30A

1. I think that our assignment where we had to identify failures role in success was the most formative experience. This really changed my perspective so that now I can look at failure in a positive light. I am most proud of myself for all of the interviews I accomplished. I am not a very social person, so it was important for me to get out of my comfort zone and network. Years down the road I will remember filming the elevator pitches. At first I felt so awkward and out of place, but by the third one I had really grown and had gotten far more comfortable pitching my idea.

2. I would say that I have moved far closer to having an entrepreneurial mindset. After everything accomplished in this course, I now have a more creative mind and thought process.

3. I would recommend to students taking this course next semester that they should work ahead on assignments. Its easy to get behind if you aren’t on top of what you are supposed to be accomplishing. By writing things in your planner, you can prevent missing deadlines. Another recommendation I have if for them to do things out of there comfort zone. By simply walking a different route to class, you allow yourself more opportunities to think creatively. Do not get stuck in the daily routines of things. Instead focus on unique ways to experience more in life.

29A

VitaVapor Venture by Gabrielle Matson

With a change in legislation, those addicted to nicotine but under the age of 21 will be left high and dry in their addictions. They are now required to find a way to quit because they cannot legally purchase nicotine devices such as Stigs, Juuls, etc. They have a need that is to quit vaping, but still maintain the social coolness that they get from vaping. Vitavapor is the solution to their problems. This cost-effective inhalable vapor satisfies the need for them to inhale something flavored throughout the day. By continuing this all too familiar habit, quitting will be made easier. The vapor in our vapes includes vitamins such as B-12 and vitamin C. Not only do these vapes help people quit their addictions; it provides people an alternate way to take vitamins if they have a very sensitive gag reflex. My demographic will be those under the age of 21 in Florida who are addicted to nicotine, or just any person of any age who wants to quit. Currently people aren’t satisfying this need. Because the legislation just changed, they still have the remainder of whatever nicotine product they purchased before this was set into action. Soon they will need a way to meet their need, which is why I created VitaVapor. This window of opportunity is short. Soon other vitamin vapors are soon to hit the market because this is such a big opportunity. For this reason, I have to act fast to maximize profit.

VitaVapor has a onetime device fee of $15 for the Vita, otherwise known as the actual vape device. After this, you can buy bottles of refillable juice for as low as $10 for the Vapor. Because we do bottles of juice instead of cartridges, we are helping the environment and saving our customers money. VitaVapor Gold is our product line for people who have more money to spend. It is made of higher quality materials and offers different flavors. Those who purchase VitaVapor Gold have the opportunity to be on our loyalty program. This program offers special deals and offers only to those in this exclusive club. Both lines will be sold online or in smoke shops, drug stores, and gas stations. Because this legislative change is so recent, we have big earning potential. Our product works just like the average refillable vape. Although the technology is not innovative, the idea is. Our line of vitamin product will change lives and prevent the next generation of vapers from having lung cancer that could have been prevented. It is easy to use, able to be smoked around children or on school campuses and is a great way to intake vitamins on the go.

My innovation will help people quit their addictions. They will choose my product either because other products did not help or because they can no longer purchase nicotine patches or gum. It won’t be hard for those under 21 to choose my product, because in a way they have no other legal option. However, they could continue smoking by using a fake ID or asking someone else to buy them vapes. One weakness is that other people are already working on developing their own version of VitaVapor. This would cause there to be competition. Our informative and fun packaging, low price, and places of distribution make us desirable. These are all important factors of product success and can really determine profitability. Business success is also a huge part of success. If you only have one location, you won’t be nearly as successful as you would be if you also had an online platform. My business would have a location for production, a PR team, HR team, Advertising team, Financial Advisors, Web Designers, Phone Help Line Workers, Social Networking team and Upper Level Management. As a team we will successfully run VitaVapor and help people fight their addictions.

The three minor elements

-           Our ability to stay on top of constantly innovating and giving the customers what they want. It is our mission to improve our product as our customer needs change. This will ensure we stay relevant in such a busy market.

-           What’s next for my company is creating a product for higher incomes. This will target a new demographic and get more revenue for the company as a whole. We will create a customer rewards and top members program to incentivize our customers to purchase.

-           I want to create a family empire. One that is successful enough that my children and my children’s children can continue to work with and improve. In five years, I hope my business is a success so that I can continue to work towards this goal.

2) I did not get any negative feedback, but people really liked my price point. For “what’s next” people recommended I target another audience, one that is wealthier. If I were to add this to my company, I could do a slightly higher price for my product. This would get my company more revenue.

