Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leslie Ribeiro-Vicente, Executive Director of Discovery Language Academy Inc., located in New Bedford, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide skill development and training opportunities in the areas of language acquisition, cultural understanding, and career education to achieve personal, professional, and vocational goals.

Tell us about yourself

As a bilingual educator, I always found that it was easier to navigate with my students and their parents when I spoke their native language. I could understand them, help them and advocate for them. With that in mind, I want as many people ages 4 to 80 to learn a dominant second language in our community so that they can advocate for themselves and their children or their parents.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As the Executive Director of Discovery Language Academy, my biggest accomplishment was securing a grant to provide English (ESL) and Civic engagement classes to the low-income immigrant in our community.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest thing about being the executive director of a non-profit organization is the struggle for funds to support our education programs that serve a low-income population.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I would say don't give up when getting a no for an answer; rather, ask why and try again. Persevere, and create relationships with other organizations. Both you and them will be stronger.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.discoverylanguageacademy.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverylanguageacademy.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-ribeiro-vicente-ph-d-3001043b/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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