30A – Final Reflection

1. Overall experience with assignments:
Thinking of a business plan and all of the different factors that go into it was something that found quite useful and actually enjoyed.I didn't really like all of the different interviews that I had to do but they ended up giving me valuable feedback which I will use to push my concept even farther. All in all, I enjoyed the class and would recommend anyone to take it.


2. What will I remember most about this course? What did I enjoy the most?
I will remember thinking through the many different possible ideas to find one that sticks with me the most. All of the different elements of a business that had to be thought about will stick with me forever. I feel it has helped me greatly in giving me a starting point in how to go about tarting my business.
What I enjoyed most about the class was the engaging assignments and the flexibility. Assignments were due every Friday so there were no surprises, and also there were no exams to be taken.

3. Do I Think I've Developed An Entrepreneurial Mindset?
I believe that I have. All of the experiences that I have gone through in this class I believe has prepared to begin a business. I can now look at different business ideas and think through all of the different elements that must be considered for it to be successful.

4. Advice:
Work ahead of time. It will greatly benefit you in this class and also give you a chance to really think through your idea. Also, read every comment that is left on your posts. They contain a lot of valuable feedback that can be implemented into your business.

29A – Venture Concept No. 2

Opportunity

• Who has the need?
• Anyone with a cell phone.
• The nature of the need?
• This need comes from the design of cell phones today being quite fragile. They often break or cracked when dropped, which makes customers have to pay a lot of money for repairs or replacements.
• What are the forces of changes in the environment creating this opportunity?
• The current cellphone market puts so much emphasis on the software within the phone and the sleekness of the design that the durability of the phones have been neglected. This opens the opportunity for phones that are more durable to enter the market.
• How is the market defined geographically and demographically?
• This market would do well around the world and amongst all demographic levels. It saves everyone money and gives them more bang for their buck.
• How are customers currently satisfying this need? And how loyal are they to whatever they use now?
• Customers are currently satisfying this need by buying phone cases and other accessories to help protect their phones. The phone cases tend to be on the bulkier side, taking away from the sleek design of the phones. The accessories tend to work for a period of time before having to go out and buy another. They aren’t very loyal to these methods due to the inconveniences of them.
• How big is this opportunity?
• This opportunity is pretty big seeing as almost everyone owns a cell phone. Improving the durability of these phones will be a great service to everyone.
• How long will the, "window of opportunity" be open?
• I think the window of opportunity will be open indefinitely if the major phone companies do not begin to build their phones to last longer.

Innovation

• How is my product/service innovative?
• My service is innovative in the sense that it builds off a concept that is already established. Instead of trying to change something completely, I would like to improve it. This way both the consumers and companies benefit.
• How does my product/service work?
• My service works by manufacturing different models of cell phones with materials that are built to be sturdier. It will take nothing away from the sleek design or software of the phone. We will sell to the phone companies themselves
• What exactly am I selling and for how much?
• I am selling the phones that are manufactured with materials that are more durable. I will charge the phone companies the price it costs to make the phone normally plus an extra fee for the service.

Venture Concept

• How my innovation solves the discovered, 'opportunity.' 
• By manufacturing stronger phones, phone companies will have a more positive image because their products will last longer. Also, customers will be more satisfied since they won’t have to worry about repairing or replacing their phones as much, saving them a great deal of money.
• Why will customers by my innovative service/product?
• Customers will by my product simply so that their phones will last longer. Mistakes happen, phones drop, and phones get damaged. With my service the phones will be built to better withstand these types of situations. The customer will not have to worry about repairing or replacing their phones.
• What are the reasons to think customers would switch to this new product? How hard will it be to get them to switch?
• It will not be hard at all for customers to switch to my product. It is essentially the same phone that they had before, but more durable. Having a phone that can withstand more will be a great benefit to everyone.
• Who are the competitors? What are their possible weaknesses or vulnerabilities?
• The competitors will be the manufacturers of protective phone accessories. Their weakness are that the accessories are completely separate from the phones. Customers have to go out and buy something extra to help protect their phones. With my service, it is just the phone. Literally all you do is buy the phone, and it comes equip with the protection that the customers are looking for.
• What role does packaging play, your price points, distribution, customer support, the customer experience or the business location play (if any) in defining your business concept?
• Packaging and marketing play a huge role. My business will begin as just a manufacturing company, supplying the phones built with sturdier materials to the phone companies such as Apple and Samsung. As my business grows, I will open my own stores so that the phones can be bought directly from me.
• How would you organize a, "business" to support the ongoing production of your new product, service, or process? How many employees? What roles are in the venture?
• First, I would gain access to a factory, supplier of durable materials, and the equipment needed to build the phones. Then I would hire around 10 employees to work and oversee the production of the phones and about 5 more employees to oversee the shipment and delivery of the phones.

3 Minor Elements

• What is my most important resource or, "secret sauce?'
• My most important resource is my determination. I believe staying focused will get me to where I need to be. As long as I continue to work as hard as I need to, everything will fall into place. Even though I know I am certain to face failures along the way, I just have learn from them and keep pushing on.
• What's next for my venture?
• I want to expand my service to other portable devices such as videogames.
• Where would I like to be in 5 years?
• In five years I would like to be at the top of well-known business that sells portable technological devices that are more durable than their standard counterparts. I would like to have several different locations around the country and the world.

Feedback

The feedback I received focused on narrowing my audience. Will I focus on selling directly to the consumer or selling to major companies? I believe that I should start out by selling to the major companies and then later on expanding to the consumers.

How my Venture concept changed

I haven't changed my venture concept.

