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FEATURED WBE___________________________________________ Back To Main Page
 Featured WBE Interview
Annette Taddeo, Founder & CEO
LanguageSpeak
Tell us a little bit about LanguageSpeak.
LanguageSpeak is a comprehensive language-services company providing document and website translation, instruction, interpretation, and cultural and language survival training to help businesses and other organizations communicate with other professionals, consumer and constituents in 100 languages.
A certified minority and woman-owned business, LanguageSpeak was founded by Annette Taddeo in 1995 and has built up a blue chip roster of clients that include CitiGroup, Office Depot, ING Financial, the City of Miami Beach, Dannon, and TotalBank just to name a few.
While LanguageSpeak offers services in all language areas and all industries, it has developed a particular prominence in helping companies reach the rapidly growing US Hispanic Market
What made you go into this business?
The one challenge that gave Annette the passion to make LanguageSpeak what it is today was her own personal experience. Raised in Colombia, Annette relocated to the United States when she was 17. She learned the hard way the struggles of learning a foreign language. Thus, her passion for languages was born; today she is bilingual and working on her third and fourth languages.
What has been the worst or the biggest obstacle you've faced or had to overcome?
Determination and enthusiasm are two words that describe Annette Taddeo.
Raised in Colombia, Ms. Taddeo relocated to Huntsville, Alabama when she was 17. She knows all too well the struggles of learning a foreign language. After only a few months living in the US, she was required to take the ACT test (today’s SAT equivalent) in order to go to college. After receiving the lowest score possible on the ACT test, an 8, she was determined to go to college anyway. After not being accepted to the university because of her English deficiencies and low test scores, she decided to go to college anyway to take non-credit courses to prove herself to the school administrators. After two years she was officially admitted, able to take credit courses, and more importantly, eligible for financial aid. She successfully graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Spanish and a minor in Business Administration. There were semesters when she was on the Deans list and some when she even had straight A’s. Today she is trilingual and working on her fourth language.
LanguageSpeak is the evolution of the first business founded by Ms. Taddeo, The Language Specialists, Inc. Early in this company’s existence, she took on a non-minority partner who ultimately created obstacles and barriers which Ms. Taddeo felt limited the company’s true growth potential. After a very difficult corporate divorce, Ms. Taddeo re-established herself with a new image, new spirits and re-named her company LanguageSpeak.
What has been your biggest triumph?
After the breakup, her company grew 100% for three consecutive years and in the last year the growth exceeded that benchmark.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
Actually, it was by Nancy Allen who recommended that LanguageSpeak get WBENC Certified. It has been the best thing for the company.
Is there anyone who inspired you and why?
My father who overcame many challenges to start his business. When many around him told him he could not be a rancher in South America he overcame the challenges and became a very successful entrepreneur in many areas. My brother who became President of US Tobacco. His hard work led to his great successes and this was a great inspiration for me.
What is the best book you ever read and would recommend?
Good to Great. It's a very helpful book.
What is your favorite quote?
I always live by making lemonade out of lemons. Everything that was ever worthwhile to accomplish was difficult and I overcame those challenges by making the most of the situation. You can turn a bad situation around if you work at it.
What are your goals now and where do you see yourself going?
To keep growing and be successful in the targeted industries. Also, I am very excited about starting my new role as Chair of the WBENC National Forum.
How has being a member of the WBDC and WBENC helped you?
Some businesses would not meet with me until I got certified, such as Office Depot. As soon as I was certified, not only did I get to meet with those clients, but I was able to sign sizable contracts with them. ING Financial is another large contract where certification played a key role.
What do you want to be remembered for?
Definitely as a woman who has helped other women, a pioneer for women in business, paving the way for others, and just making the world a better place.
How does someone get in contact with you at LanguageSpeak?
The best way to get in contact with me is through e-mail at ataddeo@languagespeak.com. I can also be reached at the following numbers: 305-668-9797 or toll free 877-7-SPEAK-2. My website is www.languagespeak.com
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