In Episode 3 of the Global Movement Project, we delve into the inspiring journey of Rice Alcantara, an education consultant who transformed her life from the Philippines immigrating to Dubai, and finally to Canada. Despite the challenges of being a non-native English speaker, Rice has successfully built a thriving education consulting company.
Looking for the full interview? Simply click on the thumbnail below and enjoy the full video with Rice!
Key Takeaways:
- The unique backgrounds and lived experiences of non-native English speakers is a strength that allows for better understanding and brainstorming of ideas and solutions
- Self-discipline is the most valuable asset a business owner can possess. Motivation keeps your passion burning, but discipline instills you to keep going on as if it were second nature to do so.
- The significance of starting a business does not lie among services offered, but in the story fueling the business along the way. Every business owner has a story to tell with the business they started.
- Storytelling is the marketer’s greatest weapon. To keep the audience engaged and to win more clients are made possible with a clear message and reliable communication.
What is the Global Movement Project?
I started the Global Movement Project to shed light on individual experiences, hurdles, and successes of non-native English speakers navigating the business landscape. Through this platform, I aim to uplift business owners, digital service providers, and freelancers who speak English as their second language to put themselves out there and support them in growing their businesses on a global scale.
From the Philippines to Canada: The Journey Begins
Rice’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and relentless pursuit of her dreams. Initially starting in Dubai as an assistant, she climbed the ladder to become a branch manager and eventually moved to Canada to start her own education consulting business.
“I took a leap of… I had to move to a different country to find my future,” Rice explains about her decision to build a career outside her home country.
Skyrocketing through Video: Rice’s Growth in YouTube
One of Rice’s pivotal moments was the creation of her YouTube channel in 2021. “I was watching a show [on a] YouTube channel from an Australian guy, and that Australian guy just motivated me, inspired me, and the following day I started my YouTube channel. Believe it or not, right now I have got a thousand videos on my YouTube channel.”
YouTube became a crucial tool for Rice to share her experiences, provide valuable information, and build a community around her mission. “If you want to build a community, subscribers, and followers, consistency is key. You have to motivate yourself.”
Today, Rice is the founder and mentor of QuestCanadaca, a service platform meant to help and connect with foreign students and immigrant workers seeking opportunities in Canada.
Facing Challenges as a Non-Native English Speaker
Throughout her journey, Rice faced numerous challenges related to language and cultural barriers.
“There are days that I would struggle to find my words…I have the words in my head, in my language, and I do not know the words in English.”
However, Rice’s determination to overcome these obstacles was unwavering. “It’s really practice every day… You do not need to have deep words when you speak. As a matter of fact, using simple words is better because more people can understand you. The clarity of the message is important.”
On Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
Rice emphasizes the necessity of embracing diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in the business world. “If you have diversity, if you have different colors, accents, thinking, and experiences, then you have got many ideas coming together.”
Her experiences have taught her that diversity brings rich perspectives and innovative solutions. She strongly believes in the value of setting clear boundaries and commanding respect to combat discrimination and gender inequality.
On Marketing Strategies Beyond YouTube
While YouTube played a significant role in Rice’s initial strategy, she highlights the importance of diversifying marketing efforts.
“Marketing is promoting yourself and your story, promoting your services and products…YouTube is content creation. But outside of YouTube, communities such as Facebook, TikTok, and other social platforms are where you nurture and engage with your audience.”
On Building Recurring Revenue Streams
One of the key insights Rice shares is about the importance of building a sustainable business model. Initially, her consulting business relied heavily on high-ticket, one-time clients.
“We started with high-ticket clients…an ongoing challenge is that I have to earn new clients every single month. For a business to be sustainable, there needs to be a recurring revenue stream.”
Advice for Aspiring Consultants
Rice’s primary advice for aspiring consultants, especially those from non-native English backgrounds, is to leverage their unique strengths and experiences.
“The market that is most magnetized to me are the people who look like me…they can relate to me and I can relate to them.” She encourages others to embrace their background and turn it into a strength.
“If you are a person from Ukraine, most likely the people who will be magnetized to your services, to your channel, to your products are people of the same color, people who speak Russian, people who have the same religion, people who have the same thinking.”
On Finding Mentors and Networking
Before gathering the courage to start her business, Rice made sure she had more than enough knowledge and interest in the industry she’d be engaged with. However, Rice also stresses the importance of seeking mentorship.
“I actually did have a mentor with business. I have to have somebody who [has] to tell me how things go because I didn’t want to spend the next five years of my life figuring [things out].”
Learning from those who have already succeeded can significantly reduce the amount of trial and error, saving time and resources.
The journey to building a successful education consulting company, especially as a non-native English speaker, is fraught with challenges but is ultimately rewarding. By embracing your unique background, staying consistent, leveraging various platforms, and engaging with a mentor, you can navigate these hurdles and build a company that not only succeeds but also empowers others.
Rice’s story is an inspiring testament to what can be achieved with resilience, passion, and the willingness to embrace diversity and inclusion. Whether you are in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey or looking to take your business to the next level, these insights and strategies can serve as a guiding light.
Did you find this episode insightful? Stay tuned for the next episode of GMP!
UP NEXT: More to come as we unveil compelling stories of non-native English speakers thriving in the global professional realm in our future Global Movement Project episodes!
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter for additional global marketing strategies!
Hyein
I’m an award-winning global marketing expert running HY Marketing in South Korea. We help businesses succeed in South Korea, Japan, and English-speaking markets through social media and Facebook ads.
your next big win?
This playbook cuts through the noise and gives you the blueprint to enter with impact.
