Following a Dream: Why I Chose To Start a Business in Beautiful Mexico
As an Australian, starting a business in Mexico was not a decision I ever thought I would make. After exiting multiple businesses in Sydney, I found myself lost for ideas and opportunities.
But then, following my thirst for adventure and new experiences, I booked a one-way ticket to Sayulita and traveled around Mexico for six months. Little did I know, this trip would change my life and lead me to start a business in Mexico.
Despite only knowing one word in Spanish, “hola,” I took a leap of faith and haven’t looked back since. Now, my company has students from all over the world, and I am proud of the life I have built here in beautiful Mexico.
Join me as I share the journey of why I chose to start a business in Mexico and how I am making a difference by helping students of all ages, levels, and schedules learn English in a more effective way. ¡Vamos! Let’s dive into my story.
There is many more stories that stem from my decision to start a business in Mexico, as you can imagine. But the end result has turned into a great story. But this is the nuts and bolts of my story of why I decided to start a business in Mexico.
Leaving My Comfort Zone To Start a Business In Mexico
All I knew after leaving Sydney is that I had been to Mexico many times on holidays and always felt drawn to moving there to see if I could live there.
I also wanted to learn Spanish, which I am slowly doing, but it is hard, just like our students trying to learn English. So, I took a leap of faith and left Sydney on a one-way ticket to Mexico in 2017, with the sole purpose of finding a business opportunity that I wanted to pursue.
When I arrived, I only knew one word in Spanish, which was “hola.” As I made my way around Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and up the coast, I was just searching for a moment to think and find my next venture. Leaving my businesses in Sydney gave me the perfect opportunity to explore new possibilities and step out of my comfort zone.
It was a journey of self-discovery, filled with excitement, uncertainty, and the thrill of the unknown. I was determined to find my path, to find something that would not only challenge me but also bring me fulfillment.
And little did I know that this journey would lead me to the beautiful town of Sayulita, where I would start a business that would change my life.
How I Started Teaching English In Mexico
As I ventured through Mexico, I stumbled upon an English teachers school in Puerto Vallarta that caught my attention. Intrigued by the idea of teaching English, I decided to chat with the instructors and ended up signing up for their 8-week course to become a certified English teacher. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of a life-changing journey.
Once I completed the course, I started teaching at various schools, immersing myself in the process of helping students learn and improve their English skills. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I felt a deep sense of fulfillment as I watched my students grow and gain confidence in their language abilities.
However, it was during this time that I also noticed a disconnect between companies and their employees when it came to English language learning. Many employees were unable to dedicate the time and resources necessary to attend traditional language schools, which hindered their progress. This realization sparked an idea within me — to create a more accessible and tailored approach to teaching English to corporate clients.
And so, I embarked on a new venture, offering customized English lessons to companies in Guadalajara, Mexico. I became a corporate English teacher, working with renowned companies such as Coca-Cola and AstraZeneca. Every day, I would travel across the city, teaching multiple lessons and immersing myself in the vibrant business culture of Guadalajara.
It was an enriching experience, both personally and professionally. I had the opportunity to meet incredible people, expand my network, and further improve my Spanish skills. This chapter of my journey solidified my passion for teaching and my desire to make a difference in the lives of others through language education.
Teaching English in Mexico has not only allowed me to pursue my passion for education, but it has also provided me with a platform to create positive change. It has given me the opportunity to empower individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in a globalized world. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Found a Disconnect & Decided To Start a Business In Mexico
As I was teaching English in Mexico, I couldn’t help but notice a disconnect between companies and their employees when it came to language learning. The group lessons I taught were filled with students of varying levels, making it difficult to provide personalized instruction and ensure everyone was making progress.
We relied on generic textbooks that didn’t always align with the students’ abilities and needs. There was no clear structure or measurement of progress, just a simple roll call and the company’s payment for English classes.
Seeing the dedication of my students and their eagerness to learn, I realized there had to be a better way. I wanted to create a more efficient and tailored approach to teaching English, one that would benefit both the employees and the companies. I wanted to provide a solution that made it easier for companies to support their teams in learning English at the exact level they needed.
This realization became my new goal, and I embarked on a mission to find a solution. I spent countless hours researching and developing a new methodology, one that incorporated customized lesson plans, individualized attention, and clear benchmarks for progress.
