Week 4 Reading Reflection

The biggest surprise I found while reading, was that "it has been estimated that adults use only 2 to 10 percent of their creative potential. I've always heard how the human brain has so much potential for use, yet we only tap into a small fraction of it. However, I thought we would use way more creative power than between 2 to 10 percent. Imagine how different our world would be today if we did have the potential to access all of that information and creativity.

I didn't find any information to be extremely confusing from this chapter. The mindsets and processes for becoming a better entrepreneur were very thought out and direct.

Two questions to the author:
Do you believe the most uncreative, original human being on our planet could use your tips toward creativity and benefit from it?
Do you believe we can use an entire side of our brain at one time or will we always be drawing from both sides?

There wasn't anything I found the author to be wrong about. The conceptions I had formed prior to reading remained even after I read through his processes.

Customer Interviews No. 1

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to compete against other teams in the "3 Day Startup" competition held here at UF. On Friday, everyone came in with separate ideas and presented them to each other, to come up with the top 5 ideas that we would try and create. The group I teamed up with, was for a custom travel app to ease the pain of coordinating vacations. As a team we set off to interview future potential users around the University of Florida.

We decided to choose UF college-aged students not because it was easy, but because our generation tends to travel and explore more than others. We came up with a list of questions to survey to our target audience.

• Have you ever planned a trip to a major city that you've never been to? If so, what city?
• Have you ever used any travel apps to assist you with your trip?
• Did you speak to any locals about potential trip ideas during your stay?

We interviewed 52 people throughout campus and here were 5 responses we received for the questions we asked.

Have you ever planned a trip to a major city that you've never been to? If so, what city?

Chelsea, 22 

"Yes, I have planned several trips with my girlfriends. The most recent trip was to Orlando and we stayed 2 days."

Matt, 20

"Yes, most recently I planned a trip with my family to go to New York City."

Kyle, 21

"Yes, my girlfriend and I planned a trip to Tampa for my 21st birthday in December."

Irina, 23

"Yes, my friends and I planned a trip to Atlanta over the summer."

Josh, 26

"Yes, my wife and I planned a trip to Austin, Texas to visit family in December."

Have you ever used any travel apps to assist you with your trip?

Chelsea, 22

"Yes, yelp and trip advisor, as well as Google."

Matt, 20

"Yes, yelp, quite frequently actually."

Kyle, 21

"Yes, I mainly use yelp to find restaurant reviews."

Irina, 23

"Yes, when I planned the trip to Atlanta, I used trip advisor.

Josh, 26

"My wife and I used yelp to find good local restaurants."

Did you speak to any locals about potential trip ideas during your stay?

Chelsea, 22

"No, just used my phone to look up cool things to do."

Matt, 20

"Our family spoke with the hotel concierge to find the best local restaurants."

Kyle, 21

"No, I just used my phone to find information."

Irina, 23

"Yes, as soon as we arrived, we spoke to the doorman and hotel concierge for recommendations."

Josh, 26

"Yes, we talked to a local coffee shop employee and family about what to visit."

By surveying people, our team was able to learn so much from the experience. We figured out that people were using several different outlets to find information, but had no way to streamline the entire process. 

The biggest thing I learned from this experience is that people love to share information about where they've been or what they've experienced. I thought every person was going to shoot us down and avoid us, however, that was not the case. 

Week 3 Reading Reflection

The biggest surprise for me in the reading was the attention to all of the negative effects associated with entrepreneurial success. Whenever I sit and think about what my next idea could lead to, I never take into account the negative effects if it were to become successful. Entrepreneurial Fear 101 states that money is not the main cause of fear. Instead, fear of failing and leaving little to no effect on the world tends to scare entrepreneurs more.

One part of the reading that was most confusing to me was included in the "Grief Recovery Process." The oscillating process to recover from hardships was confusing for me to understand.

Two questions to the author:

Do you believe that majority of startup companies are originally driven by the wealth they could create for themselves?
By instilling a winning entrepreneurial mindset, do you think companies have a higher opportunity to succeed?

