Week 15 Reading Reflection

Surprises

I honeslty never even knew that there was such a thing as microfinance. The most simmilar thing
I'd ever experienced were small payday loans.

Confusion

I don't understand exactly why the company was targeted in the first place by those making threats towards them.

Questions

Why were extortionists after the company?

Are there any microfinancing firms within the United States?

Disagreements

I have no disagreements with the author.

Final Reflection

After reading through all of my previous posts, I'd say there have been several experiences that stick out to me. My elevator pitch was something that really took a lot for me to get started. Even though I had taken a public speaking class already beforehand, it was difficult for me to be able to record myself trying to sell my idea. It allowed me to experience how I sound to others by recording myself, and analyze me own posture as well.

I'll definitely remember going through the "Free Money" exercise, simply because of how surprised I was by how many people declined my offer. Even seeing just how many people immediately walked away after seeing a camera pointed at them was pretty shocking. It made me wonder what makes people so afraid of being recorded in a seemingly innocent situation. 

I can say at this point, that I see myself as more of an entrepreneur than I was before. I don't think I'm the full package yet however, there are still a few concepts of entrepreneurship that I don't feel comfortable with. 

As far as advice for suture ENT3003 students, they really need to be open minded about how to complete the assignments and posts for the course. Some things will definitely require more effort than others, and prioritizing these assignments is a huge part of he class.

Venture Concept No. 2

Opportunity

The opportunity presented is the opportunity to help young car owners to be better able to know when to have maintenance done on their cars. This opportunity comes from the fact that most new car owners don't know what type of service needs to be regularly done or when. This need is currently being satisfied by relying on maintenance shops to remind them of when to schedule regular service and to read engine codes from check engine lights. This is a huge opportunity within the United States, and will be available for as long as it takes someone else to realize it exists.

Innovation

The innovation needed to take advantage of this opportunity would have to be able to read engine codes through a wireless transmitter, similar to Progressive's used for reading mileage. This would have to be attached to a database of car models and years, in order to determine the problem. Both of these would also have to be connected to a scheduling application for the user's local maintenance shops, including ratings and prices.

Venture Concept

This innovation would be a mobile application that uses a wireless transmitter to read a car's engine codes, notifying the user what problems are occurring within the car. This app would include a full database of vehicles and workshops that a user could take a car in for maintenance work, as well as a scheduling function for the user's local maintenance shops. The target audience would be willing to use this because of the convenience it would provide for car servicing, with no obvious competition. Business location would play a large part as far as which maintenance shops the user is directed to in the scheduling portion of the app, and employees would be needed in order to fix software bugs and add on new information to the databases of vehicles and shops. This would need at least 50 employees at start up, as it would begin locally and spread as the application gained traction. 

The Three Minor Elements

My most important resource would be deep knowledge of both the vehicle industry and the maintenance industry. Both of these combined allow for a better understanding of how the two work together in the modern world in terms of revenue and customer attraction.

Feedback Summary

All of the feedback I received said that it was a great venture concept that would greatly help the intended market. 

Changes

I didn't really change anything with the concept because I didn't receive any feedback on what could be changed with the concept.

Google Gold

SEO

My general approach for search engine optimization was to simply type what I wanted to say. This wan't something that I had made a huge priority in all honesty

Keywords

Again I didn't really make SEO my goal. I'm not even sure what  in my posts would have even been considered as keywords. 

Social Media

The most social media I used as far as this was to contact people for the content of the posts.

Viral Post

My most popular post was my Free Money post. I'm pretty sure this one received the most traffic because I know that many people didn't complete this post. This meant that more people had to find a blog post to comment on to get credit for the comments, but there were also lest posts to chooses from because of this.

First Page Result?

Definitely no. I'm not even sure what page I even popped up on because I gave up after page 15.

Week 13 Reading Reflection

Suprises

I was surprises by how much the chapter went into detail about due diligence. I din't initially expect the author to go into such set-by-step detail about the process.

Confusion

The checklist for analyzing a business was somewhat confusing at first. The segment was just a barrage of questions and statements with no real obvious explanation as to their importance.

Questions

I did not have any questions for the author for this chapter.

Disagreements

I had no disagreements with the author for this chapter.

Celebrating Failure (A Lot)

When it comes to failure, there'e one thing that stand out in my mind: MAC1147; the wonderful headache that is precalculus with trig. Now I failed this course twice and dropped it the third time, but it wasn't for nothing. For whatever reason, I could never pass the quizzes (much less the exams) even though I always seemed to do well in the homework. Now this was part due to me not studying and part due to dealing with being away from home for the first time.

I figured out several things from this lovely experience. I realized first of all, that I needed to run away from engineering as fast as I possibly could. I also came to terms with the fact that I needed to figure out a new way to study coursework, and that I needed to make more time in general to do so. I found out I had anxiety too, which turned into a very fun few moths of playing guess who with medications.

