Elevator Pitch No. 3

https://youtu.be/Fhk98J4ycK4

Reflection: I think most of the feedback given to me was insightful and useful. I keep getting the same feedback about my tone of voice and how I need to sound more excited for my product. I always seem to get nervous when presenting or in front of the camera and I still need to work on it.

What I changed based on feedback? I attempted to change my monotone voice but no matter how many times I recorded myself I still feel like it is a weakness of mine.

Reading Reflection No. 2

The book I chose to read is The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

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

• The general theme and lesson of the book was that success can be reached by your beliefs and your mindset. She categorized the unsuccessful and successful mindsets into two categories: fixed mindset and growth mindset. She explained that fixed mindset people feel that their skills, potential, talents, etc. are fixed at birth and can no longer change. Growth mindset people believe that your talents and potential cannot be measured and that they constantly stretch and grow.

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

• This book talked about the mindset necessary for you to be a successful leader, entrepreneur, etc. This class is expanding our mind on what it takes to think outside the box, thinking about consumer approach, demander perspective, etc. If you have an optimistic and determined mindset throughout your entrepreneurial career, even if you have many falls, you will come out successful.

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 multiple scenarios that are common in the work place and personal life that are challenging to most people. Such as: a boss turning down your promotion or a relative telling you that you'll never make it. With these scenarios, the class will determine what their response, mindset and next step would. These responses will determine whether the student has a fixed or growth mindset.

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 biggest surprise to me was when the book was discussing at what age these mindsets are developed. Studies have shown that these mindsets are developed at around the age of four. I always thought that these mindsets developed at an age where you have a better understanding of future challenges and the environments around you.

Growing Your Social Capital

Domain Expert:
1. Who they are, and what is their background: David, entrepreneur.
2. How this person is a "domain expert": David is an entrepreneur who creates and manages applications for a living
3. How I found and contacted this person: He presented himself in the entrepreneurship club on UF campus.
4. Nature of exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: He was not expecting anything in return, he was happy to give me his feedback and advice.
5. How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: He has entrepreneurship knowledge and knows how to start a business or service from just an idea.
Market Expert:
1. Who they are, and what is their background: Stephanie, Resident assistant on UF campus
2. How this person is a "market expert": She is an employee at a dorm on campus, therefore being aware of most resident issues.
3. How I found and contacted this person: I also work at the Beaty dorm on campus, she is my coworker.
4. Nature of exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: She was happy to give her opinion on what issues she believes residents face.
5. How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: She has experience and knowledge with potential customers and therefore is an asset to proposed ideas for this product.
Industry Supplier:
1. Who they are, and what is their background: Robert Larson
2. How this person is an "industry supplier": Robert is a current application manufacturer
3. How I found and contacted this person: UF students were presented his name and his credentials
4. Nature of exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: I emailed him and informed his of this assignment and he was happy to give me any type of advice related to this subject
5. How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: He has current ad past experience in manufacturing applications, making them look presentable, easy and accessible to the public.
Reflection:This experience requires you to do a little 'targeted networking.' How will this experience shape how you participate in any future networking events? Did this experience differ from your networking experiences in the past? How?
-This experience will teach me which people to network, what background they should have and how that will benefit my product.

Idea Napkin No. 2

1. Who you are. What your talents are. What your skills and experiences are. Also: what are your aspirations? Specifically regarding your business concept, how do you see this business (if you were to start it) playing a role in your life?

• My name is Karina Pizarro and considering the feedback that I received, I can declare that I am a very outgoing and friendly person who genuinely cares for the wellbeing of others. I am empathetic and always try to understand the problem and feelings of the people around me. My experiences in customer service has led to the development of these characteristics and I continue to grow in other ways as well.
• My aspirations for this business are to put myself in the customers shoes to discover more in depth ways to solve the opportunity to meet their needs. I can see this business playing a role in growing my professionalism.

2. What are you offering to customers? Describe the product or service (in other words, how you'll solve customers' unmet needs).

• With my product of an application that allows student residents to have easy and accessible information and services at their fingertips, It will allow them to take one thing off their plate so that they may focus on their education and other duties. It will also allow them to be better informed of their new residential environment

3. Who are you offering it to? Describe, in as much detail as possible, the demographic and psychographic characteristics of your customers. Think especially of this question: what do your customers all have in common?

• I am offering this product to college students, typically first and second year, who live in dorms on campus and struggle with adapting to their new environments. I hope to provide them a platform that will allow them to accustom to their new college environment, usually away from home.

4. Why do they care? Your solution is only valuable insofar as customers believe its valuable to them. Here, explain why customers will actually pay you money to use your product or service. 

• The targeted customers will care about this product because it will help them adjust to their new, unknown environments. It will be easier for them to manage their busy lifestyle and focus on different priorities. This will allow for one thing on their plate to be easier.

5. What are your core competencies? What sets you apart from everyone else? Also: what do you have that nobody else has? 

• I don't believe anyone else has thought of this opportunity. I think it is very overlooked and undervalued when many residents go through these issues that can easily be resolved. I have determination to solve this need and have the customers best interest.

Feedback Memo: The feedback informed me that I must look at multiple perspectives, not just the customers but, in this case, the parents of the customers. I know I must consider them for this product because most first and second year students still depend on their parents support. This feedback will be useful in deciding how much I will charge for the app and what benefits I should include to make them want to pay for it.

Create a Customer Avatar

     This is Emma Rose. She is a freshman at the University of Florida and is majoring in journalism. She enjoys reading fictional novels and creating ceramics on her spare time and her favorite T.V show is criminal minds. She drives her dads old red Toyota corolla and lives at Beaty Towers, a dormitory on campus. She is 18 years old and is eager to pursue her dream of being a news reporter.
     Emma is from California, where to most people see it as a tourist attraction but to her, is it a place with interesting discoveries, which has been her inspiration since she was a little girl.

What do I have in common with my avatar?My avatar and I have our age group in common are in the same position in our timeline. We are both pursuing our goal by attending school. Like many people my age, I strive to do something that makes my parents proud and also makes me happy. Emma rose also strives for the same and has much determination and hope for the future.

It is not a coincidence. Any typical freshman or sophomore who has not lived outside of home would be very unfamiliar with the campus life and so it was not difficult creating an avatar that would fit as a perfect customer.

Elevator Pitch No. 2

https://youtu.be/yvQltA-hTws

Reflection of Feedback: Based on the feedback given, I realize that the way you present yourself, the tone you're using, how you're dressed and the potential of your product is very important when your presenting in front of individuals who are basically judging your legitimacy and credibility. If you don't sound excited about your product, why should anyone else? If you don't seem like you put much effort in your product, why would anyone want to listen?

What I changed, based on feedback: I attempted to change my wording and how I expressed my product. I am a bit nervous in front of the camera so it is difficult to overcome my nerves and change my tone but it is a work in progress