Despina tells us about her green philosophy and business

What University did you attend after AAS and what did you study? After a bit of shuffling around, I decided to study at the University of Surrey and I’m currently studying Entrepreneurship as part of my Business Management course.

How did you choose your study? Since I was young I have always been eager to bring my creative ideas to life.I have always been someone that wants to do everything and could never choose one thing to focus on. That is why I chose Entrepreneurship as my field of study because that will enable me to bring all my ideas to life in a business context. In 10th grade after taking Geography as a course at AAS, I started to realize that I was extremely passionate about sustainability, so my university course had to be something that would enable me to literally change the world for the better.

I think business is a very broad subject that could apply to every single aspect of our lives, and you can do what you actually love for the rest of your life with a degree in business. Whether you’re into fashion, economics, the arts, sustainability or even gaming, you’re going to be able to apply the skills you learn in a good business course in the field of your interest and bring value to any company you apply to work for.

Unversity of Surrey

What do you miss about AAS? AAS has given me a lot, and I am very thankful I got to experience the education and culture of this school.

One of the most important aspects that made AAS feel like home and that I currently miss is the community. Everyone knew each other, we said hi to each other even outside of school and it created a safe zone that in other schools you do not have. Of course there is the usual “drama” but at the end of the day we could all rely on each other for absolutely everything, both students and teachers

Even years after graduating I’m still best friends with everyone I was close to in high school. We support each other, we’re there for each other, and I would never change that for the world.

I also miss the athletics at AAS. I loved being able to “let go” for a couple of hours each day and work out not only physically but mentally.

One of my close friends and AAS alumni, Milla Ivanova, wearing a Green Spirits t-shirt

What are you up to now? Right now I still have 2 years left of my course but on my free time I have started my own brand around ethical,

sustainable and vegan apparel called Green Spirits. The designs are focused on spreading the sustainable message and I have also had the privilege of working with Nona Dimitrova, also an AAS graduate and collaborating together on a couple of designs for Green Spirits. In addition, I am running an Instagram blog focused on sustainable living and veganism called Learn to Love our Earth, which I have been growing for about a year now. I am also launching soon a website that will get a “go-to” for people that want to travel, shop and live sustainably with city guides and brand directories available for free to anyone. It will also include one-on-one coaching sessions with people that are interested in transforming their everyday lives into something more eco-friendly.