Final Reflection

I feel that the most formative experience that has happened to me this semester has definitely been Covid-19's impact on our class formatting. Moving to all online has definitely been a challenge for me as I'm sure is the case with many others. I feel that this has definitely changed the way I view online courses and study habits. I realize that I need to focus even harder on school when it's online because for a while I wasn't managing my time wisely. For semesters to come, my study habits will improve and I will become more serious.

I definitely think that I have more of an entrepreneurial mindset after taking this class. My friend was just talking to me about some great ideas she had so I asked her questions like "Well does it exist? Who do you think will buy it? How do you plan on getting the word out? What would be your long term goal- to sell your idea or to make a career out of it?". While asking these questions I realized those are all questions that I had learned from this class!

I would recommend future students to really take the class seriously. I would say to make sure that they are completing all of their blogger posts and peer reviews. I would also put emphasis on watching the lecture videos and take notes for the cupcakes. I learned quickly that if I even missed half of a video I could get a few questions wrong. I would tell them that in order to foster the mindset of doing all of these tasks to time manage and take the class with a grain of salt, not take advantage of it. It is extremely useful knowledge for their future and I would say that they should view it as such.

Thank you for a great semester, everyone!

Venture Concept 2

Update based off of feedback:

My feedback for my venture concept was all positive. I feel that there is not much that I need to change. With that said, I do feel that I could work out the kinks of the venture like how I plan on getting businesses to help me, how I will make money and keep my business afloat, and how I can ensure success in my business. I feel that for this course, it's hard to come up with the specifics of a business venture. Personally, I don't know how I would gain funding or break up the finances. For this class, I feel that it's important to evaluate things like market and advertising to that market rather than finance and the logistics of gathering specific resources.



Opportunity:

The homeless population in Alachua county is getting out of hand. Too many people are suffering in the streets of Alachua county than normal. The people who have the need to get off of the streets are the homeless population. There are many different experiences that can have someone find themselves homeless. After interviewing many different people, I have found retired veterans, drug addicts, kids from abusive homes, and more. One size does not fit all in the homeless population. Everyone has different upbringings and such and yet have all found themselves in the same situation. Currently, these people are trying to scrape enough money together to have a phone in case of emergency and food for them (and sometimes family) to eat. They rely on panhandling on the street, some get welfare from the government, and others do worse things to gain money. The reason that I feel my business venture is important is that many people in the market are not satisfying the need to have housing because they simply can't.  Because of this is why my opportunity is huge for the community. I feel that my window of opportunity will be open for as long as there are people either currently homeless, recently homeless, or will be homeless in the future.

Innovation:

My innovation takes the form of service. Our service is a program that is designed to take in homeless people and refer them to our collaborative partners to learn a trade of their choice in order to become employed. During this time, they will also be taking classes with us in the office about the necessary tools to be a high functioning part of society. These skills include (but are not limited to) time management, money management, taxes, impulse control, sustainability, and resourcefulness. Once completed with the program, we will help them become employed and teach them about professionalism like resumes, cover letters, interview tactics, and more. Once employed, we will continue to work with them via caseworkers in order to help apply for things like government aid as well as housing. Once they are in a good spot, we will continue to reach out to them each month to ensure they are doing well and adjusting well to their new life. We will make money through the use of government funding as well as private sponsors.

Venture Concept:

We will utilize our resources in order to help the homeless population get off of the streets and reliably employed to ensure their well being. With our service, the problem at hand can be solved by taking them off the street, helping them get a job, and teaching them money skills in order for them to ensure their next meal. People will invest in our program for many reasons that include the image of the community, unemployment rates, and the economical benefits of having people off of the streets. Others may want to invest in personal interest or satisfaction as well. Investors in our program are also able to benefit from investing. Things like tax write-offs and personal honor can motivate those to invest and sponsor our program. There is nothing like our program so these people will have nothing to switch from. The mere fact that we can help these people not be hungry, dirty, or uncomfortable again is reason enough for them to choose our program. Our business will consist of educators, financial representatives, human resources, and caseworkers.

