Friday, December 7, 2018

Final Reflection

2. The most formative of all the assignments for me was the first elevator pitch. This was the first time where I had really thought out how my product would do in the real world. I had the idea since the bug list and knew I wanted to right about it, but I had never thought of how it would work logistically. I will probably remember the idea napkin for a long time. Writing down exactly what needed to be done, how to do it, and how to profit was definitely a memorable experience. I would say that I am most proud of the fact that I was able to come up with such an interesting idea. I am not a very creative person, and the idea is not that outside the box, but still bringing this thought to such and end really surprises me.

3. I would say that I definitely have a better idea of how I would be as an entrepreneur. That idea being, I would have cool products that would never really get made. The problem for me is I would be so unlikely to actually get to the point of creation. I think I can certainly think through the whole process, meaning I think I do have an entrepreneurial mindset. However, I do not think this makes me an entrepreneur (for one I still can't spell the word) since I would not take action.

4. If a student truly wants to be an entrepreneur, I think they need to have real world practice being a part of a small business. Without the real experience, the fear of trying will likely stop their idea from becoming a reality. The best way to perform in this class is to stay on top of the assignments. If you can set time away twice a week for them, this class is not too terribly hard.






Image result for map of a journey

Venture Concept #2

1.Concept
Opportunity
My potential customers are people who live in hot/humid areas that do not want to feel sweaty. This need is a want for people that are uncomfortable feeling sweaty. The sun and humidity are the forces that lead people to sweat a lot. Geographically the business is in the southern US states, demographically it would be focused towards teenagers and young adults. The problem is currently solved by just staying out of the sun. Customers would be interested in a better fix. This opportunity could be quite big if it were able to also take off as a fashion statement. It will be open for as long as the sun is hot.

Innovation
It is a material in shirts that is hydrophobic. The product innovates shirts so that they do not retain sweat from your body but instead it rolls down your shirt. The hydrophobic material rejects your sweat, causing it to roll down the shirt as opposed to sticking to it. Money will be made by selling shirts for $20. This price is higher than the average shirt, but this shirt offers something no other shirt does. Additionally, the shirt can be sold to other companies to be designed and a profit could also be made that way.

Venture Concept
My shirt will allow people in who sweat in hot and humid climates to wear a shirt that is not covered in sweat. They will buy this shirt because people already regularly buy shirts and will like the idea of not having to be covered in sweat. The premium of the shirt is also not that outlandish compared to other t-shirt prices. The hardest part of getting new adopters will be right in the beginning when the effectiveness of the shirt has not been openly accepted. Competitors will be the other current shirt sellers. They have a much bigger foothold in the industry but do not offer the advantages my shirt does. Packaging will affect me the same way it does all shirt companies. The same goes for distribution and customer support. Location will be more focused in southern US states than it would be for others. I expect to sell at a higher price than other companies. I would organize myself with mostly outsourcing the work to other companies who already focus on textiles. Minimal low level employees would be needed, only those that are directly involved in the organization of the creation of the shirt and how it gets distributed.

3 Minor Elements
The most important resource of my product is the hydrophobic material that does not sacrifice style and is comfortable. I would want to bring my product to the large-scale level, not just focused on southern US states. I would like to see that I have a strong foothold in my focus sates in the first five years. I myself, do not want to actually be an entrepreneur. 

2. Feedback
I have exclusively received positive feedback for this product. The reality of the situation is that this would do incredibly in the market as so many people get such a simple benefit. The problem is that creating this product is nigh impossible. The parts needed to make it are just so far out of my capabilities and those I could even ask for help.

3. Changes
With this, I have made no substantial changes to my concept. If I could get to this point of the project, the world would be my oyster. Since I cannot truly do this, I will simply have to be happy with what could have been.

4. Picture
Image result for t shirts

Friday, November 30, 2018

My Exit Strategy

1. I think that after I have developed my business to reach the greater part a of America, I would sell my idea onto a larger retailer that could better handle the operations necessary for shirt sales. I would hold onto the income that comes with the idea of sweat-proof shirts.

2. I would like to follow this path because I would like to be involved in the process of dispersing my idea and popularizing it. I do not want to stay with it for the long term because I believe that it could be much more successful if it reached a greater commercial state. I would be unable to reach such a level on my own. I would keep the rights so that I could financially benefit from my idea which would make any venture I would make in the future easier to handle.

