29A Venture Concept No. 2

The opportunity I have identified is the need to express oneself. People want to stand out and be different, especially in academic environments. They can choose to do this through the way that they dress, their hair, or through their belongings. Everyone has this need, but I believe that college students in particular would be the potential customers. I have seen stickers on laptops, phone cases, water bottles and more all around campus. I know that college students, specifically females and those involved in Greek Life, seem to have this need. There are so many people; it can be hard to stand out. Students want to stand out sometimes in order to display their interests or find things in common. I think this market is defined by college campuses and other academic settings for this reason. Currently, students are ordering stickers online to decorate their belongings. There are a couple large online companies that sell popular stickers, so this is where many people order. They are somewhat loyal to this online company, but I believe that is because there are not very many well-known alternative options. People typically ask their friends where they got the stickers. I think this opportunity to sell stickers on college campuses is definitely there. I know that there is a need for it because I have seen it since starting college myself, and the trend is still around. For this reason, I think the “window of opportunity” is pretty open, and will stay open for at least a couple of years. Maybe the sticker trend will fade one day, but it seems to currently be going strong.

The innovation that I would like to start is local, hand-made sticker made by myself. I would create the designs and concepts based on popular television shows, quotes, organizations, and designs. I would draw or paint the designs myself, and then have them printed onto stickers. I would use target copy for the printing of the stickers. I plan to make money by selling the stickers for a little bit more than it cost to make them. I only have to draw the design once, and then I can print it as many times as necessary. I don’t expect the printing of the stickers to be very expensive, and I already have the supplies necessary for creating the original design. I would like to sell each sticker, depending on size for between $3-$5.

My innovation addresses the specific opportunity I mentioned above because people could use my stickers to fulfill the need to express themselves. Students could buy the unique stickers I would sell, and use them to decorate any item they wish. Just like how people can express themselves through their clothing, they can also do so with my stickers. They can reflect their interests outwardly. The customer will want to buy these because they will be unlike what is online, cheaper than what is online, and without the shipping costs. I think customers would switch to my product because they could see what the stickers actually look like before buying them, which they cannot do, online. Also, since I am local, there would be no need for shipping costs, which can sometimes cost more than the stickers themselves. The hardest part about getting them to switch will be getting my business out there and exposing new people to it. It will be hard to get my small business as well known as popular online companies. I would handle all customer support, experience, and prices, so I could make sure they were being done well. I would like to package the stickers in little baggies if possible, which I would calculate into the price as well. I do not plan on having any other employees; I think I am capable of running this local business myself.

My most important resource will by creativity. My stickers need to stand out from the ones that are online so that people will have a reason to buy mine instead. It would be hard for competitors to copy my originality and unique design ideas.

I do not plan on expanding the business beyond stickers here at UF, but I think the next opportunity would be to sell my designs on bigger items.

I plan on running this business while I am still a student here at UF. I am not sure that I would continue the business beyond graduation, but if I did expand into other, larger items then it is a possibility. In five years I could be selling my designs on larger items in stores and online.

The feedback I received on my first venture concept was very positive. There were no negative comments or suggestions on changes to be made. The feedback said that I was very detailed and have a good understanding of my business idea. It also said that my passion for this idea was noticeable. 

Since the feedback on my first concept was all positive, I didn't feel the need to change much. I tried to make some aspects a little more clear and concise by taking out some words. I also made sure to keep my passion part of the concept since that is what seemed likable. I learned that it is easier to understand when I take the time to fully explain the details. 

30A Final Reflection

This class has been a very interesting experience for me. I am not a Business major, so I decided to take it as an elective because it sounded cool. I am glad that I decided to take this class because although it has been difficult at times, overall I have enjoyed it. Filming the first elevator pitch definitely stands out to me as something I will remember from this class. I am proud of myself for doing all of the assignments each week and keeping up with the lectures. I think this class has helped me develop an entrepreneurial mindset considering I worked on an original business idea all semester. Although I am not an entrepreneur yet, I feel better prepared and know what to expect when I do start. I would recommend that future students try to keep an open mind throughout this class, and try to have fun with it. The class and assignments are so much better when you have an idea that you actually care about. Also, time management is really important since this is an online class with weekly assignments.

28A Exit Strategy

Exit Strategy

1. Since my business is selling stickers at UF, I do not plan on continuing the business after graduation. I plan to have this business while I am still a student here, and I don't think it would really be possible to continue afterwards. So, my exit strategy is to retire from selling stickers after graduation. 

