Translation Agency

Translation Agency Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: September 26th, 2024

Need a business idea that utilizes your language skills? Start a translation agency. Simply put, a translation agency connects clients needing document, website, or content translation with skilled multilingual professionals.

As global communication grows, businesses constantly seek accurate language services to reach diverse audiences. By setting up an agency, you bridge this gap, providing a crucial service in a world hungry for cross-cultural communication.

Begin by networking on platforms like Upwork and Flexjobs to find clients and initial projects. As your client base grows, consider hiring additional translators to expand the range of languages you offer.

Starting a translation agency isn't effortless; it involves client management, ensuring quality translations, and effective marketing. However, the demand for these services means there's significant potential for a rewarding business. For those willing to put in the work, it offers a fulfilling way to leverage language skills for entrepreneurial success.

Interested? Explore this path and turn your linguistic abilities into a thriving business.

In this list, you'll find real-world translation agency success stories and very profitable examples of starting a translation agency that makes money.

1. DEMAN Übersetzungen ($6.6M/year)

Cédric Sigoire, the owner of DEMAN Translations, had always wanted to have his own company and create value. After searching for 8 years, he acquired DEMAN Translations in 2015 and used his own financing to grow the business from 6 employees and a turnover of 1.5 million euros to 17 team members and 3.5 million euros in sales in 2020. With a target of reaching 6 million euros in 2021 and 10 million euros in 2022, Sigoire plans to expand into France and the United Kingdom.

How much money it makes: $6.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.25M
How many people on the team: 35

Buying A Translation Company And Growing It To $4M/Year

DEMAN Translations grew from 6 employees and 1.5 million euros in turnover in 2015 to 17 team members and 3.5 million euros in sales in 2020 after acquiring 12 other translation agencies, with a goal to reach 6 million euros this year and 10 million euros in 2022.

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2. Gritty Spanish ($60K/year)

Eldon Mirjah, the founder of Gritty Spanish, came up with the idea for his business after a trip to the Dominican Republic where he realized he needed to improve his Spanish skills. Frustrated with existing language-learning products, he decided to create his own program with entertaining audio stories and dramatic readings, launching the website in November 2014. However, gaining customers proved to be a challenge, requiring him to experiment with digital marketing platforms and invest $20k in advertising.

How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 0

My Desire To Learn Spanish Led Me To Build A $70K/Year Language Learning App

Gritty Spanish, a Spanish-language learning program created by Eldon Mirjah, has grown steadily since launching in 2014, with over 1,560 new customers and more than $70k in sales in 2021, largely due to investing in a high-quality blog, iOS/Android app, and web app.

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Read by 2,556 founders