We had the good fortune of connecting with Claudia Frommenwiler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Claudia, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As I gained more experience academically and professionally, and as I matured, my work-life balance improved significantly. In the early days of my career, I was eager to take on as many projects as possible. I had a strong desire to learn and expand my knowledge rapidly, even if it meant missing family gatherings or exhausting myself. However, over the last ten years, I’ve learned to maintain a much better work-life balance. While I’m still working on multiple projects and continuously innovating, I’ve discovered the importance of working smarter, not harder. I now value quality time with my family and friends, but above all, I prioritize my personal time. While I still take on projects that require extra attention and can throw me off balance, I’ve been able to maintain stability by planning, prioritizing, and delegating effectively.

I think of work-life balance as something essential in everyone’s life. To me, everything is about balance—it’s crucial for maintaining our health and sanity. My balance between work, social life, and health and fitness has helped me succeed not only professionally, but also as a daughter, parent, and wife.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are a Spanish learning center that offers Spanish programs with an academic focus and a strong emphasis on cultural awareness. Unlike other Spanish centers in the area, we provide the academic rigor necessary for students to truly master the language. With my experience in teaching and tutoring, as well as my corporate background in opening and managing new branches, developing business strategies, and overseeing financial budgets, I was able to create a solution that stands out from the rest.

I developed programs where students immerse themselves in the language and culture, complemented by grammar lessons, comprehension exercises, and literature. Our students don’t just learn vocabulary, but also practical phrases and cultural awareness, all within short, incremental periods of time. Our well-structured Spanish program has proven to help students not only excel in their studies but also enjoy learning the language in a fun and engaging way.

We continue to innovate, and the positive feedback we receive from students and parents, along with the great results we’ve achieved, validate that our approach and concept are working. I am most proud of our students who are excelling in their Spanish journey. It’s so rewarding to see how we impact their academic lives by providing them the opportunity to learn, enhance, and apply their Spanish skills in real-world situations.

Without taking risks, I wouldn’t be in the successful position I am today—both as an entrepreneur and in my personal life. Risk is inevitable if we want to advance in life and our careers. I’ve taken risks throughout my college years and career progression. You might have heard the term “No pain, no gain,” but I prefer to think of it as “No manageable pain, no successful gain.” It’s not about taking high risks and exhausting yourself. For me, it’s about taking the right risks, then measuring and managing them.

My career, and currently this Spanish project, has taught me that no matter how well you prepare, challenges will always arise. Unexpected situations—whether personal or work-related—will come up. I’ve learned that the key to overcoming difficulties is to tackle what you can control and stay calm with what you cannot. However, this requires the ability to identify both controllable and uncontrollable factors.

As the founder of Frommis – The Spanish Learning Center, I want the world to know that the Spanish language and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries are rich and diverse. I encourage everyone to give themselves the opportunity to explore the beauty that comes with both the language and its people. With my deep knowledge of Spanish, history, literature, and cultural awareness, I will continue to share my passion with the new generation and raise awareness of the incredible contributions that Hispanic culture has to offer.

I also want to encourage others to pursue their projects, as there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to share their knowledge with the world. A big thank you to Shoutout for providing such an amazing platform to recognize small businesses and allow entrepreneurs to share their stories.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

The first place I would take my best friends is Frommis – The Spanish Learning Center. I would give them a tour of the facility, which is full of valuable information and fun tools. Since my Spanish learning program incorporates the culture of six Spanish-speaking countries—Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina—I’d share insights about the culture, customs, arts, and popular sites of these countries.

Next, I’d take my best friends to restaurants featuring food from these countries to experience their culture through cuisine. Some of the restaurants on my list include Frida Mexican Cuisine in Torrance, Caribbean Soul in Los Angeles, Encanto in Hermosa Beach, Pollo Inca in Rolling Hills Estates, and Gaucho Grill in Long Beach.

Afterward, I would definitely take them to explore the fun cities of South Bay, including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Palos Verdes. There’s so much to do here—from walks and hikes to beach activities and sunset dinners—all within just a few miles. I’d also take them to one of my favorite places, the Terranea Resort, for a 9-hole golf game, followed by lunch and drinks by the ocean at Nelson’s Restaurant.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to dedicate my shoutout to all the small companies and entrepreneurs who provide internships and hire undergraduate students. They invest their time to mentor, guide, and help these students choose their career path, but above all, they share their knowledge. As an undergraduate, I was fortunate to land a position at a great small-to-mid-sized company owned by a German-American entrepreneur, who gave me the opportunity to learn and grow within the organization. They believed in my potential and talents, which helped me build a strong professional foundation.

I also want to give credit to my father, who taught me the values of discipline, persistence, and strength from a young age. These characteristics have made it easier for me to tackle difficult projects and achieve success. He has been an exemplary mentor, both personally and professionally.

Website: https://frommisspanish.com

Instagram: frommisspanish

Facebook: frommisspanish

Youtube: @frommisspanish

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.