University of Missouri

Jan. 23, 2025

When John Bechtold, BS BA ’94, set his sights on expanding his thriving fireworks business to international markets, his first step was to seek expert advice from the University of Missouri’s International Trade Center at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. 

The ITC, known for leveraging student interns, faculty expertise and leading market research databases, tailors its research to meet the specific needs of Missouri businesses aiming to enter global markets.

As the owner and president of Spirit of ’76 Fireworks, Bechtold was eager to begin exporting his products but was uncertain about where to start. Last year, the ITC assigned a team of four students who not only provided the answers Bechtold needed but also offered insights that far exceeded his expectations.

“The students were absolutely amazing,” Bechtold said. “What they did in a semester would have taken us much longer to do on our own.”

Thanks to the students’ work, Bechtold and Robert Smith, vice president of Sprit of ’76, are now collaborating to establish partnerships with distributors in Mexico and Canada. These connections were made possible through the students’ comprehensive research and insightful recommendations. 

“They weeded through tons of information that prevented us from going down pathways that would not have benefitted us,” Smith said. “In essence, they provided us with a clear road map.”

Each semester, the ITC works to recruit four companies interested in expanding their sales internationally and 16 undergraduate student interns to conduct the research and data analysis necessary to support these projects. According to Jackie Rasmussen, assistant teaching professor of management and director of the ITC, businesses that collaborate with the center are better positioned to strategically enter new markets and expand their global presence.

Reaching new heights

“The participating students gain direct hands-on experience in connecting with business leaders,” she said. “They also develop insights into the complexities of identifying and evaluating potential markets while enhancing their project management, global market research, data analysis, communication and teamwork skills.” 

Since fall 2014, more than 110 company projects have been completed, involving more than 400 student interns. 

Since working with the company, the ITC has maintained close communication with Spirit of ’76. Recently, Matthew Rhinehart, purchasing and product line manager at Spirit of ’76, completed the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) training, an annual program offered by the ITC to help trade professionals earn this prestigious certificate. The CGBP is a professional credential endorsed by NASBITE International, the leading authority and industry standard for global business education, trade credentialing, training and practice.

“Our experience with ITC has been incredibly positive,” Bechtold said. “If you’re running a business and considering exporting, I highly recommend reaching out to the Trulaske College of Business. It has made all the difference for us.”