Beato Payano Realizes Dream of Entrepreneurship Working with Wellspring
In the beginning (it) is hard, because you don’t speak English. It’s very hard (to speak about) transportation, money, daycare…it’s hard for everything. The reason I go to Wellspring (is) because I learn more English and then I have more opportunities for my family, and for me too.
When Beato Payano emigrated from the Dominican Republic (DR) to the United States five years ago, he knew the best opportunities to provide for himself and his family were finally within his grasp. Joining his wife in Gloucester, who emigrated more than eight years ago, Beato was eager to enjoy the culture, history and community of his beloved Gloucester, but first, he had to learn English.
Like many individuals who come to Wellspring for support as they transform their own lives, Beato boasts an impressive educational history and background. A former professional tennis player, collegiate tennis coach, and accomplished barber in his native DR, Beato leveraged his strong business sense and studied Accounting while attending university. Still, Beato knew that true success in the United States meant he had to master the English language.
Following several recommendations from his wife, friends, and sister-in-law, Beato enrolled in Wellspring’s popular English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program, where he has been studying English with the help of his tutor, Gene.
Working one-on-one with Gene for an hour each week, Beato and Gene spend their time reading and writing English, as well as having casual conversations (in English!) about their families and the Gloucester Community, which Beato loves, saying “I love Gloucester. The people are friendly, the food is great, I can work here. It’s a beautiful place.”
Immersing himself in the English language at home and work has been an enormous help for Beato as he continues to acclimate to life in the United States. Beato’s wife learned to speak English when she arrived, and both of their sons are bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English. According to Beato’s tutor, Gene—who has been working with Beato for more than two years—Beato has an advantage most ESOL students don’t: the people in his life already speak English.
“In the beginning (it) is hard, because you don’t speak English. It’s very hard (to speak about) transportation, money, daycare…it’s hard for everything. The reason I go to Wellspring (is) because I learn more English and then I have more opportunities for my family, and for me too,” Beato said.
Beyond his individual work with Gene, Beato regularly practices his English skills with his wife, his sons, his friends, when watching television, when coaching his tennis clients, reading and much more.
Fast forward five years, and Beato is now the proud owner of the new AB Barber Shop on Main Street in Gloucester. Named-in-part after his two sons, AB Barber is highly successful, sporting a fast-growing customer base, happy staff members, and welcoming red and gold tones throughout the shop. With more than five years of experience in men’s grooming, Beato has realized his entrepreneurial dreams, and built a strong team and business, which he attributes to learning English at Wellspring.
I recommend people from other countries that speak Spanish come to Wellspring. Because when you come here, (to the US) you need a good job, you need communication, you need to speak English,” Beato said. “I recommend people to come to Wellspring because their schedules (are) very flexible. It’s very easy for people to learn. I speak a little bit of English now, and now my world is opening!”
In addition to opening AB Barber, Beato is forging new connections in Gloucester, sharing his skills and talents with the community he loves so much. He is licensed to coach Tennis in the United States, and in addition to playing with his older son—who is a tennis standout for Gloucester High School—he helps coach and assist aspiring tennis players on the Gloucester High School Tennis Team in his spare time.
Beato says learning English opened “all the doors” for him and will help open doors for others who speak another language, saying, “I continue to study English because I like to study and learn. I recommend people from other countries that speak Spanish come to Wellspring. Because when you come here, (to the US) you need a good job, you need communication, you need to speak English,” Beato said. “I recommend people to come to Wellspring because their schedules (are) very flexible. It’s very easy for people to learn. I speak a little bit of English now, and now my world is opening!”