3. I think this exit strategy has reflects my attitude towards my idea. That attitude is that I do not have a personal desire to produce this idea. Since I lack this desire, I can wish for the simplest outcome that still nets me profits without the loss of my idea.

Reading Reflection No. 3

After reading The Wright Brothers,  I was most surprised that they were able to do all they did without a college education. With this, I most admired the motivation that they had to push through all of those failure and still get to their final success. This has more to do with the US, but I was disappointed that the US did not take any interest in the accomplishment the Wright Brothers accomplished. They failed all the time, but they just kept making money on the side and trying to perfect their craft.
I noticed that they had incredible motivation and dedication to fulfilling their goal of flying.
I was a bit confused by the jargon that is involved in making the plane actually work.
I would ask how long they would have kept trying to know if they had a stopping point. I would also ask what they would have done with themselves if the plane had never worked.
It appeared their idea of hard work was never letting go of what they wanted to accomplish. I can relate with this idea since I believe hard work is long and arduous.

Celebrating Failure

1. During this semester, I had a pretty large blunder in that I was not admitted into the combined degree program I was interested in the first interview. I had been taking prep class to prepare myself for what would be entailed. The interview went relatively quickly through the information I had brought to the interview. The interviewer seemed to have known beforehand that nothing I really would have said could have changed the outcome. Towards the end, she informed me that a score I had received was not high enough and if I wanted to be in the program I would have to retake the test. Additionally, I was informed that what I had learned from the preparatory class (as well as some of my own learning) was not enough to show that I was not the type of student the program was meant for.

2. While all of this sounds pretty negative, she also gave me many alternative paths for the future. I still have another attempt to get into the program following the break with a better score and better understanding of the kind of student they are looking for. If this still does not work out, she told me another program on campus would give me the exact same opportunity to get the type of job I would like to work. I also learned that life stinks, but I kinda already knew that.

3. Failure, no matter how badly it stinks, is the best way to learn. I would not say it is a great way to live since being successful is the goal. It's not good, but I usually handle failure by keeping it to myself and finding another way to move forward. I spend of time making sure that I do not have to deal with failure. I probably am just as likely to take a risk since I was already comfortable with it. I just take a lot of steps so that my risk is less likely to end in failure.

Friday, November 16, 2018

What's Next

Existing Market
Two of the people that I interviewed had relatively similar views on what they thought would be next for the future of my business. They gave me the idea to stay future focused since staying just in the southern US will probably not work in the long term. They suggested in the the somewhat near future to spread to the rest of the US by taking advantage of branding. Many people already like a brand of t-shirt "comfort colors" just for the name attached to it. This could be applied to my shirt when going to the northern US.
The other person I interviewed suggested that I ensure the style of the shirt is not taken away by the hydrophobic material. She said that even if it is incredible, people may never adopt it from they already have if it is seen as ugly. While this could prolong the time it takes to produce the shirt, this is definitely something I would consider. If it does not go well visually at first, I will also have the opportunity to change the brand and keep the material.

New Market
I talked to people who were focused on selling food since they also reach a large audience, but for a different need. They related since they have to compete against many other people with a very similar product which is what I would be doing. I was surprised at how imperative location was for them and I took into account how that could also be important for me in the future. I was right in believing that the most of differentiation for them was based off of how well they could develop their brand with loyal customers.
I was wrong in thinking that the style of food would be pretty important to getting customers. Since food is so diverse, there is almost someone that will want to try your food and like it. This market does sound interesting in that it would be a very exciting business everyday. I would not want to be a part of it though because competition is so heavy and it is almost impossible to find a foothold to stand on at this point.

Venture concept

Opportunity
My potential customers are people who live in hot/humid areas that do not want to feel sweaty. This need is a want for people that are uncomfortable feeling sweaty. The sun and humidity are the forces that lead people to sweat a lot. Geographically the business is in the southern US states, demographically it would be focused towards teenagers and young adults. The problem is currently solved by just staying out of the sun. Customers would be interested in a better fix. This opportunity could be quite big if it were able to also take off as a fashion statement. It will be open for as long as the sun is hot.

