- May 2025 -

Luis Diaz-Colorado Named 2025 SBDC State Star

Luis Diaz-Colorado, a consultant at the Maryland Small Business Development Center(SBDC), has been honored with the prestigious 2025 State Star award - SBDC’s highest national recognition.

The State Star award is awarded to business advisors and staff in the SBDC network who make significant contributions to the organization’s economic development efforts and display a strong commitment to small businesses.

"I’m really grateful and honored to be named this year’s MD SBDC State Star,” Diaz-Colorado stated. “I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support from the SBDC team and the inspiring clients I work with every day. This recognition truly belongs to all of us."

Diaz-Colorado is a bilingual business consultant for Maryland SBDC serving entrepreneurs and small businesses in Anne Arundel County. Based at the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation offices in Annapolis, he counsels clients at every stage - from pre-venture planning and business launch to expansion and growth. His entrepreneurial spirit fuels his dedication to helping clients succeed - from developing business ideas and securing licenses or financing to ongoing support and growth guidance.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Diaz-Colorado effectively engages a diverse range of business owners, bridging language and cultural gaps to foster inclusive economic growth. He holds an MBA in Finance from The American University (1988) and a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from The George Washington University (1986). He has worked in the banking and hospitality industries for more than 20 years.

As the leader of Maryland SBDC’s Centro de Conexión Empresarial, Diaz-Colorado plays a vital role in supporting Hispanic entrepreneurs across the state. His coworkers describe him as a “rock star” whose expertise, passion, and unwavering commitment to small business success embody the spirit of a State Star.

He will be formally recognized at the America’s SBDC National Conference in Orlando, FL, this September. Please join us in congratulating Luis Diaz-Colorado on this great honor.

Maryland SBDC Director Lora Brown has joined the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)'s Program Development Committee as co-chair. The Committee plans quarterly conferences, creating content, securing speakers, and coordinating logistics for the events. It also support MEDA’s Vice President in developing the organization's Annual Conference.

Members, who serve a year-long term, bring expertise in economic development, maintain strong networks, and commit time throughout the year, including in-person meetings and virtual collaboration.

Join the Baltimore Region of the Maryland SBDC for H.E.R. AI, the 2025 Women’s Conference happening virtually on June 17 from 10am - 12pm. This 2 hour event is packed with actionable insights to help entrepreneurs harness AI for smarter decisions, streamlined operations, and stronger customer connections.

Whether you aim to enhance customer engagement, optimize operational efficiency, or utilize data analytics for better decision-making, there will be presentations designed to help you effectively navigate the AI landscape.

Featuring: Keynote Speaker Y. Maria Martinez, Special Secretary of Small, Minority, & Women Business Affairs (appointed by Governor), Office of Small, Minority, & Women Business Affairs

Red Tape Hotline

SBA's Office of Advocacy works to restrain regulation that imposes excessive costs on small businesses. Advocacy empowers you to make your voice heard in the regulatory process.

If you have a concern with a federal regulation, please let us know by calling 1-800-827-5722 and selecting option 3 or emailing RedTape@sba.gov.

For more information, please visit www.advocacy.sba.gov/hotline/.

Click here to view SBA's Red Tape Hotline flyer.

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