Entrepreneurship Blog

I think the most formative experiences were from the readings that we had in class. Some of them were really interesting and were able to provide new insight on things I hadn't thought of before. It was interesting coming up with the bug list at the very beginning and trying to come up with ideas for ventures based off of it. I'm glad I was able to make it through this class without giving up on my initial idea, despite it's many pitfalls.  I think an entrepreneurial mindset is a combination of many things, not a single concept. I suppose I have some of those things and I'm sure I lack others. I don't know if this course has helped any of those increase or decrease.  I would recommend students to try to think of their venture as a real concept, even if they do not go through to actually creating any of it. It makes it easier to complete the assignments if you entertain the idea that this could actually happen. Most people though do not have the capital or me

My venture concept consists of a windowsill planter for indoor plants, made of recyclable materials that adapts to smaller living arrangements and busier life schedules. In the following paper I will explain how this concept arose, the concept itself, and how this concept will succeed and ultimately grow. OPPORTUNITY The main cornerstone for the opportunity of this project arises from the move to urban environments. With growing populations, homes are smaller and many people choose to live in apartments rather than houses. Because of this, backyards and gardens are becoming less common despite people still finding interest and use in plant life. Another aspect that comes hand in hand with modernity is the business of everyday life. People don’t have as much leisure time to spend time gardening and if one is prone to travel, indoor plants without proper care will wither and die. This problem will continue to grow, accentuated by climate change affecting outdoor temperatures

1) I think that this particular venture would be best sold as soon as it is considered profitable  - within a few years, since the manufacturing aspect of my product would be better suited to a large company with the capabilities to produce at higher rates than I think I ever could. This would allow me to make a large profit while being able to move on to other projects that I could either sustainably maintain for a long time or turn and sell for profit like this one. 2) This exit strategy makes the most sense since I don't have large scale production available to me. This is also not a passion project - I'm sure I would be bored of this pretty quickly and I would like to work on other things that motivate me more. The most interesting portion of this project to me would be the launch and marketing aspects, those of which are established early on and would later taper off to maintaining a consumer base, which I'm not as interested in. 3) It's influence some of the m

How To Fail At Almost Everything And Still Win Big 1) The book was about making the most of opportunities and working towards your own success, no matter the circumstances along the way. Some of the most important points touch upon building systems rather than goals, which are easily disappointing and discouraging, and finding the best ways to use your energy to keep yourself going.  2) It is good to find your motivations in life and use them to fuel your success. I think that it ties in to the class by helping someone to find projects they're interested in and to keep up with them across the class. I would have liked to have read this towards the beginning of the class rather than the end. 3) I think an exercise which evaluates ones energy levels would be an interesting activity for the class. For maybe a week or so, evaluate what activities you enjoy, where you enjoy doing them, for how long, and at what time of day. Finding the most efficient methods to work hard and stil

1) This semester I'm taking a digital arts course. Part of this course's assignments involve filling 50 pages in a sketchbook over the six weeks of class. Due to this, I've had to fill at least a page every day if not more. In the past, I've been very hesitant about taking risks in my sketchbooks since I didn't want to look back on bad pieces. However, because I had to draw so much, it was impossible for me to take the same amount of time to draw and I had to keep coming up with objects outside of my comfort zone to vary up the types of drawing I was doing. There have been days where my sketches have been pretty bad - especially once I fell behind and had to do three or four pages in one day. 2) I learned to be less cautious about what I draw. Because I have been pushing myself, in spite of failure, I have gotten significantly better at shading and feel pretty good about drawing a lot of things I hadn't felt comfortable doing before. 3) Failure is not, in it

EXISTING MARKET Talking to a few potential customers, it seems that customization is key moving forward for this product. While the colors available seemed nice, a lot of the appeal of this product comes from it's use as a decorative object. Because of this, it might be nice to have patterns or other designs available in the future for the product. Another idea that was brought up by one of the interviewees was to create a planter of a material that could be drawn on, whether by chalk or erasable marker. The second topic for expansion related to the access of information. One of the potential clients was concerned with their lack of knowledge on plants and said that this could impact their decision to purchase the product. If it came with a small pamphlet with rudimentary information, they would feel more inclined to go through with the purchase. I think it could be an easy addition to the project. NEW MARKET I think that currently my target market has been college students