2. I have chosen to retire because I don't think selling or passing it along is possible. I would be the one designing, creating, and selling the stickers to other UF students. So, if I am no longer at UF, then the business isn't really possible anymore. It is possible that I could potentially carry on this business, but I think it makes more sense to retire after graduation. 

3. I have known since the beginning that my concept was limited to my time as a UF student. I knew that UF students would be my main demographic, and that I would only want to do this business while I am a student here. So, this has impacted some of my decisions, but does not seem to change much for my particular business idea. It has influenced how I plan to acquire and use resources, especially in the beginning, because I know that this business is temporary and unique to me. 

27A Reading Reflection No. 3

The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users, Guy Kawasaki

1. This book is about explaining how to use social media to your advantage. It gives advice on how to start and manage different social media platforms for the most success. It also gives tips and describes how to run social media accounts in the most effective ways to experience the advantages it can have for a business. This book shows how important social media can be in business, especially today. A good or bad social media account can make or break a business, so this book is meant to help positively.

2. This book connects in many ways with what we are learning in this class. Since we are creating business plans and learning how to create a business, the information in this book is relevant. Social media can have a huge impact for a business, especially in the beginning. Social media is the way most younger people hear about businesses or products. It is a way to get your product or service out there and well known, which increases business. We have learned how to give an elevator pitch, and I think how we present a business on social media ties into that same idea.

3. Since this book talks about how to use social media, I think a good exercise for this class would be to find a business' social media account that appeals to you. If we notice why that particular social media account appeals to us, we can apply that information to our own understanding of business. I think having to find one or several appealing social media accounts could provide good examples for how business can be use social media.

4. Something I learned from this book was how to create the best profile possible and gain more followers. I think these are really important aspects of growing a social media account and therefore a business. I thought the tips mentioned in this book regarding how to save time and money but still have a good social media presence were very applicable to this class.

26A Celebrating Failure

This past semester, I have been taking a wheel-throwing ceramics class. I have never taken a class like this before, so it was my first time working with clay for a purpose. I'm choosing to write about this class because I have definitely made mistakes and failed multiple times. Working with clay on the wheel is so difficult because there are so many things that can ruin all of your work in a second. You have to be really careful throughout each step in the process or your whole piece could be ruined. If you don't wedge it correctly, there could be air bubbles, and it could explode in the kiln. Then, on the wheel, the slightest move of your hand could completely change the pot. Then if you don't wax enough during glazing, glaze could drip in the second firing and your piece would be stuck to the kiln shelf. I have made several of these mistakes throughout the semester because I am still learning. 

This class has been very frustrating at times because of how these small mistakes can ruin a piece you put hours into. I have had to learn that you cannot be a perfectionist in pottery. I tend to be a perfectionist, so this was a very hard lesson. I also learned the importance of slowing down and taking my time. This is not something that can be rushed, so I just tried to chill out and enjoy the ups and downs of the process. I also learned that even though it was hard and stressful, I never wanted to quit. I did not want to create work I wasn't proud of so that pushed me to continue working on it. 

Failure is hard, and its not fun. It is disappointing, and frustrating. But, it is so important because I think it is necessary for progress. I had to change my mindset in ceramics class to change how I thought about failure and making mistakes. It is still disappointing when a piece does not turn out how I hoped it would, but now I just think about what I can learn from it and do better for next time. Sometimes failure is the only way to learn. This class has reinforced that mindset about failure. I think I am more likely to take a risk now because I have realized that failure is not the end-all-be-all. 

25A What's Next

Existing market

I think the next step for my venture is to start making the stickers so that they can be sold. 

I interviewed all female UF students because that is what I think my market would mainly consist of. Interview 1 said that I should be posting about the stickers on social media to get people excited about them, and so that they know they are coming. She thinks the next thing that customers may want could be pins and pop-sockets for phones. Interview 2 said that the next step should be carrying the stickers with me so that I can show them to people anytime. She thinks the next step is selling them at a physical store or place. Interview 3 said that the next step should be putting the stickers on my own laptop and phone so that people see them when I am in class or at the library, so that maybe people will ask about them. She thinks the next thin customers may want would be the ability to ship them so that they do not have to worry about how to get the stickers from me. 