I'd say that this failure was actually very necessary for me to go through, I needed to understand that college was going to be ten times harder than what I was doing in high school, and that I would have to learn how to live on my own. Failing this class in particular, and dealing with engineering advising, helped me to really find out what major I actually wanted to pursue; this major being business management. I leveled my self out emotionally and academically into finding a flow to follow with how I plan out my days. In the end, I'm now passing all of my courses this semester and I'm on my way to becoming on track for my degree plan.

I don't feel like I'm more likely to take risks than I was before. However, I do know how to asses situations much better. I can understand what I need to do to make the best of any given situation, and that I can handle failures more as learning experiences now. Failure is something everyone should go through at some point in their life, and it makes dealing with anything easier than if you had never failed in the past.

My Exit Strategy

For my exit strategy for this venture, I plan on possibly staying with the company until I retire. I would most likely then pass this business down to family or friends, whichever is more interested in owning the company and who I believe to be the best match.

I have selected this exit strategy for the purpose of not trying to overwhelm myself in the future by moving in and out of various companies. It makes more sense for me to stick with something I am more familiar with, and have more of an attachment to, than to jump into something else. 

The only way my exit strategy has affected my venture is in how I would acquire resources. Because I don't plan on leaving this venture any time soon, I feel less rushed to seek the resources I need to make it become reality. This is also because I understand how long it takes to get something like this up and running, and my exit strategy allows me to keep an eye on the company throughout its growth.

Week 12 Reading Reflection

Surprises

I was definitely surprised about the section on transitioning to a managerial mindset from an entrepreneurial mindset. It was interesting to see the pitfalls that can occur from not being able to transition well, and what things lead to having to make the transition.

Confusion

Nothing in this reading was really confusing to me.

Questions

I would've liked to know what companies would be examples of failing to adjust to the managerial mindset. I feel like that would've driven the point a little bit more, and would show how people fail to transition.

Disagreements

I didn't have any disagreements with the author.

Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity

The opportunity presented is the opportunity to help young car owners to be better able to know when to have maintenance done on their cars. This opportunity comes from the fact that most new car owners don't know what type of service needs to be regularly done or when. This need is currently being satisfied by relying on maintenance shops to remind them of when to schedule regular service and to read engine codes from check engine lights. This is a huge opportunity within the United States, and will be available for as long as it takes someone else to realize it exists.

Innovation

The innovation needed to take advantage of this opportunity would have to be able to read engine codes through a wireless transmitter, similar to Progressive's used for reading mileage. This would have to be attached to a database of car models and years, in order to determine the problem. Both of these would also have to be connected to a scheduling application for the user's local maintenance shops, including ratings and prices.

Venture Concept

This innovation would be a mobile application that uses a wireless transmitter to read a car's engine codes, notifying the user what problems are occurring within the car. This app would include a full database of vehicles and workshops that a user could take a car in for maintenance work, as well as a scheduling function for the user's local maintenance shops. The target audience would be willing to use this because of the convenience it would provide for car servicing, with no obvious competition. Business location would play a large part as far as which maintenance shops the user is directed to in the scheduling portion of the app, and employees would be needed in order to fix software bugs and add on new information to the databases of vehicles and shops. This would need at least 50 employees at start up, as it would begin locally and spread as the application gained traction. 

The Three Minor Elements

My most important resource would be deep knowledge of both the vehicle industry and the maintenance industry. Both of these combined allow for a better understanding of how the two work together in the modern world in terms of revenue and customer attraction.

The next step for the venture would be trying to expand to a section of the app dedicated to modified vehicles. This would allow for an even larger use of the pre-existing mechanics of the app, as well as drawing in a larger consumer base.

Whats next for me would be being able to see this company branch out globally within 5 years. This helps allow me to become more involved in the vehicle industry, and gain more footing in my own personal knowledge.

Week 11 Reading Reflection

Surprises

I was surprised by how much the author went into detail about his examples. I felt that it greatly improved my understanding of the material

Confusion

It was slightly confusing to read in general at first. Reading it over a few more times helped to clear this up.

Questions

I would like to know if the author has any innovation strategies that he has seen employed successfully multiple times. I'd like to see this simply to get a feel for what most people find works for them, and then see how it would be able to work for me.

Disagreements

I did not have any disagreements with the author of this reading.

Amazon Whisperer

Revenue Drivers

The current revenue drivers that would be a part of the business plan would mainly be hosting space for maintenance shops. This would give them the chance to reach the market using this app, and increase their own sales. The idea for this is to work similarly to ad spaces in hotel search sites, where a company would pay to be included in a websites directory.