My venture concept consists of a windowsill planter for indoor plants, made of recyclable materials that adapts to smaller living arrangements and busier life schedules. In the following paper I will explain how this concept arose, the concept itself, and how this concept will succeed and ultimately grow. OPPORTUNITY The main cornerstone for the opportunity of this project arises from the move to urban environments. With growing populations, homes are smaller and many people choose to live in apartments rather than houses. Because of this, backyards and gardens are becoming less common despite people still finding interest and use in plant life. Another aspect that comes hand in hand with modernity is the business of everyday life. People don’t have as much leisure time to spend time gardening and if one is prone to travel, indoor plants without proper care will wither and die. This problem will continue to grow, accentuated by climate change affecting outdoor temperatures and

1) Experience with budgeting and planning VRIN - Not entirely unique but a good base to have. It could be substitutable by an accountant or project manager. 2) Personal experience with plant ownership and use VRIN - While lacking uniqueness, it puts me in a better position than someone who would want to pick up this project solely for monetary reasons. It is not easily substitutable, it would have to be something that someone else brings into the project themselves. 3) Access to prototyping options VRIN - With the ability and resources to develop a prototype, this is moderately unique and non-substitutable. 4) Direct connection to an entrepreneur VRIN- This is a pretty unique resource and that can't be easily substituted. 5) Moderate financial availability VRIN - Certainly not unique and very easily substitutable by someone else with much more capital than my own. 6) Second language proficiency VRIN - It's value lies in it's non-uniqueness, it expands the po

There was no additional feedback given since the last elevator pitch. I simply tried to edit and better express the ideas I've had for the previous two pitches. The phrasing has certainly improved from the first time I recorded the pitch. I maintained the background from the last video which I think was better than the original.

1) The book dealt with the topics of social media and how best to cultivate an online presence and environment in the modern age. 2) Marketing is a large part of bringing a product to market. Nowadays, social media is a cornerstone for the marketing process, one that if done properly can provide a lot of exposure at little to no cost. Having a better grasp on how to fully utilize social media is a wonderful tool to better the projects we develop in class. 3) To create a content curation page based on the information and tips provided by the book revolving around the topic or topics of your product. For example, in my case, it could be a Pinterest board with pictures of people keeping their plants in the product we have developed. As additional appeal, choose those with pets to increase views and clicks. 4) Learning to focus on curation rather than just production was an important take away from the book. While it should be dealt with carefully and respectfully (with plenty of cre

1. A twenty year old student from UF. They work with 3-D printing and designs of prototypes and models of a variety of products. - They fulfill the role of supplier. - They are a friend of mine from back in highschool that have a lot of experience in developing and producing 3-D designs that I would likely need to create the planter itself. - They could help me develop the initial prototypes for the windowsill planter and help me get in touch with larger producers. - They have good contacts and can help get an initial design to attract both investors and customers.   2. A forty two year old nursery garden worker. They deal with the transport and care of various plants. - They fulfill the role of expert in industry. - They were working at a local nursery near my home in Orlando. They took some time to answer my questions. - They were able to give me additional information as to what plants grow best indoors, what other products exist on the market, some simple tips for caring f

1) You: I'm a sophomore, majoring in Linguistics with an interest in Psychology and Sociology. I come from a Hispanic background, which means that cooking is pretty important to me. I've had a couple of experiences with developing mentor ship and leadership programs during high school. I have experience in writing, music, game design, and debate. I have created a budget plan before and broke even on a business venture. Primarily, I would like to develop this design for my personal use, with the added benefit of profiting. I want to be able to foster an interest and love for plants in other people as well. 2) What: A planter that is attachable to sills or balconies, with a sleek, durable, simple design that requires little maintenance. It would be nice for it to have attachable and detachable parts so as to replace and rearrange the plants depending on ones needs. Additionally, the goal would be to have it made out of recycled or at least recyclable materials. 3) Who: Younge

My customer avatar is a 21 year old college student, senior year, majoring in Education. Their hobbies include playing tennis, sculpting, and cooking. They have an grey electric car and are focused on conservation efforts as much as they can. While not following politics strongly, they identify with candidates that are moving forward with plans against climate change and self-identify as an independent with liberal values and ideas. They are 1st generation American and are the middle child of three, with a younger sister and an older brother.  They have some things in common with me. I also enjoy cooking and this is an aspect of customers that I wish to appeal to as well. Additionally, I am also 1st generation American but I think there is a large quantity of students that are also so it is a valuable demographic to take into account.

This pitch included the recyclable aspects of the new ideas behind the design, as well as the mention of adjustable portions. These were the biggest impacts of feedback to the project. I did not receive feedback for the previous pitch so there is none to reflect on. The additions to the content of the pitch reflect the feedback across other comments to this project.

