My Solution

My problem was providing a service for dog owners in the Gainesville area. The solution I believe would work in the technological savvy world nowadays is a dog walking service app. I believe this solution would work in the Gaiensville area as long as the application was promoted effectively so that the target audience of dog owners would know that this service was available for their mobile devices. Thus, one the audience is aware of the service they would be more likely to use it when they have the need for a dog walker in relation to not knowing about app. The key is awareness and effective marketing to be successful.

Looking for Opportunity in Economic Trends and Regulatory Changes

Looking for Opportunity

Economic Trends

1. Millennials moving back home

a)Economic Trend #1

b) This opportunity exists because more millennials are moving back home after college now than recent generations and it is not due to the economy. 

c) The prototypical customer would be someone who has recently graduated college who does not have a significant other or child, and did not get the job they wanted so they decided to move back home and save money.

d)  I think this opportunity would be somewhat difficult to exploit because the majority of the prototypical customers are returning due to increase in student debt and rental rates.

e) I believe I saw this opportunity because I have witnessed this happen to a few of my friends as well a family member, therefore, it affected me emotionally when seeing this article, since I know this happening especially in my generation.

2. Apple Pay expanding in more countries in Asia and Europe

a)Economic Trend #2

b) What leads you to believe an opportunity exists This opportunity exists because Apple is a company that is known worldwide and they have a huge market share in the technology industry, which is expanding more than ever. Also, Apple has a very loyal customer base.

c) Prototypical customer Anyone who has an apple product, namely the Iphone would be able to use this service.

d) Can the opportunity be exploited- relatively easy or relatively difficult WHY? I believe expanding the Apple Pay service throughout the would be relatively easy for Apple to do, especially with their presence in five countries already, and global awareness of their products.

e) I believe I saw this opportunity because it is interesting to see big corporations, such as Apple, continue their innovative ways when you think they have reached their potential, however, Apple continues to find ways to expand their markets.

Regulatory Changes

1. Salt Content Warnings for NYC restaurants

a)Regulatory Changes #1

b) What leads you to believe an opportunity exists. This opportunity exists because the majority of time there is going to be salt within food dishes served at any restaurant in the United States.

c) Prototypical customer The prototypical customer is anyone who eats at a restaurant in New York City that does not get a low-sodium food dish or someone who does not ask to get less salt in a dish.

d) Can the opportunity be exploited- relatively easy or relatively difficult WHY? I believe this opportunity can be relatively easy to exploit, especially since the law is allowing restaurants to put labels on dishes within menu to display that a food dish has high salt content in it. This will allow customers to choose a dish more wisely, and be aware of food dishes to stay away from, particularly if a person has a health condition associated to salt.

e) I believe I saw this opportunity because the majority of the time I go out to eat at a restaurant I can tell how much sodium they put in their food dishes, and it seems like restaurants would disclose which dishes have a high salt content.

2. FDA approves implant for treatment of opioid dependence

a) Regulatory Change #2

b) What leads you to believe an opportunity exists This opportunity exists because the FDA found a new method to treat opioid dependence for patients in the maintenance phrase of treatment.

c) Prototypical customer. The prototypical customer would be anyone who is suffering from opioid dependence and wants to seek treatment for it.

d) Can the opportunity be exploited- relatively easy or relatively difficult WHY? I believe this opportunity would be relatively difficult to exploit due to the expense of the implant for treatment as well as an individuals willingness to want to get treatment.

e) I believe I saw this opportunity because it is interesting to see the FDA approve different methods of treatment for certain drug addictions, while continuing to further their research for the best methods of treatment for individuals with addictions. 

Forming an Opportunity Belief

Forming an Opportunity Belief

1. My Beginning Point: I believe that there is an opportunity to start a dog walking service app in Gainesville, Florida. 

2. Description: The unmet need is providing a walking service application for individuals who have pets, specifically dogs. The need has existed for dog walking services, however within the last decade of technology advances and the majority of individuals using their mobile devices frequently an app for this type of service is adding a new factor to the need. The individuals who have this need now probably use a neighbor, friend, or website to find a dog walker when needed. 

3. Prototypical customer: The type of customer that would benefit from this app would be college students, working professionals, and senior citizens. Basically, anyone who has a busy schedule or who needs assistance with providing exercise for their dog. 

