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.

28A – Your Exit Strategy

1) For my own exist strategy, I would most likely not sell it, because I know this app could become successful, but if the correct price comes, then I may think about selling it to a larger company. I just do not know how much I personally want to invest in this app because I do not see myself sticking to it and running my own business. I had always seen myself working for a company and just living my life comfortably. But you never know what the future holds.

2) I selected to not sell it because I know this app could potentially become successful because there is a market for it. If there was no market for it, and I found this out through interviews that there is a market for it, then I would sell it. Also it is kinda cool to put on your resume that you created your own company and ran your own business. But that comes with a lot of stress as well.

3) I never really thought about how I would exist for the past exercises. When I was trying to think of how to grow the company, I guess I just never thought to myself "am I gonna sell this company later on or keep it in my family for generations". Sometimes, having a family business can be a burden to future generations because it hinders their ability to truly find out what they want to do with their own life.

29A - Venture Concept No. 2

1) Venture Concept Description
   
  Opportunity:

• There are many students and faculty that need to either go to work or class. But, there are not as many spots as there are people who need them. So there is a deficit and therefore, a need for my app to allow people to see how many, if at all, spots are available to park. 
• UF students and faculty who need to take their car to park before or after hours are the people I need and they need to try to park at the garage
• Currently, students and faculty just go round and round the garages wasting time to park if the garage is full. They are loyal to it now cause it is free and there is no other way to find a spot.
• This opportunity is big because no one else has done anything like this for UF.
• The "window of opportunity" will be open until someone comes up with a system to find parking spots other than circling around the garage.

    Innovation:

• This invention is an app that allows the users to see what spots are available and in what decal sections of the garage are available  too before they spend their precious time and gas on looking for a spot. I would make a profit from it with sponsors or doing ads as well through the app. The app itself would be free to users. Basically there needs to be a system where I can get accurate readings of how many spots are in the garage. There can either be a system installed the garage itself like how they do down in South Florida and other garages that lets the user know with either a red or green light atop of the spot. Then that will update the app for users to know accurately. 

   Venture Concept:

• People would switch over to this free app because it can only benefit their time, and they will lose nothing from just downloading it and using it when need be. It will not be hard at all. 
• Competitors are those who do not know this app, as far as I know, there are no other forms of ways to make parking easier on campus, so the only competitor are those who do not know about the app. 
• Having this app free is very important, since our main target are UF students and they want free apps. 
• For starters, I would only have a group of maybe 5 people to do it. When the app gets bigger and maybe I can expand to other universities or even bigger cities I would hire more people. There would be a programmer and designer of the app and then those who advocate for the app and those that help to see any flaws in the app.

   Three Minor Elements:

• The most important resource would be how to code and design the app. If there is no app, then the whole idea is useless. So my knowledge would be the most unfair advantage. 
• Next opportunity would to go to other universities and do the same thing. 
• In five years, I would like to have perfected this app at UF

2) Summary of Feedback

    

• The feedback I received were all positive. They said marketing is a great next step to getting my app ready for  the app, aside from figuring out the logistics of the app. Marketing is the next best thing I can do to get my app ready to launch. The other feedback I got was good on how I am trying to make this app free and not charge anyone, because I as a consumer would not really want to buy an app, especially as a college student. 

3) Changed Venture Concept

• The change I made in my venture concept was how in five years, I would like to have perfected that app, instead of seeing it at other universities. I felt that was not realistic, because developing an app and perfecting it does take time, so seeing it work at other universities just is unrealistic. 