Minor elements:

1. Our most important resource will be local businesses who we will rely on the aid of teaching our students as well as potentially hiring them which will increase our success rate.

2. What is next for the venture if successful is branching out and creating programs all over north Florida, statewide, regionwide, nationwide, and potentially globally!

3. I see myself traveling all over the country to train and educate people on the topic and stigmas of homelessness. I also see myself traveling to open up new branches of our program as well as asking to be seen as a national organization by the government in order to receive funding from them.

Exit Strategy

My exit strategy for my venture would be to protect it as my business while expanding it. As something that I'm passionate about, I wouldn't want to just sell it to get money back. I would like to stay with the business until I retire. I may not stay as the highest in the company if I find others who can do a better job or who are more educated on the subject and would help the business thrive. I would like to be a big part of the company for the reason of being passionate about it.

I have selected this exit strategy because it is a cause I am passionate about and that I really love. If I can be a part of changing people's lives I want to do so. Again, I would only bring this business to fruition if I were to not become a PA which is my current career choice.

This has definitely influenced other aspects of my growth intentions and how I acquire resources because from the start I have had the intention of being in it for the long run as well as expanding the company. Passion about a subject can influence many big decisions in life and in a company. I have seen this first hand because I know if I were to start this business for real I would want to stay in it rather than just wanting a big paycheck.

Celebrating Failure

I'm sure I'm not the only one this semester who has seen some kind of failure. I think this assignment is more relevant to this semester in particular over past semesters solely due to one little pandemic we're seeing- coronavirus. This semester has brought some hard times to us all including moving classes to all online, student housing closing, and more. 

Personally, I am in some rigorous courses as well as many classes. My courses include chemistry, calculus, career and life span planning, entrepreneurship, and introduction to the pre-health professions. My failure includes each of these courses. Since being in quarantine, I have found myself slacking off. This, to me, is a failure. Seeing some grades slip and getting out of the groove of extensive studying has been hard.

Overall, failure is embarrassing. I feel, though, that there is always something to learn from failure. In some cases, it tells people what not to do but in my case, it tells me what TO do. I have learned that I need to focus on school and spend the same amount of time as I would if I were in school (if not more). I really think that this semester has been a wake up call when it comes to what I need to do to succeed in my academics. 

What's Next

I feel that what is next for my business would be gathering the information to actually make it happen. Reaching out to sponsors, the local businesses and schools would be key in forming relations that would make my business happen. Aside from that, finding a property, as well as government financing, would be the next step. I would have to take out a business loan to get started but other than that I would need to start the marketing process and promoting my program out to those who need it.

This business, while not being realistic for my abilities at this time, is a great idea. If something like this were to ever arise I would definitely become a part of it. I just feel for now, my financials and my career choices don't match up with what this kind of business requires. That said, if I were to create this business, these would be my next steps.

Note from 4/13: I accidentally saved this instead of hitting publish. I apologize for the late submission.

Venture Concept: "Off the Streets" Organization

I just want to preface that my idea is not like most others, it is difficult to make a lot of money. Instead, personal satisfaction, as well as community welfare, is my motivator.

Opportunity:

The homeless population in Alachua county is getting out of hand. Too many people are suffering in the streets of Alachua county than normal. The people who have the need to get off of the streets are the homeless population. There are many different experiences that can have someone find themselves homeless. After interviewing many different people, I have found retired veterans, drug addicts, kids from abusive homes, and more. One size does not fit all in the homeless population. Everyone has different upbringings and such and yet have all found themselves in the same situation. Currently, these people are trying to scrape enough money together to have a phone in case of emergency and food for them (and sometimes family) to eat. They rely on panhandling on the street, some get welfare from the government, and others do worse things to gain money. The reason that I feel my business venture is important is that many people in the market are not satisfying the need to have housing because they simply can't.  Because of this is why my opportunity is huge for the community. I feel that my window of opportunity will be open for as long as there are people either currently homeless, recently homeless, or will be homeless in the future.