4. Iteration No. 1- Interview One Link

     

     Reflection No. 1-  After talking to a fellow student it was apparent that maybe this target audience would not use the app if it were available. I expected to hear some of the answers she provided. However, it seems like if this app were to be created, and was able to get some awareness around Gainesville that there would be a positive outcome for it.

5. Iteration No. 2-- Interview Two Link

     

     Reflection No. 2- What I learned most after this interview was being able to explain the unmeet need in an effective way, while trying to see how it would benefit the customer. The most surprising thing from this interview was the fact that this potential customer did not own a dog, but she would definitely give the app a shot with her busy schedule if the app had all the safety precaution, which would take care of her needs if she were a dog owner. 

6. Iteration No. 3--- Interview Three Link

     

     Reflection No. 3-  This interview was similar to the second interview in regards to wanting all the safety precautions to meet his needs in order to have him as a customer. This just reenforced the guidelines to how this app should be set up. Since, this was the final interview I did expect some of the questions that he had for the app, so there was not anything that surprised me during the interview.

7.  Summary:  I believe the original opportunity is still out there for the most part as long as this need is tailored to the customers and gains their trust so that this opportunity can be successful. Yes, I do believe my new opportunity is more accurate because with the potential customers feedback it helps me realize where I can improve the opportunity to solidify it as a service. Finally, I believe that entrepreneurs should have a mixture of adapting to customer feedback and staying firm with his or her original belief because it helps hearing others perspectives, which should help for the betterment of the belief, but don't necessarily change the entire belief based on those reactions.

Identifying Local Opportunities

1.  Title: Lane Ranger: Traffic jams common in once-rural area
 
    http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CE71BE5E0A6E00?p=AWNB

    Story: This article discusses how there is a lot more traffic in the area of 39th Avenue just east of Country Road 241. This is in the Jonesville area with the road leading to Alachua. Since, the area has continued to grow in recent years and the addition of two new schools this section of the road becomes jammed during certain hours of the day.

    Problem: The problem is the area used to be an rural area that is now becoming urbanized, thus leading to more traffic during certain hours of the day.

    Who has the problem: The people heading to and from work, school, and other various activities throughout the area that have to use this section of the road to get to their respective destination.

2. Title: Please just call it Mile High Stadium

    http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CEB1CF2DC6B830?p=AWNB
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    Story: This article is about the naming issues of the Denver Broncos stadium. According to, the author Woody Paige, he would like to see the stadium return to the name of the Mile High Stadium, which was the name of the original stadium the team played in until the 2000 season when it was demolished thereafter. There has been multiple rallies throughout the years to maintain "Mile High" within the stadium name, and the two corporate sponsors have done so, but the community of Denver would like to see it return simply to "Mile High Stadium".

    Problem:  The problem is the current corporate sponsor, Sports Authority, has filed bankruptcy and is auctioning off the naming rights of the stadium, and there is no guarantee that the new sponsor will keep "Mile High" in the name going forward.

    Who has the problem:  The community of Denver who would love to see their football teams stadium maintain the name that has so much history entrenched in it.

3. Title: Standing water on property? Mosquito control may come after you to combat Zika

    http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CEC788DBECBE20?p=AWNB

    Story: This article is about an adjustment in the legal code in Miami-Dade county to provide more power to mosquito control workers in an effort to combat the spread of the Zika virus in the county through mosquitos. The current legal code allows mosquito control workers to intervene on private property to properly dispose of any standing water in items such as, tires, flower pots, etc. five days after the resident has been informed of the violation. However, the adjustment to the code would allow the workers to intervene two days after a notice has been issued.

    Problem: The problem is the current timeframe allowed by the county of Miami-Dade in regards to mosquito control and prevention protocols could allow for the continued spread of the Zika virus within the county.

    Who has the problem: The governing body of Miami-Dade county, and mosquito control workers.

4. Title: Direct flights to NYC, DC not likely, but Midwest and Texas? Maybe

    http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CD73A0AD183080?p=AWNB

    Story: This article is about Gainesville travelers wanting the airport to add direct flights to New York and the D.C. Area. However, Gainesville Regional Airport has a better chance of adding new direct flight to cities, such as Chicago, Dallas, and Houston. There are multiple aspects that go into an airline adding direct flights from and to certain cities, and currently Gainesville is not meeting the demand for airlines, such as United and Delta to invest in the city airport how local travelers would like to see.

