Final Reflection

• Looking back on the semester makes me realize how much I've learned and changed from different experiences. It was definitely difficult in the beginning when I would wait until a few hours before due dates to finish our assignments. I ended up missing a few and I was worried about how low my grade would drop. After a setting up a weekly schedule for this class I was able to get things done, think of a really good business idea, and really understand what we were learning.
• I think the greatest experience I had was following the live workshop where I actually changed my initial business idea to something I was more passionate about. I ended up having a successful MVP (minimum viable product) which made me feel like a real entrepreneur.
• I would definitely say I'm more of an entrepreneur now. I look at the world differently and see opportunities in a ways that I didn't before. I could see myself following through with my venture concept even after the class ends.
• I would tell any students taking this class to be ready to open their minds and think in ways that might be completely new to them. Pick an idea that you'll actually enjoy working on for a whole semester. And have fun with the assignments, you'll value them more!

Venture Concept No. 2

• Opportunity
• In the U.S., obesity affects about 93.3 million adults or 39.8% of the population (2016). Obesity leads to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers - some of the leading causes of death.
• Only about 20% of adults meet aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• On average, the typical American adult exceeds the recommended intake levels of solid fats, added sugars, refined grains, sodium, and saturated fats while also under-eating the recommended amounts of vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, dairy products, and oils on a daily basis.
• The steady rise in inactivity levels and poor nutrition creates the need for adults to have a structured workout and nutrition program that is both affordable and easy to follow.
• The forces that allow this to occur are limited time and knowledge and a lack of resources. The window of opportunity will remain open until these forces no longer exist.
• This market consists of adults ages 35+ across the country who don't exercise regularly and/or have poor eating habits.
• Currently, many of the people I interacted with claimed they simply don't have the time to get to the gym or work-out and get their daily physical activity in short bursts throughout the day (i.e. biking to work, walking the dog, doing chores around the house, etc.). In regards to nutrition, many complained that eating healthy is just too expensive, especially when having to provide for their family and children, so they opt for cheaper, less nutritious foods for the sake of convenience.

• Innovation
• For individuals looking to lead a healthier lifestyle through more exercise and better eating, I will be selling a brochure with workouts and meal plans for $5. The workouts included can be done in 30-45 minutes at home for those who don't have time or can't afford to go to a gym. There will also be options to include equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, etc. to increase the difficulty of the workout. The meal plans will incorporate a sample grocery list that will fit modest budgets.
• For individuals who have more money to spend (i.e. those without kids or a family to support, people who have more experience in working out and/or nutrition), I will offer a more customized, in-depth brochure for $10. These workouts can be done at home or at a gym and will include greater detail in nutrition.

• Venture Concept
• I think my product will be appealing to customers because it is an easy and affordable tool to aid in leading a healthier lifestyle. I will offer physical and digital copies of the brochure so they can have access to it at any time.
• The main competitors to my product will be the growing number of fitness influencers and online coaches in the market. While these individuals and business offer similar products, they are often very expensive. It is also difficult for consumers to differentiate between legitimate sources and those scammers who offer "quick fixes" for weight loss that have no scientific evidence to back their claims which sets my product apart from the rest.
• I think customers will "switch" to my product because it's different from what currently exists. A lot of the fitness world relies on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and is geared towards a younger population. I want to attract older individuals who might not be tech-savvy or invest as much time on social media sites.
• Price points: I think this is the most distinctive aspect of my product compared to other offers fitness entrepreneurs. I am keeping the cost very low to appeal to a large number of customers. Raising my prices wouldn't make me any different to what is already on the market and would defeat the purpose of my mission statement which is to make a healthy lifestyle available to the average American.
• Packaging: Offering my product in two formats, physical and digital, will increase accessibility for my customers.
• Employees: If my business were to grow to the point where I couldn't deliver on my own any more, I would only employee individuals with backgrounds in exercise and nutrition. This includes exercise physiologists, board certified personal trainers, registered dietitians, nutritionists, etc. I want to ensure my customers are getting accurate information and advice.

• Unfair Advantage
• I think the biggest advantage my product has is the affordability factor and the knowledge it provides. As a college student with limited time during the day, I know how crucial it is to have a cheap option for something that will benefit my physical health in the long run. As an APK student on the pre-med track, I want to share my knowledge with others who might not have the means to learn it themselves the importance of daily physical activity and good nutrition.

• What's Next for the Venture?
• I hope that this venture can expand into other aspects of the fitness industry. First, I would like it to become a website that has a subscription option for customers to receive regular (daily, weekly, or monthly) programs that include workouts, recipes, and general information related to fitness. I would also like to offer affordable supplements (i.e. protein powder, vitamins, etc.) and equipment (i.e. free weights, resistance bands, etc.) to enhance my customers' fitness goals as they become more knowledgable. Eventually, I would like to open up low-cost gyms around the country for individuals to attend with a variety of fitness classes to offer. 

• What's Next for Me?
• As a future healthcare professional, my only goal is to help others and ensure everyone has the opportunity to live their best life. In 5 years, I hope this product will have expanded to more than a brochure, but a platform that can reach several people around the country lead a healthier lifestyle. In 10 years, I don't know if I'll be an entrepreneur, but I hope to be done with medical school and still leaving a similar impact on people's lives. 
• Feedback
• One suggestion I got was to expand my target market to groups that aren't in the 35+ age group. I think I'll do this after the venture has grown with a specific audience first.
• A lot of people liked that I had a solid background on what I'm trying to sell and included scientific evidence for the information. I'll continually make sure that this is a priority when creating products.

Your Exit Strategy

• Identify the exit strategy you plan to make.
• While I'm very passionate about my business idea and want to help people start their fitness journey, my ultimate career goals aren't centered around this venture. I would sell my business to an individual or company with a mindset that aligns with mine once I'd finished medical school and became a full-time physician.
• Why have you selected this particular exit strategy?
• I chose this because I would want my vision to live on even though I am no longer involved with the business. I would want like-minded individuals or a fitness company to pick up where I leave off and make the business even better. 
• How do you think your exit strategy has influenced the other decisions you've made in your concept?
• I think that knowing I won't stay with this business forever has influenced some of the decisions I've made and the ideas I've come up with. I've had a flexible approach in identifying opportunities and structuring the business because I know I'll have to give up control and would like to be able to not only comfortably transition myself out of the picture, but make things easier for the remaining employees to continue working without me. I've also thought about expanding my target market to a wider range of people to allow for future growth and expansion.