Innovation:

My innovation takes the form of service. Our service is a program that is designed to take in homeless people and refer them to our collaborative partners to learn a trade of their choice in order to become employed. During this time, they will also be taking classes with us in the office about the necessary tools to be a high functioning part of society. These skills include (but are not limited to) time management, money management, taxes, impulse control, sustainability, and resourcefulness. Once completed with the program, we will help them become employed and teach them about professionalism like resumes, cover letters, interview tactics, and more. Once employed, we will continue to work with them via caseworkers in order to help apply for things like government aid as well as housing. Once they are in a good spot, we will continue to reach out to them each month to ensure they are doing well and adjusting well to their new life. We will make money through the use of government funding as well as private sponsors.

Venture Concept:

We will utilize our resources in order to help the homeless population get off of the streets and reliably employed to ensure their well being. With our service, the problem at hand can be solved by taking them off the street, helping them get a job, and teaching them money skills in order for them to ensure their next meal. People will invest in our program for many reasons that include the image of the community, unemployment rates, and the economical benefits of having people off of the streets. Others may want to invest in personal interest or satisfaction as well. Investors in our program are also able to benefit from investing. Things like tax write-offs and personal honor can motivate those to invest and sponsor our program. There is nothing like our program so these people will have nothing to switch from. The mere fact that we can help these people not be hungry, dirty, or uncomfortable again is reason enough for them to choose our program. Our business will consist of educators, financial representatives, human resources, and caseworkers.

Minor elements:

1. Our most important resource will be local businesses who we will rely on the aid of teaching our students as well as potentially hiring them which will increase our success rate.

2. What is next for the venture if successful is branching out and creating programs all over north Florida, statewide, regionwide, nationwide, and potentially globally!

3. I see myself traveling all over the country to train and educate people on the topic and stigmas of homelessness. I also see myself traveling to open up new branches of our program as well as asking to be seen as a national organization by the government in order to receive funding from them.

Venture's Unfair Advantage

List of Advantages:

1.Uniqueness
2. Passion
3. Collaborative Benefits
4. Societal Welfare
5. Community Awareness
6. Changing lives
7. Resources
8. Educational skills
9. Economically savvy
10. Societal Contribution

1. Uniqueness
Valuable: Creating a unique business venture will make it hard to compete with. Having originality is key in businesses like these.
Rare: From all of my research, I have not found a program quite like this in the state of Florida. With this, the uniqueness and originality of this program are rare!
Imitable: Being unique and the first of its kind will make this program stand out to those who want to join, invest, or participate.
Non-substitutional: It would be extremely hard to copy this idea due to the one of a kind aspect that comes from creating new ideas and innovating solutions to problems that are rarely solved.

2. Passion
Valuable: Passion is extremely valuable in any business venture. When a business has a passion behind it there is more motivation held by the entrepreneur to make it succeed.
Rare: Personally, I feel that passion is quite rare in business ventures. As learned in this class, the motivator for many businesses is solutions to problems but mostly financial gain.
Imitable: Passion is so good for a business venture due to the motivation and fires it sparks in the entrepreneur.
Non-substitutional: If there is a true passion for something, people would have been doing such programs. I feel that seeing my idea be the first of its kind in Florida shows that my passion for the subject is either unshared or shared but not being ventured.

3. Collaborative Benefits
Valuable: It's not the mere fact that our service is collaborative that makes it so special. It's that we are collaborating with Alachua County's small businesses and local education centers to mutually benefit our company as well as theirs.
Rare: We are working with small local businesses to help our local economy rather than relying on large scale investors and programs to educate our students.
Imitable: This is a great asset to have because it allows for the bettering of our community and benefits many people at the same time.
Non-Substitutional: I think that this is non-substitutional due to the fact that we are staying local. We are not depending on outside manufacturers, investors, or teachers. We are keeping things local in order to holistically benefit the community.

