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.

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