28A – Your Exit Strategy

Identifying My Exit Strategy:
I want to stay with the business for as long as I possibly can. I feel that it is my responsibility to ensure that it grows the way it needs to and fosters a positive relationship with the consumers. Once a good foundation is built for my business, I would like to pass it on to my children. I am starting my business to ensure financial stability for both myself and my family. The business will be my legacy that I leave to them.

Why I Chose This Strategy:
I chose this strategy because my main purpose for having a business is to be financially stable and have something to pass on to my family that they will also be financially stable Once I feel that they are ready to take over, I will give the business to them and watch to see how much farther they can take it. As they do this, I believe I will start exploring hobbies such as traveling.

How Do I Think My Exit Strategy Has Influenced The Other Decisions I've Made In My Concept?
My exit strategy has affected other decisions I've made in my concept by causing me search for the most practical opportunity that I can find. In order to financially support myself and my family, I had to find something that I knew that people needed. I want my business to grow as large as it can possibly become. This way I will feel as I really accomplished something with my business.

27A- Reading Reflection No.3

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

1. What was the general theme or argument of the book?
The theme of this book was to describe the different methods that are used when decisions are made with the different systems in our brains.

2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with or enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?
This book was helpful by highlighting how important intuition is. It is often overlooked as just something that we feel inside of us without any logic or evidence, however it is quite the opposite. Our intuition is based off of our previous experiences and decisions are made from those. Sometimes our intuition is more accurate than what we may actually think about a situation, so it should not be counted out as an option.

3. If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?
The exercise I design for this class would be to have the students write a bog post abut which method they see the most from their peers on a day to day basis.

4. What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading this book? In other words, what did you learn that differed from most experiences?
My biggest surprise was realizing that there are actual different ways to make decisions programmed in our brains. Beforehand, I didn't think making decisions was that complex.

26A – Celebrating Failure

A time I failed during this past semester was during my Managerial Accounting class. As a finance major, I am required to earn a B or better in Managerial Accounting. Toward the beginning of the semester, things didn't seem too bad. However, as I became busy with responsibilities for the different organizations I am involved with and several family issues, it turned out to be too much for me. It also didn't help that the class itself is no walk in the park. As I took the weekly quizzes after watching the lectures, I would often find myself lost and uninterested in the material being taught. When it came for the exams, I would open the exam booklet and be completely as to how to approach the problems. Now, as the semester draws close to an end, things have not changed too much. The final exam is approaching and I feel kind of hopeless as to how I am going to finish the class with an acceptable grade, let alone a B.  am going to study as hard as I can to try to make a comeback and see where things go from there.

Reflection:
After going through this semester, I have learned not to overload myself. The workload was too heavy for me to take on this semester with all f my organizational responsibilities. The family issues that arose also did not help the situation at all. However, I believe that this has happened for a reason. I now know exactly how uninterested I am in finance and accounting. I think that this is pushing me to find something that I will enjoy more.

General Perspective on Failure:
I believe that failure is necessary. It may not seem good at the moment, but it is ultimately life's best teacher. It teaches you to learn from your mistakes and correct them so that they don't happen again. My failure has me looking toward a new path to reach my goals and I believe that it was absolutely necessary. I know that the situation will be resolved and I will find a way to persevere past this failure.

24A – Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity

• Who has the need?
• Anyone with a cell phone.
• The nature of the need?
• This need comes from the design of cell phones today being quite fragile. They often break or cracked when dropped, which makes customers have to pay a lot of money for repairs or replacements.
• What are the forces of changes in the environment creating this opportunity?
• The current cellphone market puts so much emphasis on the software within the phone and the sleekness of the design that the durability of the phones have been neglected. This opens the opportunity for phones that are more durable to enter the market.
• How is the market defined geographically and demographically?
• This market would do well around the world and amongst all demographic levels. It saves everyone money and gives them more bang for their buck.
• How are customers currently satisfying this need? And how loyal are they to whatever they use now?
• Customers are currently satisfying this need by buying phone cases and other accessories to help protect their phones. The phone cases tend to be on the bulkier side, taking away from the sleek design of the phones. The accessories tend to work for a period of time before having to go out and buy another. They aren’t very loyal to these methods due to the inconveniences of them.
• How big is this opportunity?
• This opportunity is pretty big seeing as almost everyone owns a cell phone. Improving the durability of these phones will be a great service to everyone.
• How long will the, "window of opportunity" be open?
• I think the window of opportunity will be open indefinitely if the major phone companies do not begin to build their phones to last longer.

Innovation

• How is my product/service innovative?
• My service is innovative in the sense that it builds off a concept that is already established. Instead of trying to change something completely, I would like to improve it. This way both the consumers and companies benefit.
• How does my product/service work?
• My service works by manufacturing different models of cell phones with materials that are built to be sturdier. It will take nothing away from the sleek design or software of the phone. We will sell to the phone companies themselves
• What exactly am I selling and for how much?
• I am selling the phones that are manufactured with materials that are more durable. I will charge the phone companies the price it costs to make the phone normally plus an extra fee for the service.

