10A

https://youtu.be/QHgJyJBNIf8

9A

An alternative to vaping: 
- In my first interview I spoke to 55-year-old Todd. During this interview I learned that he is very well off in life and does not have a drive to stop. Money is not an issue and he is not very health conscious. He smokes cigarettes, vapes, and cigars and has never faced complications. Because it hasn’t touched him personally, he said he does not want to quit. He mentioned if someone who is dear to him was diagnosed with lung cancer, he would reconsider quitting. Right now, there is no need for him to.

- For my second interview I decided to focus on a different age group. I interviewed 16-year-old Drew. Even though he is not legally able to vape, he still does. He finds any way he can to vape because it is the trend in his high school. Although he knows the risk, he says that he feels socially accepted. Especially because people will ask him if they can hit his. Having it gives his a social “power” in a way. People come to him to use it and then he gets to meet more people and is seen as cool. Having it is more important to him than the potential health risks.

- For my third interview I interviewed 17-year-old Carlie. Although she does not have a vape, she hits it socially. She enjoys doing it at parties. This way, she does not have to by her own but still gets the social gratification of being seen doing it. She would not buy her own but feels the need to hit it if she sees one.

- For my fourth interview spoke to 21-year-old Logan. He really wants to quit but its not worth his time to stop. When he has tried in the past, be has experienced bad withdrawal. He continues to vape because it is easy and enjoyable to do when he is drunk. At this point he describes it as habit and money is not a problem for him so he can do it without guilt.

- For my final interview I spoke with 30-year-old Tori. She smokes the occasional cigarette and vapes from time to time. Although she is aware of health risks, she does not vape often enough to be concerned. She thinks she is good about it in comparison to other people she knows.

Who: Are there certain people or certain businesses that, although they share a lot in common with the others in your opportunity, nevertheless fall outside the boundary? Why?

Yes. I assumed that everyone would be thoughtful about their addiction and would be working to quit. Sadly, this is not the case because some people are at peace with the fact that they have a problem. They do not want to work to fix it and do not have an emotional or financial drive to.

What: At what point does the need you identified differ from another need? (Is thirst the same as hunger? Or is the desire to appear fashionable the same as the desire to be loved by others?)

The need to be “cool” has the potential to trump the desire to quit. The primary reason young people began vaping, is because they wanted to hop on a social trend. Their peers were doing it, so they started even through they did not have an addiction. I need to incorporate a social factor to my product.   

Why: Is the underlying cause of the outsiders' need different than people who are inside the boundary?

They have enough money to fund their addiction without guilt. They also are very easily impacted by peer pressure and the desire to fit in and do not care about the cost.

Inside the boundary	Outside the boundary
People who can not afford their addiction, who have family member who experienced complications due to their addiction, people who want to quit	People who do not have a financial drive, people who do not care about their health, people who are unaware of the potential complications
To inhale vapor	To be health and money conscious
They want the social inclusivity of smoking something, but this would be for health and finance conscious vape users	They are not interested in quitting and do not see a problem in continuing

8A

I want to create a new type of vape, one that does not contain nicotine. America today has a serious nicotine problem, that had nearly been irradiated before the invention of the vape. Now you are seen as cool in you Juul, Stig, or vape. My idea is to create a vape that contains vitamins instead of nicotine. It would still be flavored, and hopefully still have the same support behind it socially. Many people don’t quit because it has become habit. Even if they can fight off the addiction, they still find themselves wanting to hit it as a nervous habit. This new vape would fulfill that requirement and help them fight their addiction.

7A

1)  Creating a new type of vape, one that does not contain nicotine

2) Who? People who want to quit smoking

     What? A new vitamin infused vape

     Why? To help aid individuals to stop smoking, while still providing something for them to hit       stressful times

3) I believe there is an opportunity to create a vitamin or essential oil based vape to aid in the fight against nicotine addiction.

4) Interview summaries

               - After interviewing my sister, who does not currently vape, I found out that she would be interested in my product.  She said that she hates swallowing pill vitamins and that she would much rather ingest them through vapor. She is 21 years old and has never vaped.

               - After interviewing my boyfriend who is addicted to nicotine, he said he would buy it if it was cheap. He wants to quit but always makes excuses as to why he can’t or shouldn’t. If my product was priced low (or lower than what he currently buys) he would purchase it. He is 20 years old.

               - After interviewing my friend Zach, he said he would not use my product. He is perfectly fine with his addiction and has no desire to stop. He likes the buzz he gets from Juul and Stig products. He is a senior in High School.

