By Aubrianna Brown 
 
Lee University students recently traveled to Costa Rica with Jaimme Preston, assistant professor of business, to support Inca Link International’s missionary efforts by applying business, marketing, and communication strategies to local ministry initiatives.  
  
Students majoring in accounting, marketing, information systems, digital media, business, and psychology collaborated with Inca Link to improve operations at Tucántico, a ministry-supported coffee shop, and Cumbre Alta, a developing sports center, using skills from their academic disciplines to increase efficiency and sustainability. 
 
Tucántico, the organization’s first financial engine in Costa Rica, serves a dual mission of sustaining ministry initiatives and supporting spiritual growth. As the current in-country primary revenue source for Inca Link Costa Rica, every purchase directly supports vital outreach programs.   
 
According to Preston, the trip was designed to show students how business skills can support long-term ministry efforts. 
 
“The trip was inspired by a conversation I had with some missionary friends in 2024,” said Preston. “We started designing this trip so that students could see how ministry and missions need marketing and business to sustain the ministry wherever it may be.” 
 
During their time in Costa Rica, the students effectively served as business interns for Inca Link. Prior to departure and while on site, they conducted extensive market research and applied their findings to develop a comprehensive marketing and operations plan, as well as strategic recommendations for Inca Link’s Tucántico initiative.  
 
In addition, the team created a full social media campaign, including original branding and content for Cumbre Alta. The group’s efforts supported Inca Link’s mission to share the love of Christ with youth across Latin America. To develop an effective campaign based on Costa Rican metrics, the Lee team immersed itself in the culture by speaking with locals and learning about Costa Rican food, sports, and workplaces. 
 
“One of the most significant lessons learned was the difference between researching broad demographics from home and engaging directly within a specific community,” said Preston. “While Costa Ricans are known for their friendliness, the students observed a strong sense of loyalty to local businesses and organizations. Building meaningful relationships and earning trust as outsiders requires intentional effort, cultural awareness, and time — an invaluable real-world learning experience for the group.” 
 
According to Preston, although the students were creating content, this trip served as a catalyst for many who had never seen the intersection of business and missions.  
 
“My trip to Costa Rica taught me that it’s possible to handle business in a way that puts the consumer first while making a profit,” said Aleigha Thomas, a senior marketing major at Lee. “Treating consumers compassionately allows for authentic relationships, and those authentic relationships can translate into mission work. Experiencing Costa Rica provided me with this new perspective that I will use in my future business endeavors.” 
 
The 10-day trip served as one of Lee’s cross-cultural Global Perspectives opportunities, which all students engage in before graduation. 
 
Preston joined the Lee University School of Business faculty in 2023. She is also a member of the American Marketing Association. Prior to joining Lee, she spent 14 years with Life Care Centers of America. Preston is passionate about helping others and is dedicated to guiding students toward careers rooted in servant leadership. 
 
Preston earned both a Master of Business Administration in healthcare administration and a bachelor’s degree in long-term care administration from Southern Adventist University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Tennessee Wesleyan College. She is married to Coker Preston, and together they have four children. 
 
For more information about Global Perspectives, visit globalperspectives.leeuniversity.edu/.  
 
For more information about Inca Link International, visit incalink.org.