    Problem: The city of Gainesville does not meet the demand of travelers to add new direct flights to major cities, specifically the northeast because the airport already has flights to cities, such as Atlanta and Charlotte that connect to these major cities. The airlines don't see it as a positive investment.

    Who has the problem: The city of Gainesville, it's air travelers, and Gainesville Regional Airport.

5. Title: Learning to help in mental health crisis

    http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CD2048423961B8?p=AWNB

    Story: This article was about Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. in Gainesville building awareness on mental health issues, and how to be prepared to help someone if they are going through a mental health crisis. They are promoting this program now because May is Mental Health Month, which they are offering classes to the public to get certified in Mental Health First Aid Training.

    Problem: The problem is that individuals may not know how to respond or be aware that an individual is suffering from a mental illness, which could be life-threatening if the illness is not professional treated in a certain time frame.

   Who has the problem: The general public who does not have experience or awareness when dealing with individuals who may suffer from a mental illness.

Bugs List

Bug List 

1. Poor service at The Top in downtown Gainesville, sometimes waiting 20+ minutes to be served. 

        WHY: Because you go to a restaurant to receive service, and expect some gratitude in return. Why be in the restaurant industry if you can't provide timely service to your customers. 

2. Finding outdoor activities in Gainesville when you have already exhausted the trails, parks, preserves, etc. 

        WHY: It's fun and physically demanding to exercise and see new areas of nature. 

3. Arriving on-time for a doctor's appointment, but still waiting past the appointment time to be seen. 

       WHY: Common courtesy, and respect for other's time with daily commitments. 

4. People talking on the quiet floors of a UF library. 

      WHY: Have respect for others, and how they go about studying and learning. There's a reason they have these type of floors. 

5. Forgetting to pay a bill on-time. 

       WHY: Because it could negatively affect my financial status. USE Auto-Pay! 

6. Procrastination! 

        WHY: It deters success of completing something. 

7. Not being able to watch Denver Broncos football games in Florida. 

         WHY: They are my favorite team, and I like to see every game. 

8. No Qdoba in Gainesville. 

           WHY: I prefer it over Chipotle. 

9. Waiting to do homework assignments until the last minute. 

           WHY: It is somewhat stressful to complete, and the quality of work is not as good. 

10. Not being able to see snow in the winter time. 

           WHY: Because I live in Florida, and I have to visit back home (Colorado) at least once a year in the winter time to do so. 

11. My girlfriend talking to me when I am trying to study. 

          WHY: It makes me lose focus and takes awhile to get back to studying. 

12. People not turning on their blinkers when they are about to turn. 

          WHY: It is common courtesy, and to make sure you don't hit them at the last second. 

13. People not crossing the street in the crosswalk. 

         WHY: There's a crosswalk for a reason, and for their safety!! 

14. Having to take online classes. 

         WHY: I do the work and pay attention more in a physical classroom. 

15. Trying to find internships 

My Entrepreneurpship Story

There have been a few occasions in my life that I have personally been exposed to entrepreneurship, and how different each experience has been. It is extremely interesting how the variety of ways individuals come up with innovative ideas and continuously pursuit it until one achieves success. So, the story I would like to share on my exposure to entrepreneurship is of my half-brother Chris who is a Chief Operating Officer/Co-Owner of a full service automotive digital marketing business with a few small companies operating within the name in Sarasota, Florida. It is interesting because he is self-made business owner without any higher education credentials. He worked a variety of jobs until he until partnered with other individual in a start-up tech company six years ago that has blossomed into the successful digital tech company it is today. What fascinated me about entrepreneurship is that an entrepreneur can come from any walk of life, and be successful in this industry. From my experience with entrepreneurship as long as one has the tireless work ethic, drive, and passion to make their idea a product or service in whatever industry then there is no stopping them. 

Furthermore, I am a sport management major, and I enrolled in this class because I needed it to fulfill one of my elective requirements. Also, I heard good reviews about this class from other students, and thought that I would give it a shot. What I hope to get out of this class is the foundation of what exactly goes into being an entrepreneur and the entrepreneurship industry, and how to attain skills that entrepreneurs have without necessarily becoming one. Other than that this seems like it is going to be an exciting class, and I look forward experiencing and learning a lot this semester.

Test blog-UF S16

I just created this blog, so hopefully I did everything correct to publish it right. I look forward to learning and getting out of my comfort zone in this class.