Reading Reflection No. 3

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

1. What was the general theme or argument of the book?
• This book follows the life of writer and cartoonist Scott Adams and how he learned to persevere after several failures. Although he is famous for the Dilbert comic strips, he had years of failed jobs, start-ups, and patents before finding success. Through a series of lessons, he explains how he stayed motivated and continued to work hard.
2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?
• I think this book is the epitome of the entrepreneurship process. It is impossible to create a best-selling service or product right off the bat with an idea. From what we've done in our own venture ideas throughout the semester, I have had to change tactics, input feedback I'd never thought about, and even adopt a new opportunity towards the end because I was "failing". 
3. If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?
• I would create an exercise that would involve listing up to 5 failures, ones that have actually happened or potential ones, and then have the class think of at least 2 success that could come from those failures. This would help create the mindset that failure isn't the end of the world and can actually be the driver of success.
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?
• I found the lesson Adams gave on focusing on systems rather than goals to be the biggest surprise in this book. We've been conditioned to set goals when we plan to do something. However, the problem with goals are that they are specific and have deadlines, so when we don't reach them we feel like we've failed, even if we were making good progress up until then. Systems are more open-ended and allow you to make adjustments when necessary and leave more room for potential successes rather than potential failures. 

Celebrating Failure

• A time that I failed: This semester I've really been struggling in my biomechanics class. It's an APK course that combines physics and anatomy, and I personally just don't understand physics. I barely passed PHY2053 and the concepts we've been learning in biomechanics builds off of that class, so I knew I needed to brace myself. The first bi-weekly quiz we did I literally got a 50% and honestly wasn't even that surprised since I didn't know what was going on. I tried going to office hours for extra help, reading the textbook, going over the lecture slides repeatedly, and doing several practice problems. But, by the time the next quiz rolled around I still only got a 60%. With 6 quizzes, 3 exams, and 2 class activities making up our grade I started to panic because I need to do well in this class to graduate. Luckily, I was able to recover my grade by getting As on the activities and averaging B+'s on the first exam and next 3 quizzes. There is still 1 more quiz, an exam, and a final, so hopefully I can keep up my streak.
• What I learned: I learned that no matter how much you prepare or think that you're ready for something, failure can still happen. I also learned that persistence and dedication are necessary to get through failures. I could have easily given up after not getting the grades I wanted or dropped the class and accepted my fate, but I kept pushing until I got the results I was looking for.
• Reflection: It's definitely important to fail; it's a part of life and learning how to overcome it will set you up for success in the future. This class is definitely different from what I'm used to because we do a lot of work that focuses on experience and hands-on learning that can be used to face failure head on and not allow it to consume us. I wasn't much of a risk taker before this class, but I think I'm more likely to go out of my comfort zone in the future. 

What's Next?

• Existing Market
• I think the next step in my venture is identifying individuals who are not currently participating in daily physical activity and/or following a healthy diet, but are interested in starting, and offering a sample product for $1. This would be similar to the one I created for the workshop with a little information on nutrition, a sample meal plan, and only 3 workouts. 
• I interviewed 3 middle-aged adults with kids, 1 father and 2 mothers. The father has a gym membership, but his attendance is not regular. They all had tried popular diet trends they had seen on TV, read about in the news, or heard from their friends but either couldn't keep up with them or get their families to follow as well. All 3 of my interviewees thought the idea for a sample product would be a good idea, and all 3 expressed interest in purchasing the full product because of its low-cost and simplicity. The father was also interested in having workouts that he could follow in the gym that would improve his attendance and increase his motivation to be active. The mothers loved the at-home, no-equipment workouts because they are usually running on low time to get to a gym. They were also interested in the nutrition aspect because they have to take into consideration foods that they feed their kids.
• Based on my previous experience with selling a sample product for the workshop and the feedback I received from my interviewees, I am still confident in my idea. There is a market that exists for my product and several customers willing to pay for it. I think the path that I've set for the venture so far works in first offering a sample at more than half the cost, then offering the full option at $5, and eventually the most in-depth brochure at $10 for more experienced or well-off individuals in the market.
• New Market
• A market that I didn't really consider because there are already so many options for them are college students. This population is at an advantage over my existing target audience because they have so many more resources available to them (i.e. social media tools, on-campus meal plans, free gym facilities). I think my product could be appealing to this market because it is affordable, which every college student can appreciate, and gives a structured outline that can aid in weight loss or management goals.
• I interviewed 2 UF students, one that lives in the dorms and another that lives near me off-campus. The on-campus student lives in Murphree, right next to Student Rec, and claims her gym attendance is pretty regular but she struggles with weight because she doesn't know a lot about nutrition. The off-campus student is the opposite, since he has taken HUN2201 (Fundamentals of Human Nutrition) and would like to go to the gym more often, but doesn't know how to lift properly. He suggested that on the online version of my product I offer tutorials or step-by-step instructions on how to perform exercises that I include in my workouts.
• I appreciated the feedback I got from this new market because it gave new perspectives that I hadn't thought about before. As my venture grows I will have to adapt to market changes and offer more information in my product. This includes providing more information on exercises through videos or images for people to learn correct form and technique. Given my experience with the current fitness industry, I didn't think college students would be interested in my market. But, I underestimated the amount of people who don't know about exercise and nutrition or necessarily turn to social media or the Internet for guidance in this field. 

