In 2017, I launched Speak Greek® with no customers, no contacts, and no established presence in the highly competitive Greek tutoring and translation market. Dozens of tutors were already offering similar services, and many translators had more experience and formal qualifications. To succeed, I needed a clear unique selling point and a way to stand out.
Task
My challenge was to:
- Differentiate Speak Greek® from competitors.
- Attract and retain students and translation clients without relying on big marketing budgets.
- Build a sustainable and scalable business model that could grow over time.
I applied Lean problem-solving tools from my Continuous Improvement expertise to my self-employed business:
- Cause & Effect (Fishbone) Analysis – Identified barriers to student growth and created an immediate action plan.
- A3 Problem Solving – Designed a competitive translation offer (24-hour turnaround, free scanned copy, first-class postage included as standard).
- Process Mapping – Streamlined the student journey, automated enrolments, invoicing, scheduling, and responses to FAQs.
- Innovation – Launched Speak Greek Academy, a Moodle-based platform offering high-quality, self-paced online courses, creating a stream of passive income.
Result
- 360% increase in gross income within 7 years.
- High customer satisfaction – consistent 5-star TrustPilot reviews praising quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Word-of-mouth growth – students and parents became brand ambassadors, bringing new learners through referrals.
- Recognition – Achieved Lean Competency System Impact Awards, proving the measurable success of applying Continuous Improvement in small business operations.
- Sustainable growth – Speak Greek® now serves individuals, schools, teachers, parents, and businesses, offering a diverse range of tailored services.