Identifying Local Opportunities

Opportunity 1

Early Storms whets state's expectations - Summer is season of discontent for dogs terrified of thunder http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C348DEF70BF6F8?p=WORLDNEWS

 The article explains how petrifying thunder can be to dogs and how some owners cope with the problem. Some owners use sweaters, pills, gels, and other products to help their furry friend. Thunderstorms are a common phobia for dogs and it often takes multiple tries to find a solution.
The problem is that dogs freak out during thunder storms, leaving the owner stressed out trying to comfort their dog. 

Opportunity 2

Rainy days mean more encounters with snakes

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C24D90CF478790?p=WORLDNEWS

 Since it has been raining a lot lately, snakes have been slithering their way out their burrows looking for drier land. The snakes are causing a nuisance and they can be a problem, since some of there are poisonous. The problem is the snakes coming out looking for drier land because of all the rain. People who's surroundings are getting flooded by rain may have this problem.

Opportunity 3

We need to transform our communities to address sea-level rise

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C3858191F66380?p=WORLDNEWS

 South Florida has been experiencing the effects of climate change. Waters are rising and it's effecting the local communities. The purpose of the article is to inform of the effects and how people locally and globally should start advocating for the future. The sea has risen by nine inches in the last 100 years and it's projected to rise three foot in south Florida by 2060.The problem concerns people locally and globally.

Opportunity 4

Acid reflux might be cause of kids' runny noses, specialist say

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C3F4AD3B8198C8?p=WORLDNEWS

 

 Specialist say that reflux is often misdiagnosed with other problems like asthma, cough, even nasal congestion. To help the children, parents need to pay attention to their diets to maintain the amount of sugary and acidic foods they eat. Specialist just want to give awareness to the parents and they encourage them to pay attention. The problem is that kids are being misdiagnosed with other sicknesses, even though it's acid reflux. Parents and the children are the ones presented with the problem.

Opportunity 5

Ban sought on sunscreen chemicals 

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16C34A07E8F5F640?p=WORLDNEWS

 There will be a ban on a chemical that are called oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemicals have been studied and it is said that the chemicals are bleaching the coral reefs. About 70% of sunscreens contain these chemicals, which will be a drastic change for them, if the vote goes through to ban the chemicals. The ban on these chemicals, may also make the sunscreen less effective on people. The problem is the chemicals destroying the coral reef ecosystem. People and ecosystems are presented with problem of the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Forming an Opportunity Belief: A Twist on Opportunity Identification

Belief

  There has been a fair amount of rain lately, which is making it inconvenient to mow the lawn. I was contemplating an idea. The idea was the ability to mow the lawn without getting wet or demolishing the equipment. It would be similar to a Roomba, but it would mow the lawn and be weather resistant. The need for that type of equipment is extensive, especially in today's society where everyone wants to salvage money. The opportunity could be used for people, who are on a schedule, have families or even the incapable. The need for equipment that could withstand the damage of weather and be entirely robotic, without the use of a person has existed for a long period of time. To meet this need now people have to withstand the natural occurrences of weather and carry out the process. Everyone has to get their lawn mowed. I am about 70% sure the opportunity exists in the world.

Prototypical Customer #1 

  The first prototypical customer is a 32-year-old male, who works 50 hours a week and has a family. His need for this solution is of great importance because it would be a solution that would be useful for him. Since he works many hours, has a family, and doesn't have that much time to do maintain the lawn it would make it easier for him. The male says he lives in a neighborhood that has an HOA, which he has to maintain the lawn to specific standards and when it rains for days it makes mowing difficult. He has noticed the need for a long period of time, but he only needs the solution sometimes. To address their need as of now, he has to wait till he has time and when there's no rain. The male would be interested in the solution because he says "he would never have to mow again".  

Prototypical Customer #2

  The second prototypical customer is a 53-year-old female, who has medical issues(spine) and works about 30-35 hours a week. The solution is of greater need because with her medical issues she can't mow the lawn herself. She has to pay someone else to do it or get a family member if they have time. She became aware of the need since she has been aging and her medical problems haven't allowed her to mow the lawn. She hasn't always needed the solution because she enjoys the outdoors and didn't mind when it rained, but as of now, it's a need. The 53-year-old female would be ecstatic for the solution, she could get her lawn mowed with a push of a button, without the worry of weathering of the equipment.

Prototypical Customer #3

The third prototypical customer is a 22-year-old male, who works about 40 hours a week. The solution isn't substantially needed but could be useful when it rains or when he's occupied. He hasn't acknowledged the need for a solution. Right now the male has to simply mow, even when it starts raining he says he usually just finishes unless it's too bad. Even though he mows the lawn, the solution would make it where he doesn't have to worry about doing the work by himself. He also explained that he wouldn't have to worry about the weathering of his equipment since it would be weather resistant. The male would be content with the solution and thought it was an interesting idea.

Reflection 

I've learned that this opportunity could be seriously pursued through the evaluations and opinions of the prototypical customers. From the perspective of all three, the solution seemed like an interesting idea and it helps with their situations. Some prototypical customer may enjoy doing their lawncare themselves, but the solution would help if they were occupied,  having weather problems, or even incapable of the doing the lawn. I was surprised to hear such positive feeback from the solution. It seems that the solution could be effective.

Summarize

How much of your original opportunity is still there?

The opportunity is still there, but it may need some tweaking to make reach more possible customers( younger adults). It seems that the solution is not a need for people who are capable of doing the lawn themselves, but with the equipment being weather resistant it gains positive feedback. I'm still optimistic about the opportunity still existing.

