From Interpreter to Entrepreneur: How Katherine Shivers Built Strata Language Services to Bridge Cultural Gaps

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

I grew up in New York City, a very diverse city with so many different cultures, a melting pot. When I was a young girl, I would accompany my family (who spoke Spanish) to appointments and other errands to serve as an unofficial interpreter and translator. After serving in the Air Force and earning my Master's in Spanish Translation and Interpreting, I founded Strata Language Services. We provide translation, interpreting, and other language services to businesses, non-profits, and individuals to facilitate access to social services, healthcare, education, and other services.

Who are your customers?

Our customers are businesses, non-profits, and individuals. We facilitate their communication as well as individuals' interaction with various organizations. We translate documents into various languages so that organizations can reach a wider audience, thus increasing their revenue and impact. We also provide interpretation during meetings, webinars, and other events so that more people can participate, receive information, and provide feedback and opinions. Individuals can also benefit from out services by having their personal documents translated for various uses, such as employment, immigration, and social services.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I served in the Air Force, served as a community translator and interpreter for a local school district, and co-founded a business with my partner.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I founded Strata in 2018, as a way of giving back to my community by providing language services. It was my way of helping hardworking people feel seen and heard while also allowing them to maintain their privacy regarding sensitive matters. I also realized that businesses could greatly increase their revenue by simply translating the documents and events that they already have planned.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

No, but I have found that it gives me a sense of pride by being able to live by my professional standards and also enjoying flexibility.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

I initially relied on my website and inclusion on procurement registries. We were able to be found by a new long-term client within a year of our founding.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

As a small business, Strata must conservatively budget advertising and marketing funds, hindering our visibility and the number of potential clients we are able to reach. We have learned that educating our clients via social media and blogs is key to highlighting the benefits of the services we provide.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

Our biggest accomplishment has been working with a local non-profit organization that provides business training for family childcare providers. We have provided translation and interpretation services to facilitate equal and equitable access to the training for Spanish-speaking childcare providers with limited English proficiency. We have provided simultaneous interpretation for various virtual events so that Spanish-speaking providers can also take advantage of information on how to expand and improve their home-based childcare businesses.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

We look forward to expanding our service offerings by including new services and additional languages. We will be launching a course to educate organizations on language access, and we are considering providing conversation practice.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I like to make sure to use a shared calendar which includes both personal and professional scheduling. This makes it easier for me to plan out my days and weeks.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I am still looking into the journey, so I will determine this later on.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Google Calendar and Gmail. It helps me avoid being tied to my desk and respond quickly to client inquiries.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Monday.com; It helps me track my business' projects and their statuses.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

I recommend building a network of entrepreneurs and other professionals.

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