Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Deepak Desai, Founder of Ardor Learning, Inc., located in Palo Alto, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Ardor Learning is a language training provider operating in nearly every country. Our mission is to create proper learning outcomes that directly impact an organization's performance and have the power to change lives.

We provide online self-based as well as teacher-led solutions. We work with large global multinationals as well as government customers.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in the education business for many years. I believe passionately in the power of language learning to bring people together. I grew up in India but have lived in the United States for a long time. I was meant to do this. This is my life's mission.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

To have created a team that is a delight to work with, and I am fortunate to have this great team in this journey of joy.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I think, in a certain way, everything we do is hard. It has been challenging to adapt the legacy content of textbook language learning into an online platform. It has been a challenge to take what we know works best for language – human interaction – and figure out how to move that into a scalable virtual environment.

I didn't set out on this path because I thought it would be easy to transform the entire language-learning industry. Still, suppose you believe in what you are doing and surround yourself with others who also believe in it. In that case, you can accomplish amazing things together.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Number one is to believe in what you are doing. You have to know that it is the most important thing to you and that it will also matter to other people. People will start to pay attention if you approach what you do with passion and conviction.

The second is to surround yourself with the best people. I always hire for "fit" on an equal par with experience or talent. Suppose a person truly believes in what you do. In that case, they will work hard and be committed to the work, and they will serve your customers in a way that distinguishes you from the competition. Talent will always grow with time, but you can't grow a moral or passionate person from someone who is just not committed to what you are trying to accomplish.

Third, have fun... this is a tough road. Enjoy the journey as much as reaching a goal.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.ardorlearning.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desaidp420/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/deepak.desai.391
https://www.facebook.com/ardorlearning/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/DeepakD927580
https://twitter.com/myardorenglish

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepak-desai-4581bb/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ardor-learning/

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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