Another revenue driver would be the wireless transmitter needed to function with the app. The purchase of this would be necessary in order to allow for most of the app functions to work.

What Should I be Offering Next?

I feel the next product I would want to be able to put out is an automatic car jack. This would improve the app because it would use the app as a kind of remote for the jack. The idea is that this would be used for more small repairs such as changing out a flat tire. It would have no switching costs, as it would simply be an add on to the app that they have already purchased. 

Similar Product

The most similar product to what I would like to create would be air-ride suspension kits for cars. What these kits do, is the replace the normal suspension of a vehicle with one that is fully adjustable with the use of pressurized air to change the ride height. Now customers who bought this product really liked how little time it took to install, how it functioned, etc. However, they did have issues with reading the instructions that came with the product for installation, as well as missing parts for the installation to certain vehicles.

What I'd Change

First of all, I would attach this system to a car jack as well as a small air compressor to allow it to function properly. I would also have to add a battery pack for electricity, and a way for it to be remote controlled by the app. I would also have to make the air housing (the actual suspension piece) larger in order to make it effective in raising the vehicle high enough to remove tires.

Again I feel this would be a great addition to the app as far as small fixes that don't require a maintenance shop. I'm not entirely sure if it would be too expensive of an addition or not simply because these products initially inconsistent. It would also make it easier to be able to lift a car off the ground than the traditional car jack.

My Unfair Advantage

My Resources

      1.) Background Automotive Knowledge

• A somewhat valuable resource, as most people don't know much about a vehicle past how to drive and what certain figures mean. However it is not too rare; many people can be found with the same knowledge on differing levels of understanding.
• Can be imitated if time and effort is put into learning specifics about the mechanics behind automobiles. The only way this resource could be substituted is through research each time a question appears, which is not very efficient in the first place.

     2.) Access to Certified Mechanics

• A very valuable resource. This allows access to insight into the automotive industry and the infrastructure behind maintenance companies. This is a little rare considering the fact that getting information out of a mechanic can be difficult unless prior relations exist.
• Would be difficult to imitate considering the amount of time necessary to create personal networks. Again this could be substituted through use of internet resource, but would not be efficient.

     3.) Access to UF Incubator Space

• An extremely valuable resource. This allows for business space and help with the initial start-up. Somewhat rare, as incubator spaces can be hard to find.
• Somewhat difficult to imitate with how uncommon these spaces are. These spaces could not be imitated very easily due to the amount of capital needed to create it. This also prevents substitutions from coming up.

     4.) Network of Programmers

• Very valuable resource to create an app. Difficult to find outside of an academic environment.
• Easy to imitate under the correct circumstances. Could only be substituted through learning how to program.

     5.) Personal Curiosity of the Automotive Industry

• Extremely valuable resource because of the amount of new information coming out every day. Would be difficult to find outside of the automotive community.
• Difficult to imitate due to the interest in the industry needed to keep up with the changes. Impossible to substitute.

     6.) Experience in the Customer Service Industry

• Highly valuable resource due to the fact that mechanic shops are, in a sense, customer service oriented. This would be easy to find, however, considering how many people have worked in food service and similar occupations.
• Very easy to imitate due to the high demand for customer service employees, but difficult to substitute due to the face that this experience is needed to understand the industry.

     7.) Studies in Business Management and Entrepreneurship

• Very valuable resource to have for understanding how to start a business. However, this is somewhat easy to find so long as a college education is obtained.
• Mildly easy to imitate in an academic setting and could be substituted through free online classes such as Khan academy, but would not be as effective.

     8.) Personal Perfectionism (When Needed)

• Valuable resource to make sure the best quality service is produced. Not quite easy to find as it has to be a personal belief.
• Again difficult to imitate as it has to be a personal dedication to perfection. Could be substituted through double checking policies and research, but would be very time consuming.

     9.) Personal Ability to Accept Change Easily

• Extremely valuable resource in a start-up. Not very easy to find, especially in those with little experience in dealing with major changes in how things are done.
• Easy to imitate if time is taken to adjust to frequent change, but impossible to substitute.

     10.) Experience in Creating Business Ideas

• Invaluable considering how necessary it is to understand how to create ideas and make them appealing. Very difficult to find considering the amount of businesses already existing.
• Difficult to imitate in the context of this experience being very hands-on and nearly impossible to find a substitute for.

Week 10 Reading Reflection

Surprises

I was surprised how much this section related to my past economics studies. I didn't expect the similarities to occur at first, but after going over the chapter its very similar to microeconomics.

Confusions

Reading over some of the example charts and diagrams was confusing at first. I feel like I'll be able to understand them more as I continue to encounter them, but my first time going over them it was just a page of numbers.

