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.

Elevator PItch #3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFhbY-yOrj8

Reflection: I feel that, like most, my feedback is more encouraging and motivational rather than critical. There's not much I can say on it. I love that my peers are encouraging!

What I changed: I feel that this pitch got worse from my previous one. I did know my previous pitch better but I feel that this pitch if performed nicely, would've been better. I think that this pitch wasn't terrible but I was nervous (as always) and it wasn't completely memorized.

Idea Napkin #2

Who I am: I am an empathetic person who cares deeply about what people have gone through and how that can affect their entire lives. My talents include helping those who can't help themselves and providing resources for those who wouldn't be able to find resources themselves.

What I'm offering: I'm offering a service to those who are homeless. My service is helping homeless people find the resources and educational facilities needed for them to obtain and sustain a job. To continue, my organization will also help teach these people things like money management, insurance, renting, and taxes. We will provide the necessary tools they need to maintain housing and a good life in society. Once our students learn the skills they need for their trade, we can help them get a job in town. With this, we will also help them find housing and get them settled into their new life.

Why they care: Most people will care about sustaining a job and getting off of the streets. For a lot, this program can change their whole life for the better. In some cases, it may help entire families!

Our core competencies: What sets us aside is our unique understanding that many people who are on the streets want a better life. We don't have any bias towards those who are less fortunate which can help those who go through our program to feel comfortable and welcome. We also go above and beyond by not only emphasizing education but providing knowledge on everyday necessary knowledge.

I feel that all of these pieces fit together extremely well. The combination of emotional attachment and passion as well as the educational knowledge we are able to provide sets us up for success. One thing that could be a weak link is financing the education needed for students to complete their trades.

The feedback from my last napkin was only one comment and it was telling me that my post was good. There wasn't much constructive criticism so I had to take matters into my own hands. I looked at my work from the last napkin assignment while taking into consideration all of the knowledge and work I had gone through after that in order to create a more refined napkin this time.

Note: I drew a picture for this but it couldn't upload onto this document. I will try to make a new post with just the picture.

Growing your social capital

Initial Thoughts:

Finding people to talk to about my personal business proposal proved to be difficult. I had to resort to friends of friends and businesses from where I’m from. There is nothing quite like what I have in mind, especially locally or even statewide.

Domain Expert:

For my domain expert, I reached out to Jan Lindsay. Jan is a co-founder of a home for pregnant women and new mothers who have found themselves homeless or in a bad social situation such as domestic violence. She is passionate about her religion and has based her company on it. I found Jan from the website of the home she founded located in South Florida. At first, I called the home asking if she was available. When I was informed she wasn’t, I chose to email her. I included my information and left my phone number for her. In our conversation, I proposed my idea to her and asked how it is setting up a business like that. The exchange that happened was an exchange of information and advice. She explained the basic mechanics behind her business and what I could change about mine.

Market Expert:

My market expert is someone who can represent a large portion of my market. I chose to interview someone who was homeless and is currently in a program to get help. I don’t want to disclose their name for confidentiality but the information I gained from talking to this person has been some of the most insightful information I’ve gained all semester. I was able to reach out to this person because they are a part of a family I know down south. I reached out to my friend from high school about her sibling and she gave me his contact info.

Supplier:

I actually couldn’t find a good supplier to reach out to so again I spoke with my domain expert and spoke about the business. My particular business venture is difficult to work with I am starting to find out.

My Reflection:

This experience helped shape my future in networking because it gave me the practice and confidence to reach out to others and speak about my business. If it wasn’t for this class, I wouldn’t be networking with people in the business of homeless organizations. This definitely has differed from my experiences in the past because most of my experiences in the past have revolved around gaining things like volunteer opportunities and shadowing needed for the medical industry.

Elevator Pitch 2

Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIef-SwaqYs&feature=youtu.be



I found that the feedback that was most useful to me from the last pitch was how I was very nervous and became flustered. For this time, I did keep notes in front of me so that my words wouldn't overlap and give the impression that I was unprepared and sloppy. I was nervous again and did have a slip up on my words but I feel that this time was much better than last! Thank you!