3) For my updated venture concept, I just went more in depth. Because all my feedback was positive, I only really added stuff based off of my “what’s next” comments. I added more about my wealthier audience and how I could target them.

 

27A

 Inbound Marketing- By: Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah.

1)  What was the general theme or argument of the book?

This book helps teach the reader how to properly market to gain an audience. It also helps the reader utilize common social medias, like Facebook, to market in a modern way. They provide checklists so the reader can stay on track with their goals.

2)  How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

In class we also use modern technologies. By blogging, we are gaining an audience. If we continued to use this social media our audiences would grow.

3)  If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

I would make it mandatory for all student to blog- but not just about class related matter. Each student would have to create their own personal blog and talk about what ever they are passionate about. This would be good practice and would be enjoyable for the students.

4)  What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

My biggest aha moment is that I can utilize things from day to day life to further my career and become better at marketing.

28A

1) I plan to stay with my business until I am able to retire. If I could, I would keep the business in the family. However, if my kids do not want to take it over or if the market for our product begins to plummet, then I would sell prematurely.  

2) I chose this strategy because although I would like to keep it in the family, I understand that times and customer needs change. If I could make a large enough profit that would benefit my family, then I would do this instead. However, I prefer to keep it a family business.

3) Seeing that I intend to have this business for a long time, I have made decisions that would be beneficial in the long run. My values are expressed in my business, which also makes it ideal to pass on to my children. Had I not wanted it to be a family business, I may have tried to seek a business partner, but instead I chose to do everything on my own.

26A

1) Sometime at the beginning of this semester, I decided I wanted to get good at Frisbee.  I underwent many trials and errors, but eventually learned how to properly throw and catch. Through this process I had broken three nails because I did not know you had to cut your nails short, lost a Frisbee to a lake, and hit a Mercedes Benz (luckily with no damage).

2) Through this experience I didn’t just learn how to play Frisbee. I learned a lot about myself and persistence.  I now know what it takes to stick with something no matter how frustrating or annoying it may be at the time.

3) Even though I know failure is a good tool for learning, it is still so unbelievably frustrating to fail. Feeling like you’re not good enough or like no matter how hard you try you still won’t succeed can really get in the way of progress. It keeps a lot of people from making it to the finish line. People who are persistent enough to power through the failure reap the greatest benefits. I don’t handle failure very well because I am such an emotional person. I usually shut down but then can continue working after taking some time to myself to think things through. I think this class has not really altered my perspective on failure but has solidified my thoughts on it. Although I am just as likely to take a risk as I was a few months ago, I think I would be more confident if I were to do so now.

24A

VitaVapor Venture by Gabrielle Matson

With a change in legislation, those addicted to nicotine but under the age of 21 will be left high and dry in their addictions. They are now required to find a way to quit because they cannot legally purchase nicotine devices such as Stigs, Juuls, etc. they have a need that is to quit vaping, but still maintain the social coolness that they get from vaping. Vitavapor is the solution to their problems. This cost-effective inhalable vapor satisfies the need for them to inhale something flavored throughout the day. By continuing this all to familiar habit, quitting will be made easier. The vapor in our vapes includes vitamins such as B-12 and vitamin C. Not only do these vapes help people quit their addictions; it provides people an alternate way to take vitamins if they have a very sensitive gag reflex. My demographic will be those under the age of 21 in Florida who are addicted to nicotine, or just any person of any age who wants to quit. Currently people aren’t satisfying this need. Because the legislation just changed, they still have the remainder of whatever nicotine product they purchased before this was set into action. Soon they will need a way to meet their need, which is why I created VitaVapor. This window of opportunity is short. Soon other vitamin vapors are soon to hit the market because this is such a big opportunity. For this reason, I have to act fast to maximize profit.

VitaVapor has a onetime device fee of $15 for the Vita, otherwise known as the actual vape device. After this, you can buy bottles of refillable juice for as low as $10 for the Vapor. Because we do bottles of juice instead of cartridges, we are helping the environment and saving our customers money. It will be sold online or in smoke shops, drug stores, and gas stations. Because this legislative change is so recent, we have big earning potential. Our product works just like the average refillable vape. Although the technology is not innovative, the idea is. Our line of vitamin product will change lives and prevent the next generation of vapers from having lung cancer that could have been prevented. Its easy to use, able to be smoked around children or on school campuses and is a great way to intake vitamins on the go.