Based on the interviews, I have a better idea of what my next step should be for this venture. I think the next thing to do is actually create the product so that people can start seeing what it is. I will create a few of each design to give or sell to my friends. I need to calculate the exact cost of making each sticker and how much I want to make as a profit so that I can create a firm selling price. I have an idea of the right price, but I want to make sure it is correct and feasible. Once I do this, my friends and I could start promoting them on social media to get the word out about them. 

To grow my existing market, I think social media will be really important. I think the best way to do this is having as many people as possible post about the stickers so that more people can see them. Since my main market will be females and Greek life, it would be good for my stickers to be well known in all chapters. I could also work on promoting the stickers at events I know are popular in Greek life. 

New Market

The new market I will look at is STEM/Engineering students at UF

I think my stickers could still have value in this new market even though it is a little bit different from my existing market. I think people in this market still have the need to express themselves and could be open to using stickers to decorate their belongings. They may have different interests or find other designs appealing, so I could just adjust my stickers to fit their needs. 

Interview 1 said that he would not usually be interested in my product, but if there was a sticker that relates to his major or interests then he would consider it. He thinks I would have to adapt the designs and content a little bit. I think I am capable of doing this to tap into this new market. Interview 2 said that I should try to market the stickers to this new market in other ways besides just through social media. I need to make stickers that reflect this new market's interests. I think I could make this work as well.

I think I learned a lot about how to reach this new market. I think appealing to this new market is very possible, it would just require me to listen to what they want and implement it into the sticker designs. I was surprised to hear that Interview 1 said he would not consider buying stickers. I think my assumptions were correct that this market would be harder to appeal to. It sounds like the stickers would have to be more unique and different from the ones I planned for the original market. 

The new market does not appear as attractive as my existing one because of the changes I would have to make to be involved in it. The changes are definitely possible, but would require some extra work on my end. I am not sure how worth it the extra work would be, so I would like to gauge the interest of more people in this new market. If I find that enough people in the new market would be interested, then I would consider it. 

24A Venture Concept No. 1

Venture Concept No. 1

The opportunity I have identified is the need to express oneself. People want to stand out and be different, especially in certain environments. They can choose to do this through the way that they dress, their hair, or through their belongings. Everyone has this need, but I believe that college students in particular would be the potential customers. I have seen stickers on laptops, phone cases, water bottles and more all around campus. I know that college students, specifically females and those involved in Greek Life, seem to have this need. The academic environment of a college campus helps to create this need. There are so many people; it can be hard not to blend in. Students want to stand out, at least a little bit, in order to mark their interests or have things in common. I think this market is defined by college campuses and other academic settings for this reason. Currently, students are ordering stickers online to decorate their belongings. There are a couple large online companies that sell popular stickers, so this is where many people order. They are somewhat loyal to this online company, but I believe that is because there are not very many well-known alternative options. People typically ask their friends where they got the stickers, and then order from the same place. I think this opportunity to sell stickers on college campuses is pretty big. I know that there is a need for it because I have seen it since starting college, and the trend has not yet gone away. For this reason, I think the “window of opportunity” is pretty open, and will stay open for a long time. Maybe the sticker trend will fade one day, but it seems to currently be going strong.

The innovation that I would like to start is local, hand-made sticker made by myself. I would create the designs and concepts based on popular television shows, quotes, organizations, and designs. I would draw or paint the designs myself, and then have them printed onto stickers. I would use target copy for the printing of the stickers. I plan to make money by selling the stickers for a little bit more than it cost to make them. I only have to draw the design once, and then I can print it as many times as necessary. I don’t expect the printing of the stickers to be very expensive, and I already have the supplies necessary for creating the original design. I would like to sell each sticker, depending on size for between $3-$5.

My innovation addresses the specific opportunity I mentioned above because people could use my stickers to fulfill the need to express themselves. Students could buy the unique stickers I would sell, and use them to decorate any item they wish. Just like how people can express themselves through their clothing, they can also do so with my stickers. They can reflect their interests outwardly. The customer will want to buy these because they will be unlike what is online, cheaper than what is online, and without the shipping costs. I think customers would switch to my product because they could see what the stickers actually look like before buying them, which they cannot do, online. Also, since I am local, there would be no need for shipping costs, which can sometimes cost more than the stickers themselves. The hardest part about getting them to switch will be getting my business out there and exposing new people to it. It will be hard to get my small business as well known as popular online companies. I would handle all customer support, experience, and prices, so I could make sure they were being done well. I would like to package the stickers in little baggies if possible, which I would calculate into the price as well. I do not plan on having any other employees; I think I am capable of running this local business myself.

