What is your name?
Drita Protopapa
What is your occupation?
Business Owner/Entrepreneur
What is your business name?
What is your linked in URL?
linkedin.com/in/dritaprotopapa
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
I was born and raised in Wayland, MA (20 miles due west of Boston!)
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
MAPA Translations is your gateway for a cultural and linguistic journey! Our three main divisions—Written Translation, Multilingual Voice Overs & Interpretation—offer streamlined communication solutions so that our clients can reach their target audiences with culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging and content. As the child of multilingual parents, I grew up in a household with an “open door” policy to all those who needed a place to stop and call home. I became fluent in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese at a young age. After a career in academic medicine and public health, I began working as a medical and community interpreter, which led me to officially join the language services industry in 2004. After the birth of my youngest child in 2006, I launched MAPA Translations in July 2007. I am passionate about the work we do and committed to helping people bridge communication and language gaps.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
We are fun, friendly, and easy to work with! We respond quickly and professionally to all requests for services and are committed to providing high-quality work with 5-star customer service. We support female business owners, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Follow your intuition and be true to yourself!
What is your favorite book?
Do Less by Kate Northrup
What is your secret weapon? An app, a tool, a organization method, anything?!
My secret weapon is having a big heart and an open mind.
What is your most recent WIN? How are you slaying it in your career or business?
We are currently in a major growth and expansion mode. Recent wins include getting approved as a vendor for the City of Boston and Project Bread, landing our first national client providing services to people with autism, and submitting a quote for the State of MA contract.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Spend less time worrying about what others think and trying to please them! Follow your own path and intuition.
How do you enjoy your free time?
Listening to live music, walking in the woods with my dog Rocky, sharing food and laughter with friends, traveling, soaking up the sun at the beach while reading, and spending time with family.
What is something that not many people know about you?
Many people do not know that I am the child of refugees from Estonia (mom) and Albania (dad).