MARIA DEL CARMEN CURATOLO - SEPTEMBER SPOTLIGHT AWARD WINNER

Monday, October 14, 2024 4:47 PM | Elizabeth Mattke (Administrator)

 

  • How long have you lived in the Gainesville/Alachua County area? - I have lived in Gainesville since 2005.   
  • What was your previous business experience? - I have always worked in the law field. I earned my law degree from my home country of Ecuador and I practiced business and intellectual property law.  
  • What are the unique features of your business or services? - My services include family estate planning and immigration law. Estate planning is very personal to me because of my own experience dealing with family inheritance issues. Immigration law is personal too since I am an immigrant myself and know the challenges of coming to live and work in the U.S. All my clients are special to me and try my best to assist them in protecting their assets and their loved ones.      
  • What changes have you made in the past year to your business, products, services, or the customers you target? - I have made improvements to my website and am working on my social media presence. I have also created some flexibility in my schedule to help my clients outside of business hours. I invested time in perfecting the way I work to provide an easy and smooth experience for my clients. Going through the process of designing an estate plan is not easy for many. Facing the possibility of death and incapacity is difficult. The same goes for my immigration clients, because of the time that it takes to obtain legal documents, and the strain associated with being apart from their families. Patience and true care are the keys to my practice of law.  
  • What do you enjoy most about GAWN? - I joined GAWN right after being invited to present at one of the luncheons. It was a great experience. I enjoyed the vibe and positive attitude of everyone there. Networking is key for any business, especially a small business. The quality of the members is amazing, and I have created a few interesting connections.  
  • What advice would you give to someone starting out in business? - You are not alone. Join a networking group or many. It is amazing what you can do when you learn from others and when you share your own experience. Be part of the community that you want to impact and surround yourself with people who want the best for you.  
  • Personal info you want to share, include other organizations or community involvement - I am a sports fan, particularly tennis. I participate in activities related to my children's school. I belong to a fantastic business networking group called BNI, Business Network International, where I have served in different roles for the last 4 years. I am a member of the state and local bar associations. I am also a member of AILA, the American Immigration Law Association. I also take opportunities to do some pro bono work through a local legal aid organization.  

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