Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke
Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke is your go-to podcast for insights on leadership, business growth, and relationship-driven success. Hosted by Bryan Schielke, Co-Founder and COO of Summit Group Solutions, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and lessons from top entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts.
Whether you’re scaling a business, building meaningful professional connections, or navigating today’s fast-changing market, Bryan brings actionable advice, real-world experiences, and candid conversations to help you elevate your potential and reach the summit of your career.
Tune in and discover how speed beats perfection, relationships drive results, and curiosity fuels growth.
Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke
David Utrilla, CEO of U.S. Translation Company
In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with David Utrilla, founder and CEO of U.S. Translation Company, to explore the pivotal decisions, challenges, and leadership principles that have shaped his award-winning business. From navigating early struggles to embracing AI in film and TV localization, David shares how adaptability, continuous learning, and relationship-building have driven decades of growth.
Listeners will gain insights into:
- Overcoming early business obstacles and earning client trust
- Balancing technical accuracy with cultural nuance in translation
- Leveraging AI to scale operations globally
- Leadership lessons from serving on boards and in diplomatic roles
- Strategies for personal growth and sustaining long-term success
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this episode offers actionable wisdom for thriving in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
00:00 – Bryan Schielke:
You founded U.S. Translation Company in 1995 and have grown it into a multi award-winning firm. Looking back, what was the single most pivotal decision that shaped your company's trajectory?
00:11 – David Utrilla:
When we started the company, the most difficult part was the first year—we weren’t getting any traction. We had no experience, no reputation, nothing to make customers feel comfortable. We had to convince them we could do the work. Persistence and referrals helped us gain momentum, and the journey has been fulfilling despite the bumps along the way.
01:05 – Bryan Schielke:
Your work spans from corporate translation to film and TV localization. How do you approach balancing technical accuracy with cultural nuance across such diverse industries?
01:16 – David Utrilla:
AI disrupted parts of our business, especially in film dubbing. It allowed us to scale from one title per month to about 100 titles per week—faster, more economically, and at higher quality. Flexibility and embracing new technology were critical, even while other areas suffered and we needed to keep our linguists engaged.
02:41 – Bryan Schielke:
Serving as honorary consul of Peru and on numerous boards requires strategic vision and diplomacy. How have these roles influenced your leadership style at U.S. Translation Company?
02:53 – David Utrilla:
Joining boards outside of translation—arts, humanitarian, diplomacy—expanded my perspective and horizon. Learning from areas outside my comfort zone made me stronger, well-rounded, and a better leader.
04:12 – Bryan Schielke:
You’ve completed executive programs at Harvard, Stanford, Rutgers, and more. How has continuous executive education shaped your decision-making and ability to scale a global business?
04:24 – David Utrilla:
The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. Programs in mergers, finance, HR, and leadership revealed gaps I hadn’t recognized. Staying teachable and continuously learning motivates me to improve personally and professionally, for both my company and the boards I serve.
06:06 – Bryan Schielke:
With a 98% customer retention rate, your client relationships clearly stand out. What principles or practices have been most effective in maintaining long-term client trust?
06:18 – David Utrilla:
We strive to be trusted advisors, not just service providers. Building relationships, understanding challenges, and solving problems consistently over time fosters trust. Personal connections, video conferences, on-site visits—all help clients feel valued and confident.
08:17 – Bryan Schielke:
As someone with numerous accolades and decades of growth, what advice would you give emerging leaders about sustaining personal and organizational success?
08:30 – David Utrilla:
Three key pieces of advice:
- Persist—never give up on what you believe in.
- Continuously evolve—comfort is the enemy of growth.
- Stay humble—be teachable and seek guidance.
Bonus: Build a strong network and nurture relationships. These principles have guided me throughout my journey.
10:06 – Bryan Schielke:
Fantastic. Thank you for your time, David. Really appreciate it.
10:13 – David Utrilla:
You too. Thank you so much, Brian. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
