30A – Final Reflection

1.    With no entrepreneurial experience, nor have any family or close friends that have their own business. I was a tab bit nervous about taking this course. However, this course has been put in great context and structured very nicely for each student. My lows in this course was finding random individuals to interview and talk about my idea. However, that low turned into a high, because the feedback I received was more than amazing. My highs in this class, is now having the ability to start my own business and not fear the process, with the support I have develop, I’m ready more than I’ve been before.

2.    My most joyous moment of this experience of this whole process was contacting former coworkers, managers and speaking with neighbors. I have enabled me to open my social capital and obtain a nice networking base. I’ve accomplished a lot with just building a relationship with some of the individuals, I’ve reached to, in order to help me along the way.

3.    At the beginning of the semester, I had a mindset of being an entrepreneur, but I just didn’t know which direction I was heading. I needed others as my classmates, that were also in the same situation and taking the steps to learn. Also, gaining the mindset to put forth the action and becoming an entrepreneur. I have learned key factors to look for, especially pitching an idea to a business owner as came so easily for me. Second, searching for a venture capitalist that will probably believe in my idea. My mindset is more interested in opening a business now than I was when I first started this semester.

4.    My recommendation for a student that are coming on this journey and fear the need of change, I state to them, just do it. Don’t be afraid, because there will be failure, there will be others tell you that’s not a good idea. However, you must believe in yourself and know that you can get through this. Also, build a social capital, networking is the key to a strong healthy business. In this course, just be unique and interact with your classmates everyone must start someone. But at the end just make sure you finish.

29A – Venture Concept No. 2

29A – Venture Concept No. 2

1.       The opportunity behind my concept of providing transportation for individuals not wanting to walk at events to an arena, has been a great idea. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with numerous of different individuals on this business venture and to say, they have supported me. I’m in the process of building an app to help me with detecting people as close radius from their vehicle to pick them up and ride them to the arena. Especially, urgent assistance will be provided on the app for any disable, parents with little babies or any other type of urgent messaging to pick up these specific individuals first. Also, one of my long-time friends knows an owner who owns golf carts, bikes and other type of transportation that can be used for a business venture like mines. The owner stated, this will work and give him the opportunity to get his business name among others, being that he has a small business. I’m very excited for this venture concept and this opportunity of being able to plan and execute my vision.

2.       The feedback has been nothing but amazing. I’ve had friends, business owners and family members support me, criticize me about my idea. However, all the feedback has allowed me to push through and motivate me to become a stronger individual. I have also, overcame any fear and doubt that I thought was going to stop me from this idea.

3.       The only thing I changed was to add an urgent messaging system on the app for special needs individuals. Other then that, I didn’t change anything else. After researching, interviewing others and feedback from many people, I’ve decided the best thing is to focus on customers and their needs. Especially, making them satisfied so my business can grow and grow. 

5A – What’s Next?

24A – Venture Concept No. 1

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

20A- Growing Your Social Capital

20A- Growing Your Social Capital

Mark Krane

He owns a limousine company, in which, he is a close friend to my family. It wasn’t hard for me to contact him and get advice. I asked him about the transportation business, starting a quick transport business with an app created to provide rides to customers to not walk long distance to their events. He stated, my idea was in fact great and radical different something rare to the industry. He stated, e will help me with connections for the transportation that will be needed for my business. He also, gave me the key factors in providing customer needs and what I will need to do in order to have a successful transportation business. He is willing to help me with my idea and keep track of my progress.

Katie Donald

Katie has been a Chief Marketing Officer at her current company for more than 10 years. In which, I have had the opportunity to work with her in the past. I reached out to her via linked in and message her about my strategic plan and what I will need help with as far as marketing my business and what formulation will be needed to help me start my business. Katie responded back to me via LinkedIn and stated, with her remembering my positive attitude, she doesn’t mind giving me key factors with building a great marketing strategy and how to maintain it. She even set me up with some vendors that will help me with advertising my information on google, Facebook, YouTube and maybe someone helping me putting up billboards for my product. Also, she sent over my information with my business plan to a marketing manager that works for Miami Heat. In fact, she stated, don’t just look locally this service can be useful in other areas as well. Speaking with Katie for on five days have been helpful and she stated, she wants to help me become successful in hopes of my services being a success.

Ron Globe

Ron is a Supply Chain manager and I worked with him in the supply chain department and reached out to him through email. I pitched my idea to Ron, and he advised me to contact an IT vendor he builds a strong relationship with, to help me with my app. I emailed the IT vendor and cc’d Ron and still not have heard anything. Ron told me to wait and if not, he will interact with the company and help with initiate my idea and seeing what is required and the cost for my services to be implemented with an app made. Ron was very helpful and stated, he will reach out to the vendor if I don’t hear anything within the next two weeks.

·         This experienced has taught me that one day the people you have networked with or worked with, can be an asset or a valuable individual in the future. Always stay in reach of all business people you meet, always treat others with respect and when you do that, they will be willing to help you become successful. It’s always good to have social capital it can take you a very long way in the business industry.