My most important resource will by creativity. My stickers need to stand out from the ones that are online so that people will have a reason to buy mine instead. It would be hard for competitors to copy my originality and unique design ideas.

I do not plan on expanding the business beyond stickers here at UF, but I think the next opportunity would be to sell my designs on bigger items like cups, pillows, etc.

I plan on running this business while I am still a student here at UF. I am not sure that I would continue the business beyond graduation, but if I did expand into other, larger items then it is a possibility. In five years I could be selling my designs on larger items in stores and online.

23A Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

Resources:

1. colored pens

2. pencils

3. paints

4. sketchbook

5. target copy

6. sticker paper

7. drawing skills

8. painting skills

9. enthusiasm 

10. being outgoing

11. knowing a lot of people

12. having friends that can promote for me

13. social media platform

14. originality

15. knowledge on what is popular/trendy

16. time management skills

VRIN

Resources 1-6 are important because they are the basics I would need to physically create the stickers I want to sell. They are not that rare because they are basic items, but they are still important. 

Resources 7-8 is very valuable for my business plan because it is crucial that I can make stickers and designs that look appealing. I have to be able to make stickers people would actually want to buy. These resources are a bit more rare and non-substitutable because they are part of my human capital.

Resources 10-16 are part of my human capital as well, and they will be helpful for the business plan. They are unique to me, which makes them harder to copy. They are non-substitutable because without them the business would not be successful. I have to be outgoing and rely on personal connections here at UF to get this business started. 

Originality is the most important resource for me considering i am competing against online companies, so I need to make something that cannot be found online. I have to make these stickers unique, new, and exciting so that people actually want to buy them. I think creativity and originality are additional selling points for my stickers instead of just buying from a big online company. 

22A- Elevator Pitch No. 3

https://youtu.be/Avco1AEambI

I had really good feedback from my last elevator pitch post. The comments were really positive and said I had improved from the first time. I didn't see any comments suggesting anything to change, so I only made a couple minor tweaks. I tried to be more energetic about my product this time, and I tried to talk a little slower/more clearly. I noticed that the pitch was almost memorized by now, which is a good sign. I also noticed that I was more comfortable giving the pitch because I am more confident in my idea.

21A- Reading Reflection No. 2

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, Scott Adams

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

This book was about how to accept failure and use it to your advantage. The author explained times in his life that he had failed, which led him to create Dilbert (a famous comic strip), and ultimately success. He uses examples from his personal life to show how failure happens to everyone, but it is not always a bad thing. The overall argument is that failure should not mean giving up or quitting, it can be a useful experience on the path to success. 

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

I think this book definitely connects with what we are learning in ENT 3003. The book is based on the life stories of an entrepreneur, so it already relates. It talks about the ups and downs in his career and what he learned from them. Basically the book is about how to use failure to your advantage, which is a key part of being an entrepreneur. Considering most entrepreneurs fail at one point or another during the process, it is an important skill to have. 

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

Considering this book is about how to handle failure, I think there could be a class exercise about that. When something goes wrong during a semester (like a bad interview, questioning your business idea, rewriting the elevator pitch, etc.) students could use these as a learning experience. In the real world failure would be different, but in this class we could practice the ability to bounce back from it with these small issues. Its about practicing the mentality that failure can be a beneficial experience. 

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

There were a couple different things that surprised me in this book. One of them was the author's opinion that "goals are for losers. systems are for winners." I have always heard how important it is to have goals and dreams, so I was not expecting to hear that they are for losers. However, the further I read, the more I understood what the author was trying to say. Systems (methods for how to live your life) are the way to getting what you want, not just having goals. 

20A- Growing your social capital

Dominant expert in the industry- it was kind of hard to think of who to contact, but I decided RedBubble was the most dominant sticker supplier in the market. It was hard to reach out to them because they are a big online company, so I sent them an email. I have not heard anything back from them yet, but they could have very insightful information. Also, individuals can sell stickers through their website, which could potentially be another facet of my business.

