Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in language education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bront'e Singleton, Founder of The Polyglot Fox, located in Mount Vernon, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a language learning coach, mentor, & teacher, and I help language learners create consistent study routines so they can start using the languages they're learning.
Tell us about yourself
My business started as a way to share the things I wish I had when I first started learning languages. In my own journey, I was faced with a lot of mixed information out in the world that told me what we should and should not do as language learners, and similar to my student's and clients' experiences, this made me feel frustrated and overwhelmed. I tried what other people swore worked for them, and when I didn't see the same results, I thought something was wrong with me.
I quit several times, and I constantly compared myself and my progress to other language learners, and it honestly made me hate learning languages at times. It took me a lot of reflection and trial & error to realize that I was struggling because I was forcing myself to do things that just didn't work for me.
And when I stopped doing what didn't work and focused on what DID work for me, that's when everything shifted. That is why I do what I do. My mission is to help language learners get to a place where they can start using the language or languages they're learning. I work with language learners who feel the same way that I did, who are struggling to make progress and see results, and who just don't know how to reach their study goals and I share what I've learned over the years and help them overcome the obstacles that are keeping them stuck, and free them from the pressures of doing what they feel they "should" be doing. I'm motivated each and every day to empower language learners to do what works best for them!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
In general, taking the plunge to start my business has been a huge accomplishment. But more specifically, I launched my program, The Polyglot Project, and have helped my students get clarity on what they want to achieve and create real consistency in their language studies.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Right now, my business is a solo act. I have to proactively manage my time so that I stay consistent with tasks and projects, and I also give myself the grace and space to rest so I don't burn out because I truly believe that I can't take care of and support others if I'm not at my best.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Clarity! Everything starts with getting clear on your "Why." Why do you want to start a business? This needs to be a personal reason because this is what will keep you grounded and on track.
- Prioritize action over planning. Something my mentors have taught me, especially as a perfectionist, is to take imperfect action. You can always change it, fix it, and add to it later. It can be so easy to use planning as a way to feel productive, but in my experience, it's almost always another way of procrastinating when we're afraid to take action.
- Find your people. Starting and growing a business isn't easy, and one of the biggest challenges we face on a consistent basis is our mindset. Having mentors, biz-friends, and accountability buddies that you can rely on can really help with this.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thepolyglotfox.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepolyglotfox
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepolyglotfox/
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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