There wasn't anything I found in the reading that would make me disagree with the author.

Identifying Local Opportunities

1.) Boston Symphony embraces the iPad

"the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, Virginia Symphony Orchestra are among those offering "tweet seats," specially designated sections where concertgoers are encouraged to interact on Twitter with a concert official as they gave running commentary during select performances."

http://search.proquest.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/docview/1759219414?accountid=10920

Modern arts are tending to find that they must keep up with audience technology in order to gain attention from younger crowds.Our generation tends to become easily distracted or bored by the lack of interaction available. This Orchestra is using twitter, virtual reality headsets and iPads in order to keep audience members actively engaged. 

The opportunity for future art venues, could be potential using iPads and personal headsets to allow audience members to select which actor/musician they would like to view the play/concert as. If cast members were wearing body cams or showed exclusive back-stage content during a show, it would keep me much more intrigued. 

2.) Mobile ads get a useful twist; Snapchat, Zynga and others lead new wave in advertising that offers fun and value.

http://search.proquest.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/docview/1759080926?accountid=10920

Major social media companies are finding that interactive advertisements engage viewers more than static ads. Companies are trending toward advertisements that are personalized for each individual person, that they can share via social media to the rest of their followers.

The opportunity for future revenue, could be using interactive video screens located at sporting events, grocery stores, theme parks, that allow you to take photos embedded with neat advertisements that would automatically be sent to your phone via RFID chip. 

3.) Uber for seniors program to expand  

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A88EA7E221EE28?p=AWNB

The City of Gainesville, uber, ElderCare, and Wells Fargo have teamed up to offer uber-style services to the elderly in Gainesville, free of charge. Elderly people struggle to drive and get places on their own, so to have someone a call a way is huge.

The opportunity is to allow drivers with two door cars to escort the elderly around the city. Uber currently restricts any vehicles less than four-door, so by allowing people with 2-doors to drive, it could free up the potential for a large quantity of drivers to assist the elderly. 

4.) Celebrity ranking startup gets $7 million infusion

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E3A71A9BA928?p=AWNB

Well known-golfer Jordan Speith and several other investors have invested in his father's startup that quantify's athlete and entertainers engagement via social media. Similar to how Neilson ranks tv shows, Speith's company ranks YouTube, twitter and instagram stars. By knowing how far their social media engagement reaches, advertisers can pick and choose who is most valuable.

This is an absolute huge business to get into. The idea I have, is to allow individuals to invest in athletes and actors/actresses before they make it big. People can pick and choose who they think will be most valuable in the future, and hope for a large return on investment, based on how they do in the industry. 

5.) House of tomorrow made on 3-D printer and comes via shipping containers

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A889B9BB3DA640?p=AWNB

Modular housing is becoming increasingly recognized as the future of housing. With easy setup and simple designs, the cost of housing and the space needed are some reasons the idea is so great. Along with shipping containers as the main structure for the home, manufacturers are using 3-D printers to developer custom parts for this new style of home.

The opportunity for modular, 3-D houses is to use them in underdeveloped countries with limited space. It is easier today than ever before to ship containers across the world for a relatively low price. If countries could take new or used shipping containers and turn them into homes, they could cut down on cost and place the homes directly next to one-another. There could be centralized 3-D shops which can produce parts for the standardized home.

Very Short Interview No. 1

Bill Jesse is an entrepreneur who helped form Aerospace Propellor Systems, based in Dayton, Ohio. Bill and my dad, Michael, saw an opportunity to compete with larger propellor manufacturers. They created less expensive ways to manufacture their product, which expanded their margins.

Here are the three questions i asked to Bill Jesse:

Drew: What triggered you to start APS?

Bill: 1.) "While me and your dad worked at McCauley, we realized we had all the tools necessary to work in the FAA field. The FAA is a closed, niche community that has plenty of opportunities  once you get in. We knew that if we could get into the FAA and create our own propellor company, that we could directly compete with McCauley, who had gotten fat and lazy."

