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DALLAS, Texas (SMU) - The MBA experience at SMU Cox offers many benefits to students - a close-knit environment, corporate connections, a dynamic business city, and also the opportunity to network with fellow students. 1820 Imports, Inc. is a prime example of student networking. What began as a class assignment in the Professional MBA program developed into more than a business plan.

In his "International Entrepreneurship" class Mike Niemann (MBA '02) helped develop a business plan for a wine distribution company. After his team's presentation to the class, Janelle Jennings (MBA '02), a classmate with eight years in international business development, quickly recognized the workings of a viable opportunity. She approached Niemann with the suggestion to take the business plan to the next level.

"We recognized the potential to capture the market for New World Wines, those from Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Chile, and New Zealand," said Niemann. "Argentina, Australia, Chile, and South Africa are among the top 12 wine producing countries in the entire world. California's US market share is expected to drop by 12 percent over the next three years. Much of this $2.5 billion worth of market share will be had by New World Wines. 1820 Imports, Inc. is poised to capitalize on this shift in demand."

While still in the program, the two began putting together the elements to create 1820 Imports, Inc., a company focused on the marketing and branding of "new world wines." With the help of Freddie Ufolla, an undergraduate classmate of Niemann's from Washington State University, the three are pushing forward to build a lucrative business. In less than a year, they are seeing success. In January, 1820 Imports, Inc. imported its first 10,000 bottles of wine. That same month, Tango Merlot, an Argentine wine marketed by the company, received a silver medal in the 2003 San Antonio Express-News Wine Competition, and the wine is now available at Chateau Wine Market in Dallas, Texas. To continue market growth, the company is now interviewing distributors in order to reach and develop additional retail markets.

"The core classes of the Cox MBA gave me a foundation on which to build," said Niemann. "Focusing on the entrepreneurial studies enabled me to find legitimate business opportunities and determine how best to leverage these opportunities in a profitable manner."

1820 Imports, Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, brands, imports, distributes and markets New World Wines (wines from the Southern Hemisphere) in the $20 B US wine market. The company searches for exceptional, truly unique, products, and brings world-class wine discoveries to the US wine buying public.

SMU's Cox School of Business offers a full range of business education programs, from BBA and full-time MBA to Professional MBA (PMBA), Executive MBA (EMBA), and Executive Education. Cox is ranked among the top business schools nationally and internationally by major publications including Business Week, Financial Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News & World Report. In addition, the school's Business Leadership Center (BLC), Caruth Institute of Owner-Managed Business, American Airlines Global Leadership Program (GLP), and Associate Board executive mentoring program are recognized nationally and internationally.