Expert on the market- Gina, UF student, involved in Greek Life. I reached out to Gina because I know that she has a small side business editing and photoshopping photos for instagram, and our markets would be the same- mostly females involved in greek life. I messaged her through instagram to establish the contact. We could potentially be able to help each other grow our businesses by promoting one another since our market is the same.

Important supplier to the industry- I chose Target Copy because they are a huge supplier at UF for things like t shirts, posters, and stickers. I intend to use their services to print out my stickers. I went into the store and asked them some questions about how many people make stickers and how much they usually cost. This is a good contact to have considering a good relationship with them could make producing the stickers easier. I will go to Target Copy when I need to print or copy stickers.

This assignment really made me think about how important connections are to a business. Having good connections can make the process of starting a business so much easier and more successful. I think I would need to more social networking to really get the business off the ground. Connections would allow me to expand the business beyond handling every aspect of the stickers myself.

19A Idea Napkin No. 2

For the "feedback memo" -- please summarize at least two main points that you took away from the feedback you received. Also, please describe how you incorporated the feedback into this idea napkin. 

1) I am a Political Science student at the University of Florida. I am from Tampa, FL. My talents include writing, drawing, painting, and ceramics. My goal is to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer. However, my aspirations for this business is to sell unique stickers to other UF students. I would use my artistic skills to create and draw the stickers myself so that they would be one of a kind. I see this business being a small part of my life while I am still a student. I do not intend to continue this business beyond graduation.

2) I am offering the customer hand drawn and personalized stickers that I will create. I am solving the need to express themselves and decorate their belongings. 

3) I am selling the stickers to other UF students. I expect them to be more popular with females and students involved in greek life. All of my customers have one thing in common- they go to UF. I have seen how popular stickers are on campus, so I think this idea will be successful. 

4) People care about stickers, especially at UF, because they have become trendy. They are a way for people to express their likes and interests through their belongings, and also to decorate their things. I know people are willing to pay money for this because I have seen how popular stickers are at UF. 

5) My core competencies are that I can draw and paint so I can create original stickers. I am set apart from online companies because the stickers will be one of a kind pieces of art and more customizable. 

I think all of these elements fit together nicely. I think they complement one another because my skills are going to be useful for my business. I think the fact that I am a UF student allows me to relate more to the customers. 

The feedback from my last idea napkin was very positive, but mentioned competition. It also mentioned that stickers may be seen as unprofessional. I tried to address those concerns in this idea napkin. I talked about how I am different from the competition because of the originality and locality of my stickers. Also, since I plan to only sell to UF students, I am not targeting an already professional audience. 

18A- Customer Avatar

My prototypical customer: the UF student, probably involved in Greek Life

 

Sorority girls

Hobbies- studying at Library West, going out to Mid, raising money for DM

Car- white mid size SUV, TV shows- the Office, Parks and Recreation, Ages- 18-22

Fraternity Guys

Hobbies- tailgating, going on date functions, going out to Mid

Car- pickup truck or SUV, shows- the Office, Ages- 18-22

UF Student

Hobbies- studying, football games, clubs/organizations

I think I have a lot in common with these customer avatars. I am a UF student, and I am involved in Greek Life. We have similar hobbies and interests, and I can relate to these avatars well. I don't think this is a coincidence because when I was creating my sticker business idea, I thought of something that I myself would be interested in. So it makes sense that the things I would like would also appeal to the customer avatars considering we have many things in common. 

17A- Elevator Pitch No. 2

Pitch number 2

https://youtu.be/O97eWd_LR6k


Reflection- The feedback I got on my first elevator pitch was very positive, so I decided to tweak the original a little bit. One comment mentioned how my sticker business would be competing with an already saturated market and online companies, so I tried to further address that in this pitch. I made a point of how my stickers would be more customizable and eliminate shipping costs associated with buying online. Also buying in person would allow the customer to see the product before purchasing it, which they cannot do online. I thought that comment about the market was insightful and I tried to adjust my pitch to accommodate that. 

16A What's Your Secret Sauce

My human capital
1. I am creative- i can think of new designs and ideas for the stickers that haven't been done before or in a different way
2. I can draw- I know many people can draw, but everyone has their own unique style
3. I am outgoing- I can have a conversation with anyone, I'm friendly
4. I'm empathetic- I can relate to people easily
5. I'm diligent- I care about the work I do, and I always make sure to get it done well

Interview 1
https://youtu.be/swWMLBLd3Pw

Sydney said that I am a people person who can relate to others well. She said I am understanding and good at getting to know people.


