Success Story: María Rosana Mestre Turns Language into a Strategic Advantage for Indy Businesses

Tell us about your business.

Spanish For Entities is a language academy that provides Spanish and English corporate training for professionals, along with study abroad programs in Spain, CEFR-aligned courses, SIELE certification, and interpretation and translation services. We partner with companies in education, healthcare, construction, and manufacturing to improve workplace communication and build stronger, more inclusive teams. Our goal is to make language learning a strategic asset for employers—helping them lead more effectively, improve safety and collaboration, and create opportunities for professional growth.

What inspired you to start your business?

Language has always been my passion. I hold a master’s degree in Literature Studies and have worked in the field for more than 17 years. My early experience teaching in Brazil showed me how naturally language learning can be integrated into professional development. Many companies treat learning a new language as a sign of commitment to growth, and I saw firsthand how valuable that investment can be.

When I moved to the United States more than 10 years ago, I noticed a gap. While employers value skill-building, language training was not widely integrated into workplace development. I saw organizations investing in translation services when training could provide a stronger return, improving communication, confidence, and overall workplace culture. That realization led me to research global language policies, where countries that prioritize language learning often see stronger outcomes in productivity and collaboration. Spanish For Entities was built to bring that same mindset to organizations here.

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your journey?

My Hispanic heritage is a treasure. Language is deeply connected to history, geography, and the arts, and we reflect that in our curriculum. We want students to “travel” through all 21 Spanish-speaking countries, exploring culture, art, and shared experiences along the way.

As a leader, I feel a responsibility to highlight the positive contributions of our community. From engineers and scientists to artists, educators, and entrepreneurs, there is so much talent to celebrate. That passion extends to our nonprofit initiative, Libros Para Indy, which works to circulate more Spanish and bilingual books throughout the community to inspire learning and connection.

How has the Indy Chamber supported your growth?

Immensely. One of the most meaningful forms of support was simply being heard. When I joined during COVID, Marcela took the time to listen, and that gave me confidence in my vision. Since then, the Hispanic Business Council has provided education, networking, and support that have been essential to my growth.

The Enclave program, in partnership with Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, was especially impactful. It gave me the opportunity to step back, think strategically, and apply new approaches to business development and leadership. Through those experiences, we strengthened our B2B strategy, refined our operations, and gained clarity on how to grow.

The Chamber has also provided visibility and real opportunities. One moment that stands out is when our team supported simultaneous interpretation at a Chamber event. It demonstrated the real value of our services and opened doors to new partnerships.

What advice would you give other Hispanic entrepreneurs?

Focus on your strengths, stay persistent, and commit to lifelong learning. Most importantly, get connected to the Hispanic Business Council at the Indy Chamber. The support, resources, and community available here can make a meaningful difference in your journey.