Venture Concept

• How my innovation solves the discovered, 'opportunity.' 
• By manufacturing stronger phones, phone companies will have a more positive image because their products will last longer. Also, customers will be more satisfied since they won’t have to worry about repairing or replacing their phones as much, saving them a great deal of money.
• Why will customers by my innovative service/product?
• Customers will by my product simply so that their phones will last longer. Mistakes happen, phones drop, and phones get damaged. With my service the phones will be built to better withstand these types of situations. The customer will not have to worry about repairing or replacing their phones.
• What are the reasons to think customers would switch to this new product? How hard will it be to get them to switch?
• It will not be hard at all for customers to switch to my product. It is essentially the same phone that they had before, but more durable. Having a phone that can withstand more will be a great benefit to everyone.
• Who are the competitors? What are their possible weaknesses or vulnerabilities?
• The competitors will be the manufacturers of protective phone accessories. Their weakness are that the accessories are completely separate from the phones. Customers have to go out and buy something extra to help protect their phones. With my service, it is just the phone. Literally all you do is buy the phone, and it comes equip with the protection that the customers are looking for.
• What role does packaging play, your price points, distribution, customer support, the customer experience or the business location play (if any) in defining your business concept?
• Packaging and marketing play a huge role. My business will begin as just a manufacturing company, supplying the phones built with sturdier materials to the phone companies such as Apple and Samsung. As my business grows, I will open my own stores so that the phones can be bought directly from me.
• How would you organize a, "business" to support the ongoing production of your new product, service, or process? How many employees? What roles are in the venture?
• First, I would gain access to a factory, supplier of durable materials, and the equipment needed to build the phones. Then I would hire around 10 employees to work and oversee the production of the phones and about 5 more employees to oversee the shipment and delivery of the phones.

3 Minor Elements

• What is my most important resource or, "secret sauce?'
• My most important resource is my determination. I believe staying focused will get me to where I need to be. As long as I continue to work as hard as I need to, everything will fall into place. Even though I know I am certain to face failures along the way, I just have learn from them and keep pushing on.
• What's next for my venture?
• I want to expand my service to other portable devices such as videogames.
• Where would I like to be in 5 years?
• In five years I would like to be at the top of well-known business that sells portable technological devices that are more durable than their standard counterparts. I would like to have several different locations around the country and the world.

25A – What’s Next?

Existing Market

Interview Summary

After interviewing 3 people that are already part of the market I identified, each person had different responses when asked, "What should I be doing next with my business?" The first interviewee says that I need to find a way to receive feedback from the general public. The most efficient way to accomplish this would be a survey. It would highlight the negatives and positives of my venture in the public's opinion. I also brought up the fact that I plan to expand to more than just making cell phones more durable. I would like to work on other portable devices as well. He believes there is potential as long as it is cost-efficient. The second person wants me to think about what kind of store I'm going to have. Will it just be a factory manufacturing the phones or will there be an actual store that sells the materials? Will I be selling directly to the consumer or selling to the phone companies? The final interviewee mentioned the same thing as the second interviewee.I really have narrow down who my audience is in order to make this venture successful. He thinks expanding to other devices is a good idea as well.

I thought this feedback was helpful. I know see things from a different perspective and will work accordingly to be successful.

New Market

Interview Summary

New market idea:
Apple gives me a request to manufacture 500 iPhone X models with my materials. My business makes them and sends them to Apple. The customer then buys one of the phones from an Apple store. Doing it this way means I am not connected to the consumer at all. I would be an independent entity supplying directly to the companies.

Interviewee 1 says he thinks this idea isn't good because the customers themselves will not know about me or my company. They will accredit the stronger to phones to Apple and only Apple. Interviewee number 2 says this is a good idea. He thinks operating like this puts most of the liability on Apple since my company's brand will not be on the phone.

Each interviewee made good points. I believe that there needs to be a connection between my company and the consumer.I agree more with the first interviewee because I need to be able to establish my own brand. Once the consumers see my work and know that it is my work, it will expand my business.

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

1. Human Capital
Value - Very valuable.
Rarity -Not rare.
Imitability -Yes, can be learned.
Non-Substitutable - There is no substitute.

2. Social Capital
Value - Valuable.
Rarity - Common.
Imitability - Quite imitable, many people possess networking skills.
Non-Substitutable - There is no substitute.

3. Experiences
Value - Very valuable.
Rarity - Rare.
Imitability - Not imitable at all. The specific experiences I have gone through I have shaped me into who I am.
Non-Substitutable - There is no substitute.

4. I relate to my customers' experiences with their phones
Value - I feel this is valuable because I know what its like to have dropped a brand new iPhone and pay a great deal of money for repairs.
Rarity - It is not rare for people to drop or damage their phones.
Imitability - It is imitable for someone to produce phones with stronger materials
Non-Substitutable - There is no substitute.

5. Determination
Value - Extremely valuable.
Rarity - Somewhat rare.
Imitability - Anyone can be determined to achieve their goals.
Non-Substitutable - There is no substitute.

6. Family
Value - Extremely valuable.
Rarity - Rare
Imitability - Noone can imitate family, but support can be received elsewhere
Non-Substitutable - Family can't be substituted, but support can

7. Adaptability
Value - Very valuable
Rarity - Somewhat rare
Imitability - Anyone can be adaptable as long as the effort is put forth
Non-Substitutable - Adaptability can't be substituted

8. Organizational Culture
Value - Extremely valuable.
Rarity - Somewhat rare.
Imitability - It is imitable to have good organizational culture, however, not specifically in the way I plan to.
Non-Substitutable - There is no substitute.

9. Financial Capital
Value - Valuable
Rarity - Not too rare
Imitability - Anyone can have financial capital
Non-Substitutable - There is no substitute

10. Versatility
Value - Extremely valuable
Rarity - Not rare.
Imitability - Quite imitable
Non-Substitutable - No substitution.

My top resource is my determination. It has driven me to make it to this point, and it will drive me to make it even farther. As long as I keep my eye on the prize, I know I will achieve it.

21A – Reading Reflection No. 2

1. he general theme was discovery. 

2I feel like the book connected to this class because failing is necessary for growth. We learn about the growth mindset in ENT 3003 which is the idea that one is constantly growing, and discovering new things. Without failure, you will not have gone through touch experiences that will dictate how to react in the future.

