Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Salazar.
Hi Daniel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story is a little unconventional, but I think that’s one of the things that has shaped me professionally. I’ve always been interested in people, languages, and different cultures. I’ve lived and worked in South Korea, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and the United States, and along the way I became fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean. I’m also currently learning Mandarin and Tagalog. A lot of my career has naturally developed around that international background. I started working in education and eventually became an English teacher in South Korea before moving into business, marketing, and client relations.
From there, I got involved with Symatri, a technology and cryptocurrency company, where I worked with international clients and helped with marketing, communication, and customer support across Latin America and Asia. Eventually, I wanted to build something of my own, so I became a partner and director at William’s School of Languages and William Academy in Las Vegas. I’ve had the opportunity to build programs, develop marketing strategies, manage a team, work directly with students and customers, and really learn what it takes to operate a business. Outside of that, I’ve built a small real estate portfolio in Utah and a property management operation.
I think the common thread through all of it is that I’ve always been willing to figure things out. I’ve worked in different countries, learned different languages, built businesses, managed teams, and worked with people from completely different backgrounds. Even my rugby career taught me a lot about discipline and leadership. I was fortunate enough to become a three time national champion in high school and play at the University of Utah. At this point in my career, I’m looking to take everything I’ve learned from those experiences and bring it into a larger organization where I can continue growing, contribute at a high level, and take on bigger challenges.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, definitely not. There have been a lot of bumps along the way, and honestly, I think those experiences have shaped me more than the easy ones. I’ve taken some risks in my career, including stepping away from a traditional academic path to pursue business opportunities, moving between different countries and industries, and eventually putting my own money and time into businesses. There were definitely periods where things were uncertain financially and professionally, and I had to learn how to keep moving forward even when I didn’t have a clear roadmap.
One of the biggest lessons for me has been learning how to handle pressure without letting it affect the people around me. Whether that was dealing with difficult customers at Symatri, building a language school from the ground up, managing a team at William’s School of Languages, or managing my own real estate properties, there have been plenty of situations where something went wrong and I had to figure it out. My rugby background probably helped with that too. Playing at the University of Utah and becoming a three time national champion taught me that you can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you respond. I’ve learned to stay calm, communicate clearly, take responsibility, and focus on the solution. Looking back, I wouldn’t call the road smooth, but I’m actually grateful for that because I think those challenges have made me much more adaptable, resilient, and comfortable working through problems.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
William’s School of Languages is a language education business in Las Vegas that I’ve had the opportunity to help build from the ground up. What makes us different is that we’re really focused on connecting language learning with real world cultural experience. We offer English, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, Mandarin, and Tagalog, and because I’m personally fluent in four of those languages, I understand firsthand how important it is to make language learning practical and culturally relevant rather than just teaching from a textbook.
One area I’m especially proud of is the international side of the school. We’ve worked with Korean groups that have come to Las Vegas specifically to study with us, and we’ve been developing relationships and partnerships with other schools and organizations throughout the Las Vegas Valley. We’re also working toward accreditation and eventually being able to provide I 20s, which would allow us to expand our ability to serve international students who want to come to the United States to study. From a brand perspective, I’m probably most proud of the culture we’ve created. I’ve been heavily involved in the marketing, student experience, team building, and overall direction of the school. We’re not trying to be the biggest language school overnight. We’re trying to build a brand that people associate with quality language education, international experiences, and genuine cultural connection. That’s really what I want people to know about William’s School of Languages.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For me, networking has worked best when I focus on building genuine relationships rather than simply trying to “network.” I’ve gotten involved with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada and the Asian Chamber of Commerce, and I’ve also looked for opportunities to collaborate with local businesses through social media. Those experiences have helped me meet people naturally while also creating opportunities to support each other.
My biggest advice for finding a mentor is to look for someone who is already doing something you want to accomplish and then find a way to provide value to them first. You don’t necessarily have to walk up to someone and immediately ask, “Will you be my mentor?” Start by having conversations, asking thoughtful questions, attending events, volunteering, or collaborating on a project. If you build a genuine relationship over time, mentorship often develops naturally.
I also think consistency is extremely important. Go to the same networking events, stay in contact with people, follow up after meeting them, and look for ways to collaborate. Some of my best connections have come from simply being willing to introduce myself, start a conversation, and follow through afterward. You never know which relationship might lead to a new opportunity, partnership, or mentor.
Pricing:
- English Classes – $160 per month
- Korean 3-month course – $1,050
- Spanish 3-month course – $1,050
- Chinese 3-month course – $1,050
- Filipino/Tagalog 3-month course – $1,050
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wslvegas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wslvegas/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wslvegas