Questions for the Author

I'd like to know why there weren't more detailed descriptions for the tables, and why there wasn't as much of a focus on the math behind some of the concepts. I feel that both would have greatly helped my understanding of the material without having to go over it as much as I had to.

Disagreements with the Author

Again I'm not a huge fan on how the mathematics behind the concepts were brushed over so quickly. I feel like they end up being much more important in the grand scheme of owning a business than they appeared in this chapter.

Elevator Pitch 3

In reflection from the feedback I received from my previous elevator pitch, I noticed a lot of people telling me to change the camera angle and to not talk as much with my hands. Another person commented that my previous pitch also sounded more like I was brainstorming.

I took all this advice into account by making sure I wasn't in an environment that would distract the viewer from what I was saying, as well as trying to make sure I wasn't moving too much; granted I usually talk with my hands. I also tried to reword my pitch a little and adjust the tone in order to sound like a more firm idea.

Week 9 Reading Reflection

Surprises

I was surprised to see a section dedicated to what prevents people from conduction marketing research. The more surprising bit of this section, was the paragraph on how irrelevancy is one of the main inhibitors to market research.

Confusing

No segment of this weeks reading was really confusing.

Questions

How difficult is is to perform each part of successful market research?

• I'd really like to know if any parts of conducting market research are easier than others, and possibly how to overcome those difficulties

What are some of the biggest advancements in mobile marketing?

• This is mainly just curiosity. I'd like to also know the thought processes involved in creating new was to market to a mobile audience.

Gripes With the Author

I didn't have any disagreements with the author in this weeks reading.

Idea Napkin 2

What About Me

I am Cheyenne Maury; a UF Business Management student with an extreme passion in the automotive industry. I've always been interested in anything involving how a car works and is produced, and I've often been able to help people on the spot with car troubles.

What I'm Offering

I've come up with a mobile app for general vehicle maintenance. The app would have a bank of data on vehicles' maintenance schedules, current recalls, and forums on common problems other owners have experienced. An addition to this would be a wireless transmitter plugged into the cars' OBD (on-board diagnostics) port, which would be able to instantly read an engine code when a check engine light appears and allow a user to immediately know what;s wrong with the vehicle. Another possibility for the app is to be able to network with maintenance service providers such as Jiffy Lube or Discount Tire to be able to schedule appointments through the app, and be able to send a car's data to the service provider.

Who Would Use it and Why

This is mainly directed to anyone who owns a car that doesn't have a large amount of background knowledge on the car they own. It would be particularly useful for new car owners and those who don't have time to keep up on maintenance. This app would make the process of keeping a car in good running condition much easier, and make dealing with any problems much less of a headache than what most people are used to.

What Sets Me Apart

I have access to a small local company that creates mobile apps for Andriod and OSX operating systems that has already had great success. I also have a large amount of background knowledge on many vehicles, and personally know a handful of certified mechanics in the area.


I really think that these ability will be able to come together as a business with some dedication. Developing the app iteslf will be the hardest part, along with getting cooperation from maintenance companies. Finding the information to put into the apps data bank will be relatively easy, and my own personal experience in the UF Business school will allow me to network with others to coach me in managing a business.

Feedback Memo

-  This idea would be more appealing to younger generations of car owners

-  Would be able to be backed by many maintenance companies

-  This may already be in place in newer car models

-  Easily targets those uninformed on cars

-  Would be difficult to advertise to older audiences (over 40)

Half-Way Reflection

As someone who has been taking this course for half a semester now, I have developed some minor skills that have helped me to be able to do well in this course. I would definitely say that an important skill would be prioritizing, since the large amount of work in the course certainly calls for it. Along with that would be time management; many of the assignments take a decent amount of time to complete

Now a time I almost gave up on a task, was wen I was working on the "free money" assignment. I didn't want to do this assignment at all when I first looked at what it required. Part of me didn't want to give away my money, and another part of me didn't even want to go up to people. I was lucky enough to have someone help me with this assignment and keep me on track, while also recording the times I attempted to give away the money. While I may not have done the assignment 100% correctly, I still managed to be able to complete it.

A few tips I would have for anyone planning on taking this course would be to not be afraid to go completely out of your comfort zone and to make an effort to always come up with new ideas. Getting out of your comfort zone is what really helps you develop the skills you need to become an entrepreneur, and getting creative helps to develop that mindset

Not that the entrepreneurial mindset hinges upon having a tenacious mindset, which all of these skill and tips are a part of. The real aspect of tenacity is to not be discouraged or afraid of changes, and being able to maneuver around them.

Week 8 Reading Reflection

Surprises

I was a little surprised how the chapter jumped right into debt financing as a major. I like that the author did this though. This brings a lot of insight into the reality of how common going into debt is for a start-up company, and how important financing is.