               - After interviewing a girl named Danielle, I learned she would use my product. She said she never would have but her mom recently got diagnosed with lung cancer so now she feels too guilty to vape. She does not want the same fate for herself and does not want to do it around her mom. She is 19 years old.

               - After interviewing my sisters boyfriend Rob, he said he would never quit. He does not care about life or death and is completely fine how he is now. He does not take vitamins and has no desire to start. Rob is 38 and has been a smoker for about 20 years.

5) Given my interviews, I now know that some people are completely okay with their addictions. It had never occurred to me that people would want to continue because they do not care about their health. I also learned that some people, who do not even smoke, would use it as a substitute of hard to swallow vitamin pills. I think there is still an opportunity, I just might have to alter my who to be more inclusive.

6A

Opportunity 1- New means of safe transportation.

Where did I find it?

Bike Sharing and the Market Economy.

Why do I think there is an opportunity?

After the introduction of bike sharing, there was a decrease in the amount of people who used the bus. That means people are open to utilizing different transportation options.

Who is the prototypical customer?

People in big cities who commute.

Will it be easy or difficult to exploit? Why?

I think it will be difficult to exploit because so many options are already available.

Why did I see this opportunity?

Current means of transportation are not ideal for me. I want a safer option that does not require physical activity.

Opportunity 2- A program to get people in jail on Marijuana charges a stable job in the growing economy.

Where did I find it? Statista

Why do I think there is an opportunity? Many incarcerated individuals doing time because of marijuana charges are very knowledgeable in the industry and would be great assets. This would also get them out of jail because it is unfair to keep them there when it has now been legalized.

Who is the prototypical customer?

People capitalizing on this new market and those in jail.

Will it be easy or difficult to exploit? Why?

The program would be difficult to start, especially because there are prejudices against those in jail.

Why did I see this opportunity?

I think it is unfair that white males are capitalizing on selling marijuana when African American men went to jail for doing the same job.

Opportunity 3- Awaiting the legalization of mushrooms

Where did I find it? CO legislature

Why do I think there is an opportunity?

Mushrooms are now decriminalized in Denver, and likely the rest of the state in coming years.

Who is the prototypical customer?

People who do mushrooms

Will it be easy or difficult to exploit? Why?

Difficult because we are still awaiting its legalization.

Why did I see this opportunity?

My family was talking about it during family dinner the other week and I found it interesting.

Opportunity 4- Creating a new way to “juul”

Where did I find it?

IL and FL regulation changes

Why do I think there is an opportunity?

They are changing the age to purchase vapes to 21 in some states

Who is the prototypical customer?

Vapers below the age of 21

Will it be easy or difficult to exploit? Why?

I think it will be easy to exploit because these people have addictions that money will fund

Why did I see this opportunity?

My boyfriend vapes and it really futurates me. I want to come up with an alternative.

4a

1) I believe there is an opportunity to help the elderly stay in shape by creating a program to help them learn new techniques and be trained by college students who are training to be in the health field (who can take an assessment to prove they are at a certain knowledge level).

2) Not only would this benefit poor college students, but it targets a population that has money. The unmet need is for the elderly who want/need to stay physically active for their health but don’t have the knowledge of how to do so on their own. Although this need could be fulfilled by personally trainers, if college students with a background knowledge of Physical Therapy were helping them, they could take them step by step through workouts that are personalized to them. Currently people are going to their physical therapist or just the gym, but this service combines both. After therapy ends, these people often don’t know what to do next. It is important to continuously strengthen their muscles, so a repeat of the same injury does not occur. Working out is also beneficial for cardiovascular health. I am about 80 percent sure this opportunity exists.

3) The prototypical customer would be wealthy elderly people who have had previous injuries

4) For the interview process I decided to contact some of my grandmas friends who have a history of needing a PT or who have pain

Iteration No. 1: Ross, 78

What is the exact nature of the need?
“I have had a bad back my whole life. Even when I was young it was hard for me to figure out exercises on my own. I want to do things that can keep me fit because I’m not as young as you are anymore… but unfortunately its harder than you would think. I need exercises to keep me in shape but that also wont injure me further. “

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?

“Every day of my life since I was around 16. At least that’s when the pain started. Now on my really bad days I can identify that I should do something more than wear my brace to keep my back strong.”

When did they first become aware of their need? Why?
“I was helping my dad move heavy boxes to the attic in high school.”

How are they currently addressing their need? How satisfied are they with this solution?