Interview Summary For two of the interviewees, they picked up plants on a whim at local stores while going to purchase other things. They were low priced and appeared to be low maintenance. One of them purchased them as decoration while the other picked up a plant specifically for their cat (catnip). They both came in containers that were not particularly beautiful but they planned to buy a nicer container at a later date. One of them picked it up on a whim at a store once more while the other purchased it online. The third interviewee specifically went to a plant nursery and picked out specific herb plants for their house, picking up their container there as well. The person who bought the plant as decoration ended up really liking it and bought more later on, by returning to the same store. They started purchasing the containers online so that they could pick out the best combinations for their apartment. They do have some trouble with taking care of them when they go home. The

1) The most important behaviors are organization and environment. Being able to keep track of what is due is extremely important in a course where this is not placed in front of you constantly. Not only that, some assignments are much longer than others. Give yourself a chance at the beginning of the week to read through what each one requires. Additionally, being able to create a productive environment helped me work through the assignments much quicker and more effectively than if I had just done them last minute. Whether this be a quiet place in the library or playing music at home, fostering a place where you feel productive helps you feel motivated to keep working. 2) Motivation can come from many different forms. The one that spoke to me for this course was motivation of something gained. Working on a project that could produce something as well as pushing through for the grade made for very strong motivators. 3) Tip 1: Be aware of deadlines and assignments well before their

Shoe Dog by Phillip Knight 1) I was pretty surprised at how blase he was about borrowing money and making claims. Perhaps it wasn't explained properly in the biography but it seemed pretty foolish, something that wouldn't have taken off if not for the sheer volume of resources and connections that he had. While the hard work and effort he put in after these was commendable, I don't think he could have made it without the support system he had. There was certainly a level of faith in himself and his vision that is to be admired. He aimed for what he wanted and went for it wholeheartedly - the hours and effort seem incredible. I absolutely hated his attitude towards the people around him. He used almost every single person that he came across, all in pursuit of this goal. A goal, I might add, that may have been financially successful but far from world changing. It was frustrating to read about, as his regretful tone often didn't lead to a better result the next time

1) Behavioral segmentation Interview Summary: For all three of the people I talked to, their needs seem to arise either when they are cooking or when they are planning to leave for a couple of days or weeks. The contexts are clearly in the home environment, with emphasis on times like summer or vacations where they are less inclined to be home or travel back and forth more often than usual. In regards to the cooking situation, they often look online for the different prices of herbs to find the best deal for them. In this situation they don't have the plants to begin with. So they focus on grocery stores and supermarkets where this would be available. In regards to the unattended plants situation, they do a quick Google search to see how long the plants could survive without supervision. In addition, they may choose to leave the care of the plants to a local friend that could do some basic maintenance. However, they have lost plants this way before. With a focus on behaviora

1) You: I'm a sophomore, majoring in Psychology with an interest in Linguistics and Sociology. I come from a Hispanic background, which means that cooking is pretty important to me and I've grown up doing so. I've developed, led, and participated in three different mentoring programs. I have experience in writing, music, game design, and debate. I have created a budget plan before and broke even on a business venture. Primarily, I would like to develop this design for my personal use, with the added benefit of profiting. 2) What: A planter that is attachable to sills or balconies, with a sleek, durable, simple design that requires little maintenance. 3) Who:  Younger, busy individuals with smaller living arrangements with little to high interest in plants. 4) Why: They save money on store bought herbs and on having to repurchase plants that keep dying. Reduced upkeep time and mess. Compatible with pet households. 5) Competencies: I have some experience in developing

Inside the Boundary Outside the Boundary Who ·         Amateur cooks ·         Personal chefs ·         Residents/homeowners ·         Office workers ·         Pet owners ·         Backyard owners ·         People without access to kitchens ·         People who don’t enjoy cooking ·         People with large living arrangements What ·         Fresh, cheaper herbs ·         Space-efficient ·         Easier maintenance ·         Requires attention and care ·         Unnecessary to some Why ·         Access to herbs ·         Connection to nature ·         Aesthetic ·         Herbs available in stores ·         Parks or backyards ·         Other decoration with less attention Three of my interviews consisted with students who enjoy cooking on campus. The first did not require this produc

My selected opportunity is to resolve the difficulties with growing indoor plants in small living arrangements. As I determined in the previous exercise, it is better to focus on a target type of plant/use. Because herbs are expensive to buy fresh and there are plenty of people who enjoy cooking, I would like to focus on creating an easy to take care of and space efficient way to have an indoor herb garden. The solution is to prototype a planter box that can be fit onto a windowsill. It needs to be adjustable and sturdy enough to adapt to any window and withstand the weight of the plants. Other aspects that need to be taken into account is keeping the dirt and water within the planter, taking into account pets, and keeping the design small so that furniture can still be placed around the window comfortable. Additionally, research into the best herbs to grow indoors and how to limit their growth size should also be done to fully develop this idea.