4) Picture

26A – Celebrating Failure

1) Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed

• During this past semester, I failed at time management. I am taking one of the hardest core business classes offered at UF, Business Finance. There are three exams, and that is it. The first exam is usually the hardest out of the three, the second is typically the easiest, and then the third is in the middle of the two. Well, at the beginning of the semester, I was all fired up and going to parties and not buckling down like I should have been. I have study edge and they said to do practice problems at least one to two hours a day to be prepared for that exam. Well, I procrastinated and did crammed all the way up until the last few minutes on the exam. I did not do that great, needless to say. Well, I did about average, which is basically an F to D. So I thought I had learned my lesson on time management until the second exam came around, just a few days after we got back from Spring Break. Well, over spring break I went home and worked at my old job as a Hostess. I was scheduled to work every day of break and had no time to actually hard core study. So second exam came and once again I was cramming. I did better and about average but, I could have done better. Now the third exam is next week and I am preparing for it more.

2) Tell us what you learned from it.

• I learned that no matter what, I need to be on top of my school work and have better time management. I also should not put my social life ahead of my school work to the extent that I am cramming for exams. Even though I do not go out that much, I definitely need to buckle down for my senior year.

3) Reflect

• I feel like if I truly push myself and discipline myself for the rest of this semester and senior year, I could be very successful. Looking back my freshman and sophomore year, those were the easiest years here at UF, but at the time they did not at all. They felt literally like hell with school work, but now it is even worse and I am pushing myself even harder to not fail. I handled this failure emotionally by saying "it is all gonna be okay in the end, I just need this degree and get out". This class has changed my perspective on failure by saying it is no big deal and everyone tries and fails, at almost everything. 

25A – What’s Next?

Existing Market:

• Step 1: Next I feel that I can do more garages at once and then go to other schools and make an app for them as well to help with parking. Spreading the word about this app.
• Step 2: 
• Claire Katters: Claire says that my next venture should be to spread the word about this app since not many people will know about it at first. She says then to perfect it and then go out to other places that have a need for this app. She says she wants an app that reliable and is free.
• Jacob Stephens: Jacob also said that I should spread the word and print flyers out to help spread the word faster, or post it on facebook as well. He also wants a free app and one that actually works.
• Terrell Torez: Terrell says I should first make the app perfected as best I can before telling everyone about it and to make it very user friendly. He also wants a free app.
• Step 3: 
• To grow in this market, I feel that I should first get a system that works to accurately say what spots are available. Then I should make a design very user-friendly. Then I should spread the word around campus and advocate for this app.
• Next I would say the future holds to go to other college campuses or other local places that have trouble with parking garages. This would be a great business for that type of need in bigger cities with heavily populated destinations. 

New Market:

• Step 1: A radically different market would be one that instead of targeting students at garages, it would target the specific software needed to successfully implement it through the app. I  would target the software for other businesses to use.
• Step 2: I could create value by using the software and selling it to them.
• Step 3: 
• Jemere Plummer: Jemere is a computer science major and he wants to use software to create and start up apps for his living. Jemere says he would actually help design this app and would want to partake in it. He says he would try different styles to help create the perfect user-friendly app.
• Sydney Utz: Sydney is also a computer science major and wants to go work for Google Play to help maintain the app store of all google devices. She believes the best apps are those that work perfectly and have minimal bugs or issues. She would want to ensure the safety and security of this app and that his is flawless before putting it on the market. 
• Step 4: I liked my original targeted audience. The new market is not what I had envisioned myself to even touch, a lot more technical.

24A – Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity:

• There are many students and faculty that need to either go to work or class. But, there are not as many spots as there are people who need them. So there is a deficit and therefore, a need for my app to allow people to see how many, if at all, spots are available to park. 
• UF students and faculty who need to take their car to park before or after hours are the people I need and they need to try to park at the garage
• Currently, students and faculty just go round and round the garages wasting time to park if the garage is full. They are loyal to it now cause it is free and there is no other way to find a spot.
• This opportunity is big because no one else has done anything like this for UF.
• The "window of opportunity" will be open until someone comes up with a system to find parking spots other than circling around the garage.

Innovation:

• This invention is an app that allows the users to see what spots are available and in what decal sections of the garage are available  too before they spend their precious time and gas on looking for a spot. I would make a profit from it with sponsors or doing ads as well through the app. The app itself would be free to users. Basically there needs to be a system where I can get accurate readings of how many spots are in the garage. There can either be a system installed the garage itself like how they do down in South Florida and other garages that lets the user know with either a red or green light atop of the spot. Then that will update the app for users to know accurately. 

