Behind the Scenes at Transcribe Anywhere: An Interview with the Founder

 Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a thriving online transcription training program from the ground up? In this post, we speak with Janet Shaughnessy, founder of Transcribe Anywhere—an e-learning platform dedicated to helping people launch successful work-from-home careers. Janet’s passion and expertise shine through as she explains how Transcribe Anywhere started, what makes the courses so distinctive, and shares her perspective on the ever-evolving transcription industry. 

Whether you are exploring transcription for the first time or curious about the training process, this interview offers an in-depth look at the mission and values driving Transcribe Anywhere. Read on for insights into building a flexible career, real-life success stories, and what the future holds in this rapidly growing field. 

Introduction Questions 

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start Transcribe Anywhere? 

I actually first learned to transcribe using shorthand and a typewriter. Yep, I’m THAT old. It’s amazing the rate at which technology has changed every aspect of our lives. I worked in corporate America for many years in various positions. When my husband became disabled, I was overwhelmed and needed to find a way to work from home. It took a few false starts before I realized that I already had a skill that would lend itself to working remotely – transcription! 

I began working as a subcontractor with larger transcription companies and started building my own clientele. As my business grew, I began taking on my own subcontractors and they all needed training – even those with experience. 

What started out as my notes that I’d give to new hires, turned into an eBook. That evolved into selling my courses on CDs. The evolution continued and the courses were offered as a digital download. Finally, in 2016, Transcribe Anywhere was born as a multi-media online learning experience. It continues to evolve as the industry changes. 

Business & Mission 

What makes Transcribe Anywhere different from other transcription training programs? 

The number one reason that students cite as what sets us apart is the amount of support they receive. We work with each student individually and also offer online community support. That, combined with the very comprehensive training we offer, is what makes us stand out from the rest. We also offer a lifetime membership and give our graduates all of the tools and resources needed to land their first transcription jobs. 

We also don’t believe it should cost an arm and a leg to receive training. We keep our prices affordable so that those who aspire to become transcriptionists can afford our training and complete it in a relatively short timeframe. Our online courses are available online 24/7 and students can work at their own pace. As adult learners, we all have different schedules and commitments, so we don’t impose time limits on our students. 

Why do you think transcription is such a great work-from-home career? 

Transcription is a great work-from-home (or anywhere) career for us word nerds who don’t mind working alone. I love listening to other people’s stories, and everybody has a story! It’s not “easy” as some would have you believe. It takes focused attention and an excellent grasp of the English language. 

It’s not for everybody. But if you enjoy sitting at home at your computer, working at your own pace, and are willing to hone your transcription skills, then it’s an ideal career choice. We choose when, where, and how often we work. 

What’s the biggest misconception people have about becoming a transcriptionist? 

There are actually three misconceptions that I hear often: 

1. All transcription is medical transcription. It’s not and, in fact, I no longer provide medical transcription services and I don’t teach it. The adoption of the electronic medical record has dramatically decreased the need for MTs. 

2. AI is taking over our jobs. No! AI (speech-to-text software for transcriptionists) is our friend. We can use it to speed up our production and, thereby, save time and make more money! 

3. It’s easy. All you need to know is how to type. WRONG! Typing is an essential skill, but learning the rules of proper formatting, grammar, and punctuation are what set us apart from the wannabes. We’re the keepers of the record and accuracy is the hallmark of a professional transcriptionist. 

Course Insights 

What goes into creating a comprehensive transcription training course, and how do you ensure it meets the needs of aspiring transcriptionists? 

What goes into creating a truly comprehensive training course is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Seriously, it’s not easy to take the knowledge and experience in your head and turn it into courses that are easy to comprehend yet thorough. The pedagogy needs to be thought out and outlined before you can expand it into training modules that make sense and allow the student to learn in a manner that doesn’t overwhelm them. 

Of course, our training is always being refined and updated. It’s much easier to do that after the initial groundwork was laid. 

What skills do students learn in your transcription courses that set them up for success? 

