About Marta

Hello. I’m Marta Stelmaszak and I translate law, marketing and business because I want to do my bit in helping small businesses make a difference in the world. Even just reading it motivates me to do more.

But it hasn’t always been easy. When I was still at the university, I had big ideas and dreams and I thought I was going to change the world through translating. I’m sure you know this feeling, too. We become translators because we want to change something. However, getting into professional translation was like a cold shower. I struggled working at low rates, I knew I was good and underpaid, I felt I wasn’t really changing the world as much as I wanted to. I thought there was more to it and I was disappointed I couldn’t realise my potential. Sounds familiar?

Just by a complete accident, I came across this speech which completely changed the way I thought about my business (and life in general). I spent weeks going back to basics, rediscovering the why of my freelancing business. This simple switch in the way I was looking at the business world has profoundly changed my approach to freelancing.

I followed the concept up and came across social entrepreneurship, closely followed by modern entrepreneurship. I became a real enthusiast of all things social, I completed training and courses in business mentoring, I became a member of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs. I’ve been awarded with the Higher Education Social Entrepreneurship Award for my business and I’m a member of the Social Innovation Exchange network.

The idea is simple: every person with a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit and a will to work hard can change something in the world they live in. So I combined my entrepreneurial aspirations with hard work and decided that I will use my translation skills to help small businesses make a difference. That was the foundation of my success as a freelance translator. Then I decided I wanted to share this way of thinking with you and I set up the Business School for Translators. So we can all make the difference.

About Karolina

Karolina Karczmarek-Giel has joined me in 2013 to help me with the admin side of running my business. Initially, she’s been in charge of the School, but then also started helping me around my translation and interpreting clients.

Karolina is a dedicated translator with a BA and MA in translation, a reliable colleague and a good friend. You may occasionally get an email from her on my behalf or see her online. We’re skyping every morning to brief each other on what needs to be done for each day, and that’s proven to be a very fruitful cooperation. You can always drop Karolina a line at [email protected].

Professional profile

Translation and languages

Diploma in Translation
DPSI and NRPSI member
BA in Applied Translation
PG in Forensic Linguistics
Chartered Linguist

Business and marketing

MSc from LSE
Chartered Institute of Marketing
Training in marketing
Courses at Oxford and LSE
Institute of Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship

HESocial Entrepreneurship Award
Volunteer at CIoL and IAPTI
Member of IOEE
Courses and workshops
Top 15 UK freelancer

Publications

Contributions to The Linguist

I wrote a few articles for The Linguist, a publication of the Chartered Institute of Linguists in the United Kingdom, including "A successful start" and "At your fingertips: Social media marketing." The Linguist is available online.

Contributions to the ITI Bulletin

I wrote two articles in collaboration with Mastermind Translations in 2012, both covering social media and online marketing: "From social do serious" and "Mark your presence". The ITI Bulletin is not available online, but visit the ITI's website anyway!

Diversification in the Language Industry

I've contributed to a book on diversification in our industry writing about providing business skills training to colleagues. The book is due to be published in 2013, so stay tuned in!

Presenting at and organising The Translation and Localization Conference

September 2016

Presenting at the NWTN Boost Day 2015 in Manchester

September

Business School for Translators!

6 September 2016

Get inspired

About Marta

About Karolina

Professional profile

Publications

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Past Events