Venture Concept:

• People would switch over to this free app because it can only benefit their time, and they will lose nothing from just downloading it and using it when need be. It will not be hard at all. 
• Competitors are those who do not know this app, as far as I know, there are no other forms of ways to make parking easier on campus, so the only competitor are those who do not know about the app. 
• Having this app free is very important, since our main target are UF students and they want free apps. 
• For starters, I would only have a group of maybe 5 people to do it. When the app gets bigger and maybe I can expand to other universities or even bigger cities I would hire more people. There would be a programmer and designer of the app and then those who advocate for the app and those that help to see any flaws in the app.

Three Minor Elements:

• The most important resource would be how to code and design the app. If there is no app, then the whole idea is useless. So my knowledge would be the most unfair advantage. 
• Next opportunity would to go to other universities and do the same thing. 
• In five years, I would like to have done at least 2 other schools and help them out as well with parking. 

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

1. Communication skills
• Valuable: Yes, because it is required to have good communication skills to succeed 
• Rare: Not that rare to have goo communication skills 
• Inimitable: Everyone one is unique with what their strong communication skills entail 
• non-Substitutable: yes, it is non-substitutable 
2. Knowledge in coding 
• Valuable: yes it is, not everyone has that skill
• Rare: not that rare since people can go to school for it or learn on their own doing
• Inimitable: Yes, very inimitable 
• non-Substitutable: Yes, it is non-substitutable
3. Access to UF parking garage
• Valuable: yes, since this app is geared to UF parking garages
• Rare: no, it is open to those who have either parking decals or anyone after hours
• Inimitable: yes, but takes a long time to build a parking garage
• non-Substitutable: yes, non-substitutable
4. Access to students and faculty
• Valuable: yes, need insight on our buyers
• Rare: no they're not rare
• Inimitable: not really
• non-Substitutable: yeah we need them
5. Professional connections
• Valuable: extremely 
• Rare: semi because it can be hard or rare to find solid connections
• Inimitable: not really
• non-Substitutable: not really
6. Funds
• Valuable: extremely, to start up the company
• Rare: not really
• Inimitable: yes, money is money
• non-Substitutable: there isn't much other currencies to use in America
7. First-hand experience 
• Valuable: very valuable
• Rare: not in this case
• Inimitable: no
• non-Substitutable: yes, cannot substitute first-hand experience
8. Leadership skills
• Valuable: very valuable
• Rare: maybe
• Inimitable: no, everyone has different skill sets to bring to the table
• non-Substitutable: you need leadership skills
9. Being open-minded
• Valuable: very valuable, need to seize every opportunity
• Rare: no, depends on personality 
• Inimitable: cannot imitate
• non-Substitutable: cannot substitute
10. Bachelor's in Information Systems
• Valuable: Extremely
• Rare: no, just need to go to school for it
• Inimitable: cannot imitate it
• non-Substitutable: can have another degree relating to computer science

Reflection: I think my top resource or the MVP resource I came up with would be knowledge in coding. If there is no knowledge in this, then my whole app cannot even come to life, and therefore, defeats the purpose of having an app and creating one. 

21A – Reading Reflection No. 2

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

• I chose to read "How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big" by Scott Adams. The overall theme or argument of this book was to bottom line, put yourself first. He stresses the idea to take care of yourself and everything in your life that affects the way you live. These include like your own finances and your family, basically anything that affects you immediately, you should put first in your priority to take care of or put effort into. Also this book is a more "selfish" approach taking on life. 

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

• This book relates to ENT3003 because it is all about working on yourself and developing into a better version of you. Giving yourself a better shot at success or happiness. The book also talks about how it is okay to fail, and that failure can be an option. This class also embraces that to pursue your likes and talents, rather than being successful at everything you do. 

