What made you want to do the work you do? Please share the full story.
What made me want to do the work I do is simple: I have always believed that knowledge becomes powerful when you share it.
I started using social media professionally in 2014, at a time when many people still saw platforms like Twitter as places for conversation rather than as engines for global influence. I saw something different. I saw an opportunity to educate, connect ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and build a global community without waiting for permission.
That belief led me to launch my website in 2015 and to build my voice around the technologies and ideas shaping the future. The recognition followed—being named among the Top 100 Influencers in B2B Twitter Marketing, Virtual Reality, and Digital Transformation by Onalytica—but the awards were never the destination. The real reward has always been the ability to influence how people think, learn, and act.
Twitter, in particular, changed the trajectory of my life. I went from just 20 followers in 2014 to 57,000 in 2020. That journey taught me something I still carry with me today: you do not need to start with a massive platform; you need to start with a powerful message and the discipline to show up consistently.
I have worked every day throughout my 20s and 30s because I have never viewed this as simply a career. I view it as a mission. Whether I am speaking on a global stage, appearing on a podcast, advising organizations, working with speakers’ bureaus, or sharing an idea online, my goal is the same: to educate, inspire, and help people understand what is possible before it becomes obvious to everyone else.
I have been a guest on more than 80 global podcasts, interviewed by media outlets around the world more than 100 times, served on advisory boards in AI, data science, and cybersecurity, and spoken at international events from Estonia to Baku and Warsaw. I have been recognized among the World’s Top 20 AI Speakers by the AI Speakers Agency alongside Sam Altman.
How is AI changing your business? What changes are you making to adapt?
AI is not simply changing my business—it is changing the speed, scale, and ambition of what I can build.
I see AI as a force multiplier. It allows me to research faster, identify patterns earlier, personalize ideas, accelerate content creation, and spend more time on the things machines cannot replace: strategic thinking, human connection, creativity, judgment, and leadership.
But I am not interested in using AI simply because it is fashionable. The real question is not, “How can I use AI?” but “How can AI help me create more value?” That distinction matters.
My adaptation has been to become even more intentional about where technology fits into my workflow. I continuously experiment with AI tools, integrate them into research and content processes, and use them to increase productivity without compromising authenticity. I want AI to amplify my voice—not replace it.
AI is also changing the conversations I have with clients, organizations, audiences, and global communities. The demand is moving beyond basic AI awareness toward transformation: how leaders can redesign businesses, rethink marketing, develop new capabilities, and remain competitive in an AI-first economy.
That is where I see my greatest opportunity.
I have spent years studying digital transformation, marketing, emerging technologies, and the future of business. AI brings all of those worlds together. It is no longer a technology conversation; it is a leadership conversation.
My mindset is therefore not to adapt to AI defensively, but to move toward it aggressively and responsibly. I want to understand the technology deeply enough to anticipate where it is going, translate complexity into actionable ideas, and help others navigate the transformation.
The biggest change I am making is this: I am raising my own expectations of what is possible.
AI gives individuals and businesses unprecedented leverage. The winners will be those who know what to delegate to AI and what to keep uniquely human.
What are the 3 things you like best about your work and why?
There are three things I love most about my work.
First, building my personal brand. I see a personal brand as more than visibility—it is a platform for ideas, influence, and impact. I love turning knowledge and experience into a voice that reaches people around the world.
Second, speaking at global events. There is something powerful about standing on a stage in front of an international audience and having the opportunity to challenge thinking, inspire action, and start meaningful conversations. Every stage is a chance to make an impact.
Third, delivering lectures at business schools. This is where my passion for education comes alive. I love working with ambitious students, sharing real-world insights, and helping shape the next generation of leaders. If I can change the way one student thinks about business, technology, or their own potential, I know my work has meaning.
Ultimately, I love my work because it allows me to build, speak, and educate—and to turn all three into global impact.
What are your greatest 3 skills and how have they helped you succeed?
My three greatest skills are self-education, curiosity, and long-term thinking.
Self-education has taught me to take ownership of my growth. I never wait for opportunities to learn—I actively create them. It has helped me continuously evolve with technology, business, and the changing world.
Curiosity keeps me ahead. I constantly ask, What’s next? Why does it matter? What can I learn from it? That mindset has pushed me to explore emerging technologies, challenge conventional thinking, and identify opportunities before they become obvious.
Long-term thinking has given me the patience to build rather than chase quick wins. I think in years, not days. My global personal brand, speaking career, and thought leadership were built through consistency, discipline, and a willingness to keep going when results were not immediate.
Together, these skills have become my formula for success: learn relentlessly, stay curious, and play the long game.
Tell us about a time where you saw a surprising outcome that you did not expect.
One of the most surprising outcomes of my career began with something that seemed very simple: I built my website, www.vladimerbotsvadze.com, in 2015.
At the time, I saw it as a platform to share my ideas, knowledge, and perspective with the world. I never imagined how far that small decision would take me. What started as a personal website evolved into a global platform that opened doors I could not have predicted.
