Customer Interviews No. 1

This is how I approached each person:

This assignment is for my entrepreneurship class, so I would like you to think about the opportunity I am about to present to you and how it may be an unmet need in your life. Through the experiences life has given me, I've come to address a universal social issue: wellness. Wellness along the lines of the mindfulness, mental clarity, and personalized truth. I would like to present you with the opportunity to change your life and make wellness a part of your daily routine. I would like to ask you a few questions:

1) What does wellness mean to you? 

2) If I could help shape your life mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically would you be interested? 

3) Do you trust yourself? 

4) Do you believe wellness is something people in our generation - and millennials in general take for granted? 

5) I would like to offer you the opportunity to grow with me and my venture by helping you find yourself, and in turn help others once my venture grows. Are you interested? 

(All this is hypothetical - as if I owned a business, present I'm a representative) Thank you!

What I learned about the opportunity:

What I learned about the idea of the opportunity is that people who don't quite understand the opportunity or the benefits of it tend to be uninterested because it isn't appealing to them. I also learned that it's hard to sell something that isn't tangible to others - thus, people don't see the need for it or would want to invest in it.

What I learned about interviewing customers:

I learned that people who are uninterested give short responses and don't care to learn further about the opportunity. I also learned that some people love the idea of being aided while others want nothing to do with the sense of being "helped." I believe this is due to human nature and the sense of egotism. I asked these certain questions to help the customers understand and reflect about the opportunity and it worked on almost every potential customer, with the exception of one.

*Unfortunately, I completely forgot the video aspect of this assignment.

Week 4 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

What surprised me about this week's reading is the mention of the creative aspect of the human mind and how it can be exercised and improved. I agree 100% with the author on this aspect and am very surprised that this is mentioned in a book about Entrepreneurship. It definitely promotes the open-mindedness that is necessary to have an entrepreneurial mindset. This is most different from my expectations, however I appreciate this excerpt of the book.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

One part of the reading that was kind of confusing for me was the part where the author tried to explain how people use either the left or right brain and he spoke as if people knew that they could control their cognitive development. I feel that this subject is more in depth and doesn't really relate entirely to our class because most people not not understand this section.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

How do you control the extent of how much you use your left or right brain? I ask this because as the author puts it, it seems that it may come more natural to him.

Is the extent of our creativity what helps facilitate innovation in kind of a natural way, as if by accident? I ask this because of how the author conveys the sense that innovation can happen from accidental occurrences. 

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

In this section, I don't find anything I completely disagree with.

Top 5 World Problems

Top 5 Problems:

1. Global Warming
This is my number one problem because regardless of all the issues within society created by man, the issue that man created - harming nature, threatens not only our lives but the life of the planet we live on. Without an earth that is sustainable for life, people cannot exist.

2. Nuclear Weapons
This is my second-ranking issue in the world because the use of weapons is what gives people an advantage over others - and this is an unnecessary tactic that promotes conflict. People are only threatened by others when they keep their guards up and turn to drastic measures for "defense." In turn, the threatened create conflict in order to "protect" but people will not feel the need to be protected if they weren't threatened.

3. Distribution of Wealth
This is my third-ranking issue because I feel that the distribution of wealth is the underlying source as why hate - that leads to societal problems exist.

4. Racism
This is my fourth-ranking issue because it directly ties to the distribution of wealth in my opinion. People only hate others and feel superiority towards race when there is a clear difference in societal status, and societal status is based off of wealth. This issue is a very old issue that dates back to the beginning of civilization and has continued on into the present day as this created social "norms."

5. Mindfulness
This is my fifth-ranking issue because it ties directly into a person's everyday thought process - which plays into the reflection and taking action aspect of daily life. I believe that is people were more mindful on a global scale the issues that exist today would cease.

