Owner/President: Antonia Andujar Company: Spanish Voice Group, LLC Address: 1427 W. 9th St. Ste. 201 Kansas City, MO 64101 Phone: (816) 921-2484 E-Mail:
Web site: www.spanishvoicegroup.com Type of Business: Language Services No. of Employees: Two, plus more than 25 language professional contractors
Antonia Andujar’s varied experiences paved the way for her to start Spanish Voice Group (SVG). Originally from Madrid, Spain, she has been freelancing Spanish-English interpretation since 1995. Andujar, who also is fluent in French, is a certified medical interpreter. She has worked in business administration, and she helped her husband to start a fine art and Internet retail business. Andujar also studied art and theater design and technology.
“The artistic side of my personality has helped me come up with creative solutions for the services my company offers,” she said.
The company provides as many services as necessary to help businesses and their clients, patients and/or employees overcome their language and cultural barriers. When a company calls looking for help, SVG sends a representative out to assess their language needs. With the client’s input, SVG creates a free proposal to solve their language and communication challenges.
SVG’s language services include written translations, including translating brochures, packaging and other marketing materials, Web sites and software programs. SVG can translate a wide range of content, including technical, legal, medical and literary. The company also provides on-site language interpretation (Spanish-English only) and 24/7 telephone interpretation in more than 150 other languages.
Andujar is certified through the city of St. Louis, the city of Kansas City, Mo., the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the Missouri Department of Transportation. SVG is a vendor for the state of Missouri and the city of Richmond, Va. They translate for Black & Veatch and the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, as well as other large organizations. The company also is partnering with Kansas City Kansas Community College to expand their services and products.
One of the biggest challenges in becoming certified was determining what kind of certification to seek and where to apply, Andujar said. She suggests others seeking certification start with the local Small Business Administration and/or Chamber of Commerce, follow instructions and be patient and persistent.
Andujar is a firm believer in continuing education. She regularly attends the various workshops designed for small businesses held by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, UMKC Small Business & Technology Development Center and government procurement workshops.
“As a member of the American Translators Association, I attend their yearly conference and read their publications to keep up with the latest trends in the professional language field,” Andujar said.
She also has received support from The Hispanic Economic Development Corporation, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, General Services Administration personnel and Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Her business mentors are Kiva Gates of Gates Restaurants and Robert Barrientos of R.J. Barrientos & Associates.
“From Kiva, I learn business development and organization, as well as human resources management,” Andujar said. “Barrientos helps me with sales and marketing issues.” Ellen Jensen is the managing editor of Kansas City Small Business Monthly magazine.