Interview 2
https://youtu.be/vV-J7D1wQWg

She said that I have a "unique eye", and that I have artistic skills that would help me make stickers. She thinks my art would be good for stickers.

Interview 3
https://youtu.be/za3pVS5A6EM

She said that I am hard working, and that I always accomplish what I set out to do. She also said that I am "emotionally intuitive", and that will help me connect with people.

Interview 4
https://youtu.be/6kJSo2-gxa4

She said that she really likes my art work and described it as bright and pop culture. She also said that I am good at talking to people, which would help sell the stickers.


Interview 5
https://youtu.be/YiG4pVcAIG4

She said that I am good at influencing people. She likes my art and says I would be good at selling it.


Reflection-I think the way I see myself and the way others see me lines up pretty well. The interviews made me realize that other people do think I have unique skills. I think the people I interviewed are my close friends, so they were really nice and complimentary. Other people who don't know me as well may not know these things yet. I think my original list was pretty accurate compared to the other interviews.

15A Figuring out buyer behavior No 2

Interview 1
She said that when looking to buy stickers, she considers quality and style the most. She wants the stickers to be unique and reflect her personal style or interests. She also looks for quality too because she has had some stickers in the past that fell off or got scratched up over time. She said she is willing to pay more a style or design she really likes. She buys her stickers online, but she would be interested in buying stickers in person so she can see what their quality before she purchases them. She uses a credit/debit card since she usually purchases online. She said that she realizes if her purchase was a good idea or not when someone compliments her stickers. She also waits to see if the sticker falls off or get messed up easily.

Interview 2
He said that when looking to buy stickers, he considers the price and style. He wants the stickers to look good, but he also does not want to pay too much for them. He said that while he likes stickers, they are not a priority, which is why he is not willing to pay too much. But, he said that he does pay more for stickers from certain brands that he likes. He usually orders his stickers online or get them in the stores that he shops at, which relates back to him caring about the brand. He knows the sticker purchase was a good idea when he doesn't think that he spent too much on it and if it is something that he likes.

Interview 3
She said that when looking to buy stickers, she considers the style the most. She said that she changes her stickers up often, so it doesn't matter much if they stay on for a really long time. She is willing to pay for a sticker with a design she really likes or relates to. She buys her stickers online or in stores, and sometimes she gets them for free with a purchase at certain clothing stores. She also likes to get stickers when she travels, so she gets new ones relatively often. She knows the purchase was a good idea when she enjoys looking at the sticker every day.

Conclusion
A lot of people buy their stickers online, but it sounds like they would be open to buying in person so that they can see the quality before they buy it. It also sounds like people want the price to be fair because they would not want to buy an expensive sticker. People also care a lot about the design, and they are willing to pay more for a sticker that they really like. Some people will care about the quality too and want the sticker to last.

14A Halfway Reflection

Halfway Reflection

1. To keep up with the requirements for this course, I set aside time to watch the lectures and do the assignments each week. Since this is an online course, I have had to be responsible about making sure to watch the lectures. I schedule time twice a week to watch them and take notes. Some of the assignments for this course require me to work throughout the week, especially when interviews are necessary. Then, I schedule time for the peer reviews and cupcake each week as well.

2. There have been a couple moments throughout the course where I felt like giving up on my idea, or that maybe I should change it. When I had to interview people and when I had to record the elevator pitch, I felt unsure about my idea. I thought about whether I should completely change it or not. Then I remembered how excited I was about this idea when I first thought of it, and how doable it is. This is what kept me from changing the idea because I realized it would be worth it to try and develop my original idea. I think this class has encouraged a tenacious attitude because it is such a big part of entrepreneurship. The challenges in this class are easier to handle because they are just in the class, but in the real world these challenges would be much harder to push through. So, I think this is good training for future endeavors.

3. Tips
     Create a schedule that works for you- find time to dedicate to this class each week to do the assignments fully.
     Be creative- this is an opportunity to think of something new and original, don't be afraid to take a risk on a new idea.
     Stick with it- if you choose something you are passionate about, it will be easier to stick with the idea despite the challenges you may face.

13A Reading Reflection 1

Steve Jobs

What surprised you the most?

