Marco: Face to Face Sessions. Real people. Clear solutions.

"Marco Face to Face Sessions" is more than interviews: it's hearing firsthand from those transforming international trade, a space where experts share useful knowledge and practical solutions. Discover, face to face, how to transform your path as an exporter.

We spoke with Peter D. Spradling, co-founder and CEO of Marco, in a close, unfiltered interview. In it, he shares how his direct experience as an exporter led him to create a platform designed to support thousands of Latin American SMEs facing challenges in international trade.

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The origin of Marco:

“The banks wouldn’t even answer my calls”

Peter didn’t just hear about it; he lived it. An entrepreneur since he was 16, he started by exporting merino wool products from Uruguay. His family was involved in meat processing, a key industry in the country. In 2016 he founded an importing company in the United States, where he achieved what many SMEs dream of: closing contracts with giants like Newman's Own, Kraft Heinz and General Mills.

“My experience as an exporter was fun... but very complicated. The banks wouldn’t answer me. I was too small for them or didn’t have enough history. And my customers were big, they asked for very long payment terms… I had no way to sustain that.”

That’s how Marco was born: a fintech created to empower Latin American exporting SMEs. Together with his partner Jacob Shoihet, Peter identified a structural problem and decided to build a solution.

“Marco was born from a simple question: how much more could an SME grow if we removed its biggest brake, access to financing?”

“I didn’t know who to turn to”

Peter faced the same thing many SMEs in the region do: lack of guidance and access to reliable information.

 “Everything was new. There wasn’t a company like Marco that could support me. I didn’t know how business worked in the U.S., or whom to extend credit to. I didn’t know the risks.”

The problem wasn’t the product, it was financing. Peter explains it plainly: the global trade finance gap exceeds 2.5 trillion dollars, and more than 50% of SMEs in Latin America do not have access to trade finance.

That’s where Marco comes in. Through technology, it offers fast, accessible solutions focused on real growth. It’s not just about money: it’s about support, data, and guidance.

“The risk of nonpayment is real. Many SMEs close because of it. When you sell locally, you know who you’re dealing with. But when exporting, you don’t have that certainty. Marco is that ally that says: this client is solid. I’ll advance the payment. I’ll back you.”

The engine driving Latin America

Peter doesn’t hesitate: “SMEs are the engine of Latin America. They represent 99% of businesses and generate 60% of employment. But they account for only 13% of exports. At Marco, we want to change that”.

The internationalization of an SME doesn’t just impact its business: it has a multiplier effect on its community, its industry, its country. That’s why Marco offers comprehensive solutions: from trade finance to global accounts, legal structures in the U.S., and accounting support.

Understanding in order to export

One of Marco’s biggest differentiators is its focus on educating and preparing companies for the markets they export to.

“The United States and Europe are very different. The U.S. is more direct and faster; Europe is fragmented and demands sustainability and regulatory compliance. Knowing how to adapt is key.”

And that understanding also applies to quality standards. 

“Complying with standards is not just a requirement, it’s a competitive advantage. Having solid processes, traceability, clear documentation… that puts us one step ahead”.

From a personal problem to a collective solution

Peter’s and Marco’s story starts with an individual need, but reflects a reality shared by thousands of companies in the region.

“We realized it wasn’t just my problem: it was a regional problem. And it was also an opportunity. We saw an underserved market and decided to focus on it”.

Because yes, exporting is complex. But with the right allies, it’s possible. And with Marco, it can also be sustainable and scalable.

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Is your company ready to export?

Find out with this checklist of the basics to get started in international trade, also divided by sectors so you can identify what your company needs. Download it here for free.

Learn all the ways Marco can help you at holamarco.co.

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.