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.
Hey Alison! I relate to your wanting for a business or some extra source of income on the side for your last years here at UF. If I could do something like that, I definitely would. I like that your idea allows people to express themselves how they want. Although people could grow out of it or stop using the stickers if it becomes unprofessional, it is still a valid idea and could be exploited, especially considering the population of UF.
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