19A- Idea Napkin No.2

19A- Idea Napkin No.2

1.    You. Who you are?

I am a college student who have been wanting to be an entrepreneur since I was in high school. However, the fear of failing has allowed me not to start my business. But now I have been ready to take the initiative to innovate a product that will help at sporting events, concert or any event that needs transportation.

2.    What are you offering to customers?

There are many highs and lows with creating an app that can provide non walking services, for individuals or a group of people walking long distances to an event. This will services will allow customers to use the app to have a cart or bicycle that can hold up to eight people to utilize and cannot walk.

3.    Who are you offering it to?

I’m offering it to any individual that have downloaded the app and need a ride to the arena or building they are attending for an event. That will involve a large crowd of people.

4.    Why do they care?

They care because some customers have a disability, some customers have small children especially parents that have more than one child. They care because dealing with large crowds the need to finding a parking spot close to the arena is very rare. Therefore, they will have the ability to use my services to minimize all the walking and not have to worry about the long distance they may have.

5.    What are you core competencies? What sets you apart from everyone else?

My core competencies are the rational decisions I have made to have a successful business. Providing services and building and app to connect with the customer in order to have rides to the event they are attending. Another core competence is providing excellent customer services, I’ve always being a big believer in having exceptional customer services. In order to have a great reputation, build your brand, receive great customer feedback and the ability to expand your business through customers referring others. It is a core competence for my business plan/model and for longevity of the business.

My competitive advantage to set me apart from everyone else is, having quick transportation such as bicycles and carts to detect customers with an out to pick them up as close as possible near their vehicle and taking them to the event. Preventing them to walk long distances, avoiding any bad weather conditions and caring for customers who have a disability or other abnormal conditions that prohibited them from walking.

Last what set me apart is, I won’t have any set prices this will be a donation-based services.

18A Create A Customer Avatar

18A Create A Customer Avatar

 Customer Avatar:  I have two avatars for two different customers that I have. My first customer is 35 years old with 2 kids a boy and girl. My second customer is 24 and is a college student, who is attending school for sports management. Both customers love going to sporting events. Their hobbies are going to games (Buccaneers, Lightning and Tampa Bay Ray). The type of car my first customer avatar drive is a Jeep, which is big enough for her and children. My second customer avatar drives a racing Honda Accord car. I’m sure all my customers are people who watch sports, go to games or probably even participate in fantasy football. The customers who utilize my services come from all different aspects of life. 

           

In common with my customer is attending sporting events and attending college. I do not see this as coincidence because I came up with this idea through my own experiences.

17A – Elevator Pitch No. 2

1) The Pitch: 

2) Reflection: I had very positive feedback to my Elevator Pitch No. 1.  I did not keep recording my pitch, in which, I think that was probably why my pitch could have been much better.  My peer responses were all positive and they did give me some useful feedback on what I could have done better. I decided to practice on the “hmm”, “and”, “but”, in which we use these words a lot.

3) The Change:  Based on my own feedback, I recorded my pitch several times and worked on my words of chose to have a better flowing pitch. In which, that solved the issues I found occurred in Elevator Pitch No. 1. 

16A- The Secret Sauce

16A- The Secret Sauce

The Secret Sauce

1.     Five ways in which I have Human Capital:

·         Personality – Regardless of how my day may seem, if it’s going bad or it’s a rough one. I’ve mastered the art of, keeping a positive attitude. Knowing a negative attitude will only make the situation worst. Also, keeping a positive attitude keeps good energy around me and allows me to stay in high positive spirits.

·         Determination – I may not have the answers to everything, but I am always determined to find the answer and provide others with the resources. When others are relying on me it makes me work harder and feel very important.

·         Respectful – I have always treated others the way I want to be treated. Everyone you meet is not a bad person. Also, others may be going through a tough time. I’m always respectful to others as I would want them to be to me.

·         Rational – I’ve always been a thinker before I do something. I’m more of a rational decision maker. Not only for myself, but for others around me. I’m rational to help benefit the decisions I make, that will cause a positive impact on others.

·         Empathetic - When interacting with other individuals, I’ve mastered the art of adapting myself to put myself in other shoes. I can be a great talker or listener, a loud goofy friend or a quiet person, whatever someone needs me to be, I’m usually easily able to adapt.

2.     Interviews

·         My Mother

“What do you believe is my human capital? These are the things that make me different, like knowledge, skills, etc.”.

a.     “Of course, you are the bomb, because you are my daughter. But you have always been committed to be a better person, achieving all your goals. Always not allowing anyone to stop you. You have always been very determined and eager to maintain a positive attitude and not let anything negative stop you. I’m sure you stress yourself, but barely let me know. But you have always been the protector and wanted to make sure everyone in our family and friends were happy.

·         My Best friend, Noel

“What do you believe is my human capital? These are the things that make me different, like knowledge, skills, etc.”.

b.     “Ever since I met you 11 years ago, you have always been a very nice respectful woman. You cared so much about others that often you put yourself last. You will give your jacket to a stranger if they need it. You are very loyal to your friends and family and always want everyone to be happy. If they aren’t happy, you will always find a way to put a smile on some face. As your best friend you have given me the ability to do better and get back in school and earn my Doctorate degree. You are a true definition of a strong positive individual”.