3.If I designed an exercise for this class it would be about reflecting on what new things you discovered about yourself. What failures have you gone through that have shaped how you now act in certain situations?

4 My biggest surprise when reading this was how much the finding correlated to things in my life. I am a big believer in Christ and the findings they discovered coincided with the values that I live by.

20A – Growing Your Social Capital

Contact #1 Expert in Industry
I emailed the support email for Apple, trying to be put into contact with someone. I received no response.

Contact #2 Expert in Market
I emailed the owner of a local phone repair business here in Gainesville. After waiting a week, I didn't receive a response.

Contact #3 Supplier to Industry
I emailed the support email for the company Gorilla Glass in hopes of being put into contact with someone to critique my idea, however I did not receive a response.

Reflection
Ultimately, this was a learning experience for me. I now know how hard it is to make connections when just going out on a whim and trying to contact people. This has differed from my networking experiences in the past by not receiving any type of response at all. Moving forward, I actively make more connections when they visit UF for events and be sure to remain in constant contact with them.

This way I will not have to worry about sending emails to people that have no idea who I am, and I will have a better chance at succeeding.

19A – Idea Napkin No. 2

1. My name is Brachari Howard, I am a second year student pursuing my degree in Finance. I am a workout enthusiast, football fan, and pet owner . If I were to start my business, I see it playing a tremendous role in my life. A lot of my time will be dedicated to the creation and innovation of new, more durable phone materials. As the company grows, I will venture into other things such as charity and scholarship funds so that I am able to give back to the community and those in need. I am also looking to be able pass it along to my own children one day so that they may learn the ins and outs of the business world.

2. I'm offering a service that makes the different components of portable, technological devices with materials that are easy and sustainable to work with, while also making the devices stronger than they were before.  I am looking to receive the materials from local sources and operate with practices that are safe for the environment. 
3. I am offering my service to all owners of smartphones and other portable, technological devices.

4. The customers would care about this service because it means they won’t have to worry about their devices breaking so easily. We’re humans and we make mistakes, mistakes which consist of dropping things or irresponsibly handling them. With my service, some of the worry will be lifted as the devices will have a greater chance of taking little to no damage during these times. This saves the customer both time and money.

5. What sets me apart from everyone else are my experiences. I have been through a lot in my lifetime and even more to get to where I am now. Going through it however, has made me stronger as an individual. With this, I believe I can get through any thing that comes in my way. So beginning my own business and becoming successful is just another one of those things.

I believe that the elements of my idea do fit well together. My service will be meeting a need that many people have will also remaining friendly to the environment. One concern is exactly how to go about that. Gathering natural materials can be harmful to the environment so I will have to find a way to do so sustainably.

From the feedback I received, I was given more insight into the possible materials to be used, current companies that are similar to my idea, and what part of the devices require the most attention. By considering these materials I have a starting for when I begin my business. The research into the current companies helps me to understand what must be done and what is currently being done. I incorporated this into my napkin by thinking more about the effect on the environment.

18A – Create a Customer Avatar

My avatars are a couple that have a child. They can range anywhere between their mid-20s to their 50s. The man works as a construction worker and the woman workers as an elementary school teacher. They are in lower-middle class socioeconomic level, bringing in a combined income of about $70,000 per year. Their child is quite energetic and often comes to them to play games on their phones. The man's vehicle is a Chevy Malibu, while the woman drives a Toyota Camry. They have a German Shepherd that loves to get into trouble and make a mess around the house. Both the kid and the dog can be quite a handful to deal with. They both exercise in their free time, when they are not spending time with their child or working. They both have to constantly spend money on their phones to be repaired. Between their jobs, the child, the dog, and the exercising, their phones both take quite a bit of punishment. The child may accidentally drop it, the dog may sneak off with it, or they may make a mistake while they are working and exercising. Their lives are very busy, and worrying about repairing their phones should be the least of their worries. They believe that having phones that can withstand more punishment would be a great benefit to them. After doing some research, they learned that my company was manufacturing phones built with stronger material. They purchased these phones, and found that they didn't have to worry about the conditions of their hones anymore. They could now save money on repairs and replacements, and focus on the other things that they have going on in their lives.

I have a few things in common with my avatars. First, I come from a lower-middle class socioeconomic level so I know that constantly spending money on your phone can get to be quite expensive. I also do a lot of physical activity, so I may often drop my phone and have to worry about it breaking and getting it repaired or replaced. Like them, I would like to start a family one day and have a dog.

15A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

Interview 1
This college aged woman says that the most important thing to her when buying a phone is software of the phone. She likes phone mainly for their new features and innovations. When asked, “What makes you catches your attention about a phone when you are shopping?” She said, “ I like to have the most recent phone model so I usually look for the newest.” Packaging and price are not important to her as her parents buy her any phone she wants, but she likes the style of the newest phones.She prefers to buy in-store so that she can she try the new features out for herself when looking for phones.

Interview 2
This college aged man says what’s most important to him when buying a phone are the durability and price. He prefers to have a phone that lasts longer, so buying an expensive phone that breaks easily is not what he is in interested in.He thinks a phone was a good choice if the reasonably priced, good quality, and if the phone is not fragile. He prefers to shop in the store as it gives him a feel for the phone and he can talk about pricing with employees.

Interview 3
This person was a middle aged professor. He says what matters most to him when buying a phone is the quality of the phone and how long it lasts. He doesn't care too much for the latest features as he just uses the basic functions of a phone.He prefers to buy in store as it gives him the chance to test out whether the phone is too complicated to use or not. As long as the phone lasts long and is easy to use, this customer is satisfied.


