Starting a business in another country is a transformative experience, full of opportunities, but also challenges.
When I decided to found SEDA College in Dublin, I came across obstacles that, at first glance, seemed insurmountable. That’s why I decided to write this article to talk about the 3 main challenges I faced at the beginning of my journey.
1. Cultural and communication barriers
When I decided to open SEDA College, I knew that cultural differences would be a relevant factor, but I had no idea how much this would impact day-to-day operations.
Social norms, customer expectations and even the way of communicating in a business environment were different from what I was used to in Brazil.
A clear example was the need to adapt customer service. The Irish value punctuality, clarity and informality in contact, while in Brazil, a more personal and close touch is generally more appreciated.
I had to quickly learn to adapt my approach to gain the trust of the local public and integrate into the Irish education market.
2. Bureaucracy and local regulations
Another significant challenge was dealing with local bureaucracy and regulations, which are very different from what I was familiar with in Brazil.
The process of opening a business in Ireland required a series of documents, authorizations and legal adjustments that often left me feeling lost.
For example, adapting SEDA College to the standards of the Irish education system and ensuring compliance with all regulations was a long and complex process.
It took me a while to understand how the requirements for hiring teachers, certifying the courses offered and obtaining the licenses needed to operate as a language and exchange school worked.
3. Building a network of contacts
Starting a business in another country without an established network of contacts was one of the biggest challenges I faced.
In Brazil, I had a solid professional circle, but in Ireland I had to build a new network of partners, suppliers and collaborators from scratch. To overcome this challenge, I actively involved myself in local events, education fairs and business forums.
Furthermore, I realized the importance of teaming up with other companies and entrepreneurs who already had experience in the Irish market, which facilitated my understanding of local practices and helped me form strategic partnerships.
Building this network was essential for the expansion and consolidation of SEDA College as a reference in the sector.
Final considerations
As you can see, starting a business in another country, as I discovered when I founded SEDA College in Dublin, is a process that requires resilience, adaptation and constant learning.
Overcoming cultural barriers, dealing with local bureaucracy and building a solid network of contacts were challenges that, although complex, taught me valuable lessons. Today, these challenges are part of SEDA’s history and my growth as an entrepreneur.