Since then, I have received more than 250 awards, been featured and interviewed by leading magazines, appeared on countless global podcasts, spoken at international events, advised boards, and judged prestigious awards.
The surprising part was never the individual achievement—it was the compound effect of consistency. One article led to a connection, one connection led to an invitation, one invitation led to another opportunity, and over time those small actions created a global career.
It exceeded every expectation I had when I launched that website.
That experience taught me a lesson I still believe in today: you never know how far one courageous decision, backed by years of relentless consistency, can take you.
What is the biggest challenge you face each day and how do you handle it?
The biggest challenge I face every day is staying ahead of the curve in a world where the curve keeps moving.
Generative AI is evolving at extraordinary speed. New models, tools, capabilities, and breakthroughs emerge constantly, and staying relevant requires more than simply keeping up—it requires anticipating what comes next. I want to keep my finger firmly on the pulse of the latest developments and understand not only what is changing, but why it matters and how it will reshape business and society.
I handle this through relentless self-education. I read, research, experiment, listen to experts, engage with global thinkers, and constantly challenge my own assumptions.
For me, staying ahead is not a destination; it is a daily discipline. The more consistently you learn, the more opportunities you create to stay ahead and shape the future.
What is a habit you try to stick to and how has it helped you?
One habit I try to stick to is protecting and strengthening my self-esteem. I know myself, I know what I stand for, and I know the value I bring to the table. That self-awareness gives me the confidence to make decisions without constantly seeking validation from others.
I remind myself that confidence is not about believing in my own ability to learn, grow, and overcome challenges. When I know who I am, external opinions become perspectives rather than definitions.
This habit has helped me stay focused, resilient, and authentic. I continuously work to become the strongest version of myself.
What achievement are you the proudest of and why?
The achievement I am proudest of is being recognized by Thinkers360 as the No. 1 Global Marketing Thought Leader in 2020. For me, it was the pinnacle of my career because it validated something I had spent years building: a global personal brand grounded in consistency, knowledge, and relentless execution.
Behind that recognition were years of disciplined work—more than 130,000 tweets, 60,000+ Instagram posts, 32,850 LinkedIn connections, 65 professional experiences, 250 awards, 41 recommendations, and 85 licenses and certifications.
But I am most proud of what those numbers represent: showing up every single day. I invested heavily in my personal brand when there was no guarantee of recognition or reward.
That achievement taught me that success is rarely created by one extraordinary moment. It is created by thousands of ordinary actions repeated with extraordinary consistency.
Consistent action creates consistent results—and my career is living proof of that.
What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill because it fundamentally shaped the way I think about ambition, discipline, and success.
What resonates with me most is its emphasis on the power of definiteness of purpose, persistence, and belief. I believe success begins long before the results become visible—it starts with a clear vision and the willingness to work relentlessly toward it.
The book reminds me that great achievements rarely happen overnight. They are built through consistent action, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to a goal.
For me, Think and Grow Rich is not simply a book about wealth; it is a book about mindset. It reinforced a principle I live by: when you know what you want and refuse to stop moving toward it, you dramatically increase the possibility of turning ambition into reality.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be: start building your personal brand in your early 20s—and start before you feel ready.
Your personal brand is not something you build overnight. It is the reputation you create through your knowledge, consistency, values, and the value you bring to others. Every conversation, every idea, and every piece of work is an opportunity to establish what you want to be known for.
I would tell my younger self not to wait for recognition, permission, or the “perfect moment.” Start sharing. Start learning. Start building relationships. Start showing the world what you can do.
Because the earlier you invest in your reputation, the more time you give it to compound.
Build your name before you need your name to open doors.
Who has been your biggest mentor in life (personal or professional) and how have they helped you?
I have never had one particular mentor who guided my career, but if I had to name the person who has inspired me most, it would be Gary Vaynerchuk.
Gary has had a profound influence on how I think about marketing, personal branding, attention, and the power of social media. What made it especially meaningful was a personal moment: Gary responded to one of my comments on X (formerly Twitter) and even sent me a video message.
It may have seemed like a small interaction, but for me, it was a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have by simply acknowledging and encouraging another. It reinforced my belief in the importance of being accessible, authentic, and generous with your audience.
I consider Gary one of the most influential marketing thought leaders of our era, and his approach has inspired me to think bigger, move faster, and consistently create value.
Sometimes a mentor doesn’t have to know they are mentoring you. Their ideas, actions, and example can be enough to change the way you think—and ultimately, the way you build your career.
Give us words of wisdom. What is one thing your Mom or Dad taught you remember to this day?
The most important lesson my parents taught me is gratitude.
They taught me to appreciate what I have, recognize the people who support me, and never take opportunities or achievements for granted. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.
No matter how many awards I receive, stages I speak on, or milestones I reach, I remind myself that success means little if you cannot appreciate the journey and the people who helped you along the way.
Gratitude keeps me grounded while ambition keeps me moving forward. I believe you can be relentlessly ambitious and deeply grateful at the same time—and that is a balance I carry with me every day.