We Chat to Ethical Online Spanish Language School
by Startacus Admin
Oh, how we love it when good business and social responsibility come together.
Phiroza Marker is a Member of our community and is also the co-founder of Spanish Marks, an ethical online Spanish language school which connects tutors and students via online classrooms from anywhere in the world.
It is an ethically-focused enterprise which helps to support tutor's communities in Guatemala, with a portion of the profits promised to go towards creating and supporting social projects. We had a chat with Phiroza to learn a little more about what she is up to.
Hi Phiroza, first off tell us a bit about yourself?
I have always wanted to set up my own business. In 2014, I walked away from my job in financial advisory to set up Spanish Marks - a consciously-minded Spanish language school. The school is co-founded by myself and my brother, Rustom.
What exactly does Spanish Marks do?
We provide online Spanish language tuition to individuals and businesses. Students from the UK are connected to our native Spanish-speaking tutors in Guatemala via online classrooms. This is a disruptive approach to education since it challenges the traditional in-person tutor format. It offers students greater flexibility in terms of lesson location since they can be taken from anywhere with an internet connection. The absence of a physical classroom also means we can keep overheads low and pass on the benefits to students through low lesson prices.
Can you explain the ethical focus of Spanish Marks?
From the start we wanted to be an ethically focussed school which gives back to our teachers' communities in Guatemala. It is a country which is rich in culture but suffers from one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. We use part of our profits from our Spanish lessons to set up projects in Guatemala which tackle these important issues.
These have included partnering with the charity, Asociacion Fatima to build a website so that they can recruit volunteers and grow organically. We have also partnered with local schools, running monthly writing competitions. We donate funds to the winning school, which is then used to purchase much-needed school equipment.
Over the course of creating the business what would you say has been your breakthrough moment?
Being signed onto the employees benefits platform of KPMG - a UK-based professional services firm with 11,652 employees. We started trading less than 2 years ago, and are already making a profit with an increasingly growing student base of both individuals and businesses seeking Spanish tuition.
Finally, what are your future plans for Spanish Marks?
Later this year will see the launch of our international work experience placements, which sends volunteers from the UK to charitable organisations in Guatemala. The placements will be tailored to the volunteer's interests and offered in the fields of human rights, health, education or environment. As a school, we would also include pre-departure Spanish lessons which
would be of great benefit since Guatemala is a Spanish-speaking country!
Thanks for the chat Phiroza and best of luck with Spanish Marks in the future!
If you’ve got a great startup that you would like to share with the world, why not become a member of the Startacus community, it’s totally free and gives you access to loads of exclusive benefits like business deals, and ticket giveaways for startup and technology events!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Manchester fintech GoodBox, who helps charities embrace the rise of fintech through digital and contactless payments, have raised over £2m for UK charities.
The startup that has created a 3D product configuration and visualisation platform
.jpeg)
How exactly do you go about finding the best office for your startup? Here's some top advice on finding the right place for you.
We take a look at yulife, a new InsurTech startup shaking up the life insurance sector, with customers earning rewards for healthy activities.
A study recently carried out by Volteface, has been revealed that social media platforms are frequently being used in order to advertise illicit drugs.
When it comes to setting up a startup there are certain things to consider before you set up your business in the city.
The edtech startup that's helping students learn by putting the core syllabus to music
The startup that's creating a learning experience to inspire the next generation of STEM learners, starting with Maths.
Not having the right team is a common reason why startups fail. Here are some of the key personalities and soft skills you'll need in your team.
Mattr Media share their 6 key steps they recommend to every brand who wants to create a killer crowdfunding video and a successful raise.
Published on: 26th July 2016
.png)
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Manchester fintech GoodBox hits £2m donated to UK charities 21st Oct 2019 Manchester fintech GoodBox, who helps charities embrace the rise of fintech through digital and contactless payments, have raised over £2m for UK charities.
- Event at Startup Week Dublin to explore startup collaboration between NI and Ireland 11th Oct 2019 With the impact of BREXIT still very much an uncertainty, our evening event at Startup Week Dublin will explore startup collaboration and opportunities between NI and Ireland.
- Startups shaping future of the smart built environment wanted for RElab programme 8th Oct 2019 Tech startups focused on smart buildings and cities, smart grid, construction tech, predictive maintenance, and other tech solutions - take note!
- Tech startups in telecom infrastructure sought for BT run competition 3rd Oct 2019 BT and the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) have launched the third annual competition for startups in telecom infrastructure