Conclusion
Though they are all different aspects of quality, the three people I interviewed all care bout the quality of a phone when they buy it. They either care about what the phone can do or how long the phone can last. The use of these phones help them in their day-to-day life in a number of ways. The phones must advertised in such a way that they describe new features, durability, and pricing.

14A – Halfway Reflection

1. What are the behaviors you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course?

• To keep up with the requirements of this course, working ahead was something that I became very familiar with. Since most of the assignments require you to really think about an unmet need and way to fulfill that need, it took time to formulate such ideas. I would read the assignment descriptions during the beginning of the week, and use the middle of the week to really think about and solidify those ideas. This time also included things such as interviews to help get the feedback that was needed. I believe that working ahead is the key to keeping up with this classes requirements.

2. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up"? What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude over the past two months? What experience(s) most contributed to this?

• I felt like giving up during this semester when I learned of my mother suffering a mild heart attack and being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I went into a period of depression in which I was not motivated to get anything done. What pulled me through this tome was the recurring thought that she wants to see me succeed here at school, and within life. Keeping this mind, I began to work again as I had done once before. This experience has made me even more tenacious than I was before because now I feel as though absolutely nothing will get in my way of becoming successful.

3. What are three tips you would offer next semester's students about (1) fostering the skills of tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset'?

• To foster the skills of tenacity, you must first find your reason for doing whatever it is that needs to be done. Once you find that reason, let it be a constant reminder and motivator to keep you going. Secondly, you must learn to face and accept failure. It's bound to happen, especially in trying to be an entrepreneur. Your ability to bounce back from these failures is what will foster your tenacity. Lastly, don't overwork yourself. Working hard is important, but too much of anything is bad for a person. Take some time to relax and destress so that yo don't become overwhelmed.

12A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

Segment
The segment that I've chosen is smart phone owners that have had to get their phone screens fixed due to dropping them.

Interviews
1. This interviewee was a college-aged woman that owns an iPhone 8. She enjoys her iPhone and all of its features and design, but has a large crack that runs across her screen. She had already gotten the screen fixed once before, which has costed her around $150. This time around, she decided to just deal with the crack. She believes that the software of her phone is amazing, but the hardware is a bit too fragile. She believes that my business opportunity would be something that she utilizes as she would rather buy a stronger screen form the beginning, then have to pay $150 again to get it fixed.

2. This interviewee was middle-aged man that owns an iPhone 7 Plus. When he purchased his iPhone, he also purchased Apple's warranty plan, Applecare. He once dropped his phone onto his driveway while getting out of his car, causing the screen to shatter. With his Applecare warranty, he paid $29 to get it repaired. He believe this warranty option makes repairing his phone very affordable.  He believes that my opportunity would be convenient, but it is unnecessary due to the availability of warranty plans to get phone repairs.

3. This interviewee is a Linebacker for the Gators football team. He has had to get many iPhones repaired in the past due to dropping them. He now has an iPhone X that he carries around in a bulky, protective case. The case that he uses does a great job at protecting the phone, however he would prefer to not have to use such a bulky device. He wants to be able to appreciate the design of the phone without a fear of breaking it. He thinks that my business opportunity would be perfect at fulfilling his need. He will no longer have to use a bulky case to protect his phone, and will be able to enjoy the phone as it was designed.

Summary
I learned that while there may be some uses for my business opportunity, the alternatives that already exist might be barring it from the competitive advantage that it needs. The option of having an Applecare warranty greatly reduces the price of getting your phone repaired. If more people were to buy it, my business opportunity would become obsolete. However, for those that don't want to buy a warranty my option might be viable.

13A – Reading Reflection No. 1

1. I read about "Steve Jobs", by Walter Isaacson

• What surprised me most is that the name "Apple" came about due to Steve Jobs leaving an apple orchard recently before designing his first computer. Also, that he designed his first computer with a guy that he met in his friend's garage.
• What I admired most about Steve Jobs was his perseverance and his intellect. He was able to create great things in small periods of time. He also faced many failures throughout his lifetime, and did not let any of them stop him from becoming successful.
• I least admired that he was often too busy for his family. His work was important, but I believe that he should have invested more time into them as well.
• Steve Jobs encountered adversity and failure several times. Every time that he has encountered it, he simply bounced back with another idea or opportunity that he sought after and achieved.

2. Steve Jobs was an extremely hard worker. He immersed so much of himself into his work that he felt a personal connection, so much so that he felt that Apple needed its own retail stores so that the products can truly be appreciated. He also never gave up. When one thing went bad for him, he just moved on to another. This mindset is what got him to be as successful as he was.

3. A part of the reading that confused is how Apple reacquired Steve Jobs. After he initially left Apple and started NeXt, neither companies were doing too well. When the Apple decided to acquire NeXt, the role that Steve Jobs would now play at Apple was unclear. He settled for the title of advisor and even when offered the position of CEO, he refused.

4.If I were able to ask Steve Jobs two questions, they would be: "What is your biggest regret in life?" and "What is one thing that you would go back and change?"

I would ask these questions because Steve Jobs has seen a lot of success in his lifetime. However, he's seen a lot of failures too. I would like to learn from the mistakes that he has made and try to incorporate that into my own ambitions.

5. I think Steve Jobs' opinion of hard work was that it was necessary to get to where you need to be. He always worked hard when developing new ideas or working on projects and it has brought him well-deserved success. I share this position because nothing in life comes easy. If you want something, you have to be willing to put the work in to attain it.