Innovation
It is a material in shirts that is hydrophobic. The product innovates shirts so that they do not retain sweat from your body but instead it rolls down your shirt. The hydrophobic material rejects your sweat, causing it to roll down the shirt as opposed to sticking to it. Money will be made by selling shirts for $20. This price is higher than the average shirt, but this shirt offers something no other shirt does. Additionally, the shirt can be sold to other companies to be designed and a profit could also be made that way.

Venture Concept
My shirt will allow people in who sweat in hot and humid climates to wear a shirt that is not covered in sweat. They will buy this shirt because people already regularly buy shirts and will like the idea of not having to be covered in sweat. The premium of the shirt is also not that outlandish compared to other t-shirt prices. The hardest part of getting new adopters will be right in the beginning when the effectiveness of the shirt has not been openly accepted. Competitors will be the other current shirt sellers. They have a much bigger foothold in the industry but do not offer the advantages my shirt does. Packaging will affect me the same way it does all shirt companies. The same goes for distribution and customer support. Location will be more focused in southern US states than it would be for others. I expect to sell at a higher price than other companies. I would organize myself with mostly outsourcing the work to other companies who already focus on textiles. Minimal low level employees would be needed, only those that are directly involved in the organization of the creation of the shirt and how it gets distributed.

3 Minor Elements
The most important resource of my product is the hydrophobic material that does not sacrifice style and is comfortable. I would want to bring my product to the large-scale level, not just focused on southern US states. I would like to see that I have a strong foothold in my focus sates in the first five years. I myself, do not want to actually be an entrepreneur. 

My Venture's Unfair Advantage

Resources
1. I am determined when it comes to things that are central to me.
V- Determination helps things get done
R- Many people care a lot about their own business
I- Determination has varying levels of how it can be copied
N- Nothing can replace a desire to take action

2. My father is an experienced salesman.
V- Can lead to avoiding making unnecessary mistakes
R- Very few people could get serious advice from him
I- There are other people with experience in sales
N- Experience is very unique to each person

3. I have the capability to get money to start this company.
V- Capital is the lifeblood of business
R- There are many ways to make money
I- See the above
N- Nothing can directly replace money itself

4. I am experienced in selling t-shirts.
V- Personal background experience leads to better decisions
R- Many people have sold t-shirts
I- The knowledge is easy to attain
N- Knowledge can attained through other methods

5. I am personally invested in this venture.
V- Investment means a person will work for the long term
R- Not all people are interested in the long term
I- Investment can only be copied to such an extent
N- There is no alternative to being invested in a venture

6. My culture will be perfect for this industry.
V- Everyone will love working there
R- Perfect is impossible to find
I- Perfect is unique to each situation
N- Culture is based on your workers environment

7. I am at a university that has many people to help me.
V- A university gives unique knowledge
R- There is only one UF
I- There are many other universities
N- Few institutions other than a university offer the same opportunities

8. My product has a unique spin on an already successful business.
V- Differentiation is huge to success
R- Making a god difference can be hard
I- This difference could be copied easily
N- The difference itself is quite unique

9. I have friends that could help me with the process.
V- People to help can get more work done
R- Workers are easy to attain
I- Workers are easy to copy
N- Workers can be replaced easily

10. I am well informed in what needs to be done for this business.
V- Knowing your business is imperative for deciding what to do
R- This information is not hard to come by
I- Knowledge can be found out and learned
N- You can not alter knowledge

Best resource is: my perfect culture.
If I could have every person working in business happy and stoked to come to work then I could do more than any other business has. 


Friday, November 9, 2018

Elevator Pitch 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSegs0QbYP4

2. From my feedback, I thought it was important that I paid special attention to telling the story of what product does and why someone would want it. I was surprised that my group thought I should spend less time on the mechanics of the shirt, as I thought a deeper understanding of how it worked might intrigue a listener. Overall, I had quality feedback that was all helpful in way or another.

3. As I stated above, I dedicated much more time selling how the shirt helps a customer. I elaborated on the problem that it would fix. I also emphasized how much of a pain it would be if you did not have my shirt. Lastly, I spent much less time talking about the science of how the shirt works in an attempt to avoid boring whoever I would be speaking to.

Reading Reflection 2

1. The theme of Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky is how people have begun to utilize free time and become more creative. He argues ion the past, free time was used for purely personal reasons and was wasting an opportunity to do better.

