Meet Richard Phelps

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Phelps and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I spent 25 years in the Telecommuncations industry, primarily in international markets, living and working in foreign cultures; and before, during, and after this experience I was able to learn to speak several foreign languages. I’ve studied seven and speak four fluently. But not only did I learn to speak the languages, but I also learned HOW to learn a language; and the fastest and most productive way to learn is through private instruction and cultural immersion, basically living like a local.

Now, it wasn’t always like that. The first foreign language I learned, German, took me close to 10 years- because I did it the normal way one learns languages in the U.S. I took German in both high school and university and even participated in a couple study abroad programs, but I couldn’t speak the language. Not until I lived in Germany did I learn to speak the language well, you might say, fluent. Fast forward a few years and I met my future wife, a beautiful Mexican woman who lived in Mexico City.

Now, armed with motivation, and having learned from the German language learning experience, I decided to take a short cut. I hired a private tutor and was immersed in the culture, and after only 10 months living in Mexico City with my new strategy, I learned to speak Spanish better than I ever spoke German after 10 years. But the language learning culture in the U.S. didn’t change- there were many people like me who still had a dream to learn a foreign language, even though they had tried and failed.

It had always irked me that many language learning companies and tour companies were deceiving their customers by promising they could become fluent in 30 to 60 days, either by apps or group tours, neither one of which really works. So, since I had become an expert in how to quickly acquire a language, I decided to launch Language & Luxury, to share the solution with the public by providing the optimum environment, private language instruction with cultural immersion. The target market I selected was adult international travelers, particularly those who enjoyed luxury travel yet still had a dream to master a foreign language. They have the time, the funds, and many are savvy international travelers. And they’re sure thanking me now!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
During my global high-tech career of 25 years, I learned to be a good manager and excelled in leadership roles across many different cultures. I was grateful to have recruited, mentored, and promoted many employees along the way, some with whom I maintain friendships to this day.

I didn’t consider the work necessarily creative, but it did allow me to soak up different ideas from various walks of life; and my language learning became a collateral skill resulting from my tech career. Thus, when I decided to launch Language & Luxury, not only had I become quite adept at language learning, but I had also developed skills in enticing and motivating the best talent.

In launching the business there was a great deal of creativity required, not only in dreaming up the catchy name, but also in the development of a unique business model. And during the building of our website, there was a lot of writing to be done; although it was much different than the business writing to which I had been accustomed.

My marketing team was impressed with my writing skills, so I decided to author my first book, publishing TRAIN WRECK, Love and Deceit Among the Southern California Elite- and I became an author. It’s a hobby now, but I’m on my second book, which is a historical fiction, so I’m extending my creative reach- and it’s going well! I find that the individual skills enhanced the general amalgam of competence.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My three sons and I grew up in Crown Point, Mission Bay area (I grew up with them!). So, a few of my favorite spots are in or around Pacific Beach: JRDN at Tower 23 for the view, bartenders, and appetizers; Costa Brava for the best authentic Spanish food in town and World Cup; Rocky’s for the best burger, hands down, ‘been going there for 35 years; Ichiban for low-cost Japanese- kid friendly; Enoteca Adriano on Cass Street for great Italian; Barefoot Bar or Tidal for food and view, even in the winter; and Luce in Bay Park always has high quality everything!

Convoy and the Asian dining is fantastic, just about everywhere. Oton is one of the more authentic Japanese restaurants, located on Kearney Villa. The tacos at The Taco Stand are “buenisimo!” Herb & Wood in Little Italy is also fantastic and with a great art display. There are some awesome restaurants in Tijuana, although I don’t go as much as I used to!

My favorite beach hangouts are South Mission, North P.B., Wind & Sea, Powerhouse Park in Del Mar, and Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. And a stroll through Balboa Park makes me feel like I’m far from San Diego, enjoying a completely different vibe just a few minutes away!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shout out to the following influential individuals:

Firstly, to my mother, who never discouraged me from majoring in a foreign language or pursuing a career in international business. She even encouraged me- and supported me- when I was broke and moved to Mexico City to follow the Mexican playbook on courtship!

My high school German teacher, Klaus Kolmai, was a native German-speaking American who recruited me to participate in my first study abroad program in Germany in 1976. I kept a diary throughout that trip, and after completing my first transaction- a purchase- entirely in German, I was invigorated! I wrote in my diary, in the words of a 17-year-old Kansas boy, “I felt great after I left. I wish I could have done more of this.” And I did, in a big way. Through his influence I’d gotten the bug for foreign culture and language learning!

I also want to recognize the various instructors along the way, mostly private tutors, who patiently helped me throughout my language learning journeys, reveling in my success and knack for languages. From them I didn’t learn to be a teacher, but rather I learned to be a successful language learner, which was much more relevant to this business.

And lastly, since I had never worked in the consumer market before, let alone an Internet-based business, a big shoutout to Brent and Renaud of Supersonic Sites, for creating and managing Language & Luxury’s digital marketing campaign, including a fantastic website, company image, complete back office, and highly effective online ads. They took the guesswork out of it for me and are continuously monitoring and improving our online marketing program!

Website: https://www.languageandluxury.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardphelps/

Other: https://www.richardphelps.com/