Empowered by CommunityWorks: Hit Services

For Jeannette Houchens, language is more than communication—it’s about connection, equity, and opportunity. As the founder of HIT Services, a translation and interpretation company based in Greenville, SC, Jeannette has made it her mission to ensure language is never a barrier to accessing essential services from our community. 

The Journey to Language Advocacy 

Born in Colombia, Jeannette moved to the United States 20 years ago with a dream of building a career in the translation industry. Jeannette said that in many countries, translators are highly regarded professionals, trained in the nuances of language and cultural interpretation. She brought that level of expertise to the United States., where she quickly realized there was both a demand for and a misunderstanding of the profession. 

“In other countries, you go to school to become an interpreter,” Jeannette explains. “Not in the U.S. There are courses on languages and things here and there, but you really have to teach yourself unless you have the education from your country.” 

With a degree in business and translation, and experience managing a translation firm in Colombia, Jeannette was uniquely prepared to start her own business. In 2010, she founded HIT Services with a mission to provide high-quality services and advocate for the importance of language access. 

The Growing Need for Translation in South Carolina 

South Carolina is home to diverse communities, with 79 languages spoken in Greenville County alone. The need for accurate translation and interpretation has never been greater, yet many organizations lack the resources or understanding to provide meaningful language access, leaving non-English speakers at a disadvantage. Miscommunication can have serious consequences, especially in healthcare and education.  

HIT Services addresses this need by offering translation and interpretation in more than 20 languages in-person and over 100 virtually. With clients that include hospitals, schools, and the court system, the company ensures that critical information—from medical diagnoses to educational plans—is communicated effectively and accurately.  

Empowered by CommunityWorks 

In the early days of starting her business, Jeannette faced the challenge of reaching her market. She needed a website and a marketing strategy but lacked the resources to invest in these critical tools. 

Through a referral from Clemson’s business mentoring program, Jeannette connected with CommunityWorks, who provided the funding needed to build her website and launch marketing efforts. CommunityWorks also offered coaching and consulting to help refine her business plan and access valuable community resources. 

“CommunityWorks gives you opportunities to access resources so you can start a business,” Jeannette says. “There’s more to the loan than just saying, ‘Here, I need this money.’ CommunityWorks helps you think through your business plan.” 

Making an Impact Through Translation 

Today, HIT Services is more than a business—it’s a platform for advocacy. Jeannette works closely with local schools, universities and other organizations to raise awareness about the importance of language access. She is currently collaborating with USC Upstate to create curriculums that train new interpreters to meet the needs of the community . 

“We have so many kids now who are bilingual, second- or third-generation immigrants who speak other languages,” Jeannette shares. Interpretation and translation are very good professions, so if we could somehow show the need we have, we could create programs for these students.” 

Jeannette’s work extends beyond serving clients; she’s creating systemic change. Her mission is to show communities that translation isn’t a luxury,it’s a necessity for fostering equity and inclusion. 

“We can provide education and create jobs. There is so much benefit to understanding what language access is about, and it will help the community in many different ways.” 

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