My Solution

What is my solution?

After reading comments on blog posts, I've realized...

My ideas are often too complex. If I'm trying to reach out to a younger demographic of protopical customers who would be my age, I've got to create products with simple purposes.

The customers who I've interviewed have shared similar thoughts with me.

Something that I've always believed in is persistence. And, to be honest, I'm not quite sure if we're being encouraged to switch up our ideas for each exercise. I've always been told that I should keep trying when I fail at a passion that I have.

I want to see how far I can take my app ideas. But, for the meantime, I know that my solution is to make my apps' purpose more simple so that more customers can buy it without any doubt to the apps' benefits.

Looking for Opportunity in Economic Trends and Regulatory Changes

Looking for Opportunity...

Through Economic Trends

Story: Smoking continues to drop; bans are working

Opportunity: There is an opportunity to sell more e-cigarettes to young adults. 

(a) where I found it: I found this on an article published by the Tampa Bay Times. 

(b) information suggests an opportunity might exist: Some of the decrease in tobacco use comes as young smokers witch to e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are less dangerous. Universities bans on smoking and tobacco are working. 

(c) prototypical customer: A college student, a 18-25 year old

(d) is the opportunity relatively easy or relatively difficult to exploit? Why?: The opportunity may become more difficult to exploit only because universities and schools are cracking down on e-cigarette use on its campuses. Many regulators are not even allowing young adults to use those products even though they are less dangerous than using cigarettes. However, there is a growing market of young adults who would still purchase these products. I feel like I found the opportunity in this because usually when a trend stops for one product, another trend rises for another. 

Story: COURTS - Is Bitcoin really money? Miami - laundering case may define it

Opportunity: There is an opportunity to host workshops about Bitcoin and how to use it. 

(a) where I found it: I found this article published by David Ovalle from the Miami Herald. 

(b) what leads me to believe that this information suggests an opportunity might exist: From what the article has published, the courts seem to swaying in the favor of professor Charlie Evans, who argues that Bitcoin isn't money so, technically, the unique currency has no grounds to be related to money laundering. 

(c) prototypical customer: Young adults entrepreneurs, new investors 

(d) is the opportunity relatively easy or relatively difficult to exploit? Why: I believe that this is a relatively easy opportunity to exploit because court cases like these are helping define what Bitcoin is by law. The currency is already extremely popular, but someone would be able to capitalize on disbursing information about Bitcoin through a series of workshops geared toward entrepreneurs and investors in the market. I feel like I saw this opportunity because many college students use Bitcoin to manage small smart-ups. 

Though Regulatory Changes 

Story: Trump vows to undo Obama's climate agenda in appeal to oil sector

Opportunity: Investors should invest more into oil companies after November 2016. 

(a) where I found it: I found this article on reuter.com. 

(b) what leads me to believe that this information suggests an opportunity might exist: Trump's campaign has shocked the world, to say the least. The popularity of the businessman-turned-politician has caused quite a bit of controversy, yet he's still in the running of becoming the official Republican nominee in the upcoming presidential election. Many of his proposed policies will benefit corporate America, and this policy would fall under that category. 

(c) prototypical customer: natural fuel investors

(d) is the opportunity relatively easy or relatively difficult to exploit? Why: I think this opportunity would be relatively difficult to exploit because you'd have to explain how investors are bound to be successful in trusting Trump's politics (the politician has been known to go back and forth on his political stances). I feel like I saw this opportunity because republicans usually push for more opportunity for businesses to compete and gain profit. 

Story: Proposed ESSA Regulation Supports Well-Rounded Education, Protects All Students

Opportunity: There is an opportunity to invest in more health education for U.S. students; the No Child Left Behind Act has been revised. 

(a) where I found it. the Department of Education's website 

(b) what leads me to believe that this information suggests an opportunity might exist: “These regulations give states the opportunity to work with all of their stakeholders, including parents, and educators to protect all students’ right to a high-quality education that prepares them for college and careers, including the most vulnerable students,” Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. 

(c) prototypical customer: U.S. students and families 

(d) is the opportunity relatively easy or relatively difficult to exploit? Why: This opportunity would re relatively difficult to exploit because this regulatory change would leave it up to school boards' perspective what their students need; sometimes school boards don't push for stronger health education programs. I feel like I saw this opportunity because many of the U.S. public schools that I've attended have cut out health education programs. 

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

An opportunity I'd wish to pursue...

Park Troll - Road traveling app/video game 

The who: Young Florida college students

The what: A road traveling app that does nothing more than map out quick routes to other metropolitan areas, and, when the vehicle that it's being used in is not motion, is a video game.

The why: There are twelve public universities in Florida. Each has a community of traveling students. This is a way to engage them for road trips for festivals, game days, concerts, etc.