I was most surprised to read about how Apple started because it was more difficult than I would have thought. It seems like almost everyone has an iPhone, or had an iPod, or has a Macbook, so its easy to see how successful Apple has become. I never really thought about the actual process behind creating such a huge and influential company until reading about Steve Jobs. Reading about the rocky start of the company and how Steve Jobs actually left Apple for a while was very surprising. 

What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?

I admire Steve Jobs for his commitment to his vision. I read somewhere that he sold his car to get the money he needed to actually start up the company. I know that for me at least, selling my car to start a risky process would be kind of scary because of the potential for things not to work out. But for Steve Jobs, he was so passionate about his vision that he was willing to do what it took to make it happen. I admire how much he believed in himself and his commitment to his vision. 

What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?

I think that I least admire the way Steve Jobs handled conflict with people he worked with and cared about. His creativity seemed to be both a strength and a weakness because it sometimes hindered his personal relationships. As a said before, I admire his commitment to his vision, but this seems to be a double edged sword. It seems like at times he could be difficult to work with and had trouble listening to other people's opinions. 

Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?

Steve Jobs did encounter adversity and failure, especially after the initial success that Apple had. In the beginning, the Apple company started off as a very promising industry as it met people's needs, but over time issues emerged and the company met a slump. Part of the problem was that the Apple products were too expensive for the average person to bWouuy. Then, Steve Jobs had to leave the company he started. I think this was a time of adversity for him because he had to figure out a way to start over again. He did overcome this adversity/failure by focusing his attention on other aspects of the industry and making success for himself all over again. 

What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited?

I think Steve Jobs had several different competencies that contributed to his success as an entrepreneur. I think above all, his creativity and commitment were crucial. He had a vision, and he had the guts to create it and stand by it. Even in the face of adversity, he did not give up. He could have walked away from Apple and the entire industry, but he didn't. Not everyone has the determination to do what he did. Also, he needed to have knowledge and skills to create new and innovative products. He had a drive to create and succeed. 

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

I do not know very much about technology and how it works, so that was a little bit hard to understand at times. However, I think the reading was pretty straight forward although it probably could have been more concise. I was interested in reading about Steve Jobs considering I have an iPhone, Macbook, Airpods, etc. which are all products that come from the company he originally started.

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

1. How did you continue to create and remain inspired after leaving Apple?

2. Did you ever experience self doubt, or were you just that confident in your abilities and vision?

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

I think Steve Job's opinion of hard work would be that it is necessary to be successful. I think he was completely involved in the entire process, and continued to keep going even when the situation was less than ideal. I do share the same opinion that hard work is what makes a difference. 

12A- figuring out buyer behavior

For the segment, I chose female students ages 18-23 at UF.

Interview 1
She said that she first noticed the need when she came to UF as a freshman and went to Library West for the first time. She saw that almost everyone had stickers on their laptop covers and water bottles. She noticed that a lot of people had stickers referencing tv shows or organizations at UF. This was when she wanted to have stickers to express herself too. She feels the need more when she is in a group of people that she doesn't know because she says the stickers speak for her. She notices the need most when she goes to the libraries or has a group project where she has to work with other people. The first thing she did to fulfill the need was google stickers for one of her favorite tv shows. The search led her to different websites like amazon and Redbubble where she then purchased some stickers.

Interview 2
She said that she first noticed the need when she rushed her sorority at UF. She said that when she started meeting members of her chapter and making friends, she saw that the older girls had a lot of stickers on their laptops. She thought it was cute, and wanted to do that too. Once she was initiated, she was really excited to wear her greek letters, so she wanted to put them on her laptop and stuff too. Her solution was to ask one of her friends where she bought her stickers, and she said Redbubble. She then ordered stickers for herself from that website. She said she becomes aware of the need whenever she sees other girls with stickers of their greek letters or Dance Marathon.

Interview 3
She said that she noticed the need for the first time when she joined her club lacrosse team. She saw that a lot of the girls on her team had lacrosse stickers or other ones on their water bottles or equipment. She asked one of the girls on her team where she got them, and she said she ordered them online. So then she ordered some related to lacrosse and her other interests for herself online. She feels the need when she goes to practice but also at the library where she sees a lot of other people have stickers that reflect their organizations as well.

Based on these interviews, it seems like people feel the need mostly when they are in a group of people (the library), or at their organizations. I think this is because in groups is when people want to fit in but still stand out a little bit. They want to be a part of the overall group because they have something in common, but also want to differentiate themselves.