2. The book was related to the class as it talked about being able to use all parts of what you have. In this class, we regularly break down how what we have accessible to ourselves can benefit our idea. The book uses this exact idea in reference to how we can better use our time. Time is what allows us to get ahead of our competitors so it is extremely important to take advantage of what time we have.

3. A good exercise would be an assignment early on in the class. It would be a simple assessment on how each person uses there time on a day to day basis. The whole day would be recorded and then the deeper portion of the assignment would to be to look at how their free time was used. This viewing could allow students to recognize the potential that free time has given us and how we could use it to advance ourselves.

4. Honestly, the most surprising part of my reading of this book came after I finished it. I realized that the majority of Shirky's description of technology was strictly positive and did little to discuss the negatives associated. For much of my life I have been warned about how the internet is only a place to waste time. His story tells that there is certainly more available to us since technological advances have benefited us in so many different ways. I did not expect such persistent positivity in regards to the internet.

Friday, November 2, 2018

Growing my social capital

1a. Daniel Nelson is a wine salesmen who focuses on selling in the southeast to businesses.
2a. He is a domain expert for me because he is a salesman and is proficient in the art.
3a. Daniel Nelson is my father and I contacted him by text. I obviously am close with him already so I did not need to do any extensive searching to be able to contact him.
4a. He has provided for me for my entire life. He is there for me when I need help and is able to give me a wide variety of advise if I need it. He expects respect and love in return, just as he gives it to me. He also expects me to use what he has given me to the best of my ability. For example, he would like me to do very well in college since he has helped me get to this point.
5a. Including him in my network gives me the great opportunity to learn from someone who has an extensive background in sales. He has been a salesman for over 20 years and is successful in his ventures. Such advice is very rare and quite valuable for someone new to the venture.

2a. Ms. Hartung is a manger at dole and is in charge of ensuring their products are properly targeted towards the younger market.
2b. She the market expert because she has a good understanding of how to target young people with her products.
2c. I found her through my high school friend and contacted her through a call I made after getting her number from my friend.
2d. She taught me the techniques she uses to target young people and in exchange she expects me not to spread the information around. She also wants me to stay friends with he son.
2e. Having her in my network will allow me to be able to better reach my target audience. This is vital as I can not make any money if I cannot make a sale.

3a. Mr. Tumlin is an accountant in the tshirt business. He is well versed in thee numbers behind selling shirts.
3b. He is the supplier because he knows a lot about the ins and outs of the shirt business.
3c. I found him through my roommate and contacted him using the number that my roommate gave to me.
3d. He was able to tell me how I could go about attaining the pieces I would need to create the shirts. His only request was that if I did follow through, he wanted me to go through him to get the pieces.
3e. Having him in my network also allows me to have a direct channel to the materials that I need to create my product.

Reflection
This gave me confidence to be able to approach other, new people in networking events so that I may increase my social capital even more. This was very unique in my networking experience as I have done very minimal networking at all.

Idea Napkin #2

1. I am a 2nd year finance student here at UF. I am good at talking to others and getting to the point of a problem. These are useful for this situation as you need to be able to assess a person's needs as someone selling their idea. I have the experience of selling shirts through band in high school where I sold shirts to friends and family. My aspirations for this idea, if it ever happens, would be to do this after I have retired from my career. I intend to work in capital markets which will take up almost all of my time in the first place. Therefore, if this concept were to come about, it would be after I have already retired.

2. I am offering a hydrophobic shirt to customers. This means that the shirt will look as stylish as other brands but will not absorb sweat like other shirts do. Instead, the sweat would slide down the shirt and no longer stick to your person. This frees a customer from the uncomfortably that the average shirt has.

3. The target audience is young adult/teenage men and women who have the ability to purchase their own clothes and live in hotter/humid temperatures. To narrow it even further, college students in Florida. Their motivation comes from their want to avoid having sweat in their clothes and choosing to buy my shirt to accomplish this goal.

4. This group will want my clothing because people will spend money to be more comfortable. On the higher scale, luxury cars are an entire type of car because people will spend money to be comfortable. On the attire level, people will buy shoes that have memory foam shoes over those that do not because memory foam is more comfortable. These examples show that customers would pick my shirt over the average shirt because people will spend more to be comfortable.