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

• Based on this book, the exercise I would do for this class would involve reflection. I would ask students to reflect on times they put their own needs first, and see how it turned out, maybe for the better or for the worse. Majority of the times if you put your own needs first, you would not necessarily be disappointed. It is to reflect on how important it is to take care of yourself first at times, because no one has  your back like you do. 

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?

• The "aha" moment when reading this particular book was when he said that being passionate about something does not cause success. All my life I was brought up with if you're passionate about something, then nothing will stop you from being successful. So for him to defy that, really had me thinking, that what he said was true! Sometimes, things are not meant to be, and that is okay.

20A – Growing Your Social Capital

Part 1:

1) Who they are and what their background is.

• Robert Anderson is a coworker back in my hometown who also does valet parking for Publix, and has been working there for nearly 10 years. Because of his expertise in parking cars and knows when there is a rush hour and has seen what spots fill up first and vice versa, he seemed like an expert in this industry.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

• I am filling this "slot" with the expert in my industry because he knows the system of parking cars and valet at Publix and could give me good insight with what the whole process is like, and if I could incorporate any of it.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

• I found this person through work at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in Lakeland, Florida. I have known him for nearly 1 year now. I contacted him through texting him.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

• I asked Robert about how the system works with valet parking and if he had any tips to give me on my app. He said that the cars generally pick the spots closest to the desired entrance or exit, and if I were to have people try to get an estimate by manually entering in data that they should have people closest to the desired spots and not as much as the ones no one wants. He told me good insight for trying to first get an estimate of how many people park and where they park. 

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?

• Robert knowing the ins and outs of parking and getting a good insight on where customers prefer to park can enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity in parking apps

Part 2

1) Who they are and what their background is.

• Carol Saunders works with my dad and she tests different store systems for Publix. She has been working with store testing systems for around 15 years.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

• Carol would be classified as a market expert because she uses different systems and tests them, one system could be an app.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

• I found Carol through my dad, when asking about this assignment. I then emailed her questions regarding testing different systems and the logistics of it. She gave me a lot of insightful procedures that she has to go through when testing out different store systems. 

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

• Carol informed me on how the procedures work throughout her team on store systems testers. They use many different procedures to ensure top quality and no bugs are involved. She also said that sometimes they could test the same system for a month just to ensure no problems when ran into the hundreds of stores throughout the southeastern part of the United States.

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?

• Carol has many professional connections, especially in a very well-known company. She could help with my own knowledge as a college student trying to make an app work and the different systems that are involved with it.

Part 3

1) Who they are and what their background is.

• Sharma Kalpana also works for Publix and is in charge of supplying Publix with the best and brightest systems analysts. She is now head of the her own department for the Publix App.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

• Sharma would be the supplier to my industry since she "supplies" Publix with good employees.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

• I found Sharma through my dad, who works for Publix and I contacted her via email.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

• I emailed Sharma some basic questions on how she "supplies" Publix with brilliant people to help keep this company on point. She then told me that she goes through numerous hiring processes, including in-person interviews and even phone interviews. She will ask them basic questions like if they know what SQL is and if they have any background experience/knowledge. Or if they can even work in a team environment. 

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?

• Sharma could help me run my own company one day and what to look for in people when hiring. 

Finally: This experience helped me with networking events in the future by allowing me to target specific needs I will have in the future, and how I can use their knowledge and professional connections to benefit my future company and overall profile. This experience differed from the past ones because it made me think of certain connections which eliminates a lot of people to narrow it down

19A – Idea Napkin No. 2

1)      You: My talents include being patient, organized, friendly, and being compassionate. My experiences include being a hostess for two years, a volleyball coach for little children, and being a Technology Consultant. My skills include good interpersonal skills, communication skills, and technology skills. My aspirations are to make a career out of my job and to be happy with my life overall. This app would hopefully come to life in the near future and I would be the CEO of it, making living life a little less stressful financially. 

