In September 2024, Be Moore Interpreting celebrated a significant milestone—its 8th anniversary. Unlike most 8-year-olds who celebrate with cake and candles, Be Moore Interpreting chose a different path: one of growth, expansion, and new opportunities. This year’s celebration was marked by participating in and completing the Roger Williams University and CVS Executive Learning Summit, where Be Moore Interpreting was the only Rhode Island-based company in the cohort. Additionally, it became the only RI-based interpreting and translation firm licensed to facilitate the Bridging the Gap 40-hour Medical Interpreter Course—a foundational training for interpreters seeking national certification.
These achievements are more than just accolades; they are key steps toward expanding income streams, increasing reach, and strengthening the credibility of the brand. It’s not the traditional way to celebrate a birthday, but it’s the Be Moore Interpreting way.
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Business
Be Moore Interpreting was born out of an unexpected realization. In 2016, Shirley X. Moore attended a Bootstrap Bootcamp training, intending to support her husband’s entrepreneurial journey. At the time, she had a full-time job and was simply looking to be a pillar of support. But the bootcamp’s facilitator, Keno Mullings, saw something different. He encouraged Shirley to consider starting her own business. When asked what she could monetize immediately, Shirley realized interpreting was a gift she had been using since the age of 6. That realization sparked the birth of Be Moore Interpreting.
The initial vision was simple: to help people connect. Having worked as a domestic violence advocate, Shirley knew the power of communication and the critical gaps in language services. She had seen firsthand how something was often lost in translation—pieces of a story that didn’t quite make it through, emotions that weren’t fully conveyed. Determined to change that, Be Moore Interpreting set out to offer a different kind of interpreting service—one that would ensure every story is told fully and authentically.
Starting with just $25 a month, the journey was anything but easy. Access to funding was a challenge, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Shirley took it as an opportunity to build Be Moore Interpreting from the ground up, learning how to create websites, manage systems, and handle all aspects of running a business. This self-taught, hands-on approach has kept the business debt-free to this day, allowing it to grow steadily and sustainably proving that slow and steady indeed wins the race.
Milestones That Matter
Over the past eight years, Be Moore Interpreting has worked with an array of clients, from educational institutions to government agencies. Its very first assignment was at Brown University, and since then, it has proudly partnered with numerous organizations across various sectors. One partnership that stands out is with Washington Trust Bank. Together, they are ensuring that Washington Trust continues to expand its culturally and linguistically appropriate services to better serve its diverse clientele.
Be Moore Interpreting has also had the privilege of working with the majority of cities in Rhode Island’s urban core, ensuring residents receive the services they need. In 2022, under Mayor Elorza’s administration, Be Moore Interpreting facilitated an "Interpreting 101" training for the City of Providence’s Human Rights Commission. This training equipped the city’s bilingual employees with a solid understanding of the role of interpreters, ethics, and the nuances of message conveyance, strengthening the city’s commitment to equitable service delivery.
Making an Impact, One Language at a Time
One of Be Moore Interpreting’s proudest accomplishments in recent years was helping a nonprofit translate its entire business series into Spanish. This enabled the organization to host an all-Spanish “train the trainers” business series, effectively doubling its reach and impact. By providing a training entirely in Spanish, the nonprofit could connect with a broader audience and offer more inclusive services.
In 2019, Be Moore Interpreting primarily offered services in Spanish and Portuguese. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the business was forced to pivot. The rapid shift to virtual services opened new opportunities and new challenges. Be Moore Interpreting responded by adding a variety of languages and now has a network of interpreters and translators who can provide services in almost any language. This adaptability has allowed the business to serve clients from Rhode Island all the way to California and even globally, translating organizational documents for companies in Turkey, Portugal, and Slovenia.
In another initiative that highlights its commitment to community empowerment, Be Moore Interpreting partnered with a local nonprofit to train newly resettled refugees, providing them with interpreting skills and freelance job opportunities. These efforts underscore Be Moore Interpreting’s dedication not only to language justice but to community impact as well.
A Unique Approach to Service
What sets Be Moore Interpreting apart is its genuine investment in the community’s success. The team is dedicated to building relationships, not just providing a service. Clients and partners are known by name, and every effort is made to ensure their voices are heard accurately and respectfully.
The boutique approach includes creating custom multi-lingual glossaries to ensure that each client’s unique brand and language needs are met. Whether it’s training staff on how to use virtual meeting platforms during the pandemic or providing mobile interpreting equipment to support clients’ events, Be Moore Interpreting is always looking for ways to adapt and innovate.
Looking Ahead: A Future Full of Promise
As Be Moore Interpreting celebrates its 8th year, it also looks forward to the future with excitement. The next big move is rolling out the Bridging the Gap 40-hour Medical Interpreter Course. The goal is to host at least three cohorts of 15 individuals each year, opening the door for more qualified medical interpreters to serve communities across the northeast.
The business is also refining its processes to ensure it maintains the high quality of service that has become its hallmark. While growth is intentional and paced, clients and partners can expect new services and offerings from Be Moore Interpreting in 2025.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Be Moore Interpreting’s interpreters and translators. Many have been with the business since the beginning, and their professionalism, commitment, and excellence drive its success. To the clients who have trusted Be Moore Interpreting with their vision and allowed the team to be part of their journey, the gratitude is immense. The trust and partnership have fueled Be Moore Interpreting’s growth and inspired the team to keep pushing boundaries.
Lastly, a special acknowledgment goes out to the mentors, family, and friends who have supported Shirley X. Moore on this journey. Their belief in her mission and vision has been invaluable. The unwavering support of amazing mentors like Walter Callender, Keno Mullings and Carmen Diaz Jusino. Her husband, Ramel, her son, Jordan, and her mother, who unknowingly passed on the gift of interpreting that has become the cornerstone of her career—all have been instrumental in Be Moore Interpreting’s success.
Join Be Moore Interpreting on the Journey Ahead
As Be Moore Interpreting continues to grow and evolve, it invites everyone to join in sharing the word about its new offerings, such as the Bridging the Gap course, and to help spread its mission of bridging communication gaps. Here’s to many more years of making voices heard and stories told—accurately, authentically, and with heart.
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