11A – Idea Napkin No. 1

1. My name is Brachari Howard and I am pursuing my degree in Finance here at the University of Florida. I grew up in a low-income, single-parent household so I've had to work for everything that I currently have. I am a go-getter, determined to earn everything  that I desire. As such, I am persistent in the things that I do. I am also able to learn quickly and adapt to different situations. I aspire to own my own business centered around the construction of technological devices. I see this business being the factor that sustains my family and I financially. I also want to eventually be able to pass it down to my future children.

2. I'm offering a service that makes parts for smartphones and other technological devices that are more durable than what is currently available. I am aiming to make these devices are strong as they can possibly be, while maintaining the same size and look that they currently possess.

3. I am offering my service to all owners of smartphones and other portable, technological devices.

4. The customers would care about this service because it will make their devices last longer and ultimately save them money in the long run. It is very common to drop your smartphone or other technological device and have it break. This leads to either replacement or repairs which can be quite costly. If the phone itself is more durable, the occurrence of this event will decrease.

5. What sets me apart from everyone else is my mindset. I grew up with nothing, so I'm aspiring to have everything. To me, failure is not an option. I have the grit that is required to build a business from the ground up.

I believe that these elements fit well together. Together they bring about a great business opportunity. However, I am concerned as to how exactly I will be able to find the materials to achieve my goal. Surely it will not be easy or cheap to find highly durable materials that can be used in today's technological devices. I will have to dedicate to research for this matter. Overall, however, I feel as though the idea is achievable.

9A - Testing the Hypothesis Part 2

Who: After interviewing five people based on questions their smartphones being fragile, I see that some people who share similarities with my opportunity do fall outside of the boundary. Three of the people interviewed said that they believe their smartphones are too fragile. The other two said the phones are fragile, however it is necessary in order to keep the phones as sleek as they are now. They all believe that the repairs and replacements are expensive, however, not everyone wants the materials that the phone are made with to change. Three wanted stronger materials, while the other two preferred the phones to stay how they are. The two believed with the proper care, stronger materials won't be needed.

What: The need I identified differs from another need in the sense that it deals with how long smartphones last. Almost everyone has a smartphone, and it is not uncommon for people to drop them. When dropped, they break rather easily. This causes the owner to either repair or replace it, which is rather expensive to do, especially if it breaks multiple times.

Why: The cause of the outsiders' needs are different from that of the insiders' needs based on the fact that the outsiders believe that the problem can be solved simply by taking better care of their product. They feel as though being built from new materials is unnecessary and will ultimately change the product itself. The insiders believe the phones themselves are the problem and must be built to be more durable.

	Inside the Boundary	Outside the Boundary
Who is in and out	People who would prefer that smartphones be made with materials that are more durable	People who prefer that the smartphones remain how they are and that owners take better care of them
What the need is and isn’t	The phone owners that would like manufacturers to build phones that last longer and can take more punishment	Phone owner believes that the phones may be fragile, but would rather be more careful in how they handle it than having the being made differently
Why the need exists and alternative explanations	The need exists because as humans, we make mistakes. No one is perfect and people drop their phones all the time. There is no way to stop people from dropping their phones, therefore phones will continue to break from being dropped. If the phones were built to be more durable, this problem can be solved	With phones being built from stronger materials, the design of the phone may he altered. Since the materials are stronger, the phone may be bulkier. However, this tradeoff is something that the consumer will have to decide is worthwhile. Some people may not think so and try other methods such as being more careful and using accessories such as phone case and screen protectors to combat this

8A - Solving the Problem

Opportunity: Smartphone owners in the U.S. have to constantly spend money on fixing or replacing their phones due to being built from materials that are fragile. Most times when someone drops their smartphone, the screen cracks or breaks completely.

Product/Service:  Create a company that specializes in the development of technological parts that are more durable than the ones that we see today. This company would research what materials would be needed to effectively to build such parts, and sell them to major technology manufacturers to be used in their products. The company can become rather large depending on the number of manufacturers it sells to. The materials used to make their parts will be tested extensively to ensure that the durability of the product is up to par. Ultimately, phones and other technological devices will last longer due to being able to take more punishment.

7A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Opportunity: Smartphone owners in the U.S. have to constantly spend money on fixing or replacing their phones due to being built from materials that are fragile.

• Who: Smartphone owners 
• What: Smartphone owners must constantly spend money to fix or replace their phones
• Why: The smartphones on today's market are all leaning toward a slimmer, sleek design. With this phones are being made smaller, with lighter materials than before. This makes it so that the phones are now sleeker, however, they are not as durable and must constantly be replaced when dropped.

Testing the who: This need is not just exclusive to smartphone owners in the U.S. Around the world, people that own smartphones share this problem.

Testing the what: The boundaries for this need are the type of smartphone that user owns. iPhones tend to be more more fragile than smartphones made from other manufacturers, such as the Galaxy. However, as sleeker phones are becoming more popular, Galaxy phones are beginning to lose some of their durability as well.

Testing the why: Not everyone that owns a smartphone faults the manufacturers for using fragile parts. Some people believe that people should be more careful when handling their phones. Others believe that manufacturers build fragile phones purposely to have customers spend more on repairs/replacements and increase the number of warranties that customers buy. Lastly, some people just believe it to be an inevitable byproduct of producing sleeker phones.

Interview 1

This student says that he owns an iPhone that he has dropped and paid to get the screen fixed. He thinks that the phones are not durable enough and break too easily. He would prefer to have a bulkier phone that lasts longer to save money.

Interview 2

This person says he owns a Galaxy and it is in great condition despite being dropped. He believes that the phone is durable enough, if taken proper care of. He thinks all of the different protective options such as cases and screen protectors make it nearly impossible to have spend money on repairs for your phone anymore.

