Juliette  Ismail (ESCIA),     55
   Major: Accounting and Finance
   Hometown: Marseille, France

Sponsor(s): Mike Frandsen, Thierry Etchebarne (ESCIA)
Support: Gerstacker Institute, ESCIA, other SEE partners

Abstract: 
At the Student Entrepreneurial Exchange (SEE) Seminar held in Pontoise, France from February 22-28, 2009 undergraduate students from colleges and universities in France, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and the United States came together to develop international business plans. At the seminar, which was conducted in English, each visiting group was matched with counterparts from the host institution, ESCIA, and challenged to develop a plan. The only guideline was that the concept needed to incorporate the cultures of the two countries present in a group, for us the United States and France. Working to take advantage of their diverse skill sets, the four Albion and three ESCIA students focused on food and developed a plan for “The Crêpe Connection”, a business that would be located in Kalamazoo. Following the seminar, work continued on the plan via e-mail and videoconference so that it could be presented here. The students further developed the product concept identified at the seminar, completed internal capabilities and external environmental analyses, completed market research and developed a marketing plan, and developed a financial plan for the business. The Albion students and our guests, their counterparts from ESCIA will present a plan that will demonstrate that The Crêpe Connection could be “the best way to end your night” and a promising business venture.

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