Top 5 Solutions:

1. World coming together as a union
This is my number one solution because if the world could set aside differences and come together as a union we would have less conflict AGAINST each other but WITHIN ourselves instead. I feel that as a union if a problem were to arise then a solution would be less threatening in a sense because it's like conflict within a nation - you solve it, rather than creating war within the union. It could potentially happen (for example the north versus the south in the U.S.) but in the end we would come to terms and still be one union.

2. Spreading global awareness of mindfulness
I feel that the spread of mindfulness on a global scale would be a top solution because all the issues that exist start with one person and it comes from within.

3. Global regulations for global warming
This is my third-ranking solution because as it is a top issue, it needs to become a priority to solve it. I believe that the global regulations would force people to abide and protect the earth, as it fosters all life.

4. Global system of cash flow
This is my fourth-ranking solution because I believe that the distribution of wealth all ties together in a global scale in a sense, and if there was a way to create a global system then the distribution on a global scale will bring balance to the world economically.

5. Entrusting personal intuition
This is my fifth-ranking solution because as naive as it may seem, we are a species of intelligence and the phenomena of intuition is unexplainable and I believe it is a far more in depth gift rather than the influence of society and media on the subconscious. I believe that we as a species of intelligence are gifted with intuition and if we embraced it, our daily lives wouldn't be filled with so much mystery and turmoil.

Identifying Local Opportunities

1. On the loose, hunting for lies
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A923A7D978E790?p=AWNB

This article is about a group of people that do political fact checking. A small team made way to Iowa to watch Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders speak. They created a list of facts to check upon these candidates reaching for the White House. The problem presented in this story is that "facts" presented by even presidential candidates can be exaggerated. By the article mentioning Sanders and Trump specifically, I would assume they had the issue.

2. Untitled Article
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A923A7DE124DA0?p=AWNB

This article is about the distribution of healthcare in the nation and how "Obamacare falls short for some." The article points out the continuous issue that for those who make too much money, they are not eligible but still have to pay high premiums. People want to repeal Obamacare and propose change but how would they replace the healthcare system for everyone? I believe the people that hold the problem related to this article are those that can afford healthcare and feel discriminated by not being able to be eligible for healthcare programs as such.

3. It's time to end, not mend, death penalty in Florida
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A923A7D5715D58?p=AWNB

This article is about the death penalty in Florida and how such a "relic of an earlier era" should be demolished. The article points out that

4.
5.

Week 3: Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

A big surprise that stood out to me in the reading was the explanation of the entrepreneurial mindset. Many of the elements explained where very relatable in my opinion, I believe that all of them related to me just as a person in general, not just in an entrepreneurial way. The reading definitely mentions skills that can be used in life itself.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

What I found confusing was the part about an entrepreneur's ethical dilemmas and ethical dilemmas of corporate entrepreneurship. This section just wasn't clear on how they were different from each other because to me in a sense, I don't see much difference.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

What is the difference between ethical dilemmas of entrepreneurship versus corporate? Is there a clear distinction?

Would you say that the entrepreneurial mindset is different from a mindset that people should generally have?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I don't necessarily disagree with the other, however I do understand the author's point and mindset about entrepreneurship. I just wish the he was more clear and made points more distinct and stand out.

World's Biggest Problems

1. ISIS
ISIS is a group of radical terrorists that have wreaked havoc and has been a threat to the world in recent news. The group of radicals have schemed their way into organizing disaster and now the U.S. (more than half of the nation) as well as other countries have blocked access to Syrian refugees. A solution to this problem may be to infiltrate the group strategically and end them from within.

2. Racism
Although it is now 2016, racism is still a prevalent issue in the world and will continue to be if social norms do not change. We see it in our daily lives, on the news when race is brought into questioning for murder as well as the bashing of the Muslim community. This issue is on such a large scale that I'm not sure how to solve this issue in society unless society itself influences the media to be pro-love.

3. Gender Inequality
Though women have come a long way this past few generations as far as rights and status in the work place, I do feel that there is still a stigma in our everyday lives between man and woman. This is also an issue that is a result of societal norms and can only be solved if society itself chooses to not only create equal roles in the workplace but also to create equality in all aspects in a culture.