Interviews: https://soundcloud.com/bdusape/consumer-interviews

Forming an Opportunity Belief

-EVERYONE NEEDS A CHANCE-

BELIEF: 

We all need a change to express our ideas. From the moment that we're born to the moment that we die, we all exist in a world that is influenced by ideas. Innovation thrives off foundations that are created by ideas. Innovative entrepreneurs know this.

As an entrepreneur, I want to be able to push business products that other entrepreneurs to move forward. Nowadays, we use a lot of apps. My idea is Park Troll. 

Potential pitch: 

"Have you ever traveled using the GPS on your phone? I'm sure most of us have, and I"m also sure most of us have traveled somewhere without knowing where we could park. Have you ever thought, "Gee, I wish I was there was an app that could let me know where I can safely park in this place?

My innovative idea is Park Troll. It is a road trip planning app and a game"

I think Park Troll can really take off. Frequent travelers need all the resources they can get - a map, GPS, a solid means of transportation, etc. One unmet I need I discovered was parking, so I drafted this idea for the app. This app open up the opportunity for travelers to be a part of a community and much, much more. 

The brand behind Park Troll is ASTrA Infinity (well, the name right now.) I want this app to be one of many in a series of apps that helps people but also creates a community for them to share innovative for anything - research, music, anything! 

All ASTrA apps will provide purpose-driven apps and an incubator for ideas. I went off to ask customers who own smartphones what they think about the idea. 

AUDIO: Consumer Interviews 

REFLECTION: 

I learned that my opportunity excites people. They want to be able to use apps that serve more than one purpose. It may take a lot of time to develop that allows people to do so many things. You would need parking information wherever phone service is offered. 

Since this idea is so big, I can also see how the concept can confuse a lot of people. In this time, it looks like I'll need more time to develop all of my ideas for ASTrA and Park Troll. 

REFLECTION:

I think the idea is definitely too complex. Customer #2 believes in the nature of the need described. He wasn't too aware of any other apps that can compete with the thought. But he mentioned doing a lot more research and partnering up with the developers of Google Maps. That's how he knew so much information about how difficult bringing this idea to life can be. 

REFLECTION:

Customer #3 says he likes the idea but he had two main concerns: (1) how can you communicate this idea to attract the young demographic, and (2) what are the plans for funding such an idea that can bring a solution to common travel issues? He said he would be wary that the app could be fake and that it could be part of a scheme to pull private information from his phone. 

SUMMARY:

I think I'm going to stick with my original thoughts for the opportunity. The opportunity needs to be laid out more accurate and specific. Obviously, there's room for improvement. The customer feedback did definitely help. The criticism that I had from the customers on the idea came from very rational perspectives. 

I'll carry out the steps that I outlined above and go back to the drawing board. As an enterepreneur, I definitely believe that entrepreneurs should adapt to concerns from customer feedback. Those who adapt ultimately survive in competitive environments. 

Identifying Local Opportunities

State, South Florida jobless rates down slightly in April

Story:

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15D018E8CD8CD770?p=AWNB

Description: The Miami Herald reported on updates to South Florida’s unemployment rate in the second quarter. The paper reported that the unemployment rate was 5 percent and the number of jobs rose 1.9 percent over the year. Jobs in construction, finance and insurance rose.

The Problem: South Florida residents are having a hard time finding jobs.

The Who: The Department of Economic Opportunity in Florida

Opportunity: Florida’s DEO should create a campaign that promotes its programs for technical training and educate the public on industries that are enjoying a rise in employment.

COURTS - PETA, animal groups sue USDA over Seaquarium's killer whale Lolita

Story:

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFA05F930A5BF0?p=AWNB

Description: Miami Herald reporter Chabeli Herrera reported on PETA’s lawsuit against Seaquariam. Apparently PETA and other animal rights groups are upset with theo rganization’s violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

The Problem: PETA, other animal groups want a killer whale, Lolita, to be set free.

The Who: Seaquarium

Opportunity: Seaquarium should release the whale in a way that acknowledges and apologizes for its violation of the law. A great opportunity for the company would be to release the whale for the public to see so everyone can watch Lolita roam free.

The fast-food chain cites the rising cost of human beings working the counter.

Story:http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFDCA8D22F6540?p=AWNB

Description: Tampa Bay Times reporter Justine Griffin wrote this story on fast-food chains that are looking into placing digital kiosks for customers to order their meals. Apparently, McDonald’s has already looked into the idea and has debuted the new system at a restaurant in Tampa Bay. Pizza Hut, KFC, and Wendy’s were looking into it as well.

The Problem: This would replace fast-food workers, and, in the process, this would cause a huge spike in unemployment and a change in how companies handle customer service.

The Who: Fast-food workers and the general public

Opportunity: This would be an opportunity for a competing fast-food chain to employ fired workers who are apprehensive about their future with these companies. Have a campaign that showcases the workers’ benefits and how their positive attitudes equate to unmatchable customer service.