Drew: What obstacles did you see early on? 

Bill: "Cash and purchasing equipment. We had very little money to work with. We sold the airplane we purchased in our early thirties to gain money for investment. We were originally going to design our own parts, but instead realized that the money needed was astronomical. Instead we began creating alternative after-mark parts that were less expensive to create." 

Drew: Do you think it’s becoming increasingly harder to form a startup? (Because ideas are very limited and most ideas are already taken these days)

Bill: "There are more ideas now then there were ever before. However, the overbearing regulatory government requirements cause more obstacles then there were in the past. Added insurance, workers comp, 1099 employees, fica, social securities are all reasons why entrepreneurs could become discouraged to create their own company."

From this interview, I learned about how APS was started. I knew they had worked together at McCauley, but I didn't know they started a business to directly complete with them. Bill told me about the sacrifices they made in order to startup their business. I never knew they  purchased and sold a plane together in order for their business to survive. The statement he made about startups becoming increasingly harder to create sides with me. I agree that their are more ideas and markets to enter these days than ever before. However, the regulations put in place cause people to easily become discouraged. 

World's Biggest Problems

The world is an extremely large place. We are faced with several problems that restrict how entire communities function. Below, is my list for the 10 biggest problems the world faces today.

1.) Gun control - No one has found the answer to limiting the amount of injuries caused by guns. We live in a society where there are school shootings, terrorist attacks, etc. that revolve around the access to weapons. Whether we restrict everyone from purchasing guns or increase background checks, something needs to be done.

We could restrict put a tighter restriction on online gun purchases and also gun shows. A large number of attacks are tied back to large gun purchases at events.

2.) Student loan debt - The amount of loans required for in-state and out-of-state tuition at public and private universities is astronomical. We can choose to defer our loan payments until 6 months after graduating from school, however, the loan repayment programs and lack of jobs, are causing students to fall behind.

I believe their should be decreased rates for in and out of state students. The repayment program should be restructured and the deferment period should be longer than 6 months, to allow graduates to find and secure a job.

3.) Poverty - The gap between lower class and middle class families is growing. Minimum wage jobs can maintain living for single mothers and children to survive. This has led to a decrease in education, food quality and housing. No one should suffer because of lack of money.

There should be increased assistance from the government for food and educational purposes. Cut spending in other areas, to assist families who need it most.

4.) (Prison reform) First-time, non-violent, white-collar offenders in prison - There is no need to lock up men and women who have been involved in white-collar crimes. The alternative is to allow for probation with a repayment plan to cover any damages, the inmate caused. If they're stuck in prison, we have to pay for them, when they could be repaying what is due.

There should be a probation for criminals, instead of privately funded prisons. It would allow them to apply for government related jobs or other jobs, where the employer would be granted tax credits. This would allow them to work and repay what is due.

5.) Public Education - Due to the lack of funding in low income neighborhoods, public education has decreased drastically. Children begin their lives with a lack of education that leads to crime, poverty and unstable lives.

The government should fund more money to lower income neighborhoods with low graduation rates. By supplying money, they could afford better supplies and teachers.

6.) Minimum Wage - The lack of major increase in minimum wage has caused families to fall behind. Parents who work morning until night can barely afford to live on what they're being paid. There needs to be more government assistance to help families who suffer from this.

The minimum wage should be increased to $12 per hour. I do not agree with $15, however, $12 is enough for a small family to break-even every month.

7.) Lobbying - Money in politics is absolutely corrupt. Politicians are elected because of financial gain and their voting styles are directly related to the way the lobbyists want our country to act. There needs to be a limit to the amount of money involved in lobbying or get rid of it altogether.

Lobbying should either go one of two ways. First, money in politics shouldn't exist, or when lobbyists do provide money to politicians it must be clearly stated in media and any vote made in congress must have a label that says who funded their decision.

8.) Climate change - This year was the hottest year on record since 1880, when we first began to record weather patterns. Scientists agree that climate change is here and will effect the the future for all of us.