Confusing

The initial start to the segment of venture capitalists was slightly confusing. I couldn't really understand what the author was trying to tell me in the first segments regarding recent developments.

Questions

Which investment methods would pair best with which types of start-ups?

Are there any other minor sources of capital for an entrepreneur to take advantage of?

Disagreements

I didn't have any disagreements with the author, mainly because of my lack of knowledge on the subject.

Free Money / What is Wrong With People!?!?

The Recordings

My (lack of) Strategy

I didn't really have a strategy going into this aside from trying to get UF students to take the dollar on campus in Turlington Plaza. I didn't even want to do this exercise to begin with considering the fact that I knew it was going to be difficult for me. Again, my main goal was to just get this over with; especially after the first woman I pitched to.

My Reflection of This Awful Experience

I absolutely hated doing this. I realized one of two things: that I need to plan much better for these types of assignments, and that I need a stronger anxiety medication (I had a mini rage moment at the person helping me film). I also found out that people are generally standoffish about being approached at all. I even had a few instances where I was either ignored or told flat-out no. I'm guessing it was either because they thought there was some catch, or they were just.....not so nice (I'm really tying to put this in a good way). Hopefully the next time I have to do this, if ever, my anxiety isn't as off the wall as it was.

Elevator Pitch No. 2 (Technically 1)

The Pitch

Now I wasn't able to really make the first elevator pitch unfortunately, because of prioritizing other things in a not-so-efficient way. I did, however, make a point to avoid sitting too still. Since this is technically my first elevator pitch post, feedback is hugely appreciated and I'd be glad to do the same.

Idea Napkin No.1

What About Me

I'm Cheyenne Maury; a UF Business student with a knack for general problem solving and just about anything that can go fast. In fact, my proposed business idea has a lot to do with both of these things.

What am I Offering

What I have come up with is a general maintenance app for a mobile phone. It would have stored data on vehicles' maintenance schedules, up to date recalls, and forums on common problems. Each user's page would be specific to their vehicle and have set reminders for maintenance, as well as shop recommendations for any occurring vehicle problems.

Who Would Use it and Why do They Care

Anyone who owns a car, and cares enough about it to keep it running, would be interested in this app. It would mainly target the forgetful people, who don't necessarily have a lot of knowledge on vehicles or repairs. It would make the whole process of remembering maintenance easier for them, and keep their vehicle in decent shape.

Core Competencies

I have access to many people who are able to program mobile apps. I myself also have a large amount of knowledge on vehicles, and know many local mechanics in shops who would help fact check anything in the app. 

I believe more or less, that all of these elements have the ability to come together as a business plan. Actually developing the app itself would be the difficult part, but finding the information to put into it would be a little bit easier.I also feel that my being in the Business school of UF will help me be able to manage the whole process a little bit more smoothly than if I wasn't.

Week 5 Reading Reflection

Surprised Me

I din't expect to see a full table on the process for obtaining a patent in the very first section of the chapter. It was helpful being able to see cost breakdowns of each piece of the process, and how long each part would take to accomplish on average.

Confusing

The small section on limited partnerships did confuse me. It honestly made no sense to me most likely because of how tired I was while doing this segment of the reading, but the entire concept went over my head,

Questions

How would someone actually go about getting a limited partnership, and in what situations would it be entirely beneficial?

Are there other chapters of bankruptcy other than those listed, and what entails them?

Disagreements

I don't really have any disagreements withe the author at this point in time.

Week 4 Reading Reflction

What Surprised Me

I was intrigued by the segment in this chapter on opportunity trends. I liked how they analyzed social interests and needs, and then created general ideas based on those. I also thought it was odd how the person's name was Faith Popcorn.

What Was Confusing to Me

Again I wasn't really confused by any of the sections.

Questions for the Author

I'd really like to know how they were able to research the different types of innovation and how they came up with mudding mindsets. It must have taken a long time researching these and then being able to condense it all into a short few paragraphs within the text

Did I Think the Author was Wrong About Anything

Not necessarily wrong, but I don't really like the segment on probability thinking. This is just my own personal mindset of not trying to overly worry about chance. It also may be because I dont' like to think I'm actively taking a gamble on an action.

Interviewing Customers No.1

The Unmet Need

Many people are unable to dine out with others due to food sensitivities. This forces them to either skip out on the opportunity or simply not be able to eat along with them.

The Opportunity

This unmet need would be met by creating a website where people with food sensitivities and allergies would be able to search for restaurants dine at, by using search filters of different sensitivities and allergies. This would also apply for those looking for vegan, vegetarian, or other choice diets.

The Main Questions

1.) Do you like to dine out often?

2.) Do you have any food sensitivities or any specific diets that would hinder upon your ability to dine out?

3.) What are any issues you encounter trying to find somewhere to dine?