1) Difficulties with growing indoor plants in small living arrangements 2) Who: Residents in smaller living arrangements with an interest in plants      What: Lack of constant sunlight and space required to grow plants      Why: Growing indoor plants in these conditions are often ineffective or impossible 3) Apart from individuals who are already interested in indoor plants, either for use (herbs, fruits, vegetables) or aesthetic, if provided with easy, attractive options for growing them, customers outside of the target market may be interested. It's easier to target a certain area. Windows provide the easiest way to have plants reach sunlight. Therefore, the product can revolve around this portion to create something that can attach easily and self-sustain for the most part. We are moving towards smaller housing; for many people, they lived with nature all around them and letting go of having backyards and gardens is not only difficult but often unpleasant. If provided wi

Opportunity 1 New York Times, Economics Section It suggests that in order for rideshare companies to continue, passengers will have to pay more in order to keep the market from falling. The target customers would be the passengers; finding ways to acquire easy transportation at a lower cost. This could be done by providing competing prices or offering new alternatives. It's relatively difficult - probably requires high start up capital for most solutions. - People prefer to pay less, not more. If one can offer an equivalent service at a better rate, you get more customers which makes up for the lesser charge. Opportunity 2 NPR, Economy Section The article talks about mothers who work for grocery delivery apps. The women do not seem particularly happy about these jobs and it seems to pay less than they could hope. However, the job does have the benefit of flexibility and the protection of not having to drive around strangers. This signals a potential workforce that is looki

Opportunity 1 "Failure to regulate powerful utilities is 'rallying cry for change'" https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0531%21May%2B31&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/173C3E2963FBBF08 The article covers the rising problem related to the lack of regulation of utility company rates and the rising prices due to this. Besides the issue, they talk about rallying tax payers to oppose the lawmakers in charge Affected: Homeowners and renters Opportunity 2 "Robert Knight: Santa Fe, Ichetucknee suffering death by a thousand cuts" https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AGSGB%21Gainesville%2BSun%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0530%21May%2B30&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&doc

1) There needs to be a better way to have indoor plants. 2) The unmet need is that students that enjoy having plants cannot do so because most don't have personal outdoor areas. Any plants they do want to have must be kept indoors, specifically near windows for sunlight. Windows lack sills large enough to place traditional planter boxes. - Students, as well as people in cities that tend to live in housing without exteriors have this need. - The need comes from housing becoming smaller and more close together, making backyards and balconies both less available and more expensive. - Placing bulky planters indoors, using more expensive LED herbal planters, using smaller pots to place on windows (making it difficult to close blinds) - I am 65% sure this problem exists. 4) Customer #1: They were used to having fresh herbs available back in their parents home. Being more suburban they had a backyard where they were able to grow them without an issue. Upon coming to UF, they reali

After being employed at a software sales firm for over 20 years, my father was fired from his job. He got a second one soon enough but resigned from that one before even being there for a year to start a business of his own alongside a partner he had worked with prior to this. They opened up a sales consultation firm; they would sell the software from the company he had initially worked for but being outside of the company now, they could also sell a secondary product that when combined together could significantly streamline the sales process of the companies that purchased the software. Currently, they are looking for other software that further improve upon the products they sell. Rather than simply offering a product, my father attempts to offer solutions. He troubleshoots the business that he plans to sell to, identifies how his product can provide solutions and promote growth, and presents a report of estimated gains as well as how the products will expand alongside the

1. Google docs has poor design capabilities for their documents; lots of fonts are missing and certain design options from Word aren't available - Google docs is meant to share and edit information across groups of people; it is not, primarily, a publishing platform 2. Laptop screens are hard to look at in the day light; this discourages one from working outside - Originally, computers were meant to stay stationary and inside 3. My closet shelves aren't useful; some shelves can be used for storage but for the most part, shelves require additional storage tacked on to them for clothes - The shelves are cheaper and allow more flexibility in choosing storage options 4. There are limited options of cat products at pet shops; less toys, less information, less collars, and less food choices - Owners often choose cats for their low maintenance. Therefore, they are not motivated to purchase items for them 5. My roommates dog rips through his toys almost immediately and lea

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