Golovine’s company, Masterword Services Inc., started as a homework assignment and ended up as one of the top women-owned businesses in the United States. | Courtesy of Ludamila Golovine
Ludmila Golovine is the CEO of Masterword Services, Inc., one of the top 100 woman-owned businesses in Texas, according to DiversityBusiness.com, and one of the top 10 largest language services providers in North America, according to the Common Sense Advisory. Masterword was also recognized as one of the top 500 woman-owned businesses in the U.S. Golovine is a UH alumna, and she is grateful for her time there.
The Daily Cougar had the opportunity to interview her. She shared some of her secrets to a successful future and how UH helped her get to where she is now.
The Daily Cougar: What is it like to be the CEO of one of the top 100 woman-owned businesses in Texas?
Ludmila Golovine: It’s a tremendous honor and very humbling at the same time. As a mother, I am excited to show my children that if they work hard, they can accomplish anything they want. The idea for the company started when I was a student at UH in the entrepreneurship program. It was actually a homework assignment. I am very proud that my business plan homework assignment became the foundation of one of the top 100 woman-owned businesses in Texas and one of the top 10 largest language services providers in North America. I was in the first graduating class of what developed into the Wolff Center.
TDC: How did your time at UH help you reach the position you’re in today?
LG: I am very grateful for UH and the entrepreneurship program, because it gave me all the tools that I use today. I went to study international finance and when I was almost about to graduate, I heard about the program and ended up with a double major in international finance and marketing-entrepreneurship.
I still refer to my class notes today and reach out to my original mentors, Bill Sherrill and Frank Kelley. I still use the tools that I learned in class. The program teaches you how to work with employees, negotiate with both clients and banks, write a business plan and everything else you need to know about business.
TDC: You have offices in Russia, Kazakhstan and Canada. What plans do you have for the future of your company in regards to expansion? What are your goals for the immediate future?
LG: On average, over the last 20 years, the company has grown 40 percent per year. We are planning to stay on that same growth path. Our mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world to communicate seamlessly across language and culture, to build their success and realize their goals. As we continue to grow and expand as a global company, the opportunities are limitless. In addition, the world is becoming one global village and our mission helps people connect and be successful regardless of where they are, where they plan to be or where business opportunities present themselves.
TDC: You said you have always had a fascination with languages. Before you started Masterword, how did you intend languages to play a role in your career?
LG: I continue to have a fascination with languages. Before I started Masterword, I was just trilingual, but I had no idea how to integrate languages into what would become my passion and my profession. UH helped me integrate my love for languages into my future company and the entrepreneurship program gave me a road map on how to do something that I love as well as something that is financially viable and valuable to the community. I not only get to work with languages, but I also use what I learned in finance every day when I approach new opportunities and challenges for our company and for our clients. I am very fortunate because I get to do what I love every day and I help make a positive impact on people’s lives.
TDC: What are some of the challenges you faced while working your way to where you are now, in terms of the glass ceiling?
LG: At every significant growth spurt within your own company, you have to learn how to work with more employees while continuously tweaking your business plan and reacting. You also have to predict what your clients will need. You challenge your own personal development at every level, and in order to be successful, you must be able to predict, adapt and learn from your experiences. Don’t ever underestimate the power of being excited and inspired by learning new things every day and how it can help you achieve your dreams.
TDC: What piece of advice would you give to young women who aspire to someday have their own company and may need to face these challenges?
LG: I would recommend that young women at UH consider enrolling in the entrepreneurship program or at least taking some entrepreneurship classes, because they are going to get very important tools they will need in order to be successful regardless of their major. Also, they need to know that nothing can stop you, and that every challenge is really an opportunity, every failure is a chance to learn and to get better. Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone.
TDC: What would you say to students who do not know exactly what they want to do with their future?
LG: Figure out what you love and what inspires you. If you do what you love, then you will be successful. Organize your future around what you love. Do something where you are inspired seven days a week and you are motivated to get out of bed every morning. If it is sports that drives you, figure out how to incorporate that into your career. When you are honest with yourself and drill deeper into what drives you and your happiness, you will be able to make connections with a career that will be fulfilling and enriching — both personally and financially. Life is too short, so make the most of it and think creatively about how you can integrate your passions into your profession.