4.) What would you say about someone creating a way to be able to find a restaurant to accommodate your needs?

Interviews

Customer 1:

1.) I usually go out to eat about once a week. Maybe more if I have family or friends over.

2.) I don't really have any food sensitivities, but my father is diabetic so we have to make sure restaurants have low-sugar options for him.

3.) We don't really have any.

4.) I'd say that for people who have more severe food sensitivities that it would be very helpful, but our family probably wouldn't make much use of it.

Customer 2:

1.) I only eat out whenever my family is in town.

2.) I am actually vegan at the moment. I just recently switched over from being vegetarian.

3.) I really dislike how th5.e only option for me at most restaurants is a salad. And even then I have to ask the waiter to check that there are no animal products in the dressings for me. It can be a hassle for both me and the restaurant staff, which is why I don't eat out very often.

4.) I'd love it! It would give me the chance to be able to hang out with my friends more if i knew where we'd all be able to get something we like. And I wouldn't be stuck eating salads all the time when I'm not home.

Customer 3:

1.) I almost never eat out, even if my parents are over we usually just cook at my house.

2.) No one in my family has any food sensitivities or allergies. I'm not sure if any of my friends do either.

3.) Not necessarily.

4.) It would hep some people out I know that.

Customer 4:

1.) I love to go out to eat because I just love food.

2.) Not really. I have high cholesterol, but I don't adapt my diet to it.

3.) Finding the place with the shortest line. I can't stand waiting on a table.

4.) I'm not sure how many people that would really help. Don't people with those problems already know where to eat? Or just make their own food?

Customer 5:

1.) I try to dine out as much as my wallet lets me. I feel food is a sort of experience.

2.) I am severely allergic to shellfish. To the point where I can't even be too close to it.

3.) Trying to find a place that served no shellfish is really difficult, but I still manage to be able to do so.

(couldn't ask question 4, as the customer had to leave after being exposed to shellfish at the event)

What I learned About the Opportunity

I found out that the opportunity was really hit or miss as far as its helpfulness. The people I interviewed let me know also that not all people with food sensitivities would necessarily benefit from such a product.

What I Learned About Interviewing Customers

I learned the hard way not to interview customers at large events (like the food truck rally I was at). I also found out that people generally don't like being confronted about anything unless they've already initiated conversation. Also most people are generally socially awkward, and don't even want to be looked at in public.

Top 5 World Problems

They're Making me Edit the Last List

This post is a continuation of my post about The Worlds Biggest Problems. In this post, I'll be whittling those 10 problems down to the top five most important of the ten, as well see the top five most attainable solutions for these problems.

The Top Five Problems

5.) The Problem of the "Bystander"

4.) Public Interest in the Sciences

3.) Inner-City Congestion

2.) Poor Living Conditions in Low-Income Areas

1.) High Education Prices in Developed Countries

The reason educations prices hit the top of this list is simple: Academic education causes a educated view of the world. This allows for people to better come to terms with why certain things occur in the world around them, and how to react to situations that would normally cause people to go into a blind rage. The more educated person is able to make decisions based on logic instead of emotion or affiliation, which is what is greatly needed of people in turbulent times.

The Top Five Solutions

5.) Providing low-cost housing for low-income areas

4.) Dispersing tuition among citizens to lower costs per student

3.) Integrating more physical activity into schools and organizations

2.) The creation of flexible commuting options for large cities

1.) Placing bans on harmful preservatives and other chemicals used in foods

Placing bans on harmful chemicals in foods made the top of the solutions list because many countries have already done it successfully. European countries have completely banned most preservatives that the US and other countries use in the production of their foods. The only real setback for this (in the US at least) would be the lobbyists in charge of keeping these chemicals in use.

Identifying Local Opportunities

Tampa Bay Problems

Hurry Up and wait on I-275

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-hurry-up-and-wait-on-i-275/2262462

This story in the Tampa Bay Times is about traffic delays caused by the ongoing construction of a local portion of Interstate 275. The piece goes on to talk about major problems in travel times and congestion, along with the length of the construction itself. The main problem presented here is that commuting time between Hillsborough and Pinellas county has been extended dramatically, and people forced to commute between counties because of work are wasting time and money because of it. 

MOSI Move Downtown Makes Sense

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/ruth-mosi-move-downtown-makes-sense/2261352

Hillsborough county is currently considering moving the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) from its location across the street from the University of South Florida, into downtown Tampa. The location would be close to the Florida Aquarium and would give the museum a chance to remake its name. The move would allow for MOSI to gain more foot traffic, as well as allow USF to build an on-site football stadium.