Create a Customer Avatar

For my service, there is not one exact stereotypical person. There are many different people of different genders, races, family dynamics, and other demographics. If I had to picture the "typical" customer would be a middle-aged man whos homeless. He's a tad unkempt due to the lack of money available for things like haircuts or nicer clothes. He's a little dirty from not having a bathroom available to shower although he does shower every chance he gets. During the day, he holds a sign at a busy intersection either asking for money, food, or work. He doesn't have any kids that we can see because he doesn't bring them to hold the sign. He doesn't have a tv available to watch so holding the sign and talking to others throughout the day is what his day consists of. At night, he either tries to find a safe place to sleep on the street or goes to the local homeless shelter. He doesn't drive and although he's around his 40s or 50s he feels much older from the intensity of being in the sun all day, walking everywhere, and always sleeping on hard surfaces. The stress that he experiences consumes him, and that doesn't help with his feelings or motivation. He's sad but tries to make the most out of every day. He's on the skinny side because while he manages to get food, there are meals skipped and not much nutrient-rich food available to him.

Again, I don't love this assignment because it's very stereotypical and there are many different people who would use the same service that I'm offering. However, as far as similarities to this avatar, I have no similarities whatsoever. I am a young girl who is well fed, has a car, and most importantly has a place to live. I feel that there isn't a coincidence that I am the polar opposite of the avatar I have created because fortunately, my life (so far) has resulted differently than theirs. I am passionate about these people because I know that for a lot of them, the way they have ended up in this position is either not because of them or because of very unfortunate and sad situations. Everyone deserves food, shelter, and water at the very least to survive and I would like to help the less fortunate do so.

Below, I have attached many possible avatars showing that one size does not fit all in this case.



 

What's your secret sauce?

How I see myself:  

I see myself as hardworking, clean, loving, and kind. I am an extrovert who loves meeting new people and getting to know them. I love my family and spending time with them. I like to think that I'm smart and well rounded. I got my certified nursing assistant (CNA) license while taking courses at the University of Florida. I got my associate's degree at the same time as I graduated high school. I have worked hard for what I've gotten and continue to work hard. I love animals and helping people as well.

Interviews: "What makes me different? What skills and ethics set me apart?"

Ricky (My Boyfriend of 4 Years)

• Ricky: "What do you mean by different?"

• Me: "Like unique, what makes me unique?"

• Ricky: "You have a big heart, you care more than you should sometimes. Umm... you work harder than most people, you're always willing to help the people you care about. You're smart and work hard for things that you want. You have strong ethics and care deeply about a lot of things. I don't know, these are things that set you apart from other people. I mostly think about how much you care and work for the things you care about." 

Key Takeaway: This made me feel good. Living with my boyfriend of 4 years, it can be difficult juggling things like cleaning the apartment, taking care of our animals, going to school, and working. It's nice to be told how appreciated I am.

Faith (My Mom)

• Faith: "Oh okay, well, you are very nurturing and caring for those you love. You are kind and passionate about animals, you help your sister with Kylie and the twins (my nieces) and are there no matter what time it is- if people need you, you're there. You have a kind heart and are so smart. You got into a great university with your smarts and that's due to your work ethic- which I'd like to think you got from me- you work so hard. One thing you should work on baby is how anxious and stressed you make yourself from putting so many things on your plate and adding commitments in your life. I think you're doing great and I'm so proud of you"

Key Takeaway: My mom is so extra sometimes but she is always there to support me when I need her the most. I have to agree with her when it comes to friends and family I am always there when they need because I have a great foundation and support group behind me.

Stacy (My sister)

• Stacy: "I don't know if anyone else said this but the first thing that comes to mind when I think of your strengths is your charm and communication skills. You're great in interviews, you are great at making connections and networking and I think that can take you far in life. You're well rounded and are smart both in school and with everyday life (adulting). You're mature, which is probably because of us (she's referring to my much older siblings), but it's a great trait. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll be great. 

Key Takeaway: My older siblings are everything to me. They have been the ones that have mentored me, taken care of me, and guided me to be better every day. They are amazing individuals with one being in PA school and one being the head of a Montessori school in Jupiter. Hearing this from Stacy really felt good since she's really successful.

Alyssa (My other sister)

• Alyssa: "You are so relatable with everything you do, you're humble. No matter how successful or unsuccessful you are with something you stay the same. You truly believe that you are equals with everyone when, to me, you shine so bright. Watching you grow up has been so cool because I have seen your work ethic just grow and grow since you were a baby when I thought there could be no kid who's more hardworking than you. You're so loving with my and our family and are always there when we need you the most. You have been the best Aunt I could've wanted for my three girls and I am truly lucky to have you in my life. 

Key Takeaway: Alyssa is always very sappy but I truly do think I'm just me. No better or worse than anyone else. I like being down to earth and myself.


Kate (My best friend)

• "You're so nice to everyone you meet, even if people are mean to you, you remain kind. You are very responsible compared to everyone in our friend group and most people our age. You are very concerned with succeeding and having a good life with a family when most people haven't even thought about that. You're funny and get along with people very well. You're just awesome!" 

Key Takeaway: What she said is true. I try to remain kind even when people aren't kind to me. I also think about my future often. 

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I agree with what people said about me as they were all quite similar. I feel that I am kind, I care deeply for those that I love, I am passionate about success and my future, and I love to help people as well as animals. 

Finding Out Buyer Behavior Part 2

For this assignment, I sought out to find one homeless person, one community member, and one existing organization leader. I chose these three people in order to gain a holistic insight into who would be affected and interested in my service.

While speaking with the homeless woman, I came to the conclusion that they don't have many alternatives. I explained my idea and asked what alternatives there were and which she thought would be the best. The woman, Shirley, explained that it's hard to find resources for the homeless due to the negative stigma that homelessness sees. The other factor that goes into the choices of homeless people is the longevity of programs available. Many resources as explained are short term and not sustainable. When programs are longer they tend to be more successful for those in the program from what I've gathered. For homeless people, the "post-purchase evaluation" is if the program they have gone through proves successful with getting them off the streets and in a good place in life.

I also chose to speak to a community member that could act as a potential customer of the program. Those in the community could hire the people we train in our program. I explained my idea and expressed some of the alternatives like workers in the different fields and doing things themselves and the woman I spoke to explained that while she would be willing to hire those in our program, she expressed that for many in our community they might not be as willing due to liability and quality of work. The way she explained it helped me put things into perspective. Those are some kinks that I think I could work out, I just have to think about it. I think the "post-purchase evaluation" for these customers would be the quality of work for the price. There are many factors that can go into this such as the amount of time it took for response to the call, the quality of work, and price.

The third and final person I spoke to was someone who runs an existing organization. After explaining my business idea, the man I spoke to gave me some insightful feedback. He said that the idea itself is great but that there are some things to be worked out like if I was going to work with the local government or work independently, how I planned to rehabilitate the people I take in, and how we can facilitate the employment of the people once they complete the program. He explained to me that I should be careful with people taking advantage of the resources I help provide. He also helped me think of alternatives and gave me the pros and cons of each.

 Final Conclusions: After this assignment, I think that now is the time to think of details. While the big idea did the job in previous assignments, now is the time that details are important because the details are what will divide my program from others and it's details that go into buyer decisions and evaluation.

Halfway Reflection

1. Behaviors I've acquired to keep up with the assignments from this class include going on canvas early in the week to view what assignments I have due later in the week so that I have sufficient time to complete the tasks. On top of that, I make sure to watch the lecture videos and take ample notes, especially what's on slides and specific examples he only speaks of in class.

2. With this class, there is a lot of potential outsourcing one could need to do. With this, I have definitely been overwhelmed with having to go out in public and interview prospective customers for my product/service. I feel that after the first couple of times you get more and more comfortable. To continue, as you develop your product/service I feel that the idea makes you excited to continue the journey and helps that tenacity develop

3. My three tips are

1. Be proud and passionate about the business plan you choose to create- it will make it much more interesting to work with.

2. Try to remember that the people you may interview for your assignments can be very helpful and others may not be so: plan to take time to find the right people who will give you the feedback you're looking for.

3. If you feel like you just can't take it anymore, take a step back and reflect on what has brought you to that moment. What could you handle differently? Are there other ways of getting the same information? Then keep going!

 .  (My picture)

Finding Out Buyer Behavior

Warning: Drug use and foster care are touchy subjects that are discussed in this assignment.

For this assignment, I chose to interview homeless individuals that have specific keywords on the signs that they hold. I did have to drive around the city to find these people but I am pretty happy with the outcome. I chose people who had the words hungry, have kids, and need work on their signs. I chose these because I think that it's these people who are in the most need for resources. Those who have to provide for their own kids or those who desperately want to work have more motivation than others to go find work.

In my interviews, I asked very general questions that allowed for the interviewee to tell me their story. For this, I just listened and took notes. I asked questions like "when did you lose housing?" "how many kids do you have?" "When was your last job" and each of the three people I interviewed was very cooperative. I could tell that two of them were not in good shape, had bruises all over them and signs of drug use.

Overall, these three people had similar outcomes to very different experiences. Each of them found themselves homeless but due to many different reasons. One, like I've been wanting to interview, was a retired veteran who lost his retirement funding as well as contact with his family due to unfortunate circumstances. I asked him when he realized he needed to ask for work instead of just money and he said "Honey, ever since I got out on the streets I knew something needed to happen. Problem is, once people see that you're on the street they don't trust you anymore and look down on you." This broke my heart. It's one of the things that I included in my idea napkin about having faith in people. I got similar answers from the other two just not as emotional. The other two said that they both had been addicted to drugs and because of that, don't have contact with their family. They also described that due to their drug usage they have been in many different bad situations on the streets. I asked them when they realized they needed to ask for work and they said that because of their drug habits, they need to take drugs to function properly. They described that it's not about the high but just getting out of bed in the morning to not get sick. They both do have kids, all of who I found out are actually either in foster care or with family (who they don't contact). They both said they are trying to get work in order to get housing and hopefully get into a program so that once they're clean they can try to get their kids back.

Overall, I think that the need awareness happens when they want to make a change in themselves. Once they realize how bad of a place they're in, they want to change for the better. Need awareness is a tricky subject for those who are homeless because many of them have many different intentions. I think that for the most part, those who recognize the need to get out of the situation are often looking for something else that comes with getting off the street. With my program, I think that these individuals have the potential to really turn their lives around.

Idea Napkin

Who we are: Our company will play a very important role in our community as we know it. With our skills on how to function as a proper part of society, we will help those in our community who have found themselves without a home.

What are we offering? We are offering rehabilitation and resources to those who are homeless in order to help them get the training they need to sustain a job and housing for themselves. 

Who are we offering it to? We are offering these services to anyone who has found themselves homeless and hungry. We are offering our services to those who need it the most. If we get a good grasp on that, we may be able to expand to those who have housing but have a hard time sustaining a job or who are on government welfare. 

Why do they care? They will care a great deal when it comes to the difference of having a place of their own to go to with a warm bed versus living on the street. Our supporters and sponsors will care because they will be able to have the work they need done easier and won't have to see people living on the street panhandling. 

What are our core competencies? Organizing resources to those in need and explaining the steps one needs to take to get those resources. We also will be great in giving classes on everyday skills such as time management, how to sustain a job and things like financial planning and stability.  

Elevator Pitch 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNbxeq56v9k&feature=share

I'm sorry I was really nervous and didn't have a fancy place to do this!

Testing the Hypothesis Part II

To be transparent, my idea is not very easy to conceptualize or ask others to relate to as it does not exist in this area. Instead of an invention you can touch or that will solve a lot of people's everyday problems, my idea goes deeper into humanity and government. I have interviewed people for this assignment though I'm not sure it was what we're looking for. I couldn't find people that "should have the problem but don't." Rather my project looks at people who do have the problem that shouldn't. Many of the residents of Alachua county don't have this problem but for the few that do, this could make a difference. I focused on an idea that can work with government and collaborate with other businesses around Alachua county.

I interviewed a different set of people asking who they think this idea would help and who they think would have the problem. Overall, many people defined that homeless people would have the problem to solve. I did notice, though, that some of the people I interviewed brought up the idea of the homeless people's willingness. If they wouldn't want to become part of the program, what's the point of creating it? If they're disabled in the first place how are they going to be a part of the program? These are things that put me into perspective about my idea. A few of the other topics that were thrown out there was how hard it would be to manage. What if they aren't reliable? What if they relapse or get in trouble? How hard could it be to rehabilitate them? All of it seemed to overwhelm me because I did not think of the possibility of things like mental illness and agressiveness. All of these topics did give me a good look at who would and wouldn't be included in who would participate.

Who: I feel that those who wouldn't take part are those who are not comfortable with once homeless or drug addict or once-arrested individuals in their business or homes. Another population who would be outside the boundary are those with homes.

What: I feel that the point my service is different from others is the fact that we would be working to not only rehab them but also train them on life and how to function as a normal part of society. We would also be helping them find work and housing but from a non-governmental status. (It could become governmental) This need is different because it would make a huge difference that would change people's lives. Taking them off the street and helping them live comfortably without just being a homeless shelter or something of that sort.

Why: The need for those in the boundary is much much different than those outside the boundary simply due to the need to get off the street. The difference between people who have shelter and those who don't is extremely significant.


Inside the Boundary

Who: Those who are homeless and willing to put in time and effort to get better and learn so that they can get off the streets as well as businesses who are willing to collaborate and teach these people and finally those who need work done in their homes who trust that we can provide good service without any problems.

What: The need for the individual to start a life of their own. To learn, work, and support themselves so that they live comfortably.

Why: The need exists because unfortunately people of many different backgrounds can find themselves in a spot where they don't have anyone to rely on or any work. Because of these instances, they can find themselves homeless which is a terrible way to live.

Outside the Boundary

Who: Those who have proper shelter, those unwilling to come off the streets and work, and those who don't want to work/ give work to the homeless people.

What: The need is not to get shelter for free. It IS hard work and willingness to make the individuals life better as a long term commitment.

Why: As an alternative explanation, the need is not the same for those looking for free housing to continue not working, but rather to look for the guidance to get in the right headspace to get back into life as a working person and a self reliant person in general.

Solving the Problem

I have displayed my idea for a solution to the unemployment of homeless individuals in Alachua county. My idea is to create a program that takes homeless people who either can't sustain a job due to their living conditions, don't have enough education, or other disparities in leading them to a sustainable source of income.  In this program, I would set up sponsorships and collaborations with trade experts in order to train these people in a field they would be interested in making money in.

This program would not only supervise the kind of work and where they work but also be responsible for a payroll system. I view it as a kind of agency for freelance workers. We would show them the opportunity, teach them about the workforce and workforce etiquette, and send them on apprenticeships with local trade workers to learn the trade. From there, people can call our business and request work to be done when they need it to be done. After that, we will choose one of our workers and send them to that job. Initially, we will take the money from the job and use it partially for-profit and partially for the payroll of the workers. On top of payroll, though, we will be helping those who succeed in the program find things like housing and resources to get necessities like clothes and food. I'm sure there are better ways to hash out the details but that's my rough idea for the project!

 I like helping a variety of people with one solution. So, we would help those who are homeless sustain a job and teach about workforce etiquette as well as helping other residents of Alachua county with work they need done and lowering rates of panhandling on the streets.

Testing The Hypothesis (Part I)

For this assignment, I wanted to focus on the unemployment rate and the homeless issue we have in Alachua county. I have talked about this topic in a previous assignment so I can recognize that it's really important to me. Many of the people who are homeless consist of retired vets who have had it rough and those who have been thrown out or left home. I feel that from an entrepreneurial level, there is a great deal of opportunity here as well as being able to give back to your community. My concept is through the sponsorship of small businesses in and around Gainesville/Alachua county. Through these sponsors, a company could be started that takes those who are homeless, teaches them the skills they need to sustain a job and get them trained in a number of different skills. Once the company takes off is when revenue would be coming in. Businesses like construction companies can work with you if they need some extra hands or maybe train some to be HVAC technicians or even electricians. Trades are a great way to help people with little education or minimal experience out into the workforce.

The Who: Homeless people in and around Gainesville

The What: They often find it hard to find jobs due to lack of education, experience, or due to underlying conditions such as disabilities.

The Why: Many of these people are unable to find jobs and such because they have no resources to help them with basic life necessities such as housing, proper hygiene, and knowledge to enter the workforce.

The prospective company would help teach them work ethic as well as different skills they can take into the workforce under your supervision. This, in turn, could help make our unemployment rate go down in Alachua county and help keep our area in good shape. I feel that others would benefit from this company due to the decreasing rate of panhandling in the streets. All citizens of Alachua county could technically benefit if they needed work done that the employees are able to do. We could send our employees on apprenticeships to find what they are most interested in and once they have successfully learned the skill, we could supervise the amount of work given to them and set up their payroll as well as help them with their living conditions. Eventually, I feel this type of program would benefit from working alongside the local government.

After talking to 5 Alachua county residents of all different demographics, I have come to the conclusion that this kind of program is something that could be a big opportunity. Many of the individuals said that they would like to see that kind of opportunity. I even spoke to one homeless man on the corner of University and 13th street who said that if something like that were to be created that he would definitely take part in it. This really put me into the perspective of just how much it can help the community. I believe there is a real opportunity here and it would benefit many people in the community. While I don't have all of the details thought up in my mind, I definitely think I have the big picture.

Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

For my first category, I would like to talk about two economic trends that are happening right now.

1. The first economic opportunity I recognized was unemployment trends and the homeless issue in Alachua county. Many of the people who are homeless here have a number of reasons why they have been found without a home including economic struggles, disability, and unemployment that could all be caused by another aspect in their lives. I feel that there is a major opportunity here. I think that if we were to create a program in Alachua county and even expand to other counties or states, that we can help not only to rehabilitate but to reinstate work ethic in those people by hiring them to do work around the city. I did not really research this, I just thought about it and thought it would be great for the economy because it could lead to things like neighborhoods getting cleaned up which would help with real estate, for example. I think that the prototypical customer would be homeless people who could find themselves employed and this, in turn, would benefit everyone in the community.

2. The second economic trend I thought about was the increasing rates of the student, and family, housing in Gainesville. I have noticed that there is an array of people who have complained about the cost of living in Alachua county. I feel that if I had the opportunity to maximize the amount of resident in a building while keeping it private and putting the building in a lower cost area yet still central to many things around Gainesville that it would benefit me, the entrepreneur, as well as residents who find housing to be nearly unaffordable. There could even be income limits in living there so that the people who really need it are able to rent an apartment comfortably. The prototypical customer would be residents of Alachua county who find housing too expensive.

My second category is about recent regulation changes.

1. The first regulation I would like to talk about, as many people are, is the age of tobacco sales going up to 21 years of age in Alachua county. Folks, we have entered the day in age where sadly we see many people young and old smoking not only tobacco but synthetic e-cigarettes. These products and devices obviously have nicotine in them more often than not which is an addictive substance. For those under 21, it must have been a shock to those addicted to nicotine because in their own town they are no longer to buy it for themselves. While I certainly don't condone the use of tobacco or vapes, I feel that there is an unmet customer need for the prototypical customer of adults 18-20 who depend on tobacco and nicotine in their daily lives. I have to be honest, I see a definite opportunity here I just don't exactly know what the solution could be. With this, I thought this regulation was extremely relevant.

https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190122/county-raises-tobacco-buying-age-to-21
https://www.wuft.org/news/2019/01/23/alachua-county-approves-ordinance-making-it-illegal-to-sell-tobacco-to-anyone-under-21/

2. The second regulation change I found an opportunity in was a tightening in food stamps. Due to President Trump's new regulations on SNAP, about 700,000 people will no longer be able to receive food stamps. This can really put a damper on those who lost this welfare support. I feel that an opportunity for this could be to create a program where people who can't afford food from the grocery store go to save money on food. A version of this exists in waldo at the flea market. They sell new food, food that's about to expire, and mildly expired food at a very discounted price. They also sell things like vitamins, feminine products, household products, and pet supplies. I feel that if someone were to open a place similar to this locally that there would be some real opportunity there. The prototypical customer would be someone who can't afford food from average grocery stores, possibly due to losing their governmental benefits.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/04/food-stamps-trump-administration-tightens-snap-work-requirements/2608297001/
https://time.com/5744647/trump-food-stamps-rule/
https://www.supermarketnews.com/laws-regulations/snap-rule-change-would-cut-food-stamp-benefits-700000-recipients