|
|
|
July 17, 2006
SAINT MARY’S MBA GRADUATE OPENS CRAFT IMPORTS SHOP
Entrepreneur Draws on Graduate School Contacts and Experiences
 MINNEAPOLIS – Less than a month after becoming one of Saint Mary’s University’s first three graduates with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), Frank Abange opened Fabelos Imports on July 1 in Minneapolis, selling wooden crafts from Indonesia and Africa and ceramics from China.
Located in the new Midtown Global Market on Chicago and Lake, Fabelos Imports specializes in handcrafted ceramic vases and bowls, masks, wooden sculptures, beaded rattan baskets, paintings, and jewelry. Abange prides himself on offering customers handcrafted, museum-like products made by artisans whose techniques have been passed down for generations, and on merchandise that cannot be found at other Twin Cities shops. More than 70% of the artists whom Fabelos Imports works with have had their items featured in multiple publications, and all of them are associated with National Geographic. Fabelos Imports’ artists take pride in their work and sign each of their products.
For both his preparation and even some of his merchandise, Abange credits his alma mater. “Saint Mary’s MBA program made it possible for me to be prepared to take on the challenge of being a business owner,” he said.
Saint Mary’s University offers an internationalized MBA, with global perspectives embedded in the program. The program also focuses on corporate ethics, social responsibility, and environmental responsibility. Approximately 250 students are enrolled in the MBA program.
“The world market and workforce are becoming more and more integrated,” said Karen Gulliver, MBA program director. “Saint Mary’s believes that all of its MBA graduates must have a global perspective and intercultural skills, no matter what their business focus is.”
To enforce the emphasis on a global perspective, Saint Mary’s requires its MBA students to take a trip abroad to learn about doing business in other parts of the world. Frank Abange traveled to China in March 2006 with five fellow Saint Mary’s students. The group visited four major cities, taking in a number of trade shows, lectures at prominent universities, and stops at leading Chinese- and American-owned corporations in China.
While in China, Abange met with several suppliers of arts and crafts, including one vendor who now manufactures ceramic bowls and vases for which Fabelos Imports has distribution rights. A native of Cameroon, Africa, Abange has also established relationships with artisans in African nations such as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali and Gabon.
Like the vast majority of Saint Mary’s MBA students, Abange entered the workforce well before receiving his MBA. While in the program, he managed the front office of the Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic.
“The average MBA student at Saint Mary’s has been in the workforce for approximately six years, and their goals and areas of specialization are diverse,” said Gulliver. “Frank Abange is an excellent example of how our international focus benefits students from all backgrounds and business goals.”
Fabelos Imports is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. |
|
|
|
