Karina De La Cruz |CEO, Horizon Legal Solutions

Tell us a little about your company or service.

Horizon Legal Solutions provides professional interpretation and translation services in more than 200 languages, helping law firms, court reporting companies, and businesses communicate clearly across language barriers. Horizon Premier Staffing connects businesses with skilled bilingual virtual assistants who support legal and administrative work. Through both companies, we help our clients operate more efficiently, serve diverse communities, and grow with dependable support.

How did you get into this field?

Im a former Paralegal.

Do you wish others would join this industry? Do you want to encourage the next generation to get into this field?

Yes.

When you're not working, what matters most to you? What keeps you grounded outside of the business?

Spending time with my family, relaxing, and doing charity work through our foundation, Horizon of Hope, HLS.

What's your favorite local restaurant?

Il Forno, Venice, Italy.

Coffee, tea, or energy drink?

Coffee.

What do you think has been the biggest factor in you or your company's success?

My focus is on truly helping our clients and taking care of our employees. Success follows when you put people first, and our team is the foundation of everything we do. Without them, none of this would be possible.

What is something you or your company does differently that you think has made a real difference?

Truly caring about our clients, rather than simply chasing a dollar.

What's something you know now about your career or running a business that you wish you knew when you started?

Get organized early. Set things up properly from the beginning.

What do you think separates a really great company or professional from an average one?

I think a great company truly cares about its clients and employees. Its about listening, following through, and doing the right thingeven when it doesnt lead to an immediate profit. When your team feels valued and your clients know they can count on you, you build something that lasts.

What's a 'small' detail in your work that actually matters, that nobody outside the industry realizes is important?

I wouldnt call it a small detail, but empathy makes a big difference. Working with people can be challenging, so I always try to put myself in the other persons shoeswhether thats a client, an employee, an interpreter, or a virtual assistant. Understanding their perspective helps me respond thoughtfully and find a solution.

What's the best marketing idea you've ever tried?

Creating true, meaningful relationships. That is what its all about in marketing.

What's a totally random skill that makes you good at your job?

Paying attention to details and multitasking.

What are the biggest challenges facing your industry right now?

On the interpreting side, we need more qualified interpreters to meet our clients needs. On the virtual assistant side, we need more attorneys and business owners to be open to the idea that, with clear direction and the right support, a VA can be a valuable asset to their team.

AI is changing just about everything. Are you excited about AI, worried about it, or somewhere in between?

Im excited about it and we use it daily. But AI lacks judgment. I am very curious about how AI will continue to evolve.

What do you think your job and/or industry is going to look like five or ten years from now?

Over the next five to ten years, I believe virtual assistants will become a more common part of how businesses operate, and the interpreting profession will become more regulated. To stay relevant, interpreters will need to go above and beyond by pursuing certification and continuing to strengthen their skills.

Where do you think your profession is headed? Do you think technology and AI will replace parts of the profession, or will they ultimately make professionals more valuable?

I believe that AI will make our jobs easier, but because it lacks judgment in certain situations, interpreters will remain valuable. For translations, which are written documents, I believe that AI will continue to advance.

What do you think makes someone great at what they do? And what do you wish more people understood about your profession?

When you truly care about what you do, when youre passionate about it, thats what makes you great.

What's one mistake you see people early in their careers making that they could easily avoid?

Its easy to get caught up in chasing money, and I understand wanting financial success. But I believe when you find something you truly enjoy and pursue it with passion and dedication, success follows.

What's your secret to building great relationships with clients and keeping them coming back?

Being honest and transparent.

What's the part of your job that you genuinely enjoy the most?

I enjoy connecting with people as well as delivering for our clients when they are in a difficult situation. I like to help solve their problems.

What's the biggest goal you have for your company or career over the next few years?

We will continue to grow both nationally and internationally, guided by the values that have brought us this far: staying honest and putting our clients and employees first.

If you could go back to the beginning of your career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would you tell yourself?

Set boundaries, dont over-explain yourself.

What's a moment on the job that reminded you why the work actually matters?

When we can help a client with a last-minute request.

Who was the most memorable person you've ever worked with or for and why?

Attorney Jose Rodriguez. He built his practice on values and principles that I admired.

What's the proudest 'nobody will ever know I did this, but I did' moment of your career?

One of our proudest milestones was becoming the first and only interpretation company in The Florida Bar Member Benefits Program.

Contact Karina

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-de-la-cruz-phraner-50816189

www.horizonls.com

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