Venture Concept No. 1

• Opportunity
• In the U.S., obesity affects about 93.3 million adults or 39.8% of the population (2016). Obesity leads to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers - some of the leading causes of death.
• Only about 20% of adults meet aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• On average, the typical American adult exceeds the recommended intake levels of solid fats, added sugars, refined grains, sodium, and saturated fats while also under-eating the recommended amounts of vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, dairy products, and oils on a daily basis.
• The steady rise in inactivity levels and poor nutrition creates the need for adults to have a structured workout and nutrition program that is both affordable and easy to follow.
• The forces that allow this to occur are limited time and knowledge and a lack of resources. The window of opportunity will remain open until these forces no longer exist.
• This market consists of adults ages 35+ across the country who don't exercise regularly and/or have poor eating habits.
• Currently, many of the people I interacted with claimed they simply don't have the time to get to the gym or work-out and get their daily physical activity in short bursts throughout the day (i.e. biking to work, walking the dog, doing chores around the house, etc.). In regards to nutrition, many complained that eating healthy is just too expensive, especially when having to provide for their family and children, so they opt for cheaper, less nutritious foods for the sake of convenience.
• Innovation
• For individuals looking to lead a healthier lifestyle through more exercise and better eating, I will be selling a brochure with workouts and meal plans for $5. The workouts included can be done in 30-45 minutes at home for those who don't have time or can't afford to go to a gym. There will also be options to include equipment such as dumbbells, resistance bands, etc. to increase the difficulty of the workout. The meal plans will incorporate a sample grocery list that will fit modest budgets.
• For individuals who have more money to spend (i.e. those without kids or a family to support, people who have more experience in working out and/or nutrition), I will offer a more customized, in-depth brochure for $10. These workouts can be done at home or at a gym and will include greater detail in nutrition.
• Venture Concept
• I think my product will be appealing to customers because it is an easy and affordable tool to aid in leading a healthier lifestyle. I will offer physical and digital copies of the brochure so they can have access to it at any time.
• The main competitors to my product will be the growing number of fitness influencers and online coaches in the market. While these individuals and business offer similar products, they are often very expensive. It is also difficult for consumers to differentiate between legitimate sources and those scammers who offer "quick fixes" for weight loss that have no scientific evidence to back their claims which sets my product apart from the rest.
• I think customers will "switch" to my product because it's different from what currently exists. A lot of the fitness world relies on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and is geared towards a younger population. I want to attract older individuals who might not be tech-savvy or invest as much time on social media sites.
• Price points: I think this is the most distinctive aspect of my product compared to other offers fitness entrepreneurs. I am keeping the cost very low to appeal to a large number of customers. Raising my prices wouldn't make me any different to what is already on the market and would defeat the purpose of my mission statement which is to make a healthy lifestyle available to the average American.
• Packaging: Offering my product in two formats, physical and digital, will increase accessibility for my customers.
• Employees: If my business were to grow to the point where I couldn't deliver on my own any more, I would only employee individuals with backgrounds in exercise and nutrition. This includes exercise physiologists, board certified personal trainers, registered dietitians, nutritionists, etc. I want to ensure my customers are getting accurate information and advice.
• Unfair Advantage
• I think the biggest advantage my product has is the affordability factor and the knowledge it provides. As a college student with limited time during the day, I know how crucial it is to have a cheap option for something that will benefit my physical health in the long run. As an APK student on the pre-med track, I want to share my knowledge with others who might not have the means to learn it themselves the importance of daily physical activity and good nutrition.
• What's Next for the Venture?
• I hope that this venture can expand into other aspects of the fitness industry. First, I would like it to become a website that has a subscription option for customers to receive regular (daily, weekly, or monthly) programs that include workouts, recipes, and general information related to fitness. I would also like to offer affordable supplements (i.e. protein powder, vitamins, etc.) and equipment (i.e. free weights, resistance bands, etc.) to enhance my customers' fitness goals as they become more knowledgable. Eventually, I would like to open up low-cost gyms around the country for individuals to attend with a variety of fitness classes to offer. 
• What's Next for Me?
• As a future healthcare professional, my only goal is to help others and ensure everyone has the opportunity to live their best life. In 5 years, I hope this product will have expanded to more than a brochure, but a platform that can reach several people around the country lead a healthier lifestyle. In 10 years, I don't know if I'll be an entrepreneur, but I hope to be done with medical school and still leaving a similar impact on people's lives. 

Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

1. Fitness Background: I'm an APK major and fitness enthusiast.
• Valuable: This allows me to stand out from competitors because I know what I'm talking about.
• Rare: Not rare at all, many people also have this knowledge.
• Inimitable: Other people are able to take the classes I have or get certified to become a professional in this field.
• Non-substitutable: This knowledge can't be substituted with anything else if the product is to be accurate.
2. Contact with Potential Customers: As a city employee, I have almost unlimited access to several people in my target audience.
• Valuable: This allows me to have direct contact with my market.
• Rare: Somewhat rare, not everyone has the ability to communicate with potential customers at any time.
• Inimitable: Other people could put themselves in a position to contact their target audience by going out to places where these customers would be (i.e. grocery stores, malls). 
• Non-substitutable: This resource could be replaced by more in-direct methods of contacting people, like through the phone or an email list, but that would be more impersonal and possibly less effective.
3. Uniqueness of Product: There are a few, if any, products like mine that exist on the market.
• Valuable: This helps me stand out in the industry.
• Rare: Yes, but there are similar products that exist.
• Inimitable: It is possible that other individuals could copy my idea and start competing with me.
• Non-substitutable: I could expand on my venture to maintain unique.
4. Publicity: It is well known that obesity is on the rise in the U.S., so many of my potential customers are already aware of the problem and will be willing to try my product to either avoid future health problems or improve their current situation.
• Valuable: The more aware people are of a problem, the more they are willing to remedy that problem.
• Rare: Not very rare, there are several problems that exist and products being sold to solve those problems (i.e. metal straws to slow water pollution).
• Inimitable: It is possible for anybody to get into this field and get publicity, but it's important to keep people's attention once the headlines are over.
• Non-substitutable: The media in general would dictate this resource, so this could range from a variety of outlets like the news or social networking sites.
5. Future Employee Pool: A lot of current and graduated students at UF with the education background are interested in getting involved with this venture including fellow APK majors, dietetics, medical school students, and others in the healthcare field.
• Valuable: I don't have to search further than Gainesville to grow my business.
• Rare: Not very rare, any venture starting in a college town will have the same advantage of a young, talented workforce.
• Inimitable: This could be done by any business by recruiting in college towns for recent graduates or utilizing LinkedIn.
• Non-substitutable: Employees don't always have to be younger, businesses can also seek out experienced professionals that have already been in the field for several years.
6. Personal Relationships with Others in the Field: I know many fitness promoters on Instagram and can get more information on how the industry works from a social media perspective.
• Valuable: Knowing people who already have experience in the field is essential to someone just starting out to know the do's and don't's of the industry.
• Rare: Not very rare, it's not difficult to reach out to peers in the field.
• Inimitable: Relationships can be built through networking and experience.
• Non-substitutable: This could be substituted with more professional relationships via fellow mentors or other leaders in the field.
7. Relatively Low Costs of Production: The majority of expenses are time-based, meaning the time it takes for me to create workout plans and nutrition/diet tips.
• Valuable: This is an invaluable resource because I won't require a lot of money to get started.
• Rare: Not very rare, there are other products that don't necessarily need a lot of money, but they might require more time than I have to put forth in creating a program.
• Inimitable: Another business could hire a lot of people to reduce the amount of time needed to create a program.
• Non-substitutable: I couldn't substitute this resource for anything else.
8. Tangible Product: I'm focusing on mainly creating a hard-copy of my program with an online option for people to access on their phones or computer.
• Valuable: This will allow my consumers to have unlimited access in the format they prefer.
• Rare: This is not rare, many products are offered in different formats (i.e. books come in hard-copy, digital, or audio).
• Inimitable: This is very easy to copy.
• Non-substitutable: I couldn't substitute this resource for anything else.
9. Scientific Evidence: All of my information can be backed by science through research articles and peer-reviewed journals to support what I'm trying to sell.
• Valuable: This will allow me to build trust with my customers and establish myself as a legitimate venture.
• Rare: This is somewhat rare because a lot of what is being marketed in the industry isn't accurate.
• Inimitable: Other companies could follow this plan to improve their products and appeal to more people.
• Non-substitutable: I couldn't substitute this resource for anything else.
10. Microsoft Skills: I know how to create programs in Word and Excel that will be easy for customers to read and understand.
• Valuable: This will allow me to easily create my product for distribution.
• Rare: This is not rare, many people know how to operate Microsoft programs.
• Inimitable: This could be copied by anybody who owns a computer or laptop.
• Non-substitutable: I could substitute this resource for similar software, like Apple programs or Google Drive.