4. Societal Welfare
Valuable: Aiding in the welfare of our society has many benefits. With things like the economy, welfare of the homeless, and helping people find the resources they need, we are helping society one county at a time.
Rare: It's rare for a business or organization to have a true societal benefit. Many business ventures I see are about products and simple services. Our business will be taking people off of the street and changing lives.
Imitable: Helping society in the ways we plan on is extremely important for the purpose of our program. This can go hand in hand with passion. It helps us drive our organization into success.
Non-Substitutional: As said above, many business ventures are low scale and fix simple problems. This business is different in the way that it is changing lives.

5. Community Awareness
Valuable: Making the community aware of the homeless problem could help gather supporters that could keep our business alive and help with the treatment of our students.
Rare: Many businesses focus on materialistic and "first-world" problems that are low scale. Bringing a community together and spreading awareness could be the difference between our student's success and failure.
Imitable: Focusing on community and mutually beneficial factors is something that many businesses don't have.
Non-Substitutional: This can go back to passion. Being passionate about community and society can help set our businesses apart from others by putting into perspective the problem at hand.

6. Changing Lives
Valuable: Being able to drastically change lives is an amazing thing, a concept/ ability that not many other low scale business ventures have.
Rare: It is very rare to find a local business that has the ability and willingness to be responsible for saving lives.
Imitable: It is extremely selfless, that's why many people wouldn't want to do it.
Non-Substitutional: The resources and the complexity of dealing with such tasks are what set us apart. Many others would not have the motivation to get through the tough times and have the responsibility to take care of these people.

7. Resources
Valuable: Having valuable resources and partners to work with can prove to be very valuable assets to your company. With the aid of local businesses and Those specializing in real estate, we will be able to provide jobs and housing to the students that successfully complete our program.
Rare: It's rare to find an opportunity that can merge the benefit of local businesses, finding those in need necessities like housing, and lowering the local unemployment rate.
Imitable: This asset is so valuable because it takes many different aspects of the community and merges them.
Non-Substitutional: Our resources and how we plan to go about them are extremely unique to us.

8. Educational Skills
Valuable: Being able to educate those who have not been able to be educated before on many subjects is extremely rewarding
Rare: While the concept of education is not rare, the way we are talking about education is. Teaching those how to time manage, fight urges to relapse on drugs, and how to maintain a job are skills that not many organizations possess altogether. The way we are merging these skills in order to provide a thorough curriculum is what sets us aside.
Imitable: This asset is great because we are helping to better society.
Non-Substitutional: This curriculum will be stemmed from originality. It is solely based and joined through a unique curriculum brought by our program.

9. Economically Savvy
Valuable: Working to lower unemployment rates and help the local economy is what our secondary motivator is for our business.
Rare: Making a profit, helping members of the community, and helping the local economy is extremely rare for a business venture.
Imitable: Businesses are mostly in their business for profitable gain. We are in it for the welfare of the community
Non-Substitutional: Many people would not put themselves in a position to potentially not make the fullest profit they could. We are more in it for personal and community satisfaction.

10. Societal Contribution:
Valuable: It's extremely valuable to represent the community and do good for the community in your efforts to help the homeless population
Rare: Often times business ventures are very low scale and simple solutions to everyday problems. We are set aside by taking a big leap toward helping a large, global problem one county at a time.
Imitable: The benefit of society is not something you see often in a local business. Sure they may be good for the economy but we focus on society- the people. We want what's best for them which is something I personally don 't see often.
Non-Substitutional: Once a program like this is made it will be hard to compete in close proximity.

I feel that our most valuable asset is the collaborative benefits we provide to both the homeless community members and local businesses. Bringing the benefit of collaborating and being able to benefit from and for local businesses is what will set our program aside for things like sponsors and participants.