Interview 3

This student says that she currently owns an iPhone 8. She believes the tradeoff for having a sleeker phone is just a small price to pay. She prefers to have a phone that isn't bulky as it isn't appealing to her. She'll rather deal with having to get her sleeker phone fixed than having a bulkier phone that lasts longer.

Interview 4

This woman has owned several iPhones. She thinks that they purposely build them to break easily so that customers can spend money on buying replacements. She ultimately believes it is a scam, but enjoys the software too much to switch to using another type of phone.

Interview 5

This man owns a Galaxy S8. He bought it because it is made of materials that are waterproof and believes it to be reasonably durable. Though he has had issues with fragile phones in the past, he believes that the market is actually moving toward phones that are more durable. He thinks phone made with waterproof technology proves this.

What do I know about the opportunity now that I didn't know before?

I feel like I definitely have a clearer understanding of how people feel towards the newer designs on smartphones. Some people like the sleeker designs and are willing to deal with the fragility, while others prefer phones that ultimately last longer. However, I believe that building with phones with materials that are more durable doesn't necessarily mean giving up the sleek design. Like the man in the fifth interview touched upon, waterproof phones are a great innovation that has increased the durability of his phone. If smartphones can be made from stronger materials, yet keep their sleekness, I believe people will buy them.

6A - Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

1.
A.Economic Trend: Oil Boom Gives the U.S. a New Edge in Energy and Diplomacy             
B. I believe an opportunity exists in the fact that the U.S. is emerging as a superpower in the          market for oil. This gives American oil companies the chance to take advantage of the rising oil prices and turn greater profits.
C. The prototypical customer would be someone that drives a motor vehicle or operates machinery that runs on a source of power that is produced as a result of crude oil.
D. This opportunity is easy to exploit, as oil companies now have more discretion at their hands as to how high they want gas prices to be.
Why did you see this opportunity: This opportunity doesn't affect me directly as I don't own a vehicle, however, it impacts many people close to me by affecting how much money they have to pay for gas. Having lived through the recession, I saw how high gas prices were during that time. So now that the oil industry is on the rise for the U.S., an opportunity is apparent for the oil companies.

2.
A. Economic Trend: The death of the American mall
B. The opportunity exists for online shopping outlets to gain more  profits and popularity. The closing of stores will push more customers toward shopping online.
C. The prototypical customer would be people that used to go to malls to shop but are now pushed towards shopping online and those that already shop online.
D. This opportunity is easy to exploit, as stores close, the products that they offered will be available exclusively online. This means more business for online shopping outlets.
Why did you see this opportunity: I believe an opportunity exists because shopping is ultimately made easier. People no longer have to get up to go look around stores for products that they want. They can now just search a website for specific products, buy them, and have them delivered.

3.
A. Regulatory Change: Washington Is Trying to Regulate Bitcoin. These People Are Trying to Stop It
B. An opportunity exists because most commerce is shifting to being digitally based. A rising cryptocurrency could take perfect advantage of this opportunity.
C. The prototypical customer could be anyone: from business owners to regular consumers that shop digitally
D. I believe the opportunity is easy to exploit because most business is shifting toward being technologically based. People will see at as convenient and useful.
Why did you see this opportunity: Online commerce has been growing recently. With that, people and businesses are exchanging money online more than ever. The popularity and stocks for Bitcoin has grown rapidly, showing that people desire a reliable cryptocurrency to trade with.

4.
A. Regulatory Change: Paid sick leave and minimum wage policies at local and state levels
B. An opportunity exists as this makes business look more appealing to potential employees.
C. The prototypical "customer" for this opportunity would be people that are looking to be employed by businesses that offer paid leave benefits.
D. The opportunity is relatively easy to exploit for large businesses, but harder for small businesses as they will be forced to adapt to the structure that is brought about.
Why did you see this opportunity:  As someone that used to work a minimum wage job with no benefits, this opportunity stood out to me. Companies adopting practices such as there make working for that company seem so much better. It also helps to improve the overall image of the company.

4A - Forming an Opportunity Belief

I believe that an opportunity exists in the need for stronger glass for iPhone screens. Currently, iPhones have glass screens that crack or break pretty easily when dropped. This is a burden to iPhone users everywhere that have to continuously get their screens fixed or buy a new phone altogether. This need has existed since iPhones were first released in 2007. To meet this need now, people are buying accessories for their phones such as phone cases and screen protectors for their screens for extra protection. I am about 70% sure that this opportunity exists.

Prototypical Customer: Male College Student with iPhone 7
1. Do you own an iPhone?
-Yes
2. Have you ever dropped your phone and cracked the screen?
-Yes, its happened to me on several occasions.
3. Do you think the current iPhone screens are durable?
-Not at all.
4. Do you think that a stronger screen for iPhones could be invented?
-Definitely, there has to be something that can be dropped without breaking so easily.
5. Have you used any screen protectors for your iPhone?
-I've tried using a screen protector once, but it ended breaking pretty easily as well.
6. If iPhones were released with screens that were more durable, would you purchase one?
-No doubt, this is something I've wanted to happen for a while.

Prototypical Customer: Female College Student with iPhone X
1. Do you own an iPhone?
-Yes, I have the newest model.
2. Have you ever dropped your phone and cracked the screen?
- Too many times. Every previous model iPhone that I've had has been dropped and cracked. That's partly what led me to buy the newest one.
3. Do you think the current iPhone screens are durable?
-Is that a joke? They are from from it. Apple really needs stronger screens on their phones.
4. Have you used any screen protectors for your iPhone?
- I used to, but I stopped when I realized that they break pretty easily too.
5. If iPhones were released with screens that were more durable, would you  purchase one?
-That's not even a question, of course I would.