2)      What are you offering to customers: I am offering an app that would communicate with students, faculty, and those who need to find a parking spot near campus, a resolution to find those parking spots. This would cut down on time wasted looking for spots and prowling around the garage for one. I am also offering an app that would tell you a number of spots available in the garage, and what type of decals are available too.

3)      Who are you offering it to: I am offering it to students, faculty, and those who need to find a parking spot near campus, a way to find parking spots and cut back on searching time. My targeted demographic are those who have a car, specifically those who want to park on campus when it is busy or parking is not lifted yet. They could have a decal or not, cause it is important to specify what decal is available before parking is lifted, then it is not as important once parking has been lifted.

4)      Why do they care: Those who have class, an exam, or a meeting might all need to find a parking spot during hours that either enforce decal or do not. It could be exam season and the parking lots are filled to the max capacity. Bottom line, they care to make the most out of their time. To cut back on searching for parking spots could mean a few extra minutes getting ready at home, or getting early to that class, exam, or meeting. They also care to be as efficient as possible with their time.

5)      What are your core competencies: My qualifications may set me apart from others is how I have great communication and interpersonal skills from my times as a hostess and volleyball coach. Along with my technology skills being an Information Systems major and now working as a Technology Consultant. With both of these skills I can manage a business in the technology realm.

•      These elements do fit together and make my new business become in unison. I am concerned with how to make a profit, most likely by sponsorships because no one is going to buy this app. Or, I could try to incorporate deals with ads to get money as well. It has to be made free and available for the public that way. Another concern would be if I could figure a way to make scooter parking on this app as well. Maybe give an estimate of how full scooter parking is throughout the UF campus. An additional concern would be to implement the technology or any system to ensure real-life time updates with how many parking spots are left.
•       "Feedback Memo" 
•       I took away how to update my app in real-life time for how many parking spots are available. I also took away that I could also make a profit using ads to fund the app as well as sponsors. I incorporated this feedback into the conclusion paragraph with my concerns and what I am offering customers.

18A – Create a Customer Avatar

My customer avatar would ideally be a college student, aging from the ranges of 18-24. Could be male or female. They would like to study, maybe go to football games here in the Swamp, and try to get the best college experience they can. They probably watch Netflix in their dorm or apartment when they aren't studying at the library. They also may like to dress up and go to Mid or Downtown on the occasional Friday/Saturday night. They also will drive either a car or scooter and always find it a hassle to find parking.

I am also a college student trying to find parking. I do go out and have fun and tailgate while also studying. I do not think it is a coincidence because I am making an app to park for college students and I got the inspiration cause it affects me too.

16A –What’s Your Secret Sauce?

1) Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique.

• I have great leadership skills through being a volleyball couch to younger kids ranging from 5-12.
• I have great communication and interpersonal skills through being a hostess at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen.
• I am generally open-minded and can see other peoples viewpoints and perspective on various situations.
• I embrace failure and to learn from experiments
• I have a positive outlook on situations and spread positivity to others.

1) Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique

1. Michelle Rochette
1. https://youtu.be/XhxaZObJCkU
2. Mia said that I have a positive influence on her along with my determination and the willingness I have to go the extra mile on an upcoming deadline.
2. Geisha Caban
1. https://youtu.be/hbyRYnohHiI
2. Geisha said that she admires that I am a people person and are very intuitive and read peoples emotions.
3. Kelly Schier
1. https://youtu.be/c2d7UyZSDps
2. Kelly said that I am a hard-worker and I show dedication to my goals.
4. Scott Schier
1. https://youtu.be/VOfn2e3MQRA
2. Scott said that when I set my mind to a goal I try my very hardest to achieve it.
5. Laurie Schier
1. https://youtu.be/yKruqx_TXyc
2. Laurie said I step up to become a leader when need be and take initiative. 

3) Reflect on the differences

• I see myself as someone who cares about others and their opinions matter. Others see me as a very determined person. I think other people see determination because that is what who I am, when I set a goal I mean to achieve it. But I also am a people person and I am very intuitive. I think they are correct about me. I would not change anything I wrote down because those are true. 

