30A – Final Reflection

1) Read through your posts from this semester. Recall all of the experiences you've had a long the way -- the highs, the lows -- the fun moments, and the moments of drudgery, and even the moments of dread.

I have had a lot of fun this spring semester with this class. I never really had a blog or even a diary to write down weekly things in it. So this was definitely something I had to get used to doing. It was particularly hard to get into a rhythm at the beginning of the semester because I had just started my new job as well as a TC, Technology Consultant, for UF. But, I enjoyed the first one with bugs and I dreaded those we had to interview other people for my new app. I also did not like doing the elevator pitch because I had to step out of my comfort zone. 

2) What sticks out to you as the most formative experience? The experience that you'll remember years later? What was your most joyous experience? What experience are you most proud of yourself for accomplishing?

I guess the most formative experience was that I had to think and kind of perfect or develop this idea, and mine eventually became a parking app at UF. I will remember this for years to come because no other class has made me do anything close to this class. I am most proud of having this idea and developing it over the semester. 

3) At the beginning of the semester, I mentioned that I wanted each of you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Now, at the end, do you see yourself as an entrepreneur? Do you think you have moved closer to developing an entrepreneurial mindset?

I see myself more as an entrepreneur than I was before the start of this semester. I had no idea all of the research and developing that goes behind an entrepreneur. It was challenging, but satisfying and rewarding. I feel I have moved closer to an entrepreneur mindset. 

4) What is the one recommendation you would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future? What would you recommend they do to perform best in this course? What would you recommend they do to foster that mindset?

I would recommend that if you were to want to become an entrepreneur, that is what you should be very passionate about then. It takes a lot of heart and soul to really pull it off because there is so much investment in yourself and your product or company. Lot of stress as well that can go into it. 

27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

1) You read about an entrepreneur: Coco Chanel, by Lisa Chaney

• What surprised you the most? I did not know much about Coco Chanel prior reading this book for this class. I really only knew her "Chanel #5". So I was most surprised to find out that her actual name is Gabrielle and that she was raised in poverty before becoming one of the most renown designers.
• What about the entrepreneur did you most admire? I admired the fact that even though she did not have an ideal upbringing, like with her addiction to morphine and more drugs, she did end up becoming to be very successful. It goes to show not everyone has a perfect life. 
• What about the entrepreneur did you least admire? I guess the thing I least admire about Coco Chanel was that she did abuse drugs and that of course is not good to do. But I cannot blame her for her past because there are better outs to go through besides going to drugs to relive the adversity that was going on throughout her life at that point. 
• Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it? Yes she did, and more than I would have ever guessed. She was the child of two nomadic traders that were impoverished. She was then placed in an orphanage. The book did not focus greatly on the obstacles for her fashion, but more on her personal struggles, which I did like and learned a lot about more to respect her and her industry. 

2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? 

I noticed that she did not give up, no matter what the circumstances are. She always pursued and would get right back up if she was pushed down. 

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

I had always been a little confused or was fuzzy on her and her relationship with Arthur Capel. The books describes as the love of Chanel's life and the person that would help and aid her with her business to grow and become more successful. I did not know really how Arthur helped the company grow or how he supported Chanel.

4) If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why? 

• The first question I would ask would be "What kept you motivated through thick and thin in your life?" I would ask this because dealing with adversity can make people become very unmotivated and sluggish in life. 
• The second question I would ask would be "Did you ever feel like giving up?" I would ask this because I feel as though there are times in my life where I want to give up but I keep going so my future can be better with my degree. 

5) For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion? I think Chanel's opinion of hard work was that it was important never to give up. She, ideally, did not have the most perfect upbringing and to end up where she did today, I feel it was perseverance.