Thanks to a Village

"It takes a village to raise a child," goes the old African proverb. But in the world of business, I've come to realize that it takes a community to raise a successful enterprise.

As a language professor, I have always been passionate about helping people communicate in different languages. I understand the possibilities that become available through language learning. Three years ago, I took the leap and founded my own language learning company, Lenguas Club, with a mission to expand multilingualism through human interactions. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of a challenging yet fulfilling journey as an entrepreneur.
Of course, being an entrepreneur requires a diverse skill set; since starting Lenguas Club, I have expanded my knowledge to include everything from business management to marketing to customer psychology. But I haven't been alone in this journey. Thanks to organizations like the Koffman Incubator and the Small Business Association, as well as the support of colleagues and mentors, I have been able to navigate the ever-changing waters of entrepreneurship.
While the world adjusted to virtual meetings at the beginning of this decade, I saw an opportunity to connect people across the world through virtual language and cultural immersion sessions. Today, Lenguas Club is in a good position to supply highly qualified Spanish teachers to add power world to language departments. We work with schools to supplement their teaching capabilities through virtual immersion sessions with teachers in Colombia,
As the company develops, we continue to find new areas in which we can serve our professional community. Lenguas Club also provides professional development on topics related to supporting multilingual learners. Our team of experienced TESOL teachers and researchers from across the country works together to develop interactive workshops that are enhanced by the possibilities of virtual interaction.
To keep up with the growth of my company, I continue to learn and surround myself with top talents in their respective fields. I am currently participating in a Master Mind program at Clarkson University, which is providing me with valuable insights and strategies for different aspects of my organization. I am also a faithful consumer of personal and professional development podcasts; amongst my current favorite are How Leaders Lead with David Novak, Cult of Pedagogy, Hidden Brain and Online Marketing Made Easy.
Looking back on my journey, I am amazed at how much I have changed and grown as a leader. Through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, I have developed greater confidence in my abilities and learned to team up with others to augment them. I have also developed a greater appreciation for hard work and perseverance, as well as the importance of teaming up to infuse your organization with the best talent to remain relevant in an ever-changing world.
As Lenguas Club becomes a leader in the world of language learning, I feel confident in our ability to deliver educational experiences that enhance learning and with schools curriculums and learning circumstances.  As a leader myself, I feel well surrounded by the best team and supported by a network of exceptional people and organizations that will help me develop into the best leader I can be. ​

So, to all aspiring entrepreneurs out there, remember: it takes a town to raise a business. Build your network, surround yourself with great minds, and never stop learning."