One Allegiant Air Plane had Four Emergency Landing Within Six Weeks

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/airlines/allegiant-air-appoints-new-coo/2262384

One Allegiant Air plane has recently had multiple emergency landings departing from and travelling to Florida airports. Each time, the emergency landing was dues to smoke buildup within the passenger and captain cabins or the plane. This buildup was cause by faulty air conditioning within the plane, but it has had to be repaired multiple times. This is now causing a concern within the FAA over the reliability of the airline's mechanics and overall safety regulations.

Hernando Planning Commissioners Turn Thumbs Down on Ridge Manor RV Park

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/hernando-planning-commissioners-turn-thumbs-down-on-ridge-manor-rv-park/2260862

Due to complaints about falling property values from potential nearby residents, Hernando county voted against zoning an RV park in between two residential neighborhoods. Most residents were concerned about stay regulations in the area, as well as potential off-roading visitors and possible flooding in the area. The main reasoning for the proposed RV park, was to allow the commissioner to bring more customers into the local golf course. He is currently still trying to convince local residents to allow the zone change with accommodations tailored to them.

Residents Say Mining Boom Supplants Their Peace and Quiet

http://www.tampabay.com/news/residents-say-mining-boom-supplants-their-peace-and-quiet/2262213

In Pasco county, multiple residents in rural areas are unhappy with the recent uprising of lime rock mines near their homes. Residents say that since the mining boom, that their overall quality of life in the area has declined, and that the constant blasts from the nearby mines shake their homes. County hearings are to be held in the future over the multiple mines in the area, and residents plan to see the mining projects abandoned soon.

Week 3 Reading Reflection

What Surprised me in this Reading?

I'd have to say I didn't expect there to be type A people, in regards to how a person handles stress and their personality type. It was interesting seeing a breakdown of why these people have a large amount of entrepreneurial stress. This small segment of the reading also surprised me with how far int detail it went on what causes stress in entrepreneurs, and how said people can cope with the high stress of being an entrepreneur.

What Confused Me?

I honestly didn't have any segment of the reading stump me (which is surprising). I feel that I comprehended most everything within the assigned reading.

What Would I Ask the Author?

I'd probably ask them about the other personality types other than type A. I'm really interested in how each personality type affects how someone interacts with opportunities, and how each type plays out within entrepreneurship. 

I'd also ask for more of an elaboration on the points about what makes an entrepreneur. The topic interested me and I feel like if I knew more about each individual point, that I would be able to better tailor myself towards an entrepreneurial mindset.

Do I Think the Author was Wrong About Anything?

I don't agree with the author's point on the risking family life for an entrepreneurial venture. I fee; that unless there is already something wrong with a family structure, that any family would be able to adapt. The stress of a new venture simply amplifies pre-existing problems within a family structure, which could cause excess stress within the family.

Very Short Interview No.1: Local Training Outside of the Gym

Who is the Entrepreneur?

The entrepreneur I interviewed is a family friend named Stephanie Grabon, who we've known for almost since I was born. For almost 11 years, she has run her own personal training business out of her home in Gainesville, FL named Defined Body LLC. At the moment she takes in only a few clients a day in order to be able to teach her son. What makes her an entrepreneur is the fact that she was able to see a lack of training facilities for people who wanted to be fit in the area, and manage to make an opportunity out of Gainesville's already active community

The Interview Outline

Q: What do you wish was taught to you in school that would've helped you to start your business?

A: I wish they had taught us to form a business in the best way in order to legally protect ourselves. I personally found that LLC insurance was the best route for my own company

Q: What are some negative aspects of entrepreneurship that I should expect to encounter while taking a course on it?

A: You need to understand that income can be unstable while cash outlays tend to be steady, which increases your overall risk. All of the income is dependent on you to be produced when your run your own business.

Q: What do you believe should be one thing that anyone taking an entrepreneurship course should focus the most on?

A: Really focus on networking and effective low-cost marketing techniques. Both always help a business out in the long run and help to build a stable customer base for your company.

My Own Reflection

It was honestly a little surprising what some of the answers to these questions were. It was interesting hearing her talk about how important it was to secure the longevity of a business, as well as its own general security in relation to being the owner. I also didn't really expect her to be as much of an every-day sort of person as she turned out to be. It was nice hearing exactly how important networking was when it comes to starting a business, and understanding the amount of risk taken in a start-up. I can say that I'm looking forward to being able to interview Mrs. Grabon again in the near future.

The World's Biggest Problems: According to a College Student

There are too Many Problems

Kind of an obvious topic, but there's a lot wrong with the world. A LOT. Seriously, the amount of things wrong today are staggeringly huge. Here I'm going to show a relatively short list (about ten items) on some of the bigger things I think are wrong with the world today.

