Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in language education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sheida A. Rad, Founder, and CEO of Premier English, located in Imperia, Italy.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Premier English is a leading educational company specializing in Career Language Coaching services for top-tier professionals and executives. Our goal is to help our clients improve their business communication skills and overcome language barriers, allowing them to advance their careers and achieve their business goals. At Premier English, we're committed to providing the highest standard of industry-specific English coaching and training. We offer guided career development services, providing in-depth advice to enhance our client's career and business prospects.
Over the years, Premier English has worked with leading professionals in a range of industries, including Sports Journalism (both for TV and New Media), European Banking, and the Italian Football Federation. Our clients include individuals from the Italian government, European Central Bank, the Eni Energy Company, and many more.
Our coaching services go beyond simply improving English language proficiency. We help our clients build confidence and develop their unique communication styles. For professionals who are already well-known in their country, we help them build their persona on an international level, preparing them to deliver compelling presentations at industry conferences and events to international audiences.
At Premier English, we're passionate about enriching the lives and careers of professionals who wish to communicate effectively in the workplace and reach their full potential. That's why we've developed our services to address the specific needs of professionals and executives, offering a personalized approach that yields tangible results.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Sheida A. Rad, and I come from a cultured family in Tehran. Having family both in the US and the UK, I was fascinated by how English allowed people to connect with one another from all around the world. At just five years old, I started studying English and learned how to write. I still remember the excitement of writing about my first day of school in English!
My love for teaching English started early too. During the Iran-Iraq war, my family fled to a small village to take refuge from the bombings. It was there that I began teaching English to the village children using a stick to draw the alphabet on the ground. Even at a young age, I was passionate about sharing my knowledge with others. And when I met my first English friend on holiday at age seven, I was overjoyed to have a new way to communicate with people from different parts of the world. Throughout my school years, I attended regular classes in the morning and English classes in the afternoon, doubling my workload to perfect my language skills. And by 18, I was already teaching English professionally.
My diverse educational background includes degrees in English Teaching and Translation, Interior Design, and Architecture from top universities in Tehran and Rome. I moved to Rome in 2005, and after graduation, I opened my first language school before moving my business online and eventually relocating to Tuscany to find Premier English in 2019. Today, in addition to my online courses and premium 1:1 coaching that I continue to offer online, I expanded my business even further by opening a new branch in the charming Italian Riviera town of Imperia.
As a passionate educator and entrepreneur with over 20 years of teaching experience, I have taught a variety of English courses and worked as an interpreter for international conferences and negotiating teams. Over the past decade, I've focused mainly on teaching Professional English to high-level professionals in industries such as Business, Banking, Diplomacy, Journalism, Military, and even Football. By understanding the unique needs of professionals, I've helped my clients prepare for important meetings, negotiations, presentations, and business trips.
What motivates me each day is the satisfaction I get from helping my clients unlock their potential and reach their goals. I believe that Premier English is the result of all my years of experience, and I am passionate about what I do. I hope that my story inspires others to pursue their passions and share their knowledge with the world.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, my biggest accomplishment is undoubtedly the success of my clients. Seeing them achieve their goals and reach new heights is what drives me to continue doing what I do. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with some amazing clients who have accomplished incredible things. For instance, I have helped clients present their country in Europe, negotiate TV rights worth millions of Euros, give a Ted Talk, and even meet with G20 leaders. These accomplishments make me proud because they show that my coaching and training have made a tangible difference in their lives and careers.
Moreover, I'm proud of the success of my business. I have been able to leverage the power of technology to work with clients from different parts of Italy and help them improve their language and business skills. This has also enabled me to expand my business by opening branches in different locations, which has been a significant milestone for me. In addition, I have developed the 3-step method, which combines business skills with specialized professional English, to provide a unique and personalized learning experience for my clients. This has been a game-changer for my business as it has helped us stand out in a crowded market and attract clients from diverse industries.
Furthermore, I have developed corporate training programs to help companies improve their employees' communication and business skills, which has been very rewarding. And finally, I'm proud of our blog and LinkedIn newsletter, Premier Tips, which has helped people across the globe boost their careers by providing valuable information and advice.
In conclusion, my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is undoubtedly the success of my clients. Their achievements inspire me and give me a sense of purpose. Additionally, I'm proud of the growth and success of my business, which has been possible due to my focus on providing high-quality coaching and training to my clients.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner, there are many challenges that come with the job. One of the hardest things is the inability to switch off and have a break. Unlike employees who have weekends and holidays where they can completely switch off, business owners are always thinking about their business, how to improve it, and how to grow it. This can become very overwhelming, especially in stressful times when things don't go as planned. To deal with this challenge, I try to find ways to relax my mind. For me, going to the gym is a great way to relieve stress and clear my head. It's important to take breaks and make time for yourself so that you can come back to your business with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.
Another challenge that comes with being a business owner is wearing many hats in the business. When starting a business, you have to do everything yourself, from course creation to marketing to accounting. This can become very overwhelming, especially when it seems like you're not getting the results you want. But it's important to keep pushing and not give up because success might be just around the corner. For me, this means doing everything from writing articles to creating TikTok videos. It's a lot of work, but it's also very rewarding to see your business grow and succeed.
Finally, being your own boss can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you have the freedom to take time off whenever you want. On the other hand, everything depends on you. If you get sick and can't work, your business suffers. It's important to find a balance between taking time off and pushing your business forward.
In conclusion, being a business owner comes with many challenges, but it's also very rewarding. It's important to find ways to relax your mind, keep pushing through the tough times, and find a balance between taking time off and pushing your business forward.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
As a business owner, there are many challenges that come with the job. One of the hardest things is the inability to switch off and have a break. Unlike employees who have weekends and holidays where they can completely switch off, business owners are always thinking about their business, how to improve it, and how to grow it. This can become very overwhelming, especially in stressful times when things don't go as planned. To deal with this challenge, I try to find ways to relax my mind. For me, going to the gym is a great way to relieve stress and clear my head. It's important to take breaks and make time for yourself so that you can come back to your business with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.
Another challenge that comes with being a business owner is wearing many hats in the business. When starting a business, you have to do everything yourself, from course creation to marketing to accounting. This can become very overwhelming, especially when it seems like you're not getting the results you want. But it's important to keep pushing and not give up because success might be just around the corner. For me, this means doing everything from writing articles to creating TikTok videos. It's a lot of work, but it's also very rewarding to see your business grow and succeed.
Finally, being your own boss can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you have the freedom to take time off whenever you want. On the other hand, everything depends on you. If you get sick and can't work, your business suffers. It's important to find a balance between taking time off and pushing your business forward.
In conclusion, being a business owner comes with many challenges, but it's also very rewarding. It's important to find ways to relax your mind, keep pushing through the tough times, and find a balance between taking time off and pushing your business forward.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.premierenglish.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/premierenglishuk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierenglishuk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PremierEnglish
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheida-a-rad/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