Do you believe that your new opportunity is more accurate than when you started?

Yes, I believe the opportunity is more accurate now after gaining the feedback to perfect the solution. Now I know I have to appeal to the younger generation for this product because they often don't see the need. Older adults often don't mind to mow, but the solution makes it easier for their schedules or incapabilities.

How much do you think entrepreneurs should 'adapt' their opportunities based on customer feedback?

I think entrepreneurs should always adapt their opportunities to the customer feedback because they're the ones using it. It helps perfect the solutions to the needs, which creates a stronger opportunity.

My Entrepreneurship Story

My Entrepreneurship Story

    Since I was a kid I've been exposed to different entrepreneurs that include my Grandpa, Step-Dad, and Uncle. It has always been an exciting experience to be able to learn and be around the businesses. I don't remember that much about my Grandpas business because I was only a little kid, but I do remember the building and the smell of styrofoam. On the other hand, I recall a lot from my Step-Dads business. The reason why is because he would take me around to see houses his company has fixed and sometimes I would even help. As for my Uncle, he once ran a cabinet shop. I wasn't around that much for that though, but there were times I went to the offices and have been around the customers. In a way, I suppose that's why I am going to school as a Business Administration major. Experiencing my family running different businesses has always interested me and to see family succeed is a wonderful feeling.

   

    Enrolling in ENT 3003

    Why did I enroll in ENT 3003? The reason why I enrolled in the class was to obtain the credit for my major(stated above).  I wouldn't say that's the only reason why because the class itself seemed quite interesting. To be able to learn and observe the world from a different point of view, well an entrepreneur view to be exact is helpful in this economy.

BUG LIST

                           BUG LIST

1.      The traffic on Maricamp in Ocala, Fl is always busy between 7-9 am and 2-4 pm.

Why: There are two high schools and many businesses, which people are going/leaving.

2.      Making cereal in the morning, but there’s little to no milk left.

Why: There are roommates and we forgot to announce that we need more milk when it was getting low.

3.      Going to bed and realizing that there is dirt all over the bed.

Why: Kodiak(dog) likes to run and dig holes in the dirt, then when he comes back inside he enjoys getting cool on the bed.

4.      Mowing the lawn, then it starts pouring rain.

Why: Being unprepared and not checking the weather channel for natural occurrences of weather in Florida.

5.      Using the bathroom and there is no toilet paper in there, so you call someone to grab some for you.

Why: Not checking the bathroom beforehand to see if you need a resupply.

6.      During a road trip that only takes a few hours makes stop multiple times for bathroom breaks.

Why: Drinking too many liquids before a road trip and/or not going to the bathroom before the trip started.

7.      Watching your favorite TV show/series, then the power shuts off.

Why: The power surged, or they may be a storm outside that cuts the power off.

8.      Listening to music on your phone, then the music starts to buffer.

Why: Not having good service or they could be a dead spot in that area.

9.      Walking to the bathroom at night and stubbing your toe on the way.

Why: Being incoherent from waking up or not being careful walking in the dark.

10.  The laptop dying while you’re doing work or watching videos.

Why: Not checking the battery to see if the laptop needs charging.

11.  Sweating profusely in the middle of the night that makes it hard to sleep.

Why: The air is up too high or maybe the blankets are thick. Also, having a fever is a possibility.

12.   Trying to take a hot shower, but it has run out and the water is ice cold.

Why: Could use another water heater or the other users before just used up all the hot water.

13.   Trying to do some school work, so you turn on your computer and then it starts updating.

Why: The computer didn’t finish the updates the day before or never checked to see if the computer needed any updates.

14.  Trying to wash a pan, but the new food on the pan is stuck and won’t come off.

Why: After the food was cooked in the pan it wasn’t washed instantly or wasn’t left soaking in water after the use of the pan.

15.  As you’re driving you put in your favorite cd and the cd starts to skip because it is scratched.

Why: Not properly putting the cd back in its case so it can be safe from any possible objects that will scratch the cd.

16.  Going to Universal and being charged $20 for parking just to pay more money to go inside the park.

Why: The money for parking could help pay for the salaries of the employees that direct traffic safely, so you can enjoy yourself at the park.

17.  Making some popcorn and when you start eating it you accidentally bite a kernel.

Why: Eating too fast and not checking to see if you picked up a kernel.

18.  Going to class on a rainy day and when you get back in the car to leave the battery is dead, so a jump start is needed.

Why: Forgetting to turn the headlights off when getting out of the car or not properly keeping up with the maintenance of the car.

19.  Going on a rollercoaster that makes you dizzy and nauseous.

Why: Not taking any Dramamine to prepare for the day at the theme park and not reading the ride side effects.

20.  Going to Universal during the week and the lines are still an hour long.

Why: Kids may be off from school and could have avoided the lines with a fast pass.

Reflection

            The bug list was indeed a difficult assignment to complete because you don’t notice the things that bother you, well it did with me at least. I would do a couple bugs each day so I wouldn’t get frustrated. The last five bugs were the hardest part of the entire assignment. It was an interesting assignment to complete because you never think “why does this happen?”. The assignment makes you look at things in a different perspective and gives you a different outlook. After going out to different places you get to notice the things that bother you and after trying to pinpoint the bugs it becomes easier. With more practice I can see that there would be a progression of skill calling the bugs out, also you could find solutions for the bugs.

                                                                                         

Test Post

This is the test post for Christian Lawson.