Small Business Development Center at USF
FB TW LI
Helping Small Businesses Start Grow and Succeed
SBDC Consultant Profile & Articles

Maria Clara Yepes

myepes

Certified Business Analyst

International Trade, Women/Minority Certification, Spanish speaking

Ms. Maria Clara Yepes is a Certified Business Analyst with the Small Business Development Center at USF. She provides counseling services to small businesses in the areas of business start-up, women/minority certification, international trade and business planning. She counsels and teaches seminars in English and Spanish. Prior to working at the SBDC, Ms. Yepes worked for Citigroup as an Anti-Money Laundering Analyst and at AchieveGlobal as an Alliance Partner Intern. Ms. Yepes was born in Medellin, Colombia where she spent her childhood and teenage years. In 2001, she came to the United States to pursue a professional education. She obtained an Associate of Arts Degree from Hillsborough Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, and an MBA also from the University of South Florida. Her areas of study include: marketing, international business, management and sustainability. Ms. Yepes is a member of NASBITE International and a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP). She is also a member of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA), where she currently serves as VP of Education for the Tampa Bay Chapter.

Author Archives: myepes

ASTE Trade International – A Hillsborough County Success Story

Tuncay Esitmez launched ASTE Trade International, LLC. in 2009, a firm supplying construction materials, computer equipment and chemicals to private contractors serving the U.S. government overseas, and in just 12 months made nearly $300,000. Esitmez’s 27-years as Chief Operations Officer

Posted in Hillsborough County, International Trade, Success Stories | Comments Off

Positive International Trade News for Florida

According to recent statistics Florida?s international trade industry is experiencing healthy growth. Statistics for April 2009 – April 2010 show merchandise exports are up 15.4% and imports are up by 27.5%. In 2009, Florida?s merchandise trade totaled $103 million. Florida is also a leader in service exports, with an estimated value of $25-30 billion annually. Full Story

Posted in International Trade | Tagged , | Comments Off

Improving Conditions for Exporters

President Obama Moving Forward with the National Export Initiative In January, during the State of the Union Address, President Obama announced the National Export Initiative and set the goal to double American exports over the next five years. Last week

Posted in International Trade | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sanctions from President Impacting Exports and Imports

U.S. exporters and importers need to be aware of changes in U.S. foreign policy President Obama has increased the U.S. Sanctions on Iran in an effort to prevent Iran from funding and developing its nuclear program. What does this mean

Posted in International Trade | Leave a comment

Virginia Carter a Hillsborough County Success Story

Plant City Law Firm Creating Jobs, credits SBDC who “provided me the education, training, and assistance needed to accomplish my dream!” Established in March 2009, Virginia C. Carter, P.A. is a small business that created two new jobs in 2009

Posted in Hillsborough County, Success Stories | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The SBDC offers USF Student Firsthand Look at International Trade

Scholarship Awarded to USF Student to Attend Annual Certification Program Each year, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida (USF) holds the International Trade Certification Program (ITCP) to assist small business owners who are interested in

Posted in International Trade, Past | 1 Comment

Sustaining Small Business

SBDC Counselor Maria Yepes published in the Jan/Feb edition of the Maddux Report For many entrepreneurs the concept of sustainability is not new. Small businesses have to apply sustainable practices in order to be profitable. However, with all the buzz

Posted in Maddux Report Articles | Leave a comment

Minority Certification 101

So you want to obtain a minority/woman certification? Well, here are some common questions regarding the process to get you on your way: Click Here to Read the Full Article

Posted in Maddux Report Articles, Women, Minority and Service Disabled Veteran Certifications | Tagged , | Leave a comment

International Trade Counseling

What Type of International Trade Counseling Is Available at the SBDC? The SBDC at USF offers free counseling services on international trade. You will be able to speak to an International Trade Specialist, who will guide you in the process

Posted in International Trade | Tagged , | Leave a comment
Small Business Development Center at The University of South Florida
Current Trends
SBA ASBDC USF FSBDC
USF © 2010 Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida
Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the USF Small Business Development Center offers one-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in central and easily accessible locations.