Our students are provided with all of the training needed to succeed as transcriptionists. The core skills are typing speed and accuracy, the use of shortcut keys and expanders, speech-to-text software, grammar and punctuation, formatting, terminology, real-world practice files, how to find work, and so much more. The syllabi for our courses can be found at https://transcribeanywhere.com/courses for the full overview of each module and what students can expect to learn. 

How does Transcribe Anywhere help prepare students for the real world of transcription work? 

All of our training is built upon real-world practice files. We don’t just give a few quick lessons. We begin with easier exercises that increase in difficulty as students progress through the courses. 

Upon graduation and certification, our students are provided with all of the tools, tips, and resources needed to find work. We also give our students a website and free listing at https://hireatranscriptionist.com. Our graduates find work quickly because we’ve gathered a reputation for turning out qualified transcriptionists who can hit the ground running. 

Student Success & Motivation 

Do you have a favorite success story from one of your students? 

I don’t want to pick one story because every student is a unique individual with their own reasons for seeking a way out of something that’s kept them from their own definition of success. There are success stories on our website and blog if someone wants to read them. I’m proud of ALL of our graduates. 

Every student’s success story brightens my day and reminds me why I do this. Knowing that you’ve helped someone move from being miserable in their current job or stressed with the demands of family commitments to just needing to supplement their income into a life of freedom, both financial and personal, is my greatest reward. 

What’s your best advice for someone just starting out in transcription? 

It’s going to sound self-serving, but get training! There’s no way to succeed in this industry without the proper foundation. Students are often surprised at the amount of time spent in our courses on grammar and punctuation. It isn’t easy and it takes commitment to study and practice. 

Without training, you might land a gig here and there. But the pay will suck and you’ll have a hard time even finding jobs on your own. Most of us, including myself, start out freelancing with larger transcription agencies. Prepare to be tested. I’ll guarantee that, without the proper training, you won’t pass the test. 

The Future of Transcribe Anywhere 

How do you see the transcription industry evolving in the coming years? 

Technology will continue to speed up the process of producing transcripts. It won’t replace humans, but our tools and method of working will change, just as it changed from when I started out with shorthand and typewriters. 

What are your future goals or exciting plans for Transcribe Anywhere? 

We’ll continue to inspire and give people the training and tools needed to get out of their comfort zone and live the life they want to live. We keep on top of everything happening in the transcription industry and ensure that our students and graduates always have access to the latest news, tools, and technology. It’s exciting to see these changes as they happen and be on the cutting edge of emerging trends. 

Personal Reflection 

What’s been the most rewarding part of running Transcribe Anywhere? 

Besides our students’ successes, for me personally it’s been the ability to live my life feeling free of the corporate grind and being able to be there for my family and friends when needed. There’s nothing anyone could offer me to go back to a 9-5 job. 

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when starting this business, what would it be? 

Stop being afraid and just do it! I dreamed for years of working from home, but was afraid to give up the “security” of my “good job.” How foolish I was! When push came to shove and I had to give it up, my life changed for the better in every way imaginable. My only regret is not doing it sooner! 

Closing 

For those interested in becoming transcriptionists, why should they choose Transcribe Anywhere? 

Transcribe Anywhere offers the most comprehensive, yet affordable, transcription training and lifetime support. We don’t just skim the surface and set you loose. We go deep and we continue to support you even after you finish training. Our graduates are usually working within a couple of weeks of completing their training. As new trends develop, we add it to our courses at no additional charge. Transcribe Anywhere graduates are highly regarded in the industry and sought after by those needing to quickly hire qualified transcribers. 

Disclaimer: I make no guarantees because it’s up to each individual student to commit to study and practice. Transcribe Anywhere is NOT a certification mill. Be prepared to work! 

Ready to Start Your Transcription Journey? 

If you’re ready to take the next step, visit Transcribe Anywhere to explore their comprehensive courses and learn how you can launch a fulfilling, flexible career in transcription. By investing in top-quality training and a supportive community, you can set yourself up for success—both now and in the evolving future of transcription.