My innovation will help people quit their addictions. They will choose my product either because other products did not help or because they can no longer purchase nicotine patches or gum. It won’t be hard for those under 21 to choose my product, because in a way they have no other legal option. However, they could continue smoking by using a fake ID or asking someone else to buy them vapes. One weakness is that other people are already working on developing their own version of VitaVapor. This would cause there to be competition. Our informative and fun packaging, low price, and places of distribution make us desirable. These are all important factors of product success and can really determine profitability. Business success is also a huge part of success. If you only have one location, you won’t be nearly as successful as you would be if you also had an online platform. My business would have a location for production, a PR team, HR team, Advertising team, Financial Advisors, Web Designers, Phone Help Line Workers, Social Networking team and Upper Level Management. As a team we will successfully run VitaVapor and help people fight their addictions.

The three minor elements

-           Our ability to stay on top of constantly innovating and giving the customers what they want. It is our mission to improve our product as our customer needs change. This will ensure we stay relevant in such a busy market.

-           What’s next for my company is creating a product for higher incomes. This will target a new demographic and get more revenue for the company as a whole. We will create a customer rewards and top members program to incentivize our customers to purchase.

-           I want to create a family empire. One that is successful enough that my children and my children’s children can continue to work with and improve. In five years, I hope my business is a success so that I can continue to work towards this goal.

25A

Existing Market.

Step 1: I think the net step for VitaVapor is coming out with new vitamins/ flavors for our product line. Another step would be getting into bigger store to get more revenue and to just get our name out there.

Step 2: The general consensus is that they wanted us to focus on advertising. They love the product and think it could really grow. They did say new flavors would make the line complete but that that is not a primary concern.  I asked them what they thought about getting more shelf space in stores, and they said that would be a good way to spread the word of who we are. If that were to be our next step they recommended focusing on branding and product display.

Step 3: I think contacting store to sell our product would be the most logical next goal. In order to get there however, we must focus on who we are as a brand. This includes advertising, packaging, etc. after this we can focus on getting out there and being seen.

New Market.

Step 1: My other market I cold target would be the wealthy. Because I strive to have a cost effective product better off individuals may think of VitaVapor as being cheap or below their status level.

Step 2: I could create a more expensive line for those who are older or have a taste for finer things. This would include better packaging and a name that makes it seem higher class. For example, by calling it “deluxe edition” it seems more expensive, and so does making the packaging gold or not plastic.  

Step 3: They agreed that my alteration would help. They did suggest I make a loyalty program of sorts, only allowing those who are in the top 10% of purchasers to have special perks. I think this is a great idea that would help.

Step 4:  I think this is a market that I really overlooked. There is potential here for me to make significantly more money, for not too much extra work. I am going to look into what I can do to pursue this market. 

23A

A market- legislative changes are making this product very desired right now

Financial backing- this is important to get started

Human capital dedicated to this idea- the people behind any product can determine its success

A unique idea- because this is a new concept, its cutting edge

Education- people who have graduated from UF are working on this project

Innovation- we are constantly bettering our product based on customer needs

Research- we are constantly learning more about field related topics

Networks- we are well connected after many interviews and networking events

Technology- it is cutting edge, something that has never been seen before

Health and budget friendly- people want our product because its cheap and healthy for them to use

I think that being health and budget friendly is my ventures greatest advantage. This will keep us in the vape market even after this trend of vaping wears off, because we provide a healthy alternate way to receive vitamins at a cost effective price.

22A

1) The pitch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb62NEmdPj4&feature=youtu.be

2) The reflection

All of the comments I received asked for 1) the price of my product and 2) a more attention-grabbing introduction. I added this and put less emphasis on the price because there is no way for me to gauge what that would be at this time. I also think I need to memorize my script in the future, instead of trying to read it off of a screen.

3) What did you change?

For my pitch I decided to change my introduction, because that was the main complaint with my pitch. By doing this I think I made my idea seem better by simply adding a few sentences and adding more enthusiasm. How you hold yourself and focusing on being comfortable in front of the camera are two very important aspects of giving an elevator pitch.

21 A

Cognitive Surplus, Clay Shirky

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

That technology can become a great way for communities to collaborate and work together for the greater good.

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

I feel like the main purpose of ENT 3003 is to find a solution for a problem that would benefit the community. Each week we collaborate by commenting on other students’ ideas. Although these comments only take a small amount of time, it helps us work together for the greater good. A big part of the book focused on the importance of generosity and creativity. These comments are our way to work together as students on solutions that may be of great use in the future.

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

I would create an open google doc for students to collaborate. There is no punishment for students who do not choose to participate, because we want the collaboration to be voluntary. On this doc students can communicate their ideas and foster educational relationships on their own time. This will promote innovation and creativity.

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

My aha moment was when I learned that generosity is what fuels community collaboration. Everyone has time and the ability to help one another, but they will only want to participate if it is their idea.