14A Halfway Reflection

1) Tenaciousness is a competency. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course? 

I do my Blog post assignments, for the most part, every Thursday evening around the same time. I value my school work and my grades. They are high priorities for me. I then check the blogs periodically over the weekend to comment on them. 

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this?

When I came up with my entrepreneurship idea for the cracked cell phone repair store, I kept thinking that this idea was dumb. I felt like switching my idea because I felt like nobody would utilize this concept. What pulled me through was that it could happen and the people that I interviewed were really interested. Yes, I believe that I have developed a tenacious attitude. 

3) Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset' ?

1. Set goals for yourself and achieve them 

2. Don't let adversity scare you 

3. Self discipline will make you succeed in this course 

1. Prioritize your grades and your future 

2. Be realistic 

3. Create a schedule 

13A Reading reflection #1

1) You read about an entrepreneur:

What surprised me the most about Steve Jobs was that he was adopted. It said in the book how "Abandoned, Chosen, and Special" were concepts that drove his daily life and made him who he was. I admired Jobs dedication, determination, and creative mind - he dropped out of college and created a product that literally changed the world. I least admired his arrogance towards others - this could have contributed to his falling out with Apple. Yes, Jobs was fired from his company, he went off and did not give up, he kept persevering. Eventually, he was asked to come back to Apple and lead them into the future. 

2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? 

Jobs was able to think outside of the box and had a mind for learning new things. After many failures, they were able to create the first personal computer with no keyboard, no mouse, and no monitor. Jobs was also able to take criticism and learn from it. Adversity did not scare hime, it inspired him. 

3) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I was a little confused on his upbringing and his family life. I felt that it was not super clear how his childhood impacted his future. 

4) If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

"What advice do you have for college students who are just beginning their careers?" 

'If you could go back and change anything in your career or anything about Apple, would you?" 

"Are you impressed with how Apple is today?" 

I would ask this because I admire Steve Jobs, and he was somebody that I really looked up to. It would be awesome to hear his advice. I am also interested to see if there were things he would change. 

5) For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?

Jobs believed you need to have passion for what you are doing because that is what drives your hard work and determination to succeed. If you weren't passionate, you would not have something that drives you, and you would give up. I share this opinion of his. It is so important to love what you do and to do it well. 

12-a Buyer behavior

1) Pick a segment

Female/male students 18-24 with a higher disposable income 

2) Find three people who would fit that segment and arrange to interview them. 

Ryan, Ethan and Julia

3) Move to information search. When the person you are interviewing becomes aware of their need, what is the very first thing they do to find a solution to their problem? What sources of information do they look for? When they search in Google, what are their search terms? Do they talk to friends and family.

4) Report the findings of your research.

Throughout these interviews, I was able to come to a conclusion that people have different buying behaviors. Some will jump immediately at a problem and try to find a solution without research, while others will research until they can find a sound decision. When their phones break, they want it fixed faster rather than later. Price is something to consider, although, those with a higher disposable income are not as fixated on price. Men typically shatter their phones more often than men. The average ownership time of a phone is anywhere from 1-2 years. 

5) Draw conclusions. 

This is a segment of people who do their research before making a decision. They will research different price points and review on these services. They often rely on friends for their opinions, and they are willing to pay the necessary price. Overall, this segment is made up of college students with a higher disposable income than the general UF population. 

Idea napkin no. 1

Overall, I think that this business plan could work. Although there are some areas that need evaluated more, I find that this concept can be very applicable to the lives of UF students. I think who we are offering are in a market that is underserved. Currently there is no phone repair place on campus. One of the gaps I found from interviews, was the concern of whether or not their insurance plans would be covered by our repair center. I think if we accepted most insurance plans like Asurion, that it could be more successful. People care because it is easy and convenient.

9A Testing Hypothesis Pt 2

Who: Faculty members may fall outside because they do have transportation and ways to get their phones fixed, however in the off chance that they're on campus and need their phone fixed fast, this could be a benefit for them. At the end of the day, it may be a stretch for them to support this venture. 

What: How urgent it is for the person to have their phone fixed and at what price are they willing to pay for it. There is a difference between a need and a desire. 

Why: The need is to get your phone fixed as easily and stress free as possible. What it comes down to is how badly you want it fixed. Why do you need it fixed right away. This may differ for some people. 