BLAZE DESTROYS FAMILY HOME

Story:http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF88102F3D1038?p=AWNB

Description: Tampa Bay Times staff reported on a fire which destroy the home of Johnson Frye Jr., an inheritor of a post-World War II home. Frye said he was sleep when the fire started and the smoke woke him up. Firefighters responded, but by the time that they arrived, the structre was already heavily damaged.

The Problem: The house was uninsured, and Frye’s family needs money to renovate the house.  

The Who: Frye’s family and the community of U.S. army veterans and family.

Opportunity: This would be an opportunity for an organization or a company that focuses on the protection of U.S. veterans’ homes to donate to the renovation of Frye’s home. It would be an excellent PR move and decent act of kindness in response to the tragedy that struck the home

.

With performances by the decade's biggest R&B, hip-hop and grunge acts coming to Tampa Bay, nostalgia tours are having a moment right now.

Story:  http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CECF7793C67060?p=AWNB

Description: Tampa Bay Times reporter Jay Cridlin wrote this story on Puff Daddy’s country-wide tour, Puff Daddy and the Family, which will hit Tampa in a few months. The artist plans to bring out popular hip-hop artists and R&B singers from the ‘90s to recreate what Puffy calls a moment in hip-hop. He plans to bring out a few artists who were on his label and other musicians.

The Problem: This tour stop is competing with another a ‘90s nostalgia grunge rock tour called Make America Rock Again. Many attendees of this show will be from the same age demographic. Ticket sales for both tours will heavily compete against each other to an audience that loves the sounds of the ‘90s.

The Who: Puff Daddy.

Opportunity: Promotion, promotion, promotion. Puff Daddy’s group should advertise more in local areas around the Amalie Arena.

Bugs List Activity

Unmet need: Parking Availability 

Solution: Park Troll 

Potential pitch: Have you ever traveled using the GPS on your phone? I'm sure most of us have, and I"m also sure most of us have traveled somewhere without knowing where we could park. Have you ever thought, "Gee, I wish I was there was an app that could let me know where I can safely park in this place"?

My innovative idea is Park Troll. It is a road trip planning app and a game.

List 

1. Many towing companies tow people who don't know where they should've parked.
2. Many college students venture out on road trips without knowing where they can park if they chose alternative means for housing. 

3. There is not a popular website for road trip/car riding. 

4. Many workers commute to work without knowing where they can park if they are, for instance, running late. 

5. There is no media to inform the public about local parking opportunities. 

6. Many universities do not offer enough parking for their student populations.  

7. Residents of areas are not given the opportunity to rent their property's space for event-goers for sports games/festivals/etc. 

8. It is very hard to find another parking/traffic app that functions beyond just being a map. 

9. Towing companies are not given the opportunity to set up towed vehicle lists f or the public to easily look up the location of towed cars. 

10. Festivals are always looking for vendors and app companies to generally create more opportunities for businesses to reach event-goers and young people. 

11. Family vacations are very stressful for families who don't have an emergency app that could let them know where they could search for local motels, auto shops and/or places to park. 

12. Smartphone users don't benefit from a feature that allows them to make traveling easier and entertain them when they are bored. 

13. Drivers are usually intimidated to park in large, urban cities. 

14. Drivers are not offered an app service that would provide the stated benefits and allow them to handle money transactions digitally. 

15. Young people love to use apps for driving to college/universities for concerts/sports/graduation events/etc but don't have one with the stated benefits.
16. Towing companies that have a strict cash-only transaction policy do not have the opportunity to partner up with another app that could handle online transactions with clients. 

17. Parking lot owners are not given the opportunity to rent out spaces for carnivals or other nightlife activities. 

18. Motel owners need the opportunity to communicate to road-trippers who want to save on rental rates. 

19. Airline travelers are not given the opportunity to view other parking options for if they have to leave a vehicle behind for a trip. 

20.  Local communities suffer from miscommunication about parking and traveling restrictions. 

My Entrepreneurship Story

I was exposed to entrepreneurship when I was 13 years old. At the time, I was assisting my sister with her business ventures. Her business was called "Bijoux Lamarre," which translates to "Lamarre jewelry" in English.

I mostly helped by selling wooden bracelets and necklaces and promoting her business' website through social media.

Below is a picture of one of her pieces from the business' Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BijouxLamarre/).

I enrolled in ENT 3003 to learn more about how I can become an entrepreneur before I graduate and transition into the "real world" after college. I want to learn more about the principles of the career. 

Also, my mentor always suggested that I take the course at the university despite my major's tracking program. She said it would be best to have the ENT 3003 experience for the long-run.

Welcome to Big Ideas and Things!

Welcome to my blog!

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