Staff Spotlight: Benedikt Maes

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My journey has been a rich and varied one. I started working at 15 in fast food, flipping burgers, and later transitioned to sales roles in diverse furniture stores. After completing my studies, I spent several years as a teacher, eventually becoming the headmaster of an international school abroad. I never returned to my home country, choosing instead to settle in Poland, where I worked for a year in fuel logistics for a major petroleum company. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I took the opportunity to establish my own translation agency, which I continue to run successfully. More recently, I co-founded a tech startup with two incredible partners, and we are working towards significant breakthroughs in 2025.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I have incredibly fond memories of a one-month train journey that took me from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific coast. The trip carried me across the majestic Ural Mountains, through the vast Asian steppes, and all the way to the Great Wall of China. Along the way, we encountered countless challenges and adventures, and through it all, I forged an unbreakable bond with my friends. I also treasure every road trip I’ve ever taken. Traveling by car offers me the ultimate sense of freedom, allowing me to explore at my own pace while enjoying deeply meaningful conversations along the way.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working with English Wizards has been a transformative experience. After starting my first company as a solo endeavor, I realized how isolating it could be—especially during the pandemic, when isolation became the norm. Now, being part of English Wizards, I’ve rediscovered the joy of collaboration. It has shown me the value of navigating personal disagreements and, even more importantly, the inspiration that comes from having a supportive team. Working with others here has sparked incredible ideas that I could never have developed on my own. The energy and creativity within the English Wizards team have completely reshaped the way I approach my work, and it’s been a game-changer.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best stories in my teaching career come from students who were so thrilled with their learning experience that they became my advocates within their own communities. In one instance, a student went out of their way to recommend me to a colleague at an international company, opening doors I hadn’t anticipated. In another, a student shared their progress during a professional networking event, which led to inquiries from their peers about joining my classes. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing inspired students turn into champions who spread the word and help grow my teaching impact.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I take immense pride in my translation services because, unlike many competitors, I don’t treat it as a cash-grab or a pyramid scheme focused solely on maximizing margins. Instead, I’m deeply committed to crafting beautiful language that truly resonates with your brand. I believe we deliver exceptional results because we specialize in niche languages and industries—particularly in the Benelux region—ensuring we’re always at the top of our game. With us, you get content that’s more than a polished turd.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

At English Wizards, we’re a lean, dedicated team competing against much larger organizations with massive budgets. Despite our size, our efforts to innovate in the ESL industry and support expats are moving at an incredible pace. While bigger companies can take months to adapt or launch new initiatives, we can make changes and roll out new services in just weeks. Our small team’s flexibility and agility are our greatest strengths, allowing us to stay ahead and deliver unparalleled support to our teachers and expats coming to Poland.

I felt a great sense of pride when, despite the challenges we faced with our initial offer, we were able to pivot quickly, set our egos aside, and move forward driven by our passion for what we do. I love working with people who genuinely care about the product and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it successful.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

For me, success comes down to two key principles: consistency and curiosity. Consistency is essential because it builds trust—your collaborators and clients need to know they can rely on you to meet the expectations you set. No one likes to be let down, especially when the bar has been set high. Curiosity, on the other hand, is the lifeblood of innovation. Without it, growth stalls, and a company risks becoming stagnant.