Students discover lessons learned for family businesses during Italy study abroad trip
Students discover lessons learned for family businesses during Italy study abroad trip
Brendan Olson ('26) is very familiar with the world of family businesses, having grown up and worked on his family's farm in Grand Mound, Iowa. So when he heard about a study abroad trip to Italy focused on family businesses, he knew he had to go.
What he and the other students discovered was a country rich in family businesses, many of them centuries old.
He's not far off. More than 85% of Italy’s businesses are family firms, employing about 70% of its workforce — mirroring trends around the world, including Iowa. Exploring this culture was the inspiration behind the study abroad trip, led by Dan Beenken, director of UNI’s Family Business Center. The group of 16 students engaged with business leaders, toured companies with Iowa connections and got a firsthand look at what makes a successful family business tick.
"It almost felt like we couldn’t get away from family businesses. Everywhere we went, there was one, particularly the restaurants."
- Brendan Olson
The tours included a mozzarella farm, a professional soccer club owned by Iowa’s Krause family and a distillery. Students learned how these companies have endured for generations, with many prioritizing family unity over business profits. Beenken noted that some families would even sell a successful business to preserve their relationships.
The students also observed a clear cultural difference in succession planning. The pressure to take over a family business sometimes led to a less successful transition if the next generation wasn’t truly passionate about the work.
"Sometimes there were great experiences, but there were also a lot of lessons learned," said Tadyn McCann ('25). "For example, some younger generations were almost expected to take over the family business, even if that wasn’t their passion. It was interesting to compare that to our culture, where that isn't always the case."
One of the trip's most memorable experiences was a visit to Kemin Industries, a Des Moines-based, family-owned company with a significant facility in Cavriago, Italy. Students enjoyed the tangible link between Iowa and Italy. Another huge bonus: The facility tour was led by an Italian native who had previously worked for Kemin in Des Moines, creating an immediate and personal connection.
"It was like a proud moment, hearing about this Iowa company, with us being from Iowa," Beenken said. "Their employees were incredibly generous with their time with us and sharing their experiences. And they talked about how they loved working for an Iowa family business and how well they treat them and their families."
For many, this was their first time traveling abroad, and the structured program provided a supportive environment to explore a new culture. That was the case for Olson. The experience inspired him to think about a smoother transition plan for his own family business.
"I think the biggest takeaway was seeing the values of a different culture and how those businesses run," Olson said. "Our farm runs well, but I did bring back ideas, especially about succession planning. The trip was inspiring."
