From bus 280 to 7cars: How one dream fueled an entire business?
This is a story about 7Cars – a business born from a dream in bus 280 and transformed into a strong community of people united by their love for cars and respect for integrity.
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The childhood dream of freedom and movement often remains just that – a dream. But sometimes it becomes the reason for an entirely new business model. This is how the story of 7Cars begins – not as a strategic plan, but as a personal necessity. In Chris's family (the owner), there was no car, which turned car ownership into a symbol of independence. The idea of 'a different car for every day of the week' was born on bus 280, on the way from Studentski Grad to the center of Sofia – a symbolic contrast between public transport and the dream of personal comfort.
Interestingly, Chris initially knew nothing about cars. On the contrary – his first bought car was a complete failure. But as often happens, it is precisely this failure that fueled his curiosity. So while most people simply give up, he started to read, became interested, and learned. The desire for independence coupled with the need for knowledge laid the foundation for something bigger than just a car dealership.
Instead of remaining a passive consumer in a distorted market, he decided to change it from within. He observed how cars are sold in Germany – honestly, transparently, respectfully. And this provoked him to offer the same in Bulgaria. No tricks, no ambiguities. Just real cars, for real people.
The beginning of the online presence of 7Cars was not intentional. Chris didn't even have a Facebook profile. He just heard that an acquaintance was selling paintings online and decided to give it a try. And here comes the first miracle – colleagues from the IT company began to seek him out not for code, but for cars. This was the first sign that there could be a future outside the office.
Content on social media became the backbone of the business. But not as a strategy, rather as a natural continuation of communication with people. Without expensive ads and marketing tricks – just honesty, persistence, and meaningful stories. This is how a community was built. And at one point, when the followers reached 10,000, Chris realized that this was no longer just about selling cars. This was a platform for mutual trust.
The development of 7Cars turned out to be not just a successful commercial activity, but a movement. A community where the customer is not a number, but a person. A community that values honesty more than the speed of delivery. This is evident in the way criticism is addressed – not with excuses, but with personal calls to dissatisfied customers. Because even when the service is not perfect, respect can do wonders.
In a world of quick profits and one-day businesses, 7Cars is something different. Here, success is not measured just by sales, but by the recognition from customers and competitors. Chris does not hide behind the brand; he stands with his name and face behind every deal. When blaze and surgery struck him at the same time, he didn't not shut himself off but began to seek feedback. He talked with dissatisfied customers. And that saved him. It brought him back to meaning.
With time, not only do customers came, but also family, team, children – at home and in the office. Each of these "children" is part of his success. Not only because the business is thriving, but because he himself has remained humane. Without being arrogant. Without forgetting where he came from. This is the greatest lesson he shares – that you must be careful not to lose yourself in moments of rise.
And to young entrepreneurs, the message is clear: think big, solve real problems, take risks. Believe that Bulgaria is already a place where this is possible. Because generations are changing. Thinking is changing. And thanks to this, businesses like 7Cars are no longer an exception, but an example of a new wave of entrepreneurship – based on trust, perseverance, and humanity.