Meet Sayed Ali of Interpreters Unlimited

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Sayed Ali

A San Diego Voyager Inspiring Stories Interview

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sayed Ali.

Sayed, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.

After immigrating from India and earning an electronic engineering degree, I became a design engineer for a company owned by the conglomerate International Telephone & Telegraph. I rose quickly to director of operations and helped save the company. With orders for components topping 1500 units/day, production was half of that. I met with 1200 employees, organized a detailed study and flow chart of every fix, and had them done NOW. The contributions of the many outweigh those of one leader.

I left to begin Creative Host Services (CHS), a groundbreaking bakery-deli concept that led to a quick acquisition. For my second venture, I chose airport concessions. Millions of dollars were needed to enter this highly competitive market, so I defied business logic and went public right away. In 2006, with $186 million in sales, the company was acquired. With each venture, I was the groundbreaker: I was the first to champion healthful ingredients in bakeries and delis and to franchise the concept (business #1); the first to introduce high-end services to local airports (business #2); the first to service those in danger interpretation– and translation-wise: emergency room doctors; border patrol; police. For me, 4 a.m. is like any workday hour.

In 2007, I acquired my current business, Interpreters Unlimited, and successfully expanded the company nationwide. I created IU Group, the parent company which is now comprised of Interpreters Unlimited and four other companies that I acquired in different territories throughout the US under its umbrella. I continue to grow the business through strategic marketing and operations efforts and by implementing new technologies into the business model.

One new technological venture is the new Interpreter Marketplace smartphone app that was just launched, an affiliate to IU. It is an app that matches foreign language and American Sign Language interpreters with the limited English speakers and Deaf individuals who require their services on a daily basis. It is available for use for both personal reasons from doctor appointments to immigration hearings, weddings, etc. to company use by hospitals and schools, corporations, etc.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?

I pride myself in calmly making high-risk decisions that grow companies so that employees grow, too. I have grown IU from $2 million in sales in 2007 to projected sales of $16 million in 2020. When I decided to acquire IU, financing was difficult; the market had crashed; and California, IU’s new home base, had a budget crisis. For eight months, IU wasn’t paid for critical services to the many government agencies IU served. I borrowed from a factor at exorbitant interest rates and services continued uninterrupted. We provide a very essential service which is needed in hospitals, in family situations where women are being battered, a child is being taken into custody. We couldn’t say no. With a family and two young sons, it wasn’t easy.

We are currently experiencing a challenge with the new AB5 ruling in the State of California, which directly impacts our company and business model along with so many others like Uber and Lyft, which rely on independent contractors to deliver services throughout the state. I have been personally working with other companies and industry leaders as well as legislators firsthand to try to change the ruling which will negatively affect so many companies, workers and individuals who depend on these services in our state daily.

Another challenge arose with technology, creating the new affiliate app Interpreter Marketplace, issues would come up in development and testing, and we saw delays, but we fine-tuned it and just launched it to the San Diego County public. When obstacles arise, I try to stay fearless and solution minded.

Interpreters Unlimited – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?

Interpreters Unlimited provides professional language interpretation including American Sign Language, written translation and non-emergency medical transportation services to businesses throughout the United States.

For IU’s most popular service, in-person interpreting, we contract linguists for on-site interpretation appointments for our government, healthcare, legal and corporate clients. Examples of the types of appointments include depositions, meetings, medical appointments, parent/teacher conferences, and events.

IU’s other services include video interpretation, telephone interpretations, document translation and non-emergency medical transportation which are fueled by client demand. Right now, during the Coronavirus pandemic, we are seeing more of a need for these services and are glad that we are able to provide remote interpreting to those who require it. Document translation is also really important and in high demand right now, companies need to be able to communicate their Coronavirus updates and operation information to their Non-English Speaking communities in their own language quickly.

Currently, IU’s national presence serves all major industries in 200 foreign languages and American Sign Language. IU’s comprehensive service offering eliminates language barriers to provide effective communication and understanding between English speakers and those with limited English proficiency and/or who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.

Beyond IU, Interpreter Marketplace is the new interpreting app which is an IU affiliate. It allows businesses and individuals to book foreign language and American Sign Language interpreters for any need they may have right on their smartphone. Customers can browse interpreters by cost, location, bios and ratings and choose the one that best fits their needs. It is available for use for personal reasons from medical appointments to court hearings, parent-teacher meetings, etc. to company use by healthcare facilities and school districts, large and small corporations in any industry, etc.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?

I am proud to have come from humble beginnings and have built everything I have from the ground up. In building my companies, I sought out assistance from the SBA who provided loans which were helpful in financing acquisitions and growth. Fellow entrepreneurs and business owners have been very supportive and there has been a mutually beneficial relationship between us. Of course, all of my team members and staff have made a difference through the years, we do this as a team and they are all greatly appreciated. And family, family has always been the #1 supporter throughout my entrepreneurial career.

Contact Info:

Contact Us

Making Connections Nationwide. Interpreters Unlimited is a national language services provider in the United States. For more information, please call (800) 726-9891.


    Sources

    San Diego Voyager. (2020, March 30). Meet Sayed Ali of Interpreters Unlimited. Retrieved April 24, 2020, from http://sdvoyager.com/interview/meet-sayed-ali-interpreters-unlimited-scripps-ranch/