Inside the boundary 

who is in: UF Students who live on campus or off campus, students who do not have a car or transportation off campus, Students who need their phones fixed fast 

What the need is: fast and stress free phone repair on campus 

why this need exists: There is currently not a place on campus for students to get their phones repaired 

outside the boundary

who is not: mainly UF faculty, students who have other phone insurance plans that may require phone to be fixed elsewhere, loyalty, students who are careful and do not break their phones 

what the need is not: getting their phone fixed 

alternative explanations: it would be too expensive, its unnecessary, theres a smaller pool of people who this service would benefit 

Emily

How many screens have you cracked in college? 5 

How much did you pay each time/ would you be willing to pay? over $100 and I would do it again 

Would you pay to get it fixed on campus if that service was available? Only if they accepted apple care, since I pay monthly for that, I have to go to a certified Apple retailer 

Jordan 

How many screens have you cracked in college? none 

how much would you be willing to pay if you ever cracked your screen? probably less than $100 

Would you pay to get it fixed on campus if that service was available? if it were cheaper than alternative options, yes I would. I am very careful with my phone though and do not see a need to get it repaired anytime soon. 

Robert

How many screens have you cracked in college? 2 galaxy’s 

how much would you be willing to pay if you ever cracked your screen? with my insurance it costs me $29

what insurance provider do you have? Asurion through Verizon 

Would you pay to get it fixed on campus if that service was available? only if Asurion was covered and I could use it there- I usually go to ubreakifix 

alexandra 

How many screens have you cracked in college? none, because I am careful with my phone, and I have a protective case 

how much would you be willing to pay if you ever cracked your screen? 

no more than $75 

Would you pay to get it fixed on campus if that service was available?

It depends, if it were my only option. I have a car and could drive anywhere 

Kevin 

How many screens have you cracked in college? I think 2 or 3 

how much would you be willing to pay if you ever cracked your screen? since I do it pretty often, probably $50-$75 

Would you pay to get it fixed on campus if that service was available?

Yes I would since I dont have a car, and it would be very convenient for me

10A Elevator Pitch

Solving the Problem

I feel that this epidemic of paper straws has total ruined the dinning experience in Gainesville. Ever since Alachua county approved the bill to ban plastic straws we have seen everywhere use paper straws. The problem with this is that paper straws have no utility. When used they tend to absorb the water and get soggy and lose their figure. This can be really frustrating at times when your trying to enjoy the food you just order and your straw has now become soggy. This is why I would like to make the move away from the paper straws and create a bamboo straw. This straw I believe will meet the demands of current social responsibility climate. It will meet the demands of the new bill passed by Alachua and will be ultimately be environmentally friendly. The best part about the bamboo straw is that it will not ruin the utility of a straw. I believe this product is a win-win for all.

Testing Hypothesis

1. The cracked cell phone repair issue at UF

2. UF does not have a place on campus for students to get their cracked cell phone screens fixed because of the lack of funds and fear that students would not utilize this service.

• The who: UF
• The what: They do not have a place for students to get their cracked cell phone screens on campus
• The why: insufficient funds and the risk of opening a tech booth that would not generate enough profit

3) This is your 'hypothesis' about the opportunity. It is a statement of your belief related to an opportunity. I'd like you to test the boundaries of the hypothesis by pushing and prodding each of the three elements. That means:

• Testing the who: UF students, specifically those who do not have a car/ live on campus/ live off campus but are on campus all day; this only applies to those students who have shattered phone screens or those who frequently shatter their phones 
• Testing the what: "How often do you shatter your phone?" "Do you have a protective case?" "How much would you be willing to pay for a phone repair... would you be willing to pay a little more if it was directly on campus?" "Do you pay for your phone?" 
• Testing the why: Not all students at UF have phone issues. Some students have very protective cases and are careful with their phones. However, the security of knowing there was a place on campus to have a repair done could be reassuring. The why does not hold true for everyone. Some students who shatter their phones might not be able to afford the cost of a repair. Some students might have insurance with other providers that would require them to make the repair elsewhere. 
• Testing the why: Not everyone will perceive their need the same way; here, I'd like you to test the boundaries of the 'why' -- for the people who have the need you have identified, what are the range of whys that they offer? Does the "why" you have identified hold for everyone? For the example above, maybe some hospitals will see their need rooted in logistics, maybe they'll blame government bureaucracy, maybe they'll blame the nurses and doctors. 

