Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ron Fortin, founder, and CEO of Homeschool Spanish Academy, located in Stafford, TX, USA.

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

At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we're passionate about empowering families and individuals to teach their children Spanish in an engaging and effective way. Our online Spanish language instruction is tailored to meet the unique needs of homeschooled students and their parents, who are often looking for a personalized and flexible approach to language learning. By connecting with our customers on an emotional level and understanding their specific goals and challenges, we're able to provide a customized, holistic learning experience that helps families and individuals achieve their language goals.

Tell us about yourself

I first got started working on my business in 2010, when I moved to Antigua, Guatemala, for a job as the executive director of the Scheel Center, a school for impoverished students. I saw a need for an effective and personalized way for homeschooled students in the United States to learn Spanish, and I knew I had the experience and expertise to create a solution.

What motivates me each day to do what I do is a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of families and individuals through providing high-quality, accessible language instruction. Homeschooling is a one-of-a-kind experience, and I enjoy being able to meet the needs of families and individuals who want a personalized approach to learning Spanish. I have a passion for helping people achieve their goals, and seeing the progress that they make as they learn Spanish is incredibly rewarding.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am proud to have built a team and developed a curriculum that empowers families and individuals to achieve their goals, whether that be fluency in Spanish or just a basic understanding of the language. Furthermore, I'm proud to have built a great business in a foreign country in a language that isn't my native tongue.

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

As the CEO and founder of Homeschool Spanish Academy, one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is the constant need to adapt and make difficult decisions. This can include determining which new features or programs to introduce or figuring out how to effectively scale the business while maintaining high-quality instruction. It can also involve handling unexpected challenges that arise, such as changes in the market or shifts in customer needs. It can be difficult to navigate these unknowns, but it's important to be adaptable and make the best decisions possible for the long-term success of the business.

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

My top three tips for anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business today are:

  1. Identify a need in the market: Before starting a business, it's essential to identify a gap in the market or a problem that needs to be solved. By understanding the needs of your target customers and addressing them in a unique and effective way, you'll be more likely to create a successful and sustainable business.
  2. Be adaptable: Running a business comes with constant change and uncertainty. It is important to be adaptable and open to new opportunities. Things won't always go as planned, but you have to be able to pivot and adjust to make the best of the situation.
  3. Invest in people: Your team is the most valuable asset in your business. Surround yourself with the right people who are motivated and skilled and share your vision. Investing in your team will help you build a better business, create a better work environment, and achieve a better outcome.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.spanish.academy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hsaonline
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spanishacademy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hsaonline
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3iVCc2O

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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