11A Idea Napkin 1

1. Me- I am a senior at the University of Florida, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Art History. My talents are drawing, painting, and ceramics. These skills will help me with this sticker business because I plan to draw the sticker designs myself. I have experience raising money for different organizations, including Dance Marathon here at UF. My "big picture" goal is to go to law school and specialize in immigration. I would like to continue my art as a hobby. For this business, my goal is to sell my drawings in the form of stickers to students. I think this business would be fun and a way to make a little bit of extra money during my last year here. I don't plan on having this business extend beyond UF.

2. What- I believe that people have the need to express themselves and their interests. This can be done in a couple different ways, but I see it carried out primarily through stickers here at UF. Pretty much everyone I know has at least one sticker on their laptop or water bottle, and usually multiple. The product I would be selling is hand-drawn stickers. Because I am drawing them myself, they will be customizable for whatever the customer requests, and they will not have to pay for shipping.

3. Who- After reflecting on the interviews I have done, I think the main demographic of my customers would be female students, ages 18-23. There are other aspects that are involved such as if they are involved in Greek life. Males, not just females, involved in greek life would be the other main demographic. Something that these people all have in common is being a part of an organization that they share with others. I have seen many guys in Greek life with stickers on their laptops or coolers, so my audience is not limited to only females.

4. Why- People are interested in using stickers on their belongings because it is "trendy"- what everyone else is doing, allows them to express their interests, and make conversation. I have heard that stickers can be used as an icebreaker, show classmates that you have something in common, and as a way to brighten their day. People actually pay money for this product because I have seen people order stickers online. Since my stickers will be made locally and drawn by me, people will be interested just like by the online stickers.

5. My competencies- The thing that really sets me apart from other sticker companies, is that they will be hand drawn, which makes them a unique piece of art. Also, they will be completely customizable. Maybe a sticker company online doesn't make a sticker for the organization someone belongs to but they would like to express that. My designs will be different from those online. Also, people will not have to pay for shipping (which can be more expensive than the stickers themselves) because I am local.

I think that all of the aspects of my business that I have described above will fit together nicely. I think this business will stay local, and stay primarily with UF students. Based on the interviews I have done, I think there is potential here, especially in the demographic group I mentioned earlier. If I can make more personalized or trendier designs than online companies, and people won't have to pay shipping, and their sticker is unique, then i think people will be interested. 

10A Elevator Pitch 1

https://youtu.be/XcRw6NQDeZg

9A Testing the Hypothesis Part 2

Interview #1
My dad, a lawyer

My dad said that he would not buy stickers for a reason other than to support me (lol). He is a lawyer and feels like using stickers on his belongings would appear unprofessional. He has never seen another lawyer or judge or client who used stickers either. He thinks they would appeal to college students, but not to business/working people. He says that he can differentiate himself by the way he dresses, the tie he wears, or his briefcase. He thinks the way people express themselves as they get older changes a lot.

Interview #2
My mom, a doctor
My mom said that my idea to make stickers is cute, and she thinks my friends and other college students would be interested. She said that she and her friends may use stickers on their personal belongings, but that they wouldn't use very many. At the hospital she works at, she would not be able to put stickers on the hospital's equipment and property. She says that she is not able to express herself in that way at work because nail polish is not allowed, and she has a uniform/scrubs to wear.

Interview #3
My aunt, professor at UF
She said that while she may not use stickers very much, she would be open to the idea. She has colleagues that have stickers on their laptops. She thinks the main people who would be interested would be students rather than teachers, but that there may be some potential. She teaches a language, so she said that may make a difference as well.

Interview #4
My friend, STEM major
He said that he does not currently have any stickers on his belongings because he doesn't want to look unprofessional. He says that if he has an interview or something important, stickers may make people take him less seriously. He likes science-themed stickers, but he would not use them himself unless it was on items like a water bottle he would not have to use all the time. Also, he thinks people may not want to spend the money on a sticker to decorate their belongings if they are not already interested.

Interview #5
My dog's groomer
She does not really have the need to put stickers on her belongings because she owns her own dog grooming business. However, she thinks the idea of dog stickers could be cute for her clients, or a sticker with her information on it to promote her business. She personally would be interested in stickers of her dogs.

Inside the Boundary                                               Outside the Boundary
Students, some teachers                                            Business/working professionals
self- expression                                                         To express themselves in the workplace
to be different, connect with others                          Priorities change