London, United Kingdom
The Student International Business Council (SIBC) team worked on a strategic consulting project for VistaBee, a UK-based real estate media company, to support its expansion into the U.S. and California real estate markets. The project aimed to assess the viability of entering these markets through a comprehensive PESTLE analysis and an overview of the U.S. and California real estate photography industry. The team developed attainable revenue projections, conducted a SWOT analysis, and created detailed homebuyer profiles based on focus group survey data. Additional research included location analysis to determine the most strategic areas for entry, a competitor analysis to benchmark against key industry players, and the development of a targeted contact list. The project concluded with actionable recommendations designed to guide VistaBee’s successful market entry and long-term growth in North America.
I am so incredibly grateful to have served as project lead for vistaBee’s market entry plan into California. This project had so many layers from analyzing the real estate industry of the US, to studying which area of California would be most profitable, to analyzing competitors, to finding firms and agents for the client to contact in California. At first, our team didn’t know where to begin in tackling a project with so many layers. We asked questions, sought guidance from our SIBC mentors, library staff and real estate faculty, and continued to meet with the client throughout the project to gain more clarity. I am so lucky to have worked with such an incredibly dedicated team. We met for late-night work sessions and woke up early for meetings. I hope to surround myself with such passionate and creative people wherever my career takes me.
As someone who is not an international business major, I am so grateful that SIBC provides me the opportunity to dive into new industries, meet and consult for professionals across the globe, and put my leadership skills to the test. I feel lucky to have found SIBC, and I feel as though my skillsets develop more and more with each project.
-Alena Callahan
Getting the opportunity to work on the vistaBee project was an incredible experience that I’m beyond grateful for. Being part of a real-world consulting project, working alongside such a talented and supportive team, was both challenging and rewarding. After almost a year of researching and planning, traveling to London to present our findings felt surreal. Standing in a room with the company’s executives and hearing that our work would make a real impact was incredibly special.
This experience pushed me in so many ways. Navigating a new industry, researching emerging trends, and crafting strategies that had real-world applications reinforced my passion for business on a global scale. I also had an amazing time seeing London, gaining cultural knowledge alongside developing my professional skills. I am so appreciative for this experience and beyond thankful to SIBC for giving me the opportunity to learn in such an innovative environment. This project has given me a taste into my future career and excited me for what is to come, and for that I am endlessly grateful.
-Diba Zarkeshan
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to London to present a consulting project that my team and I have been working on since September. Together, we crafted a market entry strategy for VistaBee; the project involved an in-depth analysis of the U.S. real estate industry, identifying the most profitable locations in California for real estate photography, analyzing competitors, and conducting focus group interviews to give our best recommendations. We also developed a targeted outreach list of firms and agents to help them initially break into the market.
I am so grateful to my team for their collaboration and support. It was inspiring to see our different strengths come together to produce the best results possible. Not only was it empowering to work with such a great group of women, but it was also so fun to get closer to them while exploring places like the Notting Hill Market and the National Gallery!
This program has brought me invaluable experience in leadership, international consulting, and marketing that I will undoubtedly take with me into my future careers.
-Beth Haymans
Being part of the team that developed and presented the international market entry plan for Vista Bee was a truly unforgettable experience—both professionally and personally. The opportunity to travel with the team to London and present our findings in such a vibrant, global city was the culmination of months of deep research, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
From the outset, this project stood out because of the scope and real-world relevance. Vista Bee's ambition to expand into two of California’s most competitive real estate markets—Southern and Northern California—challenged us to think critically about everything from current industry trends to regional nuances that could affect their entry. Conducting the PESTLE analysis helped us understand the broader forces at play, while the competitor analysis sharpened our perspective on what it takes to stand out in the luxury real estate segment.
One of the most rewarding parts of this experience was seeing how our individual contributions came together to form a cohesive strategy. I was particularly involved in compiling the targeted prospect list, which meant diving deep into the California real estate landscape and identifying the firms and agents whose values and branding aligned with Vista Bee’s high-end visual storytelling.
Presenting in London added a whole new dimension to the project. It wasn’t just about showcasing our findings—it was about representing the team, communicating across cultures, and receiving feedback from professionals with international perspectives. The energy of the city, combined with the seriousness of the work, made it feel like we were participating in something truly impactful.
This project reinforced my interest in strategic market entry planning and highlighted the importance of strong visuals in today’s real estate marketing. More than anything, it taught me the value of adaptability, teamwork, and global thinking—skills I’ll carry with me into every future project. I hope to stay in touch with Raj, to see what they do with the teams insights.
-Gabriela Bryant