15A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

Segment: I have chosen UF students who have cars or associates with someone who has a car and tries to park on campus.

Andrew Reynoso: Junior who lives within walking distance to campus, no scooter but has car

• I asked Andrew about the possibility of a parking app, and if he would use it if it had a monthly subscription of 99¢ to use. He said he would not since most of his current apps do not allow him to pay. Then I proceeded to ask him if he would use it if the app were poorly designed and not update frequently, but free. He said he would only use the app if it were efficient, free, and would be updated frequently. I later asked what determines a great app in his opinion. He proceeded to tell me that they have to be great at what they advertised to be. For example, right now he has an app that allows him to play a thinking game with puzzles and mazes. If the app were to always be defaulting or shutting down, maybe even not challenging enough or hard to maneuver, he said he would delete the app and move onto another one, since there are hundred and thousands of games he can play.

Jacob Stephens: Sophomore, lives on campus, has a scooter and car

• I asked Jacob about there being a parking app and if he would use it for a monthly subscription of 99¢ . He would not since most apps are free that he has. Then I asked if he would use the app if it were poorly designed and not updated frequently, but free. He said no he would not if it had defaults within it. He then told me that he would use an app if it ran smoothly and could be easily navigated, very straight forward and simple. I asked what determines a great app in his opinion. He told me that it needs to be appealing to his eye and that it is what it says it is and does what it says it does. He told me he downloaded a terrible app to try and get deals online, some sketchy app. He then said that it was horrible, messy, and he did not easily understand how to navigate it. Since then, he has deleted the terrible app.

Hannah Myers: Sophomore, lives off campus, no scooter but has a car

• I asked Hannah about my idea of creating a parking app and if she would use a monthly subscription of 99¢  for it. She said no because paying for it does not sound appealing for an app that should be free. I asked if she would use it if it was free, but poorly designed. She said she would download it to see how bad it was and try to use it. She ultimately wants a great app. I asked her what determines a great app to her. She said that it needs to be free, she can easily do what she wants without being a hassle, and it is useful to her. 

Conclusion: I would assume most, if not all, students would not be willing to pay for a parking app. I certainly would not want to pay for a parking app, unless I could somehow reserve a spot for myself that way. All my interviewees said they would use it if was free and ran efficiently and had done what it was supposed to do

14A – Halfway Reflection

1) Tenaciousness is a competency. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course? 

• To keep up with the requirements of this course, I usually start looking at what is due several days before the due date. This way, if there is an assignment that is going to take longer than expected, I can start to work on it, or if I have a busy week ahead, I will start the assignments immediately. I keep an agenda for school and I plan out everything, from my sorority events, my work times, school assignments, and more.

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this?

• This year on Valentines Day, I felt like giving up. It was my first finance exam and it is one of the hardest business classes to take here at UF. Of course the first exam, which the class average is an F, is on Valentines Day. I wanted to give up from studying countless hours to only realize, there is too much information that I cannot retain for the exam. I took an "L" and that is the closest I came at UF to "giving up". What pulled me through was that I was going to go out with my friends and have a nice dinner then go home and away from Gainesville. I believe this semester has brought many unexpected challenges and that I am becoming more independent and focusing on positives in my life. One being that I recently broke up with my boyfriend of four years, and another being that I am now hunkering down on my school because classes are more challenging and now graduation is just next year.

3) Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset' ?

1. There are plenty of reasons to get overwhelmed at UF, but, "life goes on".
2. Stay ahead and stay positive, especially since it is very easy to not.
3. Always try to improve yourself, weather it be going to the gym more, studying more, or going to more social events. You will only benefit from it.