·         Breanna Wellington, Accounting Manager

“What do you believe is my human capital? These are the things that make me different, like knowledge, skills, etc.”.

c.     “Very knowledgeable. When you don’t know the answer, you are very determined to research and find the answer. Once, you have research and came to a solution, you always shared useful information. Very organized and time management individual. You’ve never hesitated to help others and even work late to help others finish their work. You are a dedicated person, that is a hard worker”.

·         Coworker, Lisette

“What do you believe is my human capital? These are the things that make me different, like knowledge, skills, etc.”.

d.     “You are very smart and always wanted others to learn and gain knowledge as well. Every time I needed help with my work or school assignments, you always stopped what you were doing to help me. You always smiled and cheered everyone up to be in high positive spirits. You were fun and made everyone laugh”.

·         Friend, Mallori

“What do you believe is my human capital? These are the things that make me different, like knowledge, skills, etc.”.

e.     “You are the absolute most gorgeous person inside and out. You care and always respect my “me time”.  You’re nice and sweet. I know I can always talk to you and tell you my whole life and you won’t judge. You are very loyal to the core and will do anything for your friends. You always do just the little things that are really considerate, and I love that about you.”

Reflection:

Listening to my interviewees, I’ve realized I can be so hard on myself. I’m always trying to go above and beyond. My best friend Noel stated, one thing it’s okay to do, is be a human. Everyone knows me as having a positive attitude and staying strong, but they don’t see the soft side of me. In which, I don’t show much because that’s for my personal matter only. I do agree with I’m always putting others first more often than putting myself first. In which, that can be a good or bad thing. Because as humans we can often forget about our own health and personal needs because we are always caring and supporting others first. I have always been a smiley, positive, smart and determined individual. Also, I’m always trying to uplift others because we all need that one push to get us motivated to be successful.

15A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

15A- Buyer Behavior No. 2

15A- Figuring out buyer Behavior No. 2

Report Findings:

In this assignment, I have interviewed three individuals who haven’t thought of my problem but have agreed that it’s definitely a good idea. They have also, stated they will be interested in using the services when attending an event. I have asked everyone what specific components will be helpful for the customers. Also, which factors and functions are needed for the app to pick up customers as close to their vehicles as possible. When interviewing, the customers cared most about the quality and accuracy of the app to have effective services. Majority stated, they need great reviews and the app to be reliable.

My idea is for all customer to purchase the app on their smartphones, iPad on other devices. If you are an elderly customer, with no app services, it will be phone services available to reach the driver to pick you up from your location. But this will be only for customers with no device to download the app. The app will need to be downloaded if you have a smartphone device to use our services. The app/service will be funded mostly through ads, banners and money fundraised for special events. In which, the app will not cost, but when being picked up a donation will be required. However, if this is a legitimate business my interviewees stated, having to pay for the app may be a profitable way to earn revenue.

If the app works perfectly, it was stated they will continue to use the app and recommend others to do so as well. All individual felt the app will help with disability who can’t walk for long periods of time. It will help with getting people to and from the arena/events faster. Also, helping customers who have kids and would rather not walk and have a ride to the event. This will all be well worth it and a great potential idea.

1.     James Duncan (Bucs Football Fan)

James interview was extremely helpful in improving my service and seeing a new perspective. James suggested including a feature on the app that would notify the driver who will pick up the customers of how many will need to be seated and if they have a disability. This will be an indication to provide a larger cart to escort the customers. This would help customers get to their events quicker and not have to walk long distances.

2.     Chris Hall (Lightning Hockey Fan)

Chris told me that if he had learned about a service like the one described at earlier, he would have absolutely used it. As a lightning fan, he stated, he must park at a garage that is over a mile from where the stadium is. He also, feels that if parking were more open and more parking build next to the arena’s, etc. most customer would be better off. As a fan who attend hockey games stated most people Uber now to the arena or events to be dropped off in front of the arena. Also, to avoid DUI, having to walk long distances and the hassle of trying to find a park. Chris said that the most important aspect of the app to him was quality and the ability to pick up customers to avoid walking long distance. Also, he liked the idea of not charging a specific price and just allowing customers to give a donation. He said she would even pay for an app that was well developed and never crashed it that meant it had time accurate.

3.     Larry Hoover (Parking attendee for events)

     Larry, who is a business major, gave helpful suggestions on how to promote the business. He suggests putting flyers on cars at work and paying for local billboards. He also suggests a feature that could combine apps that will do an analysis on the areas with a lot of people who will need to use the app. He also suggested giving a feature where the app gives estimated times each customer will have to wait in order to be picked up.

    
     Conclusion: I was able to get a better perspective when interviewing more individuals, that are usually attending big events and, have worked parking at an event. This allowed me to look at my business plan in a different way then before and innovate for new ideas and improvements. I also, was able to think about new functions and alerts the app will need in order to provide great services and accuracy. Also, making sure all customer is satisfied and that this will be a potential plan for a business.