1.) High Prices for Education in Developed Countries

Higher-level education in most countries is exceedingly expensive. In some countries, it is even restricted as to which citizens are about to access this education, such as in some Middle-Eastern countries. Countries are already starting to implement procedures that involve adding a tax to the population in order to cover the cost of higher education, but in other countries there are social reforms needed in order to give access to this education to more citizens. Each country would have to solve the problem of high-level education in a way which suits their specific cultural and economical situations.

2.) Poor Living Conditions in Low-Income Areas

This one is really only noticeable if you've ever lived near an area in which people have low household incomes. Oftentimes, low-income districts have small living areas in poor conditions for the people living in them. The areas will often have poor heating and water quality, similar to the situations in Detroit and now Flint. Many of these problems would be solved by creating ways to provide low-cost housing and by governments finding ways to provide better amenities to the area;s citizens.

3.) Inner City Congestion

Many cities within the US and worldwide have major congestion issues involving the working populations. Cities such as New York have alternate transportation options such as subway and rail transportation. However, there are cities such as St. Petersburg, Florida, that only allow for vehicle transportation. These cities don't allow for flexible commute options for citizens within the city and commuting workers. These areas have to allow room within their infrastructure budgets, via taxes or outside donations, to create different modes of transportation and possibly alleviate congestion.

4.) The Technological Learning Curve of Older Generations

Not many people would think of this off the bat as a "global problem", but with today's technological advancements many older generations are having trouble keeping up. Everyone has that grandparent that greatly struggle with simply accessing the internet or making a phone call from a smartphone. What's needed is a way to educate older generations on new technology at a steady pace, but in a hands-on environment. I myself have noticed that when you show someone how to perform a task and then allow them to complete it, is that they better understand what it is they're doing exactly. This would be an excellent way to get rid of the technological learning curve between generations.

5.) Public Interest in the Sciences

At first this may not seem like to huge of a problem, but remember that public interest in projects cause the best thing for a project: funding. Without funding, projects will wither away and cease to be. NASA is a perfect example of this, because as the general public became disinterested in their projects and ideas, funding was cut  more and more until it was defunded altogether. Clever marketing and education of the general public (in a way they understand) will create interest, which will most likely lead to funding. In order for scientific projects to happen, people need to know that they exist in the first place.

6.) Lack of Environmental Sustainability

With all of the recent advances in technology in regards to energy and manufactured goods, most countries still find it difficult to practice environmental sustainability. Between the lumber industry and the growing demand for fossil fuels, governments have tended to put concerns for the environment on the back-burner in order to continue making revenue for the state. While there are some advocacy groups for environmental awareness, not many people in the world seem to care about it. These groups need to try to make the consequences of a deteriorating environment hit a little closer to home for others, and better explain ways in which it can be prevented to the general public.

7.) Products with Rushed Development and Distribution

This one seems a bit odd at first but here me out. I've noticed many things I use in my day-to-day life that seem as though they were slapped together last minute and thrown on the shelves as quickly as possible. Too many consumer goods are rushed to be distributed today and one obvious example would be the auto industry. Many cars are simply pushed onto the lot without little concern over problems farther down the road, but oftentimes many of these vehicles will have a large number of recalls that pop up for at least a decade after production. Companies guilty of this need to better test their products for the long-term, and need to spend the extra dime for research and development in order to prevent these problems.

8.) Access to Healthy Foods

Unfortunately with today's growing fast food industry, many people across the world are eating food that could barely be considered food in the first place. While many countries have already created bans against many preservatives and artificial colorings or flavors, the US still has a rampant problem with all of these. The main reason for this is simple: its cheaper to feed people fake food. It has been shown multiple times that fast foods create a huge amount of health problems in people that regularly eat them. One of the first steps to be taken to prevent these problems from occurring more than they already are, is to create awareness for people. Then there are bans that need to be placed, along with better ethics within food service companies regarding consumer health.

9.) The Problem of the "Bystander"

Just about everyone in the world has been guilty of this at least once. We see something happen that shouldn't be happening, and we either stare at the event waiting for someone else to come along and stop it or we take out our phones and record the whole thing mockingly almost. Not many people today will willingly help out a stranger; be it due to fear of a scam, social anxieties, or just plain not caring. Organizations need to be in place in order to educate the public to help in such situations, as opposed to being the "bystander". This could ultimately bring people together socially, and prevent complications within societies.

10.) Human Health

This ties into the previous point about healthy foods, but on a broader scale. Due to the amount of hours the average person works throughout the week, not many have time to be active as much as they should be. The majority of these people end up working office jobs where they are sitting at a desk for hours on end, with few opportunities to even get up. The same issue comes into play in many public schools, where teens are only required to take ONE physical exercise course throughout their four years in high school. Many organizations and companies need to implement health programs as a part to their benefit plans or their scheduling. Multiple researches have proven that when people are able to exercise, that their overall performance improves greatly, along with their mental well-being.