   


 

13A – Reading Reflection No. 1

1) You read about an entrepreneur: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

• What surprised you the most? I was most surprised about Steve Job's interest in LSD. I had already known some-what about him experimenting with it, but I had no idea about how fascinated he was with it. I do understand though, because back then, it was more socially normal to be doing drugs such as LSD as supposed to now.
• What about the entrepreneur did you most admire? I most admired Steve's ability to still continue what he was passionate about, no matter the obstacle. He dropped out of college and then created his company out of his parent's garage. I know I could not be able to do such a thing.
• What about the entrepreneur did you least admire? While reading the book, it mentioned how he went to juvenile detention for creating a fake bomb. It is not acceptable to make light of that type of topic. We have been through so much recently regarding horrific shootings killing innocent students, that him doing something like this, is really disappointing. 
• Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it? Yes, from the beginning Steve Jobs had already faced family separation. His mother gave him up for adoption. But, his adopted parents loved him so much. Next, his attendance at Reed College, but felt he should drop out. Then his company first fell to face setbacks and failures. 

2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? Steve Jobs is definitely an entrepreneur, he would always be ready to learn, experiment, and never quit.

3) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you. Something confusing to me was the fact that he never let his parents visit him in Reed College. Since my family helps me financially, I would definitely let them come and visit. Especially since they are the ones supporting everything I do. I just thought that was weird of Steve Jobs to do.

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

• How did you find the motivation to keep going, against the odds?
• Did you ever have self-doubt about dropping out of college?
• Were you ever nervous that what you were creating would become a flop and you dropped out of college for nothing?

5) For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion? I believe his opinion of hard work is that it is necessary to be successful. He has done hard work out of his garage and persisted through other obstacles. I agree, hard work is necessary in order to be successful. 

12A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

Segment: I have chosen UF students who have cars or associates with someone who has a car and tries to park on campus.

Interviews:
1)  Jacob Johnson

• Jacob is currently in the graduate program for dentistry and lives off-campus near Shands hospital. He drives to school with a car. I asked him if he has ever had an issue parking on-campus and he said yes, almost every time he needs to go to class. Jacob has a Green decal and often has to leave early enough to find a spot and walk to class. I asked him if he would be interested in using a parking app that would allow him to know how many spots are available in garages. He said that would be very useful, especially since he is very busy. He later said how UF is very crowded near Shands and there are so many people that go in and out and parking can be a big concern at time. 

2) Hannah Martin

• Hannah is a sophomore who lives on-campus. She does not own a scooter and relies on her car for transportation.  She has a Red 1 decal and usually parks at Norman since other garages become full at night. I asked her if she was interested in a Parking app that would allow her to see the availability in each garage is. She said that would be helpful especially on Sunday nights when everyone is back home from the weekend.

3) Omar Bass

• Omar lives just off of campus, near Community Lot #2, across the street from SW Rec. He has a car and scooter, but prefers to scoot to class. He told me that he only had a car for his first year and hated trying to find a spot for it during his freshman year. So he bought a scooter his sophomore year and says it is much easier and cheaper to scoot to class. He does not like relying on the bus system because it wastes his time too much. I asked him if a parking app would benefit him in any way and he said that it would especially when he has to drive with his friends and or family over to campus.

Conclusion: 

• These interviews showed me that there is a segment out there that does have a need/want for a parking app, and that there are too many students and too few parking spots. By bettering the school experience, this app could make the University of Florida students have a better quality time for these short years. 

11A – Idea Napkin No. 1

1)      You: My talents include being patient, organized, friendly, and being compassionate. My experiences include being a hostess for two years, a volleyball coach for little children, and being a Technology Consultant. My skills include good interpersonal skills, communication skills, and technology skills. My aspirations are make a career out of my job and to be happy with my life. This app would hopefully come to life in the near future and I would be the CEO of it.

2)      What are you offering to customers: I am offering an app that would communicate with students, faculty, and those who need to find a parking spot near campus, a resolution to find those parking spots. This would cut down on time wasted looking for spots and prowling around the garage for one.