The United States should do even more against climate change. Research new ways to decrease fossil fuel use and find more alternative energy resources.

9.) Political Instability in the Middle East - There continues to be well financed terrorist organizations being created and painted in the Middle East. They are not afraid to attack one another and they will risk it all to gain recognition from the rest of the world.

The United States should have constant ground troops in the middle east to maintain control. It seems like whenever we leave, everything goes to shit. If we want stability, we need to take it in our won hands.

10.) Donald Trump becoming president - This is terrifying to me. We have a man, who has little to no political experience and who is out of touch with the rest of the world. If he is elected, I'm afraid he will isolate us from the rest of the world. The world operates as a global economy, and relationships must be maintained with other world powers.

Elect Hillary or Bernie Sanders. I'm hoping that when debates between Hillary and Donald commence, voters will realize how unrealistic Donald really is.

Week 2 Reading Reflection

The biggest surprise to me while I was reading, was the fact that "a full 14 percent of entrepreneurs who started a business claimed their product had no direct competitor." This piece of information is shocking to me, because it clearly shows how innovative entrepreneurs are these days. They create entire new markets that haven't been explored before.

The most confusing part of the reading, was "The Strategic Formulation School of Thought." This was very confusing to me because of the 4 different components and how they are used to create entrepreneurial thoughts/processes.

Two questions I would ask to the author, would be: Can you elaborate more on the strategic formulation school of thought? and Do you think the average 'Gazelle's life span will grow or diminish as we look to the future?

I agree with everything the author said in chapter 1. Although I might not have found any disagreements yet, I'm sure as we dive deeper into the textbook, there will be wording that I may challenge.

Bug List

1.) The number of outdated apartment complexes in the city of Gainesville, specifically on 20th avenue - This is due to lack of apartment growth over the past 5-7 years
2.) The lack of quality in computer and phone chargers - Companies are cutting costs in this area to save money in the long run
3.) Protein Shaker Bottles are awful at blending together water and protein powder without creating clumps - This is due to the design and effectiveness of the metal ball located inside each bottle
4.) The thin insole placed in shoes these days - Companies are trying to cut costs and minimize the amount of product being put in each and every shoe
5.) Slow assembly line process at Chipotles' across America - This is due to the lack of staffing to try and minimize labor costs
6.) Awful battery life in the iPhone 6 - Apple hasn't created an effective battery to pair with their upgraded features
7.) The lack of printing quality at the student center located in  Reitz Union - They try and save money wherever possible, by providing the cheapest printing services
8.) Constant dropped calls, when inside large structures - The amount of material used to make buildings causes the signal to be come obstructed
9.) When the rubber shoe bottom and shoe material begin to split - This is due to the lack of quality materials used in shoe making
10.) The bottom edges of my iPhone have become worn down - This is because Apple has changed the metal they use and it doesn't last long
11.) The penny(costs more money to make a penny, than it is actually worth) - The federal reserve wants to keep it in circulation because it is such an important part of the American culture
12.) When earbuds stop working in one of the ears - This is also due to the lack of quality that is used in producing Apple's products
13.) Beer foam when tapping from a keg - Because of the air inside the keg itself and people constantly pumping it, it tends to cause a lot of foam
14.) The leaking of personal water bottles at the very opening - The bottles I've used don't hold a seal very well at all. This is likely due to the cheap parts they are using to manufacture each bottle.
15.) Buttons easily ripping off dress shirts - The time spent sewing each button has decreased dramatically, causing the buttons to become lose very easily.
16.) Shirts shrinking very easily - Most shirts consist of cotton, and cotton tends to shrink very easily when heated
17.) Gum losing it's flavor very quickly - Gum companies tend to cut costs by providing less ingredients in every piece, which would cause you to purchase more of their product over time
18.) Shoelace plastic coating at the very tip - This plastic tears very easily. It is likely caused by the cheap materials used in producing the lace
19.) Car leather tearing in the hot Florida sun/heat - Leather tends to stretch when heated, and over time it will cause