How being a language teacher is about culture & community
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey as a language teacher, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessica Sintra, the founder of Lusocamp, a European Portuguese language & culture learning platform based out of Lisbon, Portugal.
Tell us all about your business...
Lusocamp is more than a European Portuguese language learning platform. We help people who are relocating to Portugal and/ or have Portuguese roots connecting with the Language, Culture and Community!
What's your background and motivation to grow as a language and culture tutor?
I’m Jessica Sintra and I like to think of myself as an unofficial ambassador of the European Portuguese language and culture!
I LOVE getting people in the Flow of Portugal! Teaching my mother tongue and my culture (I have a bachelor degree in History of Art) has brought so much joy and growth to my students. I get up in the morning for the “Aha!” moments.
As a small business owner, what does success ultimately mean to you?
Success for me is doing what I love with people I feel connected to in an environment of prosperity!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
The hardest thing is dealing with self-sabotage tendencies and doubts. The multiple hats that are required to keep progress rolling can be overwhelming.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
1. Be strategic from day 1.
2. Write a mission statement that keeps you align when sh*t hits the fan.
3. The Portuguese idiomatic expression “não ponhas a carroça à frente dos bóis” is perfect for this! Basically, take action in a sequencial and strategic manner to optimize effort.
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly to help grow your business, what would it be?
I would LOVE to talk to more people that are learning European Portuguese and HELP them in their journey.
Sometimes it’s not about doing many classes or practices. It has more to do with getting confidence and remembering WHY they started this endeavour in the first place.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
I write a letter to myself every week and I pay myself for the fact that I am showing up to those who I love the most. Most evenings are booked for self-care activities, romantic dates with my amazing boyfriend and events with friends and family.
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and best business resources/books?
The entrepreneur I look up to is Marie Forleo! She is incredible and her book "Everything is Figureoutable" opened my mind to so many possibilities. I recommend the book "The Psychology of Money" from Morgan Housel, "Be so good they can't ignore you" from Steve Martin and finally any book from Steven Kotler, he is the master of productivity.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Entrepreneurship seems to be the modern day Indiana Jones lifestyle.
Where can people find you online?
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0u3u2W1SdQC-unsK7A0UWQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lusocamp/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lusocamp
Subkit: https://www.subkit.com/lusocamp/lusocamp
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a language teacher that you'd like to share then email community@subkit.com, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.