The SBDC is thrilled to welcome Maria Freudenthal to our team! Maria is not just your average business advisor; she is a highly skilled multilingual Chilean native with a passion for helping individuals achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Her commitment to making every client feel welcome and secure sets her apart as a problem solver and confidence builder for small business owners.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from the prestigious Universidad Central de Chile, earned in 1999. This degree equips her with a unique perspective on various industries, which she brings to the table when advising clients.

To complement her experience, Maria obtained a Certificate in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship from Norwalk Community College in 2015. Her knowledge of entrepreneurship and management strategies has been instrumental in guiding businesses toward sustainable growth. In May 2017, she added another feather to her cap by obtaining a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the University of Delaware, allowing her to offer comprehensive support to nonprofit organizations within our community.

With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit industry, Maria has dedicated her career to supporting and empowering communities. Her journey began in Connecticut, where she coordinated English language programs for both parents and their children while providing crucial support services for the Hispanic community. Her impact was tangible as she worked to bridge language and cultural gaps, opening doors for more people to succeed.

Since 2017, Maria has been making waves in Delaware, where she has been assisting both established business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Her primary focus has been on the Hispanic community, where she has helped individuals turn their business dreams into reality. Maria may be familiar to some of our audience through her work on the SBDC’s recent Community Navigator Program, and we are excited to have her on staff full-time. Maria’s aim is clear: to help these entrepreneurs open and maintain successful small businesses while enriching the local economy and fostering a sense of belonging.

The impact of Maria’s work can be seen in the glowing testimonials from businesses she has supported:

“Maria Freudenthal has been great! She not only is assisting with getting an updated formal Business plan, she made us aware of our eligibility for PPP loan and many SBA programs. She’s a great asset to Drafting By Design. Maria has provided countless hours of counseling, training, and other resources.” – Drafting By Design

“SBDC has helped me take business planning to another level. It’s helped me plan, budget, and execute new ideas. We’ve been able to add additional services to our business and avoid pitfalls as we expand. I also appreciate the adviser’s time in listening to me and then making helpful suggestions.” – Apple Cleaning Systems LLC

Whether you’re an established business owner looking to grow or an aspiring entrepreneur with a dream, Maria is here to help you navigate your path to success! Request FREE advising here.