly traded conglomerate of 40+ diverse businesses that span both the digital and physical realms, from social networks like LetterBoxd and Dribble to the iconic Aeropress coffee maker and, recently, Yerba Mate brand Mateina with Andrew Huberman. Here’s how he built his not-so-tiny empire. (Inc. Magazine)

“My business partner Chris says there’s no such thing as problems – there are only people problems.”

The youngest Kardashian changing her look: Kylie, the youngest Kardashian-Jenner sister has a new look and a slew of new products to go along with it. She no longer wears wigs or bold makeup every day. She no longer wakes up and immediately posts on social media. “Maturity” and “sophistication” are the words guiding her branding now. It’s called the “clean girl” style. Here’s how her new look is guiding her approach to her business empire. (The New York Times; if you can’t access the article, try this link.)

“I don’t have this thick mane down to my butt, I don’t have lash extensions, I don’t have these long claws.”

The pop star pivoting to country: Kacey Musgraves is in the lead-up to the release of her sixth album, Deeper Well. Musgraves’s past few albums had her edging pop-crossover superstardom. For her newest era, she is going back to her country roots right at the moment that country is invading pop music. “It’s just funny because country music has been such a massive part of my life since I can remember,” Musgraves says. “Country feels like home to me.” (New York Magazine)

“It may come and go trend-wise in other genres, but there’s always something really timeless to me about it, whether it’s popular in pop music or not.”

The people hosting their own ‘living funerals:’ Living funerals, which are also known as pre-funerals, offer a chance for people to say goodbye to their friends and families on their own terms and to celebrate their life while they are still alive. Meet the people who see great benefit in hosting these unusual events. (The Guardian)

“The main thing I took from it was that people cared about me.”

COMPANIES TO WATCH.

The book publisher disrupting the industry: A new book publisher called with an unusual business model, a small footprint and an outsize pedigree that includes some of the biggest names in publishing launched on Tuesday. The founders of the publishing house called “Authors Equity” hope that their experience and approach to publishing will attract writers. Contrary to the usual practice, Authors Equity won’t offer authors money upfront or guarantee them a payment — but it will give them “the lion’s share” of any profit that is made. In addition, it will pay them monthly, instead of in advances that can be drawn out over years. Will this be enough to entice authors? (The New York Times; if you can’t access the article, try this link.)

“To keep the business healthy for authors, we need to consider new models for how they are compensated and how books are published.”

✨ The rest of this newsletter is only available for premium members of The Profile, whose support makes this work possible. If you’re not already a premium member, consider upgrading your subscription below for access to an additional section of weekly audio + video recommendations. ✨…