5. I am different from other shirts because these shirts do not absorb sweat. I am also different form "breathable" shirts because these shirts do not handle the sweat that accumulates on your back. Additionally, if there is no wind then breathable shirts fail. My shirt does not need anything beyond the material within it.

The biggest problem with these points is that I lack motivation to actually use my idea. Since I do not want to be an entrepreneur, it will most likely never be used. Two things I learned from my feedback is that people really like my idea and would buy my shirt. I also learned that my idea is already structured well since no real changes were suggested. With this, I made minimal changes to my idea napkin to preserve the essence of my idea napkin.

Friday, October 26, 2018

My Idea's Custom Avatar


This is a young college student who's hair has lightened from all the sun he gets walking to class. He is a junior at the University of Florida and is majoring in electrical engineering. He likes to bike to class and takes his courses pretty seriously. He is in the marching band and plays the saxophone. He also loves going to the football games on Saturdays and recently started going to the basketball games. He drives a blue ford focus that his parents no longer use since they got a new car over the summer. He likes to watch comedies like The Office and Brooklyn nine-nine. He also likes dramas like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones. He has no children and does not intend to have any anytime soon. He would be open to adopting, but again, no time soon. He likes to read fiction novels, usually mysteries. While he does not have a "favorite politician", he is typically left leaning but does not identify as one of the parties.  He is 20 years old and looks it.

For the most part, this description is very much myself. Since my idea was born from my own desire to have a sweat-proof shirt, I believe that people like me would be the ideal customer. I know that many people other than me would want this, but when I picture the idea being put in practice, I see myself as my first customer. So no, these similarities are definitely not a coincidence.

Elevator Pitch #2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPIkKPznNv8

I made sure to dress nicer than I had previously as this made my pitch much more professional. I also stayed away from talking too much and stuck to the time allotment Dr. Pryor discussed in class.  I took these points in to consideration when I did this second pitch.

Friday, October 19, 2018

Secret Sauce

1a. Unlike most people in business, I have a background in music. I have played the saxophone for the last 8 years and have been in many different performance situations. With this, I have worked together very closely with a group for the same purpose.
b. I am a pretty objective person. I take pride in my ability to see a problem form both sides and help come to a logical solution.
c. I often do not let my emotions get the best of me when I make a decision. I make sure to evaluate both options and seek information from those with experience to make the right choice. 
d. I have the ability to persuade others to see the way I do. I do this through showing why my idea benefits them and how they could simply adopt my idea instead of another option.
e. I am knowledgeable in the area of technology as I have personal interest in it. This helps me to use more advanced opportunities to handle problems that have not been available in the past.

2a. David said I was more likely to look deeply into problems. He also said I work well with everyone and can get people on track to solve a problem. While I seem reserved at first, I can get personal and get closer to people.

2b. Sara said I try to learn things to really understand it, not just for the heck of it. She said I was very persuasive and am easy to talk to. On an emotional level, I only show them when it matters and am thoughtful about when I do so.

2c. Andrew said I am know a lot about people and how to become friends with people I meet. He thought I was a leader in the sense that I can organize a group of people to get things done. He also thought I was able to lighten the mood and cheering someone up if they are feeling down.

2d. Hayden said I am able to perceive why people act the way that they do. He thought I am good at reading people and giving them feedback to reach a unique solution. Lastly, he said I have good people skills and getting people to like me.

2e. Leon said that I have a vast background to draw from in my knowledge. He also said that my background in band gives me an advantage that many other people in business do not have.
(link to the interviews below)
https://soundcloud.com/david-825045206/secret-sauce-interviews/s-EeyMS

3. I see myself in a different light than I do others. I think of others in a way of how they are motivated. I like to see how I can help them and how to help them through their problems. I think of myself as what I need to get done and how I can better myself through challenges. This is most likely due to my desire to fix problems. Since I know how to solve most of my own problems, I do not worry about them nearly as much. I think my interviewees did a good job describing me. We all seemed to have a pretty similar assessment in regards to how we did. I do not think there is anything I really need to change about my list. They are pretty similar in regards to the details.

