Hidden Gems: Meet Yoana Todorova of Mirror Interpretation Todorova

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yoana Todorova.

Hi Yoana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was 14 years old, I was reading a book by Daniel Steel, and there was a description of personage that said: “He spoke several languages perfectly with a slight accent”. I told that he was amazing and that one day I want to be like that character.

The very first time I interpreted for someone was when I was 22 years old. The occasion was when my boyfriend asked for my hand from my father – formal proposal. I did not want to interpret for my father as he is not very educated, he uses very unpolish expressions, due to which I was ashamed of him.

In 2012, while I was living and studying in Italy during the summer break, I was looking for a summer job on the Italian coast in the tourist town of Rimini. I was offered to interpret Italian versus English in one of the summer entertainment organizations inside of a resort. I felt very confident as there was no pressure to perform to perfection. I put on my uniform and walked into one of those 5 star resorts where I was informed that the event will be in the back garden near the outdoor swimming pool. The boss was there waiting for me and this is when I was informed that there would be a live circus shortly arriving, animals and that they would do a performance for the adults and children and I shall interpret as much as I can and not to worry about anything much. My boss handed me a microphone and we did several tests. Suddenly there were hundreds of people and light spotted at me, and I started to stutter and went blank. I could not say a word.

My boss brings me a shot of vodka and orders me to drink it and to pick a light and look at the light, not at any particular person. I took a deep breath and I discovered that it was not that scary anymore. This circus presented different types of hawks, demonstrating their wings, colors and describing their natural habitat. I did not know the exact word for hawks, I was using the word “birds’’ and the crowd suggested as they had sympathy for me. This was my first formal job as a simultaneous interpreter during the summer. The first time is always scary.

In the fall of the same year, I was offered a job as a consecutive interpreter in the Rimini Trade fair, usually during a weekly international business-to-business event. I started working as a business to business interpreter with Bulgarian, Italian and English languages. In a few years I was their back up for Russian, although I was not very confident about it.

In 2014 during the “WMF We Make Future ” trade fair for innovation and technology I interpreted for Ukrainian businessman Sergey, with my broken Russian, who tried to tip me 100$ and I did not want to accept because I was ashamed of my lack of knowledge in Russian language. He insisted stating that I shall purchase a dictionary and get better so he can use my services next year. I was indeed inspired, and yes I purchased a dictionary and I enrolled in Russian classes at “CLA”, Linguistic Center in the city of Perugia, part of University of Perugia, Umbria, Italy. I was very lucky because my professor Larisa Gavrilova, originally from Russia, also inspired me with her knowledge, passion and dedication to students. I enjoyed each of her classes and I like to express my gratitude and love toward this inspiring teacher.The impact of a great teacher can’t ever be erased.

I believe that in order to become successful or good in any field, we should be humble and get inspired by people who are better, more successful, more knowledgeable. A lot of people have the false belief that it is natural to be inspired, but unfortunately the social media and the fake virtual reality took away the genuine way to connect and trustfully feel the energy of leaders. Technology cannot transmit the energy of a leader and technology can`t uplift you the way another human can with their dedication and hard work. I was lucky to feel that drive and learn from the best.

In 2016 I moved to Denver, Colorado and here I registered my business “Mirror Interpretation Todorova” in 2017 and started providing language services in Medical field, Financial and Banking, Police, 911, Fire department, Immigration and Court.

Denver is still like a new beginning, there are many things that I learn and continue learning every day. Today I provide services for the US Government, UK Government and Canada Government. I do work with Bulgarian, Italian, Russian, Macedonian and English languages. My dream is to provide services for National Security or US Intelligence as a civilian. Another dream is to be a host in an intellectual or psychological talk show just for fun.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There is no easy way to success. There is no elevator to success. This toad just came to my head by Theodore Roosevelt: “Nothing worth having comes easy.” There are two types of struggles that come along the way of growing and learning and becoming successful leaders. The first type of challenges I will call personal challenges related to self-growth. The second type of struggle is business-related or related to bigger organizations pressuring new beginners.

The personal struggles I will describe as a necessity to let go of people who are not growing, people who are not learning, people who are dragging you back, holding you back. This is part of the self-growth journey. A lot of people stay in the same comfort zone, following parents expectations and staying in the same small comfortable bubble. If an individual grows, there would inevitably be a need to cut off childhood friends, relatives and family members. People subconsciously want you to stay in their “frame” to fit, to be the same person they have always known, to speak the same way, to do the same things and to act as they expect you to. Unfortunately, parents can be a huge anchor, especially people damaged by war, poverty or social systems. I believe the hardest part of a leader’s journey is to admit to themselves the truth about limitations that parents, relatives and old friends may have and let go of them. You can`t be successful if you give time daily to someone who puts you down, who is not enthusiastic for you. There are many people who are preferring you to stay where you are now, not to move, not to grow but be content. If you really want to become a leader and be successful, you have to limit those connections. My parents are people who are stuck in their own limited beliefs and get upset each time I do not fit their box expectations. Friends sometimes tend to have similar patterns. Many males have the need to diminish ladies and make them fit in their own box of expectations. This is the overt reality of success, a part that many people are not conscious about, or the ones who are conscious about it have nobody to talk with. Stop being comfortable for others.