4. Distribution of Wealth
I do believe that this is an obvious problem in the world. There are only a few top "wealthy" nations in a world, which is a very small ratio to the nations that are in poverty. In my opinion, it seems that slowly the middle-class is dissolving and all I see is the poor and the rich. In order to fix an issue like this, governments need to control the wealth by distributing it in an equal manner, rather than having just a free market. With a free market, or wants and "needs" control the economy and it leaves an imbalance socioeconomically.

5. Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear weapons are an issue in this world because it reflects how much power is needed in order to rule or dominant a nation/nations in a sense. The use of nuclear weapons has brought an uprise in conflict during these recent times and it reflects the role of power on a universal scale. In order to find a solution, the world needs to join together as one union and rid the world of these weapons. (May not be possible prospectively as the world is in its state now)

6. Education System
Education is the key to success in this world because it brings a higher social status. However, the system is corrupt. I know this because I have experienced it. The spread of knowledge is not equal across the world, where some get very good education, while others get the minimal, and some get none. This needs to be solved and can be if the educational system received more funds.

7. Global Warming
This issue is continuous and I think is very obvious. One example, is how scorching hot it was on Christmas. It was supposed to be winter! Our pollution to the ozone is causing an imbalance in nature and we are experiencing drastic changes in climate. What needs to happen is that there needs to be regulations on a global scale, otherwise we will kill our own nature.

8. Mindfulness
This may not be as obvious of an issue, but to me, it is one of the biggest. Mindfulness is the state of active attention and observation of the present thoughts and feelings. I believe it is human nature to reflect, think, question, and to seek solution. If people on a global scale were mindful, then some of the problems that exist in our society could potentially cease. In order to fix this solution society as a whole needs to bring this subject into awareness.

9. Debt
Many of the "wealthy" countries in this world are also in debt to other nations. We as individuals are in debt as well (for the most part). This happens because of the unequal distribution of wealth and our economic system. This can be solved if we can somehow bring the cash flow of the world as a whole.

10. Love
What I think that I see in this day and age is the lack of love that exists in people's daily lives. If love were an important factor than problems that exist today would not exist because love would play a role in people's hearts. In order to fix such an issue I feel that people need to step back from logical, "efficient" approaches to problems and remember to use their heart. As humans we are gifted with the ability to feel, and with this we are also gifted the ability of intuition. This is our human nature and I do believe that these gifts are taken for granted because of social norms.

Bug List

A list of things that bug me!


1. If I open an application on my i-phone too quickly, it will freeze and restart on its own.
This exists because I've dropped my phone countless times on hard cement, which has probably messed up the hardware inside my phone.

2. Every morning, I never cease to sleep through at least 3 alarms from 6am-8am.

This exists because I sleep at a very late hour (around 3am) and these hours that I need to wake up may be in my deep sleep stage.

3. I absolutely hate doing dishes or cooking when there are other people in the kitchen at the same time.

This exists because I like my personal space and feel invaded with people around.

4. During rush-hour, the traffic in Gainesville is so horrid, it takes about 20 minutes to get to a destination that in reality is only 6-10 minutes away.

Gainesville is a very small city that is condensed with many residents and the layout is on a grid system. It is inevitable that traffic routes in the town are very inefficient.

5. When it's about 40-50 degrees outside, the bus drivers on the RTS turns the heat up so high, causing a major change in temperature when boarding/un-boarding and it's very uncomfortable.

I think the bus driver doesn't realize how cold it is outside.

6. If I'm watching my calories or on a diet, I always tend to crave the most unhealthy foods such as ice cream and hot cheetos.

I think this exists because of existing cravings when I'm not on a diet.

7. When I'm working out at the gym, there's always that one person that continuously stares at me in a very uncomfortable manner.

I think this exists because I may be doing a work out wrong or am just a new face.

