Maria Antonietta Diaz Helps Acclamate Immigrants - GBS Group

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our clients’ business needs.”
As a four-year old business, Diaz has seen a wide range of cases and common pitfalls. “Some want
to be told what business to buy. Others just want to buy any business. I stress the importance of
not making forced decisions because of the visa. It’s important to organize what you need, to
leverage education and experience, and to control the risk associated with a new language, new
career, new schools for their children, and a new life,” states Diaz.
Another adjustment for South Americans is mastering credit, long accustomed as they are to high
interest rates. Used to less stringent rules and enforcement in their native country, many also
stumble over licenses. Some act with little market research, having come from countries where
business information is harder to get or more costly than it is in the United States. “Even simple IRS
notices can be a major event,” states Diaz. “Our job is to help them piece together the fractured
information they might get from their lawyer or accountant, and to streamline the process.
Emotional support is also part of the job.”
One of the biggest challenges is a lack of business relationships and contacts that are key to getting
the resources and help needed to be successful. According to Diaz, the South American community
has less history in the U.S. and is less organized here to support each other. “A network of support
and referral is critical to assist new businesses. We fill that gap so they can successfully launch that
new business or project in the U.S.”
Maria Antonietta is a member and founder of Mujeres Latinas Impulsando Mujeres Latinas (Latin
Women Empowering Latin Women), and is locally involved with Broward County’s SCORE
organization. Her husband, Jorge Enrique Fernández, is Director and COO of GBS Group and
co-Founder and Vice-President for the Broward Latin American Alliance, an organization that
promotes networking and cooperation amongst businesses in South Florida. Maria Antonietta and
her husband, Jorge, have been residents of Weston since 1997 where they live with their two
children, Andreina and Jorge Jr.
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