4) Tom: He felt that this is a prevailing issue. Tom statement was that he has had at least 2 phones break on campus and believes their would be a demand for the product.

Alan: Felt that most people wouldn't be aware of the service even if it was created. He felt that its already hard enough to make students aware of the current services provided on campus and believes this service would have the same issue.

Trent had parallel beliefs to Tom. He felt that he has had this issue occur several times and that their would be demand for it.

Giana thought it was a great idea. She felt that it could be ran by uf students as well for work study and that this would make the cost less.

Cody felt the service would have high demand but that the cost may be a concern. He also felt that it might be difficult to pry consumers from ubreakifix locations in Gainesville.

5) What I found is that students do reflect my hypothesis. They believe if there was a screen repair place on campus that it would be used and I believe it would be a good idea.

identifying opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

1) Find four opportunities. 

Economic: consumer spending is at an all time high, Digital advertising can boost economic development 

Regulatory: Flavored vaping ban, 2020 Food Safety 

List each opportunity, one at at time. 

1. Flavored Vaping Ban

A) https://www.nbcnews.com/health/vaping/federal-flavor-ban-goes-effect-thursday-many-flavored-vape-products-n1130466

B) Vaping is a practice that has become very popular in the younger generations, and there has been several case studies and proof that shows the dangers that vaping has on the human body. The flavors that attract people such as bubblegum, mint, blueberry, etc. are now being banned. I suspect that there is a solution to the problem, and a way to either create a healthy vape pen, an alternative that gives the same nicotine high that vaping gives, or eliminating vaping completely and coming up with something new.

C) High school and college aged students 

D) Difficult to exploit because it would need to compete with the big vape brands, and it would involve getting people to try the new version.

Why did you see this opportunity: When I saw this article, I immediately thought that there could be an opportunity here because it has become such an addiction for younger aged people.  A lot of my friends vape, and it bothers me to see the harm that they are doing to their bodies.

2. 2020 Food Safety Statement from the FDA

A) https://www.foodsafetystrategies.com/articles/710-fda-releases-statement-on-new-steps-to-strengthen-food-safety-program-for-2020-and-beyond

B) As consumers, it is important to understand the food that we consume on a daily basis. There are often challenges with globalization and technological advancements that can prevent proper food safety practices from being implemented. I think there is an opportunity for our major food companies to follow these regulations, and a way to make these regulations more uniform. The opportunity lies in food safety.

C) Major food companies such as McDonalds, Perdue, Tyson, etc.

D) This opportunity is easy to exploit because all food companies do need to follow the FDA regulated rules and regulations.

Why did you see this opportunity: I have always been conscience of my food and obsessed with healthy food. I am also one that takes an interest in food safety and knowing that the food I consume was handled in the proper way. Thinking of this opportunity was not difficult for me.

3. Consumer Spending is at an all time high

https://www.thebalance.com/consumer-spending-trends-and-current-statistics-3305916

A) This information shows that an opportunity can exist in the consumer spending sector. With consumer spending at an all time high, businesses can aggressively market more to their consumers and create the best products. I believe that this puts these businesses in a good position to succeed. There is an opportunity for business owners to create the best products and competitively price them.

B) American consumers and business owners

C) Relatively easy to exploit because we are all constantly buying things.

Why did you see this opportunity: As a consumer of many products and someone who likes to shop, I feel that it is important for businesses to be competitive in their pricing and the products that they present to consumers.

4. Digital advertising can boost economic development

A) https://aboutdci.com/2019/01/digital-advertising-for-economic-development-marketing/

B) For advertising agencies that would like to stay competitive in the market, it is important that they invest in more digital advertising because it can boost economic development. 

C) Advertising agencies in the US

D) This is easy to exploit because agencies are always trying to improve and stay competitive in the market. 

Why did you see the opportunity- I am very interested in digital communications, digital marketing, and advertising. From this perspective I was able to gather that with this trend, there is definitely opportunities for advertising agencies to participate in digital marketing practices.