Buyer Behavior 2

3a. Price had a roof, important to not exceed what is set. Quality was put second as it was more important to stay below a price. Style is generally unimportant but is still kept in the back of his mind. Durability is important with the things he buys as this is also stretching his dollar.
4a. He would be more likely likely to buy the sweat-proof shirt online. He would buy it outright since the shirt would most likely be around $20. He would probably just buy one shirt at first, but if he liked them he would buy more.
5a. His sureness that buying it was a good decision is based off: whether he uses the item, how often he uses, how good it fits the purpose for which he bought. If he never uses the item than he feels like it was a bad decision. Also, if the item breaks, he feels like it was a waste of money.

3b. Price can influence her decision but it depends on how much money she has and how much she wants to spend. Quality is very important, if it is a high quality item she is willing to spend more. If the item is more outward appearing, style is important. However, it is not the end all be all when it comes to what she buys.
4b. She would prefer to buy the shirt in person so that she could try it on to make sure it fits. She would buy the shirt with cash since it is not a large purchase. She would probably buy one shirt to see that she likes then she may buy more.
5b. If she used the item a lot she thinks it was a worthwhile purchase. If the item is rarely used or she gives it away then it was a bad buy.

3c. Price is pretty important to him since he does not like to spend money in the first place. Quality is important in the sense that he does not want to buy something that is useless or does not work for very long. Style is somewhat important but prefers efficiency over the look of the item.
4c. He would buy this shirt online because it is a special kind of shirt. He would purchase the shirt with cash (debit/credit since it's online).
5c. He feels good about his purchase if the item is still usable and does not break. He does not want to waste his money on something that has no use. If the item breaks or is unusable then he would not want it.

6. I have found out that the shirt needs to have the ability to last for a long time. If it can perform for a long time, people will like the shirts and be more likely to buy more in the future. Additionally, they would need to be available in person and online since this decision varies from person to person. Lastly, style is still most likely pretty important as a shirt will be seen by many people. If the shirt is stylish, it could further draw in people to buy it.

7. People will not fear the price but will want a quality shirt that looks good. The shirt should be online and in person. The shirts quality will need to last to increase repeat buyers.

Friday, October 12, 2018

Halfway Reflection

1. To handle this course there a few patterns that I have developed. I get the rest of my week done on Monday through Thursday. This allows me some of Thursday and all of Friday to watch the weeks lectures. Once I have watched the lectures, I use any hints Dr. Pryor to complete the weeks assignments. Generally this means assessing how to answer the two weekly assignments. These assignments require me to look deeply into this idea that I have required. To do this I have the ability to flesh out my thoughts and those around me. After these assignments I take the cupcake. I use the notes that I have taken on the lectures. Then I write my reflective comments on my groups posts for the week. Funnily enough, this last step has caused me the most trouble as I am often busy over the weekend and forget to do so.

2. I once felt I wanted to give up band in high school when I thought that my efforts were not getting anywhere. I also wanted to give up my in my AP Lit class. I had done poorly on many assignments but in reality deserved a better grade than was given. To push through both of these times I had to push past my thoughts of doubt and dedicate that energy to doing even better. Both situations worked out this was as I became section leader and got an A in the class. I am not sure if these two months specifically have shaped my tenacity, but I do think I am tenacious. My biggest points of growth these two months have been through my actions in getting into a combined degree program.

3. To gain tenacity I would recommend making a goal for yourself. If you can make a clear path for yourself to work through, it gives you the ability to dedicate your energy into fixing your problem. To do so I would try and harden yourself through small, daily challenges. They do not have to be anything fancy, but if you grow each day then you will always be a better you. Lastly, I would say a huge part of motivation and tenacity is the people that you hold close to you. It sounds sappy, but these people are the ones who will be there for you when you feel down. A hand to help can be the most effective way to get back on track.



Image result for tenacity

Reading Reflection 1

1. I was most surprised that after Steve Jobs was kicked out, he still came back to Apple. I most admired the dedication that he put into creatively building each device. I least admired the attitude he carried towards the people around him. He constantly met obstacles, but he stubbornly fought through them and found a way to do what he wanted to do.

2. Steve Jobs had an incredible determination to be attached to everything the company produced. This surprised me as he never actually built these devices, he simply had influence over how he thought they should work.

3. I was confused about why he would go back to Apple. I saw his forced departure as something he would never forgive, Yet, he still came back and saved the company.

4. I would ask Steve Jobs if he was happy with where the company is now. I imagine he would not be, but I would want to know what exactly what about the current direction of the company upsets him. I would also want to ask him what creation he was most proud. Since he never made them himself, I would want to know which one he was most proud of with the results.

