From Words to Bees: Kate Lo’s Journey of Passion and Precision

In the vibrant workspace of the MOW community, Kate Lo stands out as someone whose career is built on nuance, language, and connection. A translator by trade, Kate’s business, The Hive of Translation, has been running since 2016, specialising in Spanish and French to English translations. But her work doesn’t stop at simply converting words from one language to another; Kate delves into transcreation, post-editing, copy editing, and even proofreading. For her, it’s all about the words—and doing them justice.

“I’m a massive foodie with a passion for bees and pollinators,” Kate shares, her enthusiasm evident. “Basically, anything to do with words—though the occasional transcription job sneaks in as well!”

What Sets a Translator Apart?

While many people lump translation and interpretation together, Kate is quick to clarify the distinction. “You need to ask yourself: can that person work in their PJs?” she laughs. “If they can, they’re dealing with the written word. Interpreters, on the other hand, deal with the spoken word and often have to be on-site, whether at conferences, courts, or business interviews.”

Kate’s fascination with language stems from her childhood. Witnessing “Brits abroad” struggling to connect with locals embarrassed her—and sparked her curiosity. “I was always curious about how languages worked. My dad’s background played a part too—my granddad was from China, and I was so disappointed when I found out my dad never learned Cantonese or Mandarin. I’d have loved to offer those languages, but I’m happy with French and Spanish for now.”

Finding Inspiration in Projects

Kate is in the process of narrowing her focus to specific industries, with her dream clients lying in the sustainability and agri-food sectors. One standout project came from a Spanish agri-food company whose greenhouses operate on a circular economy model. “It was all about sustainable organic food. Translating their website copy, blog posts, and articles about trade fairs absolutely set me alight,” she recalls. “It was a perfect example of the kind of meaningful work I want to do more of.”

Challenges in the Industry

As a translator, Kate often finds herself advocating for the profession. “We’re not recognised enough,” she explains, citing instances where translators don’t even appear as a profession on platforms like insurance websites. Additionally, AI poses both opportunities and challenges for her line of work. “Some think AI can do the boring bits of translation, but for me, the so-called ‘boring’ part is the joy of my work. It’s the research, the cultural nuance, the intent behind the text—AI can’t replicate that.”

For Kate, the key is showing clients the human side of her expertise. “I have to push what I can offer and highlight the risks of relying solely on automation.”

Growing the Business

The next couple of years look promising for Kate as she works on reaching more clients directly. She’s already faced her fear of attending client-facing trade fairs and is building a CRM system to enhance her outreach. “It’s about growing up as a business,” she says. “Moving from where I am now to having a structured framework that helps everything run more efficiently.”

“It’s about growing up as a business”

Kate’s passion for her work is matched by her hobbies, which often overlap with her professional interests. Her love for bees led her to sponsor a beehive, a unique way to combine her interest in pollinators with her translation specialism. She also took up wild swimming during the pandemic, calling it “a great way to connect with nature and clear my mind.”

Advice for Fellow Members

For members of the coworking space, Kate is eager to lend her expertise in copy editing and proofreading. “Mistakes jump out at me, so I’m always happy to help others refine their work,” she says. And when it comes to receiving help, she looks forward to learning more about CRM tools and streamlining her business processes—areas she hopes to explore through collaborations within the space.

Kate’s story is a testament to her passion for language and dedication to her craft. Whether she’s perfecting a translation, collaborating with fellow members, or advocating for bees, Kate’s commitment to making a meaningful impact is clear. As she puts it, “The key is to speak to yourself like you would a good friend—because we’re always far too critical of ourselves.”