Top Resource: After analyzing all of my resources, I think the best one is number 9. By separating myself from the fake sources that already exist on the market I can build and expand on my brand to be more successful. While it is imitable, it is also something not a lot of people are willing to go the extra mile to do.

Elevator Pitch No. 3

The pitch: https://youtu.be/EMNcFx3jqMA

Reflection: I was grateful for the feedback I received given that this was my first ever pitch. I worked on adjusting the angle so I could be more direct with my audience and slowing down my words. I also feel like I added more emotion with this one because it’s a subject I’m actually passionate about and could really express my excitement with it. I think this is why I was also able to meet the time limit. 

Reading Reflection No. 2

"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck

1. What was the general theme or argument of the book?
• This book explores the idea that individuals have either a fixed or growth mindset. A fixed mindset is one that focuses on someone's skills and/or intelligence as predetermined or unchanging while a growth mindset believes these things can be altered over time. Dweck goes on to apply these mindsets to everything in life from learning to business to sports and even relationships. The argument here is that a growth mindset is ideal for success and that it is possible to evolve out of a fixed one.
2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?
• I found the book to relate perfectly to ENT3003 because it describes a growth mindset as one that allows an individual to see and embrace failure as an opportunity to grow. Entrepreneurship is a process of trial-and-error and if you lack the ability to see past failure, then it will be impossible to improve yourself or your ideas.
3. If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?
• Based on this book, I would create an exercise similar to an example Dweck gives. I would present the class with a situation filled with negative aspects and ask how they would respond to this. I would then have them reflect on their answers to see if they would categorize themselves under a fixed or growth mindset. If they showed qualities of a fixed mindset, I would have them delve deeper into why they thought that way and show them how to transform these thoughts into opportunities to learn, helping them change their perspective and ultimately adopt a growth mindset.
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?
• I realized that I am one of those people who tends to focus on the negatives of a situation with a fixed mindset. I would like to say I can take feedback well and grow from my mistakes, but it's hard not to succumb to failure after not doing well on a test I studied really hard for or stressing out when things aren't going my way. I think the thing that stood out the most for me was the chapter on sports where Dweck discusses what sets apart championships from regular athletes. I was a competitive swimmer for many years and part of the reason I did so well is because I didn't like to lose or not reach my goals, and that was my motivation to be the best I could be. I think I need to learn how to apply that mindset in other aspects of my life like school, or in the case of this class with business ventures, to continue to be successful.

Growing Your Capital

1. Domain expert
• Who they are/their background: Justin, a recent graduate of UF and part-time BiteSquad employee.
• How this person is a domain expert: He is a driver for BiteSquad.
• How I found and contacted them: I used to swim with him on the club team here at UF before he moved to Tampa.
• Nature of our exchange: I explained my idea of having a standalone store that offered delivery items and he was interested in the concept. He thought it was a good idea because often times working as a third-party driver for different restaurants he has to wait long periods of time for food to be prepared before he can deliver it and customers get upset with him even though it's out of his control.
• How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: He would be a possible future employee of this opportunity. He is also currently applying to graduate school for social work, so he was also interested in becoming part of the staff that would offer customers emotional support or additional assistance.
2. Market expert
• Who they are/their background: Elyse, a former triathlete and mother to 4 young children.
• How this person is a market expert: She has a newborn baby and is unable to get around town easily with all of the kids.
• How I found and contacted them: I work as a lifeguard at the pools she used to train at and I reached out to her on one of the few days she's able to come for a swim.
• Nature of our exchange: I explained my idea of a delivery service that also offered emotional support staff. While she didn't really see herself utilizing the delivery stuff for items because her husband is able to pick things up at the store and run errands, she did say she would be interested in the customer service option if it meant having a babysitter for a few hours or someone who could help her around the house.
• How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: She is a possible customer for this opportunity. I know that there are plenty of other people in a similar situation, so there is definitely a market that exists.
3. Important supplier
• Who they are/their background: "Chef Dev", the general manager of Kabab House in Gainesville.
• How this person is an important supplier: Kabab House utilizes BiteSquad and DoorDash to deliver their food for customers who order online.
• How I found and contacted them: I live next door to the restaurant, so I walked in as soon as they opened before they got busy.
• Nature of our exchange: I explained to him my idea that wouldn't necessarily be in competition with his restaurant, but it would change up the industry. However, he does have extra space that he was thinking of making a second location, but would be interested in investing towards my idea for the standalone site needed to store delivery items.
• How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: He would provide a physical work space for the opportunity to get started.

It was difficult to not only identify people that would be relevant to network with, but also get in contact with them quickly enough to get feedback on my ideas. This experience will definitely help me in the future because now I'm more comfortable addressing different people and putting myself out there. As I've mentioned before, I'm a pre-health major with a foreign language background, so this kind of networking was new to me since I've never had to pitch a product or think about market possibilities before.

