Hi, My name is Maria Vilorio, and I’m a sophomore studying Business Administration with a specialization in Mass Communications and a minor in Entrepreneurship. I’m from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and I chose to study Business Administration because I want to make a real impact in my family’s business and revolutionize the beauty industry in the DR. I’m super passionate about marketing, cosmetics, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. Back home, I had the amazing opportunity to co-found a small business, which taught me so much about what it takes to run and grow a company. My mom and I started a small, locally owned home bakery, where we created handcrafted artisanal Dominican desserts and savory pastries. It was such a rewarding experience, and I learned firsthand how to manage inventory, work closely with customers, and handle the financial side of things, all skills that have shaped me into who I am today. Since starting college, I’ve also taken on some leadership roles that have really helped me grow. Coming from a Hispanic background, I wanted to give back to my community, so I got involved in organizing the Hispanic Latinx Student Assembly at UF. As the Speakers Coordinator, I was in charge of bringing in and coordinating the speakers for the event. I also joined Latin American Women in Business, where I helped plan a social event to bring members together and boost engagement.