Prototypical Customer: Male College Professor with iPhone 8
1. Do you own an iPhone?
-Yes, I have the 8.
2. Have you ever dropped your phone and cracked the screen?
- Yes, I always wondered why these things break so easily.
3. Do you think the current iPhone screens are durable?
- I don't believe that they're durable. In fact, they're so frail that I always have buy a thick phone case and protector for the screen in order for it to last.
4. If iPhones were released with screens that were more durable, would you purchase one?
-I believe I would. I just they are actually durable as they are advertised to be.

Reflect
I learned that there is definitely potential for this opportunity. I was surprised however, to learn that this is something that has been desired for a while. Usually when something is desired for a long time like that, the need ends up being met. It seems as though many iPhones users have had problems with their screens breaking pretty easily.

Summary
I believe all of my original opportunity is still there. The interviews only reinforced that it is indeed something that is desired, so I believe that it is more accurate than when I started. I believe that entrepreneurs should adapt their opportunities based on the amount of customer feedback they get. If a majority of their customer base has a desire for an innovation to the product, then adapting would be more profitable than keeping things as they are.

5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

Opportunity 1:
Title: Tesla pegs Elon Musk pay to performance
Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/169A1AABE5724208?p=WORLDNEWS
Description: The chief executive of Tesla will receive no form of compensation if the company and its shareholders don't do well.
Problem: The chief executive gets absolutely nothing if the company does not perform well, his entire paycheck is at risk
Who has problem: Elon Musk, chief executie of Tesla

Opportunity 2:
Title: Freight gets more scrutiny
Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/1699C4292FE3BC30?p=WORLDNEWS
Description: The Transportation Security Administration now requires more screening of cargo coming to the U.S. from Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
Problem: A threat of terrorism has caused the TSA to take action
Who has problem: The United States Transportation Security Administration

Opportunity 3:
Title: Opioid bill advances in House despite some doctors' worries
Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/1699C4289C330A38?p=WORLDNEWS
Description: The House of Representatives approved a bill that is supposed to combat opioid abuse, even though doctors protests due to needing longer prescriptions
Problem: Patients will have to spend significantly more money on frequent refills due to prescription times being shortened
Who has problem: Doctors and patients that have to travel or deal with chronic pain issues

Opportunity 4:
Title: A1A work a hazard to those on foot - Hollywood asks state for remedy
Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/16996EEDF85B5E40?p=WORLDNEWS
Description: The A1A in Hollywood is being redesigned so that the road can be safer, however the process has made it more dangerous.
Problem: The removal of turning lanes and medians and crosswalks being far apart has made it unsafe
Who has problem: Drivers and Pedestrians

Opportunity 5:
Title: National parks services limited due to shutdown
Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/16991B7D67E6B0F0?p=WORLDNEWS
Description: The government shutdown has led to limited staffing at National Parks which leaves some services closed.
Problem: Park staffing will be limited and visitors engaging in park activities do so at their own risk
Who has problem: National Parks in Florida

3A - Your Entrepreneurship Story

A time in my life when I have been exposed to entrepreneurship was in high school. During this time, my cousin launched his own clothing line. Seeing someone that I was so close with make such a huge step in life at such a young age inspired me to one day want to start a business of my own. However, it was more than just a business, it was a brand. He built his brand up and marketed it in a way that many people liked. I wish to do something very similar with my business and brand.

I enrolled in ENT3003 so that I could greater insight into exactly what it means to be an entrepreneur and what it takes to be one. By the end of this class, I want to know what qualities a successful entrepreneur must possess. I also want to know the steps it takes to launch a startup business. I hope to incorporate everything I learned from this course into launching my business.

2A - Bug List

1.       While eating, hearing other people chew loudly is irritating

a.       The bug exists because some people haven’t learned proper table manners

2.       After missing a phone call, returning the call within 10 seconds and not receiving an answer

a.       They walk away from the phone within that same time frame

3.       Being asked questions that can be answered through simple means

a.       They genuinely don’t know how to find the answer to their question

4.       My shoes being stepped on

a.       People sometimes make mistakes when walking

5.       Healthier foods being more expensive

a.       Cheaper foods cost less to make

6.       Hot foods get cold while cold foods get hot

a.       The laws of equilibrium

7.       People touching my face

a.       My skin is clear and I have facial hair, so people like to feel it

8.       As time progresses iPhones begin to operate slower

a.       Performance is decreased to prolong battery life

9.       People that speak too loudly on a regular basis

a.       They may be tone deaf

10.   Not receiving a reply to a text message for hours

a.       The person may have been busy

11.   When a video on YouTube starts to buffer

a.       The internet connection may be slow

12.   When the check engine light in the car starts to flash

a.       Not keeping up with the maintenance of the car

13.   When the phone dies during a call

a.       Forgot to the charge the phone recently

14.   When people hand me cash with the bills unorganized

a.       Organization of the bills wasn’t important to them

15.   People in positions of power abusing their authority

a.       They’re not accustomed to having so much authority

16.   Being betrayed by people you trusted

a.       They had malicious intentions from the beginning

17.   Not receiving the gift you want for Christmas

a.       No one was financially able to purchase the gift

18.   When others leave equipment at the gym sweaty

a.       They forgot to wipe it down after using it

19.   People that don’t go when traffic lights turn green

a.       They weren’t paying attention to the road

20.   When people leave my room without closing the door behind them

a.       They forgot to close the door

Coming up with this list was challenging because I really had to sit back and think about the things that bother me. Some of these bugs came to me easily, while others took more time to ponder upon. Some bugs I deal with more common than the others. Also, determining why the bugs existed was also pretty difficult. It forced me to put myself into the shoes of the person to determine why they do it.