Idea Napkin No. 2

• You: My name is Imelda Ogango and I'm an APK major with a French minor on the pre-med track. I've been fortunate enough to have experiences in different fields such as healthcare and international studies which I think have strengthened my ability to understand and communicate with people from various backgrounds. While I ultimately want to pursue a career in medicine overseas, I would like to see my delivery idea help people in need.
• What are you offering to customers? I am offering an affordable delivery service of everyday items and other services to customers who are otherwise unable to go to the store or are in need of companionship. My idea will work as a standalone site that is stocked similar to a typical grocery or convenience store with an app that customers can quickly order items online. Hired drivers will eliminate the need for a third-party service and ultimately keep prices low. There will also be trained professionals on staff that can be "hired" for certain amount of times to help those individuals who might require extra assistance.
• Who are you offering it to? This service will be catered to individuals who are unable to travel (easily) on their own to go shop and/or need an extra hand to help them out. This includes the elderly and those with disabilities.
• Why do they care? In the past few years, we have seen a rise in companies that offer fast delivery times (i.e. AmazonPrime free two-day shipping) as well as more restaurants offering their menu on third-party apps for delivery (i.e. UberEats and BiteSquad). However, the cost of having an AmazonPrime account or paying up to $5 in fees for food, even more during "surge" or "popular times" can add up. I believe customers would care about my service because it will not only bring them everyday things they actually need at a low price, but it also has a personal touch of having the option to have an actual person coming to help them around if they need it.
• What are your core competencies? There is currently a similar business model that exists with my idea called GoPuff that has around 55 locations around the country. However, they recently have had trouble with privacy and sharing consumer's private information. My service will have an explicit privacy policy that will prevent things like that from happening. I also will have professionals on staff, rather than just random drivers like UberEats hires, that will help create a culture focused primarily  on customer service. In the long term, I would like to see this idea expand to underserved areas of the U.S. and developing countries overseas to offer more immediate aid to those in need (i.e. clean water, fresh food, medical supplies, etc).

I think these elements work well together in turning this concept into reality. There is an unmet need for a relatively large demographic that could be met with this delivery service. I took into consideration the feedback I received on my first idea napkin and ideas that Dr. Pryor shared in the workshop to make some changes to my original idea. First, I got a few comments that mentioned I needed to differentiate myself even more from existing delivery other than just offering lower pricing. I decided to add in the customer service element because I thought it was a unique expansion that people would like to use. I also geared away from targeting college students and focused on a broader population that has more potential of future growth and actually utilizing the service.

Create a Customer Avatar

She is a junior Gator at the University of Florida, living off-campus for the first time in her college career. While she enjoyed living in Springs for two years with her best friend, she’s glad they found a house near mid-town that they can call their own. Whenever she needed anything, she’d walk to Chomp-It at Graham, take the bus to frat Publix, or pray her roommate wasn’t busy to give her a ride in her Jeep. But now, not only does she have a great new house, but her parents finally decided to get her a scooter! Baby blue with a matching helmet and parking decal that she can literally take anywhere! Perfect for scooting the short distance to the Standard for Chick-Fil-A or the new Publix on 13th Street. One day, as she’s finishing her homework with The Office playing softly in the background, her stomach starts to growl and the batteries for her calculator die. With no food in the fridge, the last of the batteries gone, and her roommate out of town for the weekend, she quickly runs to get her scooter keys. As she’s making her way out the door, a flash of lightning illuminates the sky and a crack of thunder shakes the house and rain starts falling down from the sky. A typical summer afternoon in Rainesville, but what is she going to do now?

What do I have in common with her? I also didn’t have any mode of transportation until junior year, so I understand the struggle of having to get around town to get things you need. Before I drove my car down from Virginia, my scooter was a lifesaver about 95% of the time. The other 5% it was the complete opposite thanks to rain and a faulty battery. I don’t think this is a coincidence because with the size of the student population at UF, there are several people who don’t have bikes, scooters, or cars to get around and could use a delivery service as a solution to this problem.

Elevator Pitch No. 2

The pitch: https://youtu.be/PeJG8De7maM 
Reflection: Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to do the first elevator pitch because I was sick with bronchitis and my voice sounded terrible. However, I listened to the advice Dr. Pryor gave us, looked through everyone in this group’s videos and was able to get some ideas from those. I think the most important take-away is being exciting enough to convince someone that your idea is worth it while keeping everything short, sweet, and to the point. Since this is my first time doing this, I’m looking forward to seeing what you guys think!

Halfway Reflection

• Tenacity is a competency. Throughout this course I've learned the importance of using feedback on my own work. It's easy to think you know everything when completing assignments and have gone through all the "kinks" in a concept. However, I appreciate going through peer reviews to see where I can improve and gaining new perspectives to get better.
• Tenaciousness is also about attitude. There have definitely been times where I have felt like giving up during the semester because I haven't had time to complete assignments on time or don't know what direction to take my ideas in. I have given in to these feelings once so far in the semester when I had a stressful week full of work, exams, and other classes where I don't complete the assignments for this class. However, I've learned from these mistakes and improved my time management so I can dedicate enough time to all of my commitments.
• Three tips.
• Don't wait until the last minute! You have at least a week to complete all of your assignments, use it wisely.
• Read through peer reviews! You might find yourself stuck in a rut or losing motivation, but looking at what your classmate's have to say about your ideas can help you find inspiration.
• Research other entrepreneurs! It's easy to think you know enough about the subject of entrepreneurship or other business concepts, but there is so much out there to learn about. Watch TV shows like Shark Tank, read up on articles on successful entrepreneurs, and (obviously) read the weekly module videos to find more information so you can constantly educate yourself to help build on your own ideas.

Reading Reflection No. 1

Coco Chanel by Lisa Chaney

• What surprised you the most? I was very surprised to learn about the unconventional methods Chanel used to fund her work. Coming from a less than affluent family, she used money from a string of wealthy lovers, and later a German intelligence officer at the start of WWI, to build a name for herself and create House of Chanel.
• What about the entrepreneur did you admire the most? I admire Chanel's hardworking and ambitious work ethic. She came from nothing and was able to revolutionize women's clothing post-WWI. Although she died almost four decades ago, her name has been able to live on. She created a brand that has lasted, and will probably continue to last, generations from now.
• What about the entrepreneur did you admire the least? I didn't like Chanel's deceit about her background and upbringing. She fabricated her origins and childhood to appear more glamorous, but I think that her actual story is much more fascinating and would make her more relatable and inspiring to other entrepreneurs who could relate to her.
• Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it? I think the biggest obstacle Chanel had to overcome was at the beginning of her life, after being born into an impoverished, nomadic family. Once her mother died at age 12, and her father sent her to live a covenant orphanage, she was forced to choose whether she would succumb to her adversity or turn it into a success. It was as this stage of her life that she learned  how to sew, worked as a seamstress, and began to build her career that would later transform her into one of the biggest icons in the fashion industry.
• What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? I noticed that Chanel was able to create opportunities out of any situation. She could turn disadvantages into advantages for herself, which helped her build her brand.
• Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you? I was confused about her relationship with the German intelligence officer, especially with the timeline so close to WWI. There are a lot of indications that he was affiliated with the Nazi and that she assisted him with spy activity which in turn helped her brand, but I was confused as to how that would happen.
• If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why? I would ask her if she regrets lying about her background because it might alter how successful she became if people knew the truth. I would also ask how she felt about being involved with someone affiliated with the Nazi given the nature of their beliefs.
• For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion? I think Chanel valued hard work over anything else. I partially agree with this opinion, but I would have to reconsider when it came to ethics.

Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

• Segment: I chose a segment of college students who were my initial target audience for my delivery service. I decided to choose three individuals who live on campus (student A), near campus (1-3 miles; student B), and far from campus (>4 miles; student C) to see how their needs would differ.
• Need Awareness: Student A is a freshman with no car who lives on campus. She experiences the need for this delivery service late at night and on the weekends because she has to rely on the bus to get around town, and these are the times when service slows down. Student B is a senior who lives near campus behind midtown with only a scooter as his mode of transportation. He experiences the need whenever the weather is bad or his scooter is in the shop for repairs. Student C is a senior who lives far from campus near the Oaks Mall with a car and a bike. He experiences the need on most days because of the traffic around his area during rush hour.
• Information Search: When student A becomes aware of her need, she usually plans ahead by getting things earlier in the day and during the week. If she can't, she either asks a friend with a car for a ride or orders an Uber. When student B becomes of his need, he tries to borrow his roommate's car or takes a Lyft. When student B becomes aware of his need, he tries to get things done during less hectic times of the day.

I learned that individuals in different situations share the same unmet need. There is also a reasonably high demand for this service. While all of my interviewees said that if they're not able to meet their need quickly or at a reasonable price, they settle for going without. However, they all said they would utilize this service for convenience sake.

Idea Napkin No. 1

• You: My name is Imelda Ogango and I'm an APK major with a French minor on the pre-med track. I've been fortunate enough to have experiences in different fields such as healthcare and international studies which I think have strengthened my ability to understand and communicate with people from various backgrounds. While I ultimately want to pursue a career in medicine overseas, I would like to see my delivery idea help people in need.
• What are you offering to customers? I am offering an affordable delivery service of everyday items to customers who are otherwise unable to go to the store and buy things themselves. My idea will work as a standalone site that is stocked similar to a typical grocery or convenience store with an app that customers can quickly order items online. There will also be hired drivers that will eliminate the need for a third-party service and ultimately keep prices low for customers.
• Who are you offering it to? This service will be catered to individuals who are burdened by time constraints, transportation limitations, or a physical inability to shop.
• Why do they care? In the past few years, we have seen a rise in companies that offer fast delivery times (i.e. AmazonPrime free two-day shipping) as well as more restaurants offering their menu on third-party apps for delivery (i.e. UberEats and BiteSquad). However, the cost of having an AmazonPrime account or paying up to $5 in fees for food, even more during "surge" or "popular times" can add up. I believe customers would care about my service because it will bring them everyday things they actually need at a low price.
• What are your core competencies? There is currently a similar business model that exists with my idea called GoPuff that has around 55 locations around the country. However, they recently have had trouble with privacy and sharing consumer's private information. My service will have an explicit privacy policy that will prevent things like that from happening. I also hope to be more widespread around the U.S. and eventually move overseas to developing countries where we can offer aid to those in need (i.e. clean water, fresh food, medication).

I think these elements work well together in turning this concept into reality. There is an unmet need for a relatively large demographic that could be met with this delivery service. However, I think the biggest weakness would be my lack of marketing and business knowledge. 

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

• Who: I tried to interview a variety of different people that could possibly fall outside the market of fast delivery of everyday items and surprisingly found a few. Many of my interviewees claimed they just didn't believe in a service that they could do themselves, no matter the circumstances or pricing. Two of these individuals are still in high school and either 1) can't drive anyway or 2) rely on their parents for everything they need, so they wouldn't benefit from a delivery service. I also interviewed my supervisor who is a middle aged father of one that claims his schedule is flexible enough that he doesn't typically have a problem getting to the store when he needs to. I interviewed two international students who live near Oaks Mall and they both said that although they live far from campus, they don't mind having to go out to get their own supplies whether it be walking or taking the bus.
• What: Both of the international interviewees didn't fully understand the concept of having a delivery service when they can easily walk or transport themselves to the store; they find the U.S.' culture of relying on things like UberEats and grocery store delivery to be strange. However, as I highlighted in the first part of this hypothesis, there are people who simply don't have the time or the ability to physically get to the store. I think the need here stems from not necessarily laziness but adapting to new technologies and services available that can allow people to live with ease.
• Why: I think the difference in need here lies in priorities. For those in the boundary, the money is worth the convenience of saving time or not having to go to the store. For those outside the boundary, there is no (perceived) benefit of having a delivery service of this nature.

Inside the Boundary Outside the Boundary

	Individuals that prioritize convenience	Individuals with no preference for convenience
	Fast delivery of everyday items for individuals who can't or don't want to get to the store themselves	A service for individuals who have the means to do it for themselves
	Make life easier on a daily basis	Alternative options to physical shopping (i.e. grocery store) or ordering online (i.e. Amazon Prime)

Solving the Problem

I think an opportunity exists in providing consumers from college students to other adults fast delivery of basic, every-day items. I want this to be available all across the country, in big and small cities, because these consumers exist everywhere. The problem with a lot of delivery services that exist now is that they operate as third-party companies. For example, in Gainesville I would have to order food from my restaurant of choice, they would then send that information to UberEats, BiteSquad, or 352Delivery, and then they would pick up my food to bring to me. For the sake of convenience, I would create a stand-alone store, similar to a convenience store or grocery store, that would be stocked with things that people need such as food, toiletries, and OTC medication. From there, consumers could order what they want online or in an app and could get their things delivered 1) much more quickly (from lack of a middle-man) and 2) cheaper (the elimination of fees needed to pay another company to deliver).