My aim was to create a learning environment that would empower employees and make language learning a seamless part of their professional development.
By addressing this disconnect, I knew I could make a meaningful impact on the lives of my students and contribute to the success of the companies they worked for. And so, armed with this newfound purpose, I decided to start a business in Mexico, dedicated to offering tailored English lessons to corporate clients.
The journey ahead wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to make a difference. I would devote my time and energy to creating a language learning experience that would truly benefit the individuals and the companies they represented. Little did I know that this decision would shape not only my career but also my personal growth and fulfillment.
How I Managed To Start My Business And Get Investors
As I embarked my journey to start a business in Mexico, I faced the challenge of securing investors to help turn my vision into reality. I knew that in order to create a more efficient and tailored approach to teaching English, I would need additional funds to develop the necessary technology and resources.
To tackle this hurdle, I decided to think outside the box and explore alternative avenues for funding. One idea I had was to offer free English lessons through Telegram, a messaging app, to attract a larger audience and demonstrate the potential of my teaching methodology. This allowed me to gather valuable feedback and data that I could later present to potential investors.
Armed with this proof of concept, I began pitching my ideas to various investors. I shared my passion for education and my vision for a language learning platform that would revolutionize the way English is taught in Mexico. However, my first two pitches were met with skepticism and rejection.
Rather than becoming discouraged, I used these setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve my approach. I went back to the drawing board, refining my business plan and honing my pitch. I reached out to mentors and experts in the field, seeking their guidance and advice.
Finally, my perseverance paid off. I connected with an investor who saw the potential in my idea and believed in my mission. With their financial backing, I was able to bring my business to life and start developing the technology and resources needed to provide a tailored English learning experience.
Securing investors was not an easy feat, but it was a crucial step in turning my vision into reality. It required resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from rejection. Through persistence and a strong belief in my mission, I was able to overcome obstacles and find the support I needed to launch my business.
This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and the power of believing in oneself. It showed me that even when faced with setbacks and rejections, it is possible to find the right people who share your vision and are willing to invest in your dreams.
How We Started Learn Laugh Speak
We finally had an exciting idea to align Learn Laugh Speak with the CEFR parameters for learning English in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Our vision was to create a comprehensive platform that would provide a wide range of 33,000 lessons tailored to these specific language skills. But we didn’t stop there — we incorporated advanced voice recognition technology that allows us to analyze and provide feedback on students’ pronunciation and grammar, helping them improve in real-time.
To ensure our students receive the best possible support, we collaborated with native English teachers from Sydney who work alongside our digital curriculum. This unique combination enables our teachers to identify and address students’ mistakes as they progress through the lessons. Homework assignments are provided, allowing students to practice and reinforce what they’ve learned, with ongoing support from our team.
Our journey with Learn Laugh Speak has been closely intertwined with the growth of our students. As we continued to develop our business and expand our reach, our students saw remarkable progress in their English language skills. This mutual progress has been the driving force behind our success.
So How Was My Decision So Far
Sure, we are competing with some of the biggest companies in the education industry, but that doesn’t deter me. In fact, it motivates me even more. Why? Because I know that we are different. We have formed partnerships with some of the largest hotel chains and best restaurant groups in Mexico, and our network is expanding to companies throughout Europe. This is just the beginning.
Do I regret my decision to start a business in Mexico? Absolutely not. I am no longer chasing the end result or the destination. Instead, I find fulfillment in the journey itself. Every day, I wake up excited to help people and do my best. We are constantly improving and expanding, with plans to launch a kids’ application for schools and make a difference in English education in rural areas of Mexico.
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is the impact we have made in Tulum, Mexico. We have hundreds of students there, and knowing that we are providing them with the opportunity to learn English and improve their lives brings me immense joy.
But it’s not just about the students. We also work with managers and team leaders who are hardworking and eager to learn. We are creating a community of lifelong learners and making a positive difference in the corporate world.
So, how has my decision to start a business in Mexico been so far? It has been challenging, exciting, and incredibly fulfilling. I am grateful for every step of this journey and the opportunities it has brought. I am proud of what we have achieved and excited for what the future holds.
Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn if you have any questions about how to start a business in Mexico! Or maybe your team needs help with their English? We are always happy to help out no matter how big or small the team size is.
