Karen Bland, founder and President of Vanguard Business Solutions, LLC leads our team of experienced business advisors.  Karen has advised business owners and executives on a wide range of global trade matters including exporting to overseas markets, U.S. customs rules and procedures, and compliance with non-U.S. standards and regulations.  She has helped clients understand how they can take advantage of U.S. bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements to support their global operations, as well as helped them understand competiitve dynamics from import competition in their markets.  She has represented clients before Congress, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Departments of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security to advance their global business interests.  Her overseas market experience includes Canada, Chile, China, Europe, India, Korea, and Mexico. 

Karen is also an Accredited Associate of the Institute for Independent Business (IIB).    Established in 1984, the IIB is a global not-for-profit research, training, and accreditation organization.  Through her relationship with the IIB, Karen has access to over 4,500 senior business executives around the world.  She is able to call on these experts to help service her clients' needs. 

Karen is a proud alumnus of the University of Virginia where she received a B.A. and American University where she received a J.D./M.A. in Law and International Affairs.

Our mission is simple.  We help businesses succeed by applying practical advice and solutions to their unique problems.  We stay true to this mission by adhering to the following core values: