30A- Final Reflection

When reflecting on the semester, I am astonished by how much I learned from the course. Initially, when told that the entire class would be done through a blog format, I figured I was in big trouble as I have only read blogs but never constructed one myself. I was not sure if I would have messed up when commenting or uploading the correct URL. Overall, there was a lot of confusion and fear but then I realized hundreds of other students might be thinking the same thing and eventually I would get it. 

The class did start slowly, and as I learned the structure of the course, my creativity began to grow. The lectures allowed me to view situations differently and the questions from my fellow students challenged me to think a little deeper. 

The most nerve-racking experience had to be the first elevator pitch. It is effortless to hide behind a computer and post, but when you have to put a face to the work, the entire thing changed. I immediately thought this was the make or break moment in the semester and I would have to hope for the best. I was pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback and to also see that my classmates were just as nervous as I was. Getting through this assignment was honestly the part of the semester when I knew it was all going to be ok. I won't forget this moment as I refreshed my browser repeatedly, waiting for the first response. But in the end, this was the moment where I realized I was not alone.

The moment I am most proud of in this class is the second elevator pitch. I was excited to set the camera up and find a new location that allowed me to show my new confidence. I was even proud of my "made up" product. I found myself beginning to look forward to the next assignment and learning the steps taken from having an idea of doing something about it. 

Regarding the entrepreneur mindset, I am not sure that I have entirely grasped it, but I can admit that I have grown a greater interest in the world of entrepreneurship. Shark Tank was my closest connection to this world, but I have come to realize that this show is based on steps far ahead of this class. This class is essentially the seed, and Shark Tank resembles the flower. But there are many steps necessary to take before reaching the end. I once thought patents were just bought and handed out but to discover these may take years to obtain, really blew my mind. 

The one recommendation I would take to future students is to keep an open mind. Do not try and take shows, past experiences, or even recent projects into this class. Be open to learning what entrepreneurship truly is and take in ideas, lessons, and examples from classmates and the professor to help form a greater understanding of the term. I spent the first three weeks comparing this class to a television show, and I believe this held me back from the uniqueness this course truly possessed. 

To perform your best in this course, I would recommend doing the assignments ahead of time and be sure to stay on top of the reading. The lectures are a lot of fun to watch, and if you are in Gainesville, I am sure attending the classes are even more exciting because you can get the interaction you lack online. 

29A-Venture Concept No. 2

Opportunity-
This area was very easy for me to locate as it is a problem I encounter daily. Whether driving, walking, flying, in a meeting, and even training, people cannot resist their phones. Consumed by what is happening in the world, society has lost connection with what is truly happening around them. When driving, I haven't been to a stop light or sign and not seen someone looking to their mobile device. Even if it's for seconds, this is a distraction that puts others at great risk. When walking around campus or streets, people don't bother to even watch where they are walking are peripheral vision has become the new primary vision and "excuse me" is used as much as Latin. Even at my daily training. My training partners will do an exercise, only to rush to their phones between breaks to take a selfie or make a post. These mobile devices have become so distracting and have taken away the face to face interactions once held in everyday communication.
The people who need this product are coaches, managers, professors, and parents. Obtaining the power to eliminate these technological distractions and gain the necessary attention to be present again.
The forces at play are the constant evolving of technology. Now watches are capable of making calls and answering text messages. There are so many devices to keep track of it is difficult to stay up with the trends. This is why Campfire is vital for the problem. Blocking the notifications that once distracted individuals from their surroundings.
The market for this product ranges from 10 years old to 50 years old. Essentially those that use mobile devices throughout the day but can't seem to focus on the tasks at hand. Whether that is from driving to physical training. Eliminating additional distractions to increase productivity and recreate the face to face interactions we experienced before the technological boom of mobile devices.
Currently, parents and professors can ask students and their children to put the devices away but this only delays the problem. Having this product would essentially eliminate the problem all together. When a meeting is about to occur, switch on Campfire and get the team's undivided attention. When a parent wants to recap the day with their children, switch on Campfire and get every detailed that once would have been skimmed over to return to a news feed.
This opportunity is massive as 5 billion people posses a cellphone and there are 7.53 billion people on the planet.
The opportunity window will be present until the face to face interactions become the norm again. As long as cellphones remain popular, Campfire will be in business.
Innovation-
The product is a mobile device that blocks the notification message from mobile devices. It does not block the incoming call or message but doesn't allow the owner to be distracted by in notification of information. Once Campfire is turned off, the phone returns to normal. I plan on selling the device at around $10 but having add-ons to help cover the cost of production and research that went into the production. Things such as the number of users that can be blocked and timed blocks so teachers or executives can time exams and meeting to keep the students and coworkers attentive during the session.
Venture Concept-
This product is the best way to capture the full attention of an individual or a large group. When you eliminate the distraction, people can focus again. The thinking is the same when a student in class is disruptive. If the student is removed, the class can focus on their work and most likely perform at a higher level.
It will be difficult to get people on board initially as privacy is such a big issue now. No one wants to think of someone having control of their possessions. But once people see how safe it is, then people will get on board.
There are currently no competitors and the only weakness would be that once the product is released, there has to be enough protection on the IP that others cannot just copy the concept.
Packaging, price points, distribution, customer support, and the customer experience are all things that have to come into serious consideration but are all things that would be researched and discussed with other individuals that know the field and could advise my team to make the right decisions out the gate. 
The size of the business would grow with the company. I don't wish to be too large at the beginning and put myself in a financial hole. But I want to be able to also keep up with demand if things take off from the start. Again, this is an area I would hire a respected professional in the field to advise us on the correct numbers to prepare for both scenarios.  

Feedback

I was pleasantly surprised with the feedback I received but also discovered that this wouldn't be an easy battle. People do not like the idea of losing control and the freedom of their devices and want to be able to use them as they please. I will continue thinking of ways to find a balance with the issue of freedom and security but overall felt that people appreciated the idea behind the product. 

28A- Your Exit Strategy

I am very excited to consider the possibilities Campfire may hold for the future, but I also don't think this will be a necessity when the next trend comes along. If I were able to gain substantial momentum at the beginning and become a respected name in the technology field, I would be very pleased. Becoming a helpful tool in homes and workplaces. But the ideal situation would be that another company would want to come and buy the idea, product, concept, patents, or whatever from me and then provide me with a royalty check for the rest of my life. I am not looking for some life-changing buyout, but a nice security blanket to fall back on in case of a "rainy day." 

I have chosen this exit strategy because I believe the technology field is extremely competitive, expensive, and constantly upgrading. Staying up with the latest trends and software almost seems impossible. You have to strike while it's hot and knows when to get out. I don't want to miss my window and end up putting myself in a financial hole that hurts my family in the long run. 

I believe this exit strategy impacts my plans with the company. As I hope it to be a one hit wonder, I think this puts a creativity block on the potential the product may possess. As some may be looking to add accessories or branch out, I wish to maximize what I have and then get out. I firmly believe the opportunity is there and there are so many families, schools, and businesses that could immediately use this product, but I don't see much expansion from there. 

26A- Celebrating Failure

One of the biggest fails I had this semester has to do with my textbooks for my classes. I always like to plan, and as soon as the syllabus is released, I always try to beat all my classmates and get the textbooks before they sell out. Well, this backfired for me this semester. I am traveling quite a bit and spend the majority of my time in Vienna, Austria. As all the syllabus became available at the beginning of the semester, I ordered my books and sent them to Florida. I don't know what I was thinking, as I wouldn't be in Florida for another two months and didn't know if they would even send them back.

To make matters worse, I had all my mail forwarded to my parents home while I'm out of the country. So even when I got to Florida (two months later), my books weren't there. I had to wait another two weeks for my parents to drive down and visit me to deliver all my books. 

You can imagine it was a rough start to the semester as many assignments, exams, and lectures reference information from the textbook and I hadn't had mine for months. I used this situation to make several friends in my other classes and sometimes even get photos of pages in the book in case there was a graph or other illustrated I needed to see. 

The biggest takeaway from this was to pay closer attention to the detail. Doing things as quickly as possible is not always the best solution, and if I had taken the time to look at the shipping address, I would have saved myself from 2 and a half months grief.  

When tying this into failure, I believe you have to focus on the solution. Problems will always arise, and many times you will not solve things on the first time, but staying positive and being creative will help you figure things out. As a result of this exact dilemma, I found that working with someone on assignments helped me retain the information I was learning even more. I think this is why we do a discussion post in this class. This allows you to gain a different perspective on issues but also to think more in-depth about the issues. 

This class has massively changed my perspective on failure as it is typical of entrepreneurs. I have learned to accept failure head on because they are all learning opportunities. The idea of "Failing forward" has been one of the great takeaways I have had from this class. 

25A – What’s Next?

Existing

After conducting interviews with those in my existing market, I was still presently surprised with the positive feedback I received over Campfire. Many of the participants struggled to understand how the messages and calls wouldn't come through but still be saved on the phone without any form of notifications. Others worried how the cell phones companies would influence the capabilities of the product and if there would be add-ons or limits as these are always areas used to make more money. The most common concern was one of security. What steps would be taken to ensure the product could not be hacked and all private material would be safe. Especially in larger settings. 
The future holds room for greater research. Staying ahead of hackers is a constant battle in the technology world but these individuals have created a fear amongst mobile device users and now this element has to be looked into with great concern. This would be an area that consumes a lot of the budget as one hack could jeopardize the reputation of the company and greatly influence the momentum of the success or failure.


New 

To reach those in the new market, it has to focus on adding additional features. I described the capabilities of the item but then people  wondered how to get wifi on the product also. I believe this demonstrated how distracted w have become. The greatest improvements will be to continue to cut down on the size of the product, increase the strength, and create more security. 

I was very surprised that many people already had a general idea of what an item like this would cost or what they would be willing to pay for this. I believe this information could be extremely helpful when deciding how to price it and make it a competitive product in the very competitive technology shelf space. 

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

1. Human Capital- Possible investor connections from athletic connections

V- This decreases the amount of money I may need to ask the banks for as there are people willing to invest in the concept. 

R- Having solid connections with people that have the financial backing is extremely advantageous when attempting to getting a start up going. 

I- Others may have connections also but I believe most of my connections would be people that genuinely believed in me more than the product.

N- I could go to a bank or credit union to get a loan but this would add additional stress to a stressful situation

2. Lightweight(Nike connections) 

V- Knowing those that have to construct creative ways to make something lighter or look beyond what is currently available is vital. 

R- The creative minds in this company have many projects to work on themselves and its a privilege to be able to have their contact. 

I- Many of the best ideas are protected by patents but learning how the ideas came about could be a valuable way of constructing the next method to use to get the best product. 

N- I could reach out to others in the technological field but I am all about outside thinking and seeing how different perspectives can lead to different results.

3. Social Media Platforms-

V- Using my personal social media to great exposure for free

R- I have an established brand and I can use it to promote the item. Normally influencers would have to be paid. 

I- It's not that hard to copy but it is advantageous to have a platform with a solid following to start on. 

N- There are thousands on influencers that could use their platforms to promote an idea. 

4. Large audience-

V- Marketing during a global competition would bring many eyes to the item. 

R- I could use the Olympic Games to market my item during the largest sporting event in the world

I- It is difficult to get valuable spotlight during such busy times, especially if you aren't an Olympic Sponsor but I would use any media opportunities as avenues to promote the brand. 

N- Because of certain rules, only Olympic brands can market during this time. 

5.Human capital- Interested people to start up company

V- I don't have to search for people to hire as there is already a group of people interested in the concept. 

R- Finding people that believe in the vision just because of a napkin pitch demonstrates great belief in the product. 

I- Building a support staff of qualified people without having to host formal interviews is a great opportunity.

N- There are companies that help connect candidates with companies but they cannot establish the chemistry these individuals have already created. 

6. Global office- Freedom to work from anywhere

V- This allows employees to work from any location they please. 

R- Most start ups like to work very close to each other to ensure everyone is on the same page.

I- Many companies are conducting meeting from across the world but I don't believe many start ups begin in this manner. 

N- There are programs on different Microsoft programs that multiple people can work on the same thing at the same time. 

7. UF connection

V- The Alumni Association strives to help former Gators better their future. Making a connection through this avenue could be better than searching for someone external.

 R- It's an opportunity to work with someone that may have shared a similar school background with you. 

I- Only Santa Fe students can relate to going to school in Gainesville.

N- This is a very unique bond graduates share. 

8. Secure hotspot

V- This will bring more users as safety has become a crucial standard everyone is looking toward. 

R- Some hotspots can be easily hacked and this puts many parties in danger. Have a password protected one allows for all users to be protected. 

I- It is unfortunately not too hard to copy. 

N- There are signal blockers that provide the same security. 

9. School connections

V- I have established strong connections with many schools in Georgia, Florida, and California

R- It is difficult to create a trusted name or brand amongst schools as the students well being is always in the minds of parents and teachers. 

I- There is value in set relationships with elementary, middle, and high schools. 

N- It would take competitors time to establish themselves in the schools after my company got in there first. 

10. Sponsorship connections

V- The companies I work with have strong connections in the technology field and can be extremely beneficial when looking for additional connections. 

 R- Having a connections that creates a solid network can be extremely beneficial in the beginning. 

• I believe the financial connections is the greatest element at this point. Having the support to create a product and not have to put myself and the company in a financial hole is one step ahead of the competitors. Surely the investors would want a return but he pressure would be completely different as they would be close friends. 

22A – Elevator Pitch No. 3

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oURwTAHChq8&feature=youtu.be

2. Reflecting on the feedback I received, I was pleasantly surprised with all the positive remarks. I attempted to take a different approach and throw some numbers in there to captivate my audience differently. Most people said that they enjoyed the examples I used previously and I want to keep the pitch relatable so I tried to stay along the same structure. I did appreciate the feedback about my energy at the beginning, as this is the one moment I have to grasp the viewers attention. I am very grateful for that recommendation and will keep practicing how to create that "Attention moment" at the beginning. 

3. I felt more comfortable making the pitch. Doing multiple pitches on the same concept allowed me to find a comfortable balance between selling a product and also selling an idea. This class has really helped me grasp the concept of how practice improves a skill set. I believe for a final pitch, I would like to completely memorize it and focus more on key pauses and times to raise and drop the energy level. Overall, this was another great learning experience and I am extremely grateful for the constructive criticism. 

20A – Growing Your Social Capital

1. Nike shoe designer for track and field innovation- Domain Expert

The first individual is based in Beaverton, OR. I have worked with a shoe team since 2015. I asked someone I am close with to refer me to someone outside of the team that I could speak to about a school project. As a professional athlete, having the best gear can be advantageous to provide a competitive edge to your opponents. Nike invests heavily into their research and development department so they can be the world's leaders in innovation. They strive to set the bar but also create patents to protect their work. 

When discussing the product with him, he was very intrigued as he hosts many meetings daily and weekly where many of his team may have issues with being completely present. As many members of the group are working multiple projects at one time, it is difficult to turn the brains off and solely focus on one project. This comes with the possibility of being called out of meetings to meet with people on other projects. He immediately found this as something of interest and believe it could help the quality of the meetings. 

Including this person in my network is beneficial to me for several reasons. I plan to have some form of future in this specific field at Nike and having a contact in the department could be a way to get a reliable reference but also have someone back the quality of work I provide due to our extended history and success. I believe concepts like "Campfire" additionally demonstrate my ability to locate opportunities and find a solution. 

The exchange I had with this individual was my napkin idea. Explaining the technological concepts, I wished the product to possess and seeing what ideas immediately came to him on ways I can better the product. 

This experience did not differ from experiences in the past as I am continually working to extend my network. I enjoy meeting new people and building relationships. It was easy for me to reach out to someone in my "target market" because I have witnessed the issue, first-hand, and believed the Nike employee could relate and appreciate this as soon as he heard about it. 

2. Pastor, motivational speaker, business owner-Market Expert

This individual works full-time and has two young children. As gaming and texting are extremely popular with the younger generation, getting his kids off the phone around dinner and homework time in a continuous battle. He has attempted to ask the children to avoid the phones during these periods but sometimes goes unheard due to the lack of support from his wife who also struggles to leave her phone from the dinner table. 

This individual was a guest speaking at a dinner I attended and I thought it would be a neat ice breaker to present my idea to him. I contacted him directly after his presentation and this was an approach others weren't taking, which enabled me to capture his interest. 

The exchange I had with this individual was presenting my elevator pitch and discovering how clear my message was. The return expectation was to receive constructive feedback that can help me introduce the concept and product more transparently while also convincing the individual that this is a "Must-have product."

This experience enabled me to see how quickly I could build my network because he was already speaking to other parents about similar issues and knew friends that would be interested in something like this.  I believe word-of-mouth recommendations go a long way with parents and they are always looking for ways to making parenting more efficient and beneficial for the entire family. 

3. Montessori teacher/influencer- Supplier

This individual is a firm believer in the Montessori method of teaching and is a mother. She is extremely passionate about getting children away from their cellular and mobile devices and getting them more involved with the real world. Having hand on experiences that enable them to process and learn differently. 

I found this person through a mutual friend. She is a teacher at a school my friend sends her daughter to. I am interested in the type of learning style and this was a good way to exchange information.

The nature of this exchange was both the elevator pitch and my napkin idea. The return I was expecting was tips of ways of improving both areas. Also, to learn more about the school. 

Including this person in my network would be huge as she is a teacher amongst hundreds of children and their parents who couldn't quickly learn about this product and spread the word to similar thinking parents but also to parents that don't have their children enrolled in the school. 

This networking experience was effortless as I was dealing with someone that thinks very similar to me. I will continue to expand my network but working through the current network and seeing what external connections I can make through that. 

Idea Napkin No.2

1) I am a professional track and field athlete that noticed how addicted people have become to their mobile devices. It was unbelievable to witness my training partners checking their phones throughout training to avoid the feeling of missing out. Several have even purchased apple watches so they don't have to go to the actual phones but can get the notifications as they are working out. 

The qualities that would help my success in starting this business up would be my ability to find opportunities and examine them from all angles. I believe my network and experience on the largest stage of the sporting world would have given me a different perspective on how to set goals and reach them. 

I would aspire to use the tools I have gained from my current job and pass those on to future partners or anyone I come into contact with. Regarding the product, I would immediately speak to investors I know and throw the product to them. This would not be to gain financial backing but to see if they like it or could refer me to a friend that is interested in this field. 

2) Campfire is a product that blocks the notification alert from your mobile device. This product does not stop incoming messages or calls from coming in. It merely prevents the alert, that may cause distractions, and hides them until Campfire is turned off or you go beyond the reach of the product. 

3) Campfire is made for anyone who wishes to bring their friends and families closer. Any professional that hopes to gain the undivided attention of their coworkers, staff, or students. All the customers I am focusing on, are those who deal with distracted people. 

4) People will pay to use the product because we all have the need to be social. Some want a deeper connection than others, but we are not meant to do life alone. Campfire brings back face-to-face interactions. It takes away the urge to be miles away and be present with the people around you. 

5) This product is not on the market, so I don't have to worry about setting myself apart. The most difficult challenge would be for people to participate once people have bought it. As all parties have to register and consent to be shut off, my greatest challenge would be convincing people that it is worth it. 

When reviewing these elements, I believe there is a genuine connection between these factors. I think that our need to have friends and be social help support the thinking behind the product. As stated, the greatest challenge would be convincing people that the new trend of everything being at your fingertips and turning that off and being present, will be very difficult. For the well being of our future generations, I believe this is the way we need to go. Balance is crucial in life, but this wave of mobile technology and the apps have taken society to a place where face-to-face communication is becoming secondary. 

I was extremely grateful and motivated to receive such positive feedback on my product. I do believe that this opportunity is incredibly relatable and something that the older generation can genuinely relate to. I want to continue doing a better job explaining the concept and explaining that everyone has full control of Campfire. With all the issues of privacy and hacking and all the additional unfortunate events we are experiencing with the technological security breaching, people want to feel safe. So this has to be at the forefront of the campaign. 

18A- Create a customer avatar

My customer would be the working mother around the age of 40. She has 2 or 3 children and a husband that is obsessed with Fantasy Football. All kids are active in extra curricular activities. She works out at the gym 3 days a week and drops the kids to school on the days she isn't training in the morning. Her commute is 45 minutes to get to the office, where she deals with people of all ages. She work in the HR department at the University of Florida. She is a fan of all Gator teams but enjoys hiking through the local parks when her favorite teams aren't playing. She drives a white Ford Explore and it is always fully of instruments or sporting equipment from her children. The entire family is into The Office and enjoy comic sitcoms. 

When the family gets a holiday, they like to travel to Europe and explore places they can practice the languages they are learning in school. As the kids are all in middle school, they have not decided what they will do for their universities but plan to study abroad as Gainesville seems too small. 

This family is the main party home for their neighborhood as many of the kids go to the same school and this family has the only pool in the neighborhood. They host many game nights and watch many athletic events at the house. Her husband also has weekly Fantasy Football watch parties with his coworkers. 

When searching for connections to my avatar, I can see that we are both travelers and people juggling many things. We enjoy the peacefulness of nature but also love large gatherings. I believe family is important to us and we wish to maximize the special moments we share. We believe that the world should be explored and not just heard about. To experience something is such much greater than to just look and dream. 

17A- Elevator Pitch No. 2

1. https://youtu.be/dj0zYLOUlGU

2. I found that the feedback I received was very positive. I believe I could have done a better job explaining the product more but hopefully I did enough to reel the customer in for more information. I am grateful for the support and hope after these last few assignments and lectures, I was able to create a better presentation to captivate a better audience.

3. I focused on my target market. Using examples to help people relate to the issue and discover how I presented the ideal solution. I find that if I am able to relate to a product, concept or idea, then I am more likely to purchase it. I attempted to use real examples in my target market and do enough to plant a seed of interest.

15A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

Interview 1

Before even discussing my product/opportunity, I wanted to gain a greater understanding of how the individual purchased electronics. He stated that "Word of mouth" is the way he selects anything. He doesn't try to go after the most marketed product but the ones that his coworkers speak about, are the ones he is will to research and then buy because he figures the coworkers would have tried it out first. For most electronics, he prefers to go to a brick and mortar location, as he feels more comfortable actually going through the buying process and also having the opportunity to speak to someone just in case any last minute questions arise. 

After he buys a product, he feels most comfortable when he feels the product perfect solves the opportunity. There are always unexpected elements that come with electronics, but as long as the software items don't take away from its primary purpose, then he is happy. If the products begin performing incorrectly or a newer model comes out right after he buys him, then he becomes upset as he always suspects the newer model will fix the opportunity in a fashion that his item will not. 

In the end, the subject did not focus on the actual method of purchase, cash or card didn't sway his decision of buying something. Fear of updates had a significant presence in the mind of the subject as he always wants to have the latest model. 

Interview 2

This lady was considered herself the "Amazon Queen." She is heavily online researching the newest gadgets and orders everything to be delivered to her home. The price of an item is significant. She believes that due to her detailed research with all electronics, she has a solid understanding of the value of most things. So when a fair price comes around, she immediately buys it. 

After buying an item, she then decides where it will fit in her office, home, or life. She strives to purchase products from the same company, so the items have the possibility of syncing up. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of items she buys, there have been some occasions where the items cross over and have very similar traits. Though they aren't identical, the is the occasional frustration with obtaining the same item.   

Interview 3

This man is not a large buyer of electronics but does purchase many items for his children. He challenges his kids to present arguments of why he should spend the money to buy the new items, and if convinced, he follows through. Price is a significant factor, as he must be sure that the items don't hurt the monthly budget too much and that no sacrifices need to be made because of this purchase.

This man splits the purchases between in-store and online as some items need to be experienced before spending such large amounts of money. Cash or card was also not a substantial factor, but there is a slight preference of credit card as they were able to track monthly payments easier. 

In the end, the father stated that he takes great joy in the happiness of his kids and when they are happy, then he is satisfied with the purchase. 

Summary

To summarize the findings, I believe there is a share of people that like to shop in the store and online. No one in the segment was set on the method of payment as most of the participants always carried cash and cards on them. I found the "Word of mouth" thinking unique as I thought a product having the highest exposure would be the selling point. But the first subject felt a bit more comforted knowing that his coworkers would have screened the product before he purchased it and he would also have some people to help him if there is something he doesn't know. 

14A- Halfway Reflection

I thrive to the opportunities to share any knowledge with someone who asks, that may present assistance in helping them have a better future. Tenaciousness is a perfect word to use when describing the attitude one must obtain to succeed in this class. Time management, organization, attention to detail, and a sense of humor are all things needed to stay up with the course and to succeed. This class challenges you differently than other classes but also aids to personal growth concerning deeper thinking. This class presented an opportunity/platform for me to share small ideas that I once thought were meaningless. Now I believe these ideas could help or become something of importance. 

Being sure to find your rhythm early is vital. Finding the flow with dedicated lecture watching times, creating, and updating the blog will help you stay on track. 

Initially, i believed the blog was going to be too much for me as I have never participated in blogs, turned in assignments in this format, and even followed a class in this way. Once I set my mind to it, scheduled times throughout the week to focus on these tasks, I was right on track. Finding your groove or balance is critical. I must admit that I have developed a more profound tenacious attitude after taking this course. 

TIPS

1. Sacrificing personal time is a must. As there is a decent amount of work and reading to do, Netflix or other distractions may have to be put on hold for a bit. 

2. I found that students participating in the class were extremely valuable for me in the online setting. Many times they would say things I was thinking, and this would help clarify things I may have had questions on. So if you are in class, be willing to go out on a limb and ask a question because someone watching the lecture may be thinking the same and can't ask it right away. 

3. Let this class be the first step of thinking outside the box. Challenge the norm and be willing to contribute to the class, community, or world around you. We can be the next great entrepreneur that changes life as we know it, but you have to be willing to learn and take chances.

13A- Reading Reflection No.1

Shoe Dog

1. After reading Phil Knight's book, I was amazed by how difficult the process was at the beginning. Of course, I expected it to be challenging to start a global shoe company, but I didn't realize how dedicated someone had to be to make their dream happen. When typing this out, it seems silly. But I was blown away with moments that Phil would fly to Japan to fight for his company. He had no money to his name, gave up relationships, and even his dad stopped lending money. Somehow, he continued to fight and make things happen. 

When thinking about what I most admired about Phil had to be his absolute focus and dedication to making his dream come into fruition. He heard "No" 100 times more frequently than he heard "Yes," but regardless of the obstacle, he found a way to make ends meet and to get things done. 

The thing I disliked the most would have to be the way he viewed himself. I believe he had a continuous battle with the fact that he truly belonged in the shoe game. That his passion, desire, drive, and vision were enough to get him into any deal, he desired. Plus he had the partnership with Coach Bowerman which became a bonus. 

Whenever the entrepreneur faced adversity, he had small moments of doubt or weakness and would question how to proceed. Eventually, that fire inside got him back on the horse, and he would tackle each obstacle head-on and with a can-do attitude. He was getting to the point where "No" was just not acceptable.

2. I believe Phil had a lot of experience under his belt. He was sharp, personable, and committed. When he set his sight on something, it was tough to veer him from this. I believe this was a massive strength of his and made him a desirable person to work with. I also think he did a brilliant job with making and building relationships with almost everyone he met. Somehow, a lot of those relationships came full circle and would be valuable connections in some way. 

3. One part I struggled with was the battle he faced with keeping a relationship. I believe an entrepreneur must make his product or company their baby. If you are doing this business with someone and a relationship builds from this, it's one this. But to try to be fully invested in starting a business and trying to keep a relationship, possibly a distance relationship, doesn't seem to be a smart decision. I believe these moments took away from reaching specific goals sooner or differently as he would describe being in a slump for weeks to months after the relationships failed. 

4. a) If you would do it all over again, what would you do differently, knowing all that you know now? I believe asking this question can provide valuable insight for anyone attempting to work and reach their dream. I think there will be a consistent answer on hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. But I would be intrigued if there would be something outstanding that set him apart. 

b) Would having his father's support make a difference in the earlier stages or did the risk of going out on his own help him? As an athlete, I believe when you work for something, it is even more rewarding when things work out. Having this edge makes someone a bit more aggressive, a bit more hungry. I wonder if his dad's challenge at the beginning to go and get loans, really made him have a little more edge to his work. 

5. I believe he viewed the entire process of hard work. This whole journey was extremely tiresome and so much went into making the dream happen. I do think, support, and try to live this action out also. I put everything toward reaching my athletic dreams, in hopes of reflecting on the journey and knowing that I gave it my all. 

12A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

1. The marketing segment I have chosen is the parent in the age gap of 40-50 years old. 

2. Finding people that were willing to speak about the issues they had with their children and even spouses was very easy when searching for participants for the study. I asked the individuals what they felt was missing at their dinner times and just at home toward the end of the day. All parents were unified when saying "Quality family time was missing." This was different for different families. Many parents spoke about the schedules their children had and how they were running them from place to place. Also, how their spouses would sometimes eat separate to the rest of the family and this set a bad example for the children. 

I would always follow up with the proposal of how Campfire abilities could benefit their household and possible bring everyone to the table and talking again. Two of the interviewees asked to immediately purchase the device as their tolerance for their children and spouse being on the phone continuously have driven them crazy. The other interviewee asked for the store or link to further research the product as there was a slight hesitation of the full capabilities to the product.

3. It was evident that all subjects used Amazon or Google for any product research. These were the two platforms immediately discussed when looking for further information on the products. The parents were interested in the privacy aspect and if the product somehow hacks their devices. The parents also wanted to know how large the product was and if there were different colors and strengths. Lastly, they all knew of additional parents that would be happy to put the product in their homes if it proved to be safe. 

4. In the end, I learned that though Campfire's mission was well received, there seems to be a significant concern with the safety of the product. Recent security hacks have made families worry about the safety of their homes, wallets, and vehicles. With companies using so much fine print, parents have become hesitant about what these items may genuinely be up to. Claiming one thing but doing another. There would be a challenge at the beginning of product education but an additional push on the safety of the item. That the product is not there to listen, watch, and cause damage in any way. 

I believe the segment I focused on was very knowledgeable and very excited for new possibilities. I also felt that there was a genuine unmet need and that many parents thought that the devices were changing parenting and marriage as a whole. 

11A – Idea Napkin No. 1

Campfire (signal blocker)- "Make the good old times, now." 

1.I am a student-athlete that recognizes the lack of communication amongst individuals around meals due to the increasing attention given to mobile devices. I have strong interpersonal skills and do well with identifying opportunities that may aid in the well being of individuals and the relationships around them. As a student-athlete, I am either in a class with other students or training with different groups of athletes. On many occasions, I found that when any free time was present, instead of making conversation with the immediate people around us, the majority of students would jump to their phones, tablets, or laptops. This led me to the idea that face-to-face interactions have now been taken for granted or just not critical and many people wish to be somewhere else or with someone else. I would aspire to create a product that would encourage face-to-face conversations again. To promote a connection with those around you. I wish to give everyone the opportunity to honestly get to know your neighbor, relative, or teammate. 

2. Campfire is a product that blocks the signals from registered mobile devices. But if the individual needs to receive messages, there is a setting that allows the messages or calls to be, but no notification will be granted until Campfire is turned back on. This way the constant glances to a device is no longer necessary as there would be nothing new to see. It would essentially be as if the user was on a plane without wifi service. The device can not block all devices. All devices must be registered initially for safety reasons and also to prove consent. 

3. This product would be ideal for parents with children that struggle to get them off their mobile devices during dinner, church, or any function that the child may be distracted from being present. 

This product would be great for professors that wish to have students' undivided attention. Also, disables the chances of a student using a mobile device to cheat on an exam.

This would work well with any business or group that wishes to have the full attention of the members present. 

4. Campfire allows connections to be made again. It will enable families to become closer, for teams to form deeper bonds, and for students to truly learn. Technology is great and has opened so many doors to better today and tomorrow, but these innovations shouldn't take away from the basics. Reflecting on your day and sharing these moments with loved ones has become a fairy tale. Being present and capturing these moments is something that shouldn't be overlooked. 

5. The concept that sets us apart from other products is the functionality of the product. The product allows the administrator to block and unblock as freely as possible. The touchscreen allows you to choose how many devices you want to block. The product still will enable messages and calls to be received, just without notifications (meaning it is 100% still functioning). Lastly, this product gives all parties the choice to use it. 

In a reflection of all these qualities, I believe the most challenging issue that will come will be the cost. The cost of research, development, marketing, distribution, etc. I think there are no other products out there with a vision like this. We are focused on bettering the future, strengthening our connection, and bringing us all a bit closer. Mobile devices were once used to cut down on the time of communication required from writing letters. Unfortunately, the advances have come so far that people can now be ten different places with 100 different people, but not be mentally present where they physically are. This product will change how we do life with those around us, from family to work to school. 

10A – Elevator Pitch 1

Campfire-
The product that blocks radio signal from registered phones in a 10m radius.

Product slogan- "Stop being everywhere and just be there."

https://youtu.be/DGE3t5chPzM

9A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Opportunity- Adding roundabouts instead of lighted intersections

Interview 1: Pepsi Delivery Driver
When discussing how this individual felt about an addition of roundabouts along his route, he was actually not too fond of the idea. I did take the time to explain the benefits to the flow of traffic and even hinted to the idea that his travel for deliveries may be more efficient as less time would be wasted waiting for lights, but he didn't see it that way. His biggest focus way the amount of time that would be lost during the construction period. The need for finding different routes and some businesses had limited access to them currently, so disturbing this flow in any way would drastically effect the business.

Interview 2: Track Coach
When addressing the roundabout topic, the coach was particularly pleased with more lighted intersections being taken down as his main concern was the safety of the people in the cross walk. He explained that many drivers try to make the light when it is approaching or on red and this is a dangerous period as pedestrians may begin to cross. As he is someone working with the youth, he worries that distracted kids would enter the crosswalk, distracted by their phones or music and may be hit. Generally there aren't cross walks where cars are entering and exiting a roundabout and there are usually specific areas for pedestrians to cross that may be a bit safer.

Interview 3: Nurse
This individual liked the idea of the roundabout as she believed it kept cars moving. Especially at a hospital, there can be many cars coming in and out of the different buildings and to prevent traffic and to also get patients to their destinations quicker, she believed the roundabouts would be very beneficial. Additionally, she claimed there would be a large benefit for her night commute as she wouldn't have to wait for the timed lights at the end of her shift. Allowing her to return home quicker.

Interview 4: Property Manager
This individual believed the trend of the roundabouts are picking up and can be good for traffic flow in all size cities. As he is working in Gainesville, he believes there is a very bad ratio with the size of the city and the amount of cars. This causes him to miss many lights and have heavy traffic periods throughout the day due to so many cars. He stated that regardless of the speed, if there was a solution to keep traffic moving so he was just sitting on Archer or over by the mall at certain times of the day, then he would feel much better. He also believed that people tend to get on their phones when they are sitting at traffic lights and this distraction slows up traffic even more.

Interview 5: Massage Therapist
This individual is seldom on the road and splits her time between biking or driving to work. When biking to work, she finds that the roundabouts actually make her commute more difficult as she feels almost pushed aside or not respected on the road. When she is in a car, she finds that other drivers don't know which direction to look and make bad judgment calls, occasionally resulting in accidents. She is a bit split between how beneficial roundabouts truly are as she has been on both sides of the argument.

Inside the Boundary
1. Track Coach
Safe crossing options for kids
Too many distracted pedestrians (ex.Pokemon Go App)
https://www.santamarialaw.net/pokemon-go-mobile-game-causing-distracted-walking-accidents.html

2. Nurse
Helps keep traffic moving between buildings
Traffic may impede on someone who may need assistance in a timely manner.

3. Property Manager
Need to be able to get across the city to manage properties
Finds himself wasting large portions of the day in traffic

Outside the Boundary
1. Pepsi Driver
Greater time lost due to the construction of the roundabout
Worries if change will be significant enough to be worth the construction

2. Massage Therapist
Greater risks when commuting on a bicycle and not enough education on right-of-way
Lack of driving etiquette and education amongst drivers