Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
“Participating in the Tekiti project as part of the Student International Business Council was a truly enriching experience that expanded my understanding of global business strategies and cultural exchange. Our team's journey to Guadalajara not only enhanced our analytical and collaborative skills but also allowed us to engage deeply with the local business landscape. Tekiti, with its vibrant local roots and ambitious vision, provided a unique lens through which we could explore the intricacies of international business dynamics. By leveraging what might be seen as regional challenges, we helped Tekiti harness these elements as strengths in their market positioning and outreach strategies. This project was more than just a learning experience; it was an opportunity to make a tangible impact on a business that is poised for international growth. I am immensely proud of the work our team accomplished and am excited to see how Tekiti leverages our insights for their future success.”
-Vasco Almeida
“I had the privilege to lead an amazing team on this year's project with Tekiti. I gained so much valuable knowledge and experience in fair trade, international trade, artisans, and market expansion into the US, which has inspired me to continue my professional career in similar areas. In April, the team and I traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico where we presented our research and findings to the Tekiti team at the beautiful Casa de Artesanias de Guadalajara, which was the perfect environment to present in as it showcased the types of products that Tekiti produces by its local artisans. The whole Tekiti team was very impressed and grateful of our research. Their gratitude and feedback towards our presentation proved our hard work and dedication to the project the past two semesters were absolutely worth it and more! All of us students left inspired and super proud of ourselves. We’re so thankful for Tekiti giving us the opportunity to work with them. Upon finishing our presentation the first day, we got to explore the wonderful city of Guadalajara. We took a trip to Tequila, got to see the beautiful agave fields, and visited a couple distilleries. After Tequila, we went to see the Chivas soccer game. I think this was everyone’s favorite part of the trip. The energy, crowd, and stadium were incredible! I will definitely be back for another Chivas game. On the last day of our trip we went to Tlaquepaque which is a community in Guadalajara full of culture, food, music, and shopping. Our lunch in the town was beautiful, as we were surrounded by amazing architecture, music, and great people. My time working with Tekiti and traveling to Guadalajara was incredibly valuable to me and I’m so grateful for the experiences and memories created!”
-Sophia Guzman
“My experience with SIBC brought me to an artisan market and gallery in the arts district of Guadalajara. We had spent all night traveling, and arrived just in time to prepare and present to Tekiti Experiencias Mexicanas. Our task had been to analyze the market in the United States and see the areas that may offer the greatest opportunity for Tekiti to expand into. Their team had been too busy with the day-to-day aspects of running the business to devote the time they'd want to to their company's expansion and growth. My team and I were able to help fill this gap by determining target markets in the United States that fit with Tekiti's offering of authentic artisanal Mexican goods, as well as specific firms that they may partner with. It meant a lot to be able to provide real value to the Tekiti team and support their growth.”
-Jack Rousso
I had an amazing experience working with Tekiti! Working on this project was a great learning experience that allowed me to improve my current skills as well as develop new ones. I learned so much about the different components that go into researching and executing a project for a business. I had the privilege of working with a group of talented, hard-working individuals who served as role models, helping me get out of my comfort zone and always pushing me to grow. The team had so much fun in Guadalajara! I loved experiencing the culture through different places we visited, the music, and the food. We were able to meet the Tekiti team and learn more about their business process. I am so grateful for this experience working with SIBC and I'm looking forward to what the next few years may bring!
-Abbie Haas