“ I wear a back brace. I don’t mind it but I really want to try something else”



Iteration No. 2: Anne, 81

What is the exact nature of the need?

“I want to workout my arms for my granddaughters wedding but about 2 years ago I fell and damaged my wrist. Traditional weights and exercises hurt if I repeat them too often. “

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?

“I would not usually want to workout but now that I have an event, I would really like to lose a few pounds and tone up a little”

How long have they had the need?

“It’s recent”

When did they first become aware of their need? Why?

“When Beth (her granddaughter) started talking about losing a few pounds for the wedding, and I started thinking my dress would fit better”

How are they currently addressing their need? How satisfied are they with this solution? 

“I used to have to go to Physical Therapy, but it is pricey and inconvenient. Now I have no clue what exercises to do so I’m not doing anything”



Iteration No. 3: Alice, 77

What is the exact nature of the need?

“I used to do physical therapy but now it’s done, and I do not know what exercises to do. I don’t want anything intense I just want to make sure my knee is better”

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?
“After a long day on my feet"

How long have they had the need?

“Since my injury about six months ago”

When did they first become aware of their need?

See above

How are they currently addressing their need?

“I used to go to PT. Now I stretch sometimes, or I try to do yoga when they offer it on Tuesdays but I don't think that really helps it”

How satisfied are they with this solution?
“I was satisfied with physical therapy but I think I am too old to care about what I look like anymore to workout. I would like to do more yoga or helpful exercises. I hate sweating and things that get you sweaty. I just want a way to strengthen my leg so that my knee does not ache anymore or get hurt again.”


5) My idea could help. However not everyone may want to get in shape. They might be too old to care anymore. If my service provided things like yoga, maybe I would be more successful then teaching them how to lift actual weights. I could just focus on stretching muscles and such.

7) How much of your original opportunity is still there?

I think now I’m just building off of my original idea. I still think there is an opportunity.

Do you believe that your new opportunity is more accurate than when you started?

Yes the interviews helped a lot. In order for me to fully know what my market wants, I should conduct more interviews. Public opinion is really important.

How much do you think entrepreneurs should 'adapt' their opportunities based on customer feedback?

As an entrepreneur it is imperative to be adaptable. They need to shift what they create to be for the customer, otherwise they wont make revenue.

5A

1. Title- New Tiger Transit route disrupt commute for students

Link- https://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?tfp_id=AL_AP

Story- Previous bus routes have been altered causing chaos in the first few weeks of classes. They tried to add new route but this just led to overcrowded busses and long wait times. They are still trying to fix the problem by adding a bus and new stops.

Problem- A lack of free and reliable transportation

Who- Students




2. Title- Garbage vs. Gardens

Link- https://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?tfp_id=AL_DE

Story- Area next to botanical garden is being proposed to become a site to hold temporary waste for a corporation.

Problem-Visible and smelly garbage next to beautiful gardens

Who- Visitors




3. Title- Two dogs in attack at shelter put down

Link- https://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?tfp_id=AL_DE

Story- Two dogs were able to chew their way out of fencing and kill 29 cats at an animal shelter.

Problem- Violent animals

Who- The community and workers at the shelter




4. Title- UA enrollment dips slightly

Link- https://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?tfp_id=AL_TN

Story- Enrollment at the University of Alabama has decreased for two consecutive years. The freshman class is growing, but less and less people are attending graduate school there.

Problem- Less people are seeking highereducation

Who- The University of Alabama




5. Title- AT&T Cable, DirecTV customers might soon lose ABC ESPN channels

Link- https://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?tfp_id=CA_MSS

Story- Main channels are no longer going to be provided because of negotiation issues on the companies end of things.

Problem- Losing networks

Who- Customers of AT&T Cable and DirecTV

3A

 

Pictured above is my dad Micheal Matson

A way that I have experienced entrepreneurship is through my dad. He is the hardest working person I have ever met and inspires me more with each passing day. His whole life he did manual labor and small jobs to get by. It was thought that ultimately, he would be a stay at home dad and my mom would make the money for our family. My mom went to college and received a degree so realistically she was the one expected to make a higher salary. He started off with nothing and built a career out of doing what he knew best: construction. Since custom pools opened, my mom has been a stay at home mom. He supports our family with his passion for custom service, charisma, and hard work. I hope one day to get the same satisfaction that my dad has when I am in the work force. His ability to manage his company brings me so much pride being his daughter.

I enrolled in ENT 3003 because it is a requirement for my minor. I really think I will enjoy this class and gain a better understanding of how to solve problems in day to day life.