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.