3)      Who are you offering it to: I am offering it to those students, faculty, and those who need to find a parking spot near campus, a way to find parking spots and cut back on time searching for one. My targeted demographic are those who have a car, specifically those who want to park on campus when it is busy or parking is not lifted yet.

4)      Why do they care: Those who have class, an exam, or a meeting might all need to find a parking spot during hours that either enforce decal or do not. It could be exam season and the parking lots are filled to the max capacity. Bottom line, they care to make the most out of their time. To cut back on searching for parking spots could mean a few extra minutes getting ready at home, or getting early to that class, exam, or meeting.

5)      What are your core competencies: My qualifications may set me apart from others is how I have great communication and interpersonal skills from my times as a hostess and volleyball coach. Along with my technology skills being an Information Systems major and now working as a Technology Consultant. With both of these skills I manage a business in the technology realm.

These elements do fit together and make my new business become in unison. I am concerned with how to make a profit, most likely by sponsorships because no one is going to buy this app. It has to be made free and available for the public that way. Another concern would be if I could figure a way to make scooter parking on this app as well. Maybe give an estimate of how full scooter parking is throughout the UF campus.

10A – Elevator Pitch No. 1

9A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Interview 1: Michaela Poitevien, sophomore, lives on-campus, has no car

Me: Do you believe parking is an issue at the University of Florida?

Michaela: Not really, I do not have a car and live on campus.

Me: Do you think having a parking app would benefit you in any way?

Michaela: Yes, sometimes I go with my friends out and when we try to get back to Broward our spot is gone and we have to hunt for a new one.

Me: Do you think this need differs from other needs in finding a parking spot?

Michaela: Yes because I do not need it that often but other people would rely more heavily on it.

Interview 2: Robert Fleming, junior, has no car, lives off-campus

Me: Do you believe parking is an issue at the University of Florida?

Robert: Umm.. yeah it is for some but not really for me.

Me: Do you think having a parking app would benefit you in any way?

Robert: Not really because I have no car.

Me: Do you think this need differs from other needs in finding a parking spot?

Robert: Yes, for those that commute to campus and park I feel those would benefit a lot.

Interview 3: Gabrielle Schofield, has a car, recent grad, lives-off campus

Me:Do you believe parking is an issue at the University of Florida?

Gabrielle: Yes it is but not really for me anymore since I do not have classes.

Me:Do you think having a parking app would benefit you in any way?

Gabrielle: Yes it would if I ever needed to go back on campus before parking is lifted.

Me: Do you think this need differs from other needs in finding a parking spot?

Gabrielle: Yeah since I no longer am a student I do not need it but those that do need it would definitely benefit from it.

Interview 4: Scott Tolzman, freshman, no-car, lives on-campus.

Me: Do you believe parking is an issue at the University of Florida?

Scott: Yes my friends all struggle with it when we go out and they have to find one when we get back.

Me: Do you think having a parking app would benefit you in any way?

Scott: Once I get my car I would want an app.

Me: Do you think this need differs from other needs in finding a parking spot?

Scott: Well like I do not need it right now but later I would.

Interview 5: Alex Caballero, senior, lives-off campus, has a car

Me: Do you believe parking is an issue at the University of Florida?

Alex: Yes it is but not really for me, I take the bus

Me: Do you think having a parking app would benefit you in any way?

Alex: No because I do not need to park on campus, I drive a scooter

Me: Do you think this need differs from other needs in finding a parking spot?

Alex: Yes for those who need to drive their cars on campus.

My Findings: Based on my interviews, I found out there is a section of people/students that do not have a demand in the parking app. I did not realize how many situations cause for someone to not need the app as much as I anticipated in.

Inside the boundary	Outside the boundary
Who is In: Those who need to park on campus and use a car	Who is Not: Those who do not have cars or do not need to park on campus with a car
What the Need Is: Parking on campus	What the Need Is Not: Not parking on campus with a car
Why the Need Exists: Not enough parking spaces and too many students needing to park their cars	Alternative Explanations: Those who do not need cars to park or do not have a car do not need a parking app for campus.