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

1. Access to everyday items
2. Several students living both on and off campus could benefit from rapid delivery of schools supplies, toiletries, and other basic items.
• The who: college students
• The what: rapid delivery of necessary items
• The why: alternative to physically going out to the store


• Testing the who: While students are the prototypical customer for this opportunity, other Americans around the country could utilize this service. People who struggle to care for themselves or simply don’t have enough time in the day to get things done like the disabled and/or injured, the elderly, and parents of newborns would appreciate having everyday necessities brought right to their door.


• Testing the what: Most delivery services can start to add up once tax, tip, and delivery fee costs are included. To appeal to a large consumer base and remain competitive, this service will need to keep these costs as low as possible.
• Testing the why: For some college students, getting across town or off campus can be difficult if they don’t have a car; relying on the bus can be stressful at times, scooters or bikes can be a nuisance in bad weather, and Uber charges can be expensive. For the other possible consumers, the problem of not having a reliable mode of transportation can make running errands a nightmare.

• Interview #1: I interviewed my sister who is a sophomore in college (ODU in Norfolk, VA) still living on campus. She doesn’t have a car, but does have a bike and lives in walking distance to most things. Her apartment-style dorm building has a stop-and-shop on the ground level (similar to Chomp and Go here at UF), but isn’t open very late. She said she could be interested in a delivery service that could bring her items she wouldn’t feel comfortable having to bike or walk to get at the store late at night. Knowing that many college students share her situation, I think this opportunity still exists.
• Interview #2: I interviewed my mother who works full-time. She thought that it was a good idea for younger people, but doesn’t think she would use it at all or often. Now that she only has two kids living at home, one in college and one in high school, she doesn’t have to worry about running to the store for supplies or having enough time to get things done. Additionally, the rapid changes to infrastructure in Northern Virginia like metro expansions and more road expansions have improved traffic and made traveling much easier.
• Interview #3: I interviewed my cousin who is a third year collegiate athlete. He recently got injured during conditioning and requires crutches to get around. He has a car but he told me he hardly uses it or has to have a friend or teammate drive him to get places. A delivery service might be an option for him because he would appreciate the luxury of having items brought to his front door, but is concerned about the costs. He currently uses an online service that brings is groceries every week because he's too lazy to do his own shopping and it's relatively cheap. If this convenience store could bring him things like Gatorade, Advil, and snacks he would definitely utilize it.
• Interview #4: I interviewed my friend who is a fourth year student at VCU. She told me that a service already exists with this concept, "goPuff". The company has an app that you can shop through and have items delivered quickly, no more than a 30 minute wait, with a flat delivery fee of $1.95. With such a convenient method and low delivery fee, she said that it would be difficult to switch to another service that didn't offer these options.
• Interview #5: I interviewed my grandmother who lives alone but has a caregiver that regularly comes to assist her with day-to-day activities. I explained how the delivery service could be used 24/7 and she believes she would use it frequently. Although she has a nurse to bring her things, she would like to have an option that would deliver things like toothpaste or shampoo when she's on her own. She didn't have any preference on pricing because the convenience of not having to call someone to take her to the store or pick something up for her is enough for her.

After conducting interviews and getting feedback from different perspectives, I realized that this service could be beneficial to more than just college students. So many people are on the go and don't have the time to run to the store when they need something. I also took into consideration people who physically can't always run errands (i.e. the elderly or disabled) that could utilize this service. With such a large population to work with it might make this opportunity easier to grow by keeping pricing down.

Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

1. Technological advances that would be beneficial for small businesses - economic trend (https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-create-a-mobile-office-for-your-small-business-2951768)
• My friend who recently graduated from Duke was struggling to find a job, but just accepted an offer that will keep him "based" in Durham and allow him to travel around the country every week. I thought that was a great opportunity because it allows businesses to have many employees, smaller office spaces, and take advantage of technological advances that are being made in the industry. For example, the cloud, growing numbers of mobile devices (i.e. tablets, iPads, laptops), and faster internet connection allows us to work virtually anywhere. This would help boost economy by allowing companies to run more efficiently. The prototypical customer for this might be millennials and younger members of the work force who wouldn't mind constantly traveling for work. It might be difficult to exploit this opportunity to older employees and those with families, but recent college graduates would appreciate the experience.
2. Environmentally-friendly business practices - economic trend (https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmainwaring/2018/10/25/why-and-how-business-must-tackle-climate-change-now/#f4ebd434712b)
• With global warming, rising sea levels, and frequent natural disasters (i.e. hurricanes and wildfires), the economy is at risk. Because businesses play a significant role in the economy, it is imperative that they take action to minimize the detrimental effects of climate change. By incorporating environmentally-friendly practices and reducing their carbon footprint, companies can not only save money, but help the planet. This includes reducing gas emissions in operations, saving energy, and implementing policies that favor the use of renewable resources. All businesses are the prototypical customer in this scenario. It will be difficult to exploit this opportunity because it can be expensive to be completely "green", but it is a necessary cost.
3. Streamling the tax process - regulatory change (https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardlevick/2018/08/07/e-commerce-beware-sales-taxes-could-be-coming-to-a-state-or-locality-near-you/#5f2f66505f08)
• I was talking to a friend who started her own online custom-made bikini company about the recent South Dakota v. Wayfair because she's worried how she'll be able to afford any sales taxes that will be implemented on online sales. I thought that their should be information distributed to online retailers and other smaller companies, the prototypical customer, about how sales taxes will affect them, how these will vary state to state, and how they can efficiently adapt to these changes without losing too much money. Perhaps classes and workshops could be offered to assist them. I don't think this will be too difficult to exploit given the amount of start-ups that already exist, and continue to be established.
4. Trade zones - regulatory change (https://www.ttnews.com/articles/times-trade-war-companies-get-creative-avoid-tariffs)
• As a consumer, I've been trying to keep up with the "trade wars" that are currently occurring with the President imposing tariffs on many countries and those countries firing back with their own. This has a tremendous effect on imports and exports which ultimately determines how much we pay for goods and services. I found an article that mentions trade zones that lowers the costs of certain imports from other countries that would help companies who rely on these supplies save money. The prototypical customer would be U.S. based businesses who import from places like China. I think this would be a good opportunity to exploit until the global market becomes more stable in terms of tariffs.