8. When I'm trying to charge my phone that's on 50% but I'm using a cheap adapter/i-phone 5 usb and it takes 8 hours just to get up to 70%.

This exists because the electricity may not be flowing through to the charger and the fact that it's the wrong usb.

9. When I'm listening to a station on pandora and studying, I've finally got into my focused state-of-mind and a commercial/ad comes on.

This exists to help generate revenue for pandora.

10. I hate it when my nail cracks or breaks just a tad. I keep my nails long and well-groomed and when this happens I have to cut my nails.

This happens because I am doing heavy duty work with my hands.

11. Thin-walls in my apartment means I can hear every footstep of the person above me or every snapchat story my roommate opens in the middle of the night. This distracts me and keeps me from falling asleep.

This exists because of the funding for the apartments and the space needed to accommodate.

12. Notifications on my phone and laptop constantly telling me to update applications or software (tomorrow, remind me later, update now).

This exists because of my procrastination to update my devices.

13. People in turlington that spout the importance of religion.

Not all people are religious and I think it's a bit disrespectful as well as annoying.

14. The food delivery man that knocks on the door really loud, and it's fairly late into the night.

I always put in the directions not to knock so I don't disturb my roommates, but the driver may be oblivious to them.

15. When I play loops of music but when my laptop sleeps or goes into screensaver mode, it stops.
My old laptop never did this, but I'm not quite sure why my new laptop does. It may just completely go to sleep mode.

16. People that wear shoes into my room and track dirt, even when I clearly leave my shoes at the door.
People from different cultures may not take their shoes off.

17. When the uber driver talks too little or too much during the ride. No conversation makes an awkward atmosphere, but talking too much about topics that don't interest me is very annoying as well.
People may just be uncomfortable or shy. I may not be as approachable as I thought I was.

18. People that chase after me on campus just to say "hi." I generally do not enjoy having conversation early in the day.

I may be grumpy because I don't sleep enough.

19. People that text me on snapchat rather than texting me on my cellular.

People feel that informal communication is acceptable now but it is a pet peeve for me.

20. I dislike going on the morning bus before 9am because it's generally packed with no seating room.

The bus is too small for the capacity that it holds and most people have early classes.

Week 2: Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

Kuratko's take on failure in the endeavor of entrepreneurship stood out to me because he blatantly states that failure is inevitable. I didn't expect him to take such a negative outcome and turn it into something beneficial for the reader, as a key note to what happens on the norm and that it's okay. His perception is very humanistic, and this characteristic is what makes endeavors successful. It's like the process of trial and error; you learn from your past mistakes and grow on them. 

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I didn't find the reading too confusing, just very dense, especially in what he's trying to present the reader. Kuratko did give many definitions of entrepreneurship, but I understand that there are many angles to view entrepreneurship from. Kuratko wasn't very clear on solutions to problems he presented.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

Would it be better to take a micro or a macro approach to entrepreneurship? Or both? I would ask this just to gain a better business tactic.

Why is the entrepreneurial endeavor so prominent in the U.S. primarily, versus the global market? We have many competitors outside of the U.S. but what makes our country stand out?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I do not disagree with anything, rather, I have a more open-minded and broad outlook on entrepreneurship. Kuratko pointed out things that I wouldn't know without the prior knowledge, and I learned a lot.

My Entrepreneurship Story

I have been exposed to entrepreneurship since I was very young. My parent's were owners of a video store before the age of Blockbuster, thus buying my parents out. I have also been exposed to entrepreneurship (as well as the thoughts and ideas of an entrepreneur) in my own experience - as I do want to become one in the future. I am enrolled in ENT3003 as part of my innovation minor as well as my aspiring entrepreneurship minor. I hope to gain more insight as to what it is to be an entrepreneur and and the idea of entrepreneurship. The image above reflects my excitement for this course.

Best Regards,

Tina

My Entrepreneur's Mantra

UF

Go gators!