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SBDC adds bilingual consultant to network

Staff Report //May 27, 2022//

SBDC adds bilingual consultant to network

Staff Report //May 27, 2022//

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RiosThe S.C. Small Business Development Centers added Marco Antonio Rios to its network of business consultants. Rios, who grew up in Mexico, assists Hispanic entrepreneurs.

This move is the result of a partnership between the S.C. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the S.C. SBDC, with support from the Commerce Department, to establish a Hispanic Small Business Development Center in Greenville — and, eventually, locations throughout the state.

The hiring of Rios signifies the S.C. SBDC’s commitment to providing no-fee business consulting, affordable training and an array of valuable resources to every South Carolinian, according to a news release.

“The Hispanic population and Hispanic-owned small businesses are both growing rapidly in our state,” Michele Abraham, SBDC state director, said in the news release. “Hiring Marco Rios will enable the S.C. SBDC and our partners — the S.C. HCC and Commerce — to collectively expand bilingual outreach and services to this community, which contributes millions of dollars to the state’s economy annually. These initiatives underpin the S.C. SBDC’s mission, vision and commitment to serving all clients equitably.”

Himself an entrepreneur, Rios specializes in developing sales and marketing strategies, customer service, driving business demand, and navigating negotiations, the release said. His experience ranges from human resources and retail to the hospitality and food and beverage industries. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degrees in marketing and management as well as international issues.  

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