The second rule I believe is fundamental is to be grateful and surround yourself with people that are family to you. People who give you love, support, inspire you and holw your pain through hardship and struggle. I was very lucky to meet my Italian adoptive family: Cinzia, Armando, my mom and dad and my sister Egizia and brother Alberto in Italy. They are part of my success and the reason why I am this person today. Being grateful and cherishing the good people you have in your life is fundamental to stay humble and down to earth.

The challenges related to business- here I will like to share a story.

I was providing language services for a local company named: “Pro Interpreting” https://prointerpretingservices.com/
At one point October 2021, they requested me to do additional service without a contractual agreement. In my agreement, I was contracted as Interpreter – If scheduled, when scheduled. Last year this company requested me to access a hospital database and call the hospital patient’s from my house to remind them of their medical appointment- as I was providing secretary services for the clinics – offering me to pay “as it was interpreting”. I indicated that this would be a HIPPA violation, as I do not have a contract that allows me to access patients’ information from home, nor agreement to reach those patients, so I refuse to do this extra service. This company “fired me”. Which was the good part. They started to harass me in every possible way.

The first strange thing was that someone reported my Facebook professional page stating that I violated some guidelines- and as a result the page was shut off- closed. At the time I was convinced that this was just a misunderstanding.

The next thing that happened was that my personal facebook page locked me out- and someone else had access to it and published adultery on my behalf. The ip address of this activity was in Thorton, Colorado.

I shared my experience on my youtube channel “Mirror Interpretation Todorova” in a video addressing that I was requested to provide services outside of my contract. I receive many bully comments on my YouTube channel, “MIT-Interpretations” accusing me of not being professional. This company commented under a video that was named “X company ask you to do business under the table”. I was called sick, unprofessional, selfish, unhealthy and accused of cyberbullying this company.

The next thing I know: while isolating before my eye surgery, this company sends a man who bangs on my door for over 45 minutes threatening me to “You better open or you are going to be in Trouble! I am Scott, open the door now, I know you are there!”, “We just want to give you a document, OPEN!”. At the same time I received numerous calls on my phone, that letter on I discover were from this same individual Mr. Scott.

I received numerous emails on my professional and personal email address from Mr. Scott from Louisville who threatened to sue me for intent to harm and damage this company reputation. A few days later I received a pack of documents with accusations and a threat to request monetary compensation from me. I received several emails from Mr. Scott with threats to sue me for damages and harassment.

I removed the video informing and requesting this lower and this company representatives to stop harassing me, commenting on my YouTube channel and calling me and disturbing me.

After I removed the video, I found a sheriff’s note on my door. I called the Sheriff and he informed me that this company has filed a restraining order against me. Due to my isolation, I was not served this restraining order.

A day before my surgery November 15 of 2021, I received a Complaint from CCHI https://cchicertification.org – the national board of medical Interpreters threatening to take my certification off as this company filed a complaint stating that I was not professional while working for them. I was penalized on the video that did not exist and punished by the national board – my voice and my proof of innocence were ignored as I was not represented by lower.

On the day of surgery, this company reported my Whatsapp, and my connection with all my family was cut. I had to change my working and my personal phone numbers.

I did file a HIPPA complaint and in May of 2022 a specialist requested this company to update their practices. I like to dream high and I would love to be alive to see that the USA is the first country in the world to create a LAW to protect interpreters and contractors’ misuse of information. The full story you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ngqcEBsYI8&feature=share&utm_source=EJGixIgBCJiu2KjB4oSJEQ

I also have provided services for several companies which did not fully pay for my services. As example with this company you can read the full article here: https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/medical-interpreter-says-gwinnett-county-employer-hasnt-paid-her-in-months/85-f4157ef6-3756-4b34-aab6-edd789cef4af

We’ve been impressed with Mirror Interpretation Todorova, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is personalized Interpretation. My motto is “Your words in Your World”. I provide personalized interpretation and Translation. My specialty is Business to Business and Medical Interpreting. What sets me apart is providing highly professional and highly personalized services. I provide OPI – Over – the – phone – Interpretation, VRI or video-remote-interpretation and in-person interpretation. I love what I do. I am passionate and willing to offer you the best interpretation to help you achieve your business goals.

https://mit-interpretations-trainings6970.thinkific.com/courses/cardiovascular-system-bilingual-medical-terminology-spanish-english
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2xJTklYwh-uJZmqZPFNRA
https://www.mit-interpretations.com/

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I believe that there is a niche to grow in and become bigger and more successful. I would love to see an actual legal system that protects language providers, interpreters and translators. There are so many rules, obligations, and protocols for as a linguist to follow so much no know and do, and indeed not even 1 law to protect as and prevent bigger companies from taking advantage of as. I would love to see this law happen.

Pricing:

• Interpreting 70$ – 170$ hourly
• Translating 30$ + hourly
• Immigration Interview 400$

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mit-interpretations.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mit.interpretations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirrorInterpretationTodorova
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2xJTklYwh-uJZmqZPFNRA

Image Credits
Y.Todorova