5. I imagine that those around him should always be working with everything they have and call that hard work. I do not agree with making those around overwork themselves is hard work.

Friday, October 5, 2018

Figuring out Buyer Behavior

1. The segment of the market my product falls under is the apparel industry.

2a. The need is felt when he walks to class in the middle of the day. The sun is at it's highest and makes him sweat the most then. The need is felt by the amount of sweat on his shirt. The more sweat, the more uncomfortable he feels, even when he is no longer outside in the heat. The need is felt most outside in the heat, especially if he walks by a asphalt street.
The first attempt at a solution is to walk in the shade, out of the sun. He looks for pathways that keep him out of the sun will leave early to stay out of the sun if the heat is that bad. They have not searched online for a solution but do look up the weather for the day to know what steps need to be taken.

2b. He feels the most sweaty ten minutes into a walk in the noon time. This is the most important factor to him since the amount of sunlight is what causes him to sweat. He feels the problem when even his shorts start to be sweaty. Where is not as much of an issue for him since the amount of sun he receives is not very different between the different locations he travels.
The first thing he does to solve the problem, walk though a building as opposed to around it since this allows him to escape the sun. He has looked into the path to his classes that keep him out of the sun so that he does not suffer from the problem. He has looked up ways to keep himself from getting so sweaty during the day.

2c. He feels the middle of the day is the time he is most likely to sweat. Beyond this, he sweats most when he has to walk to campus because he is required to dress up for a class. He feels the sweat most when his hair starts to drip sweat, which does not happen that often. He feels it most on thirteenth street when all the cars exhaust is spewing out next to him.
The first solution he has to the problem is to bike to class as this keeps him out of the heat compared to walking. He has looked for stops along his way to class that have water fountains so he can refresh himself before he gets there. He had asked his sister for tips on how deal with wearing a suit jacket during such a hot time of year.

Summary
I have learned that there is no real implemented solution to the problem. Everyone seems to out on a little band aid to such a huge problem, but none that are substantial. I also learned little research is put into a solution by the common man as the problem is simply accepted as a part of life in these southern climates.

Conclusion
I would say this segment is recognized by a large majority of people, but no substantial effort to solve the problem has been made. It will be very difficult to solve such a huge problem, but if I can there would be huge benefits. If someone could commercialize the use of such a material, then that person would be rewarded by the world. They could do more than sell a brand, they could sell their license for the technology.

Idea Napkin

1. I am a 2nd year finance student here at UF. I am good at talking to others and getting to the point of a problem. These are useful for this situation as you need to be able to assess a person's needs as someone selling their idea. I have the experience of selling shirts through band in high school where I sold shirts to friends and family. My aspirations for this idea, if it ever happens, would be to do this after I have retired from my career. I intend to work in capital markets which will take up almost all of my time in the first place. Therefor, if this concept were to come about, it would be after I have already retired.

2. I am offering a hydrophobic shirt to customers. This means that the shirt will look as stylish as other brands but will not absorb sweat like other shirts do. Instead, the sweat would slide down the shirt and no longer stick to your person. This frees a customer from the uncomfortably that the average shirt has.

3. The target audience is young adult/teenage men and women who have the ability to purchase their own clothes and live in hotter/humid temperatures. To narrow it even further, college students in Florida. Their motivation comes from their want to avoid having sweat in their clothes and choosing to buy my shirt to accomplish this goal.

4. This group will want my clothing because people will spend money to be more comfortable. On the higher scale, luxury cars are an entire type of car because people will spend money to be comfortable. On the attire level, people will buy shoes that have memory foam shoes over those that do not because memory foam is more comfortable. These examples show that customers would pick my shirt over the average shirt because people will spend more to be comfortable.

5. I am different from other shirts because these shirts do not absorb sweat. I am also different form "breathable" shirts because these shirts do not handle the sweat that accumulates on your back. Additionally, if there is no wind then breathable shirts fail. My shirt does not need anything beyond the material within it.

I think the two through five definitely flow together. All of these are good points to sell on as each on is strong. The problem comes with my desire to fulfill this idea. I do not see this coming any time soon. Additionally, while it is not discussed above, creation of said material is outside of my talents. Due to this problem, even if I had a passion for my idea, I would need someone else to make the technology.