Identifying Local Opportunities

1. Youth Vaping Increases in Alachua County (https://www.alligator.org/news/youth-vaping-increases-in-alachua-county/article_91200192-1dd5-11e9-9850-bbdf28ac9a68.html)
• Alachua County has seen a large increase in teenagers using electronic vapes and e-cigarettes over the past two years. With more companies targeting young consumers with attractive flavors and easy-to-use designs, it's become easier for high schoolers and even middle schoolers to get their hands on one.
• The prevalence and exposure to smoking has gotten out of control. The smoking age needs to be changed from 18 to 21, like alcohol, to combat the problem.
• Kids under 17 years old and their parents
2. Police: 5 fatally shot inside Florida bank, suspect arrested (https://www.alligator.org/news/police-fatally-shot-inside-florida-bank-suspect-arrested/article_196b7d52-1f60-11e9-b22a-47ef4ddd5c3c.html)
• A man fired shots in a bank with no known motive, killing five people.
• Gun regulation, especially in Florida, continues to be a problem as the number of daily mass shootings increases every year.
• Americans all over the United States
3. Tampa Electric's Big Bend changes face increased opposition (https://www.tampabay.com/business/tampa-electrics-big-bend-changes-face-increased-opposition-20190124/)
• Tampa Electric Co. has decided to convert from coal to natural gas after a unit five employees two years ago. They are receiving a lot of resistance from the community and different environmental groups who are encouraging the use of renewable resources instead.
• The fracking of gas would not only be expensive, but have detrimental effects on the environment and community's health.
• The residents of the Tampa area
4. Five hurt in west Orange County multi-vehicle crash, firefighters say (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ne-colonial-good-homes-crash-ocoee-20190124-story.html)
• A woman driving with a suspended license and no insurance hitting three vehicles, sending five people to the hospital and injuring two others.
• Distracted driving is more dangerous than people think.
• Anybody on the roads, as a driver or passenger
5. Florida college admissions: Getting into UF, FSU, UCF may depend a lot on where you went to high school (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/school-zone/os-ne-uf-fsu-high-schools-admissions-20181203-story.html)
• Students from wealthier Florida neighborhoods are more likely to get accepted into the state's top-universities than students from lower-income areas.
• A distinctive gap exists in the state that hinders students from opportunities to better themselves not only financially, but in assistance with getting higher SAT/ACT scores as well.
• Lower- and middle-income students

Opportunity Belief

I believe that there should be a service available similar to UberEats or BiteSquad that delivers more than just food to students. This could include school supplies, toiletries, and basic items that can be found at any convenience store. Students living both on or off campus could benefit from this service as these are needs that have always existed. Currently, people have to walk, bike, scoot, bus, drive, or Uber to their nearest store to get these things, which can be difficult at times. I’m about 80% sure that this opportunity exists. I interviewed my roommate about this idea, but because we live less than 400 feet from a gas station she didn’t necessarily find it useful for her. I asked one of my coworkers who lives in an apartment near Oaks Mall and he did believe his needs were being unmet. He has to rely on the bus, which doesn’t always run at certain times on the weekends or holidays, so a service that could bring him supplies would be incredibly useful. Lastly, I interviewed a classmate who lives closer to campus off Hull Road and she said she would probably use this service often. She owns a scooter, but when it rains it’s difficult to get places. After talking to different people in a variety of situations I still believe that my original opportunity is there, but probably closer to 70-75%. It’s important for entrepreneurs to adapt to customer feedback to ensure they’re providing the best services and products they can. However, there should be a balance between adapting and “staying firm” to avoid drifting too far from the original belief and staying true to their original ideas.

Entrepreneurship Story

When I was a sophomore in high school, my best friend and I were getting ready for a “pink out” (wearing all pink) for a football game in October. We started thinking about how breast cancer awareness month sparks so much involvement from other organizations and companies for only 30 days, but ends once November comes around. We decided to start a club that would run all year long with fundraisers and events to raise money for research. It was a really fun and enlightening experience! In fact, it is still an active club that my younger siblings participate in. I decided to take ENT3003 because I haven’t really had any more experiences like that since coming to college, but I have a lot of ideas that I would like to get jumpstarted as I get ready to graduate and go into the real world.

Bug List

1. Constant traffic in my neighborhood
1. Construction behind midtown and not enough space
2. Car takes awhile to start in the morning
1. Cold weather causes the starter to act up
3. Crowded gym the first few months of a new year
1. Irregular gym goers taking up space for new year’s resolutions 
4. Water sprinklers running in the rain
1. Automatic system that doesn’t register the weather turn off
5. Struggling to add courses for the next semester
1. Limited seats and a large number of students
6. RTS bus blasting AC or heat when it’s really cold or hot
1. Drivers don’t adjust the settings throughout the day even when the weather changes
7. Shutting the pool down due to lightning/thunder on a sunny day
1. Patrons don’t understand the dangers of adverse weather near the pool
8. Long lines on/around campus restaurants
1. Majority of students eating meals at the same time creating a rush
9. Having to order school supplies online
1. All stores running out of everything from the semester starting
10. Not having phone service during home game days
1. Influx of people coming to Gainesville affects the phone signals
11. Not being able to afford anything at the beginning of the semester
1. Financial aid takes a long time to process
12. Expensive utilities bill regardless of water/gas/electricity usage
1. GRU runs a monopoly in Gainesville
13. UF wifi running slow
1. Too many students/faculty on campus at once
14. Noise complaints on the weekends
1. Living in off-campus housing with neighbors who have families/young kids
15. Limited housing options after fall semester
1. Landlords and realtors start advertising before you can figure out who to live with
16. Long lines at Sam’s Club for gas
1. The cheapest gas option in town that everyone wants to get
17. Long lines at midtown/downtown on the weekends
1. Limited amount of bars for people to go to
18. Music that this exclusively posted on Apple Music
1. Artists can receive more money working with Apple than other platforms
19. Netflix increasing the price of subscription
1. The addition of more movies and shows to watch
20. Spending less time with family on Thanksgiving
1. Black Friday deals starting earlier and earlier every year due to customer demand

It was difficult to reflect back on things that happen daily that I don’t necessarily pay attention to. I found it easier if I approached the exercise by mentally taking myself through my day from start to finish and identifying bugs that way! If I couldn’t think of anything else I then varied how my day could go, like if I had a shift at work or which classes I would need to get on campus for. Having to ask “why” something bugs me and separating it from my feelings or emotions helped to not only get to the root of the problem but also begin to brainstorm possible solutions. I thought this exercise was really helpful in getting the creative juices flowing. After coming up with a handful of bugs, it got easier to snowball ideas to think of even more. I’m excited to use these skills to become a better entrepreneur.

Test Post

Checking to see if this works!