She spent 10+ years climbing the corporate ladder in management consulting — until motherhood made her stop and ask: who am I, really?

In this episode of Founders in Jeans, host Emily Jean talks with Ralitsa Malcheva, a Bulgarian-born, UK-based consultant turned freelance coach, about identity, change, and the fear of letting go of who you used to be. Ralitsa opens up about growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in a small town in Bulgaria, why she stayed in corporate for a decade despite always feeling "off," and how becoming a mom gave her the clarity to finally build something of her own.

She also dives into her coaching work helping people navigate major life and identity shifts, the biggest mistakes companies make when managing change, why emotional intelligence is now the #1 leadership skill, and how community — not just habits — is what actually keeps you grounded during uncertainty.

If you've ever felt stuck, disconnected, or like you're supposed to want something you don't actually want — this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:08 – Welcome to Founders in Jeans + how to support the show
• 01:38 – Meet Ralitsa Malcheva: consultant turned coach
• 02:58 – Growing up around entrepreneurship in a small Bulgarian town
• 05:11 – Why she stayed in corporate for 10 years despite feeling "off"
• 06:12 – The turning point: was there one moment she knew it was time to leave?
• 06:38 – How motherhood became the catalyst for going out on her own
• 07:20 – Reframing motherhood as an opportunity, not an excuse
• 08:20 – What clients usually come to her for when they feel lost or disconnected
• 09:28 – The most common challenge: letting go of who you used to be
• 10:34 – The biggest mindset shift that creates real change
• 11:24 – How to stay grounded when everything feels uncertain
• 12:49 – A quick detour into Blue Zones and the power of community
• 13:15 – The biggest mistake companies make when managing change
• 14:18 – How to get people to buy into change when they're scared or resistant
• 15:33 – What makes a company culture truly healthy (beyond the buzzwords)
• 16:43 – The shift in how people think about work and purpose today
• 18:41 – The skills that matter most for leaders right now
• 19:56 – Rapid fire: her childhood business idea and dream career
• 20:33 – The daily ritual that keeps her grounded
• 20:55 – The founder who inspires her (and why)
• 22:25 – Her book recommendation for anyone going through change
• 23:35 – Where to find and connect with Ralitsa

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Connect with Ralitsa Malcheva:

Website: https://soulfulbyrali.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfulbyrali/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralitsa-malcheva/

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career change coach, identity and change podcast, leaving corporate for entrepreneurship, motherhood and career, organizational change management, emotional intelligence leadership, female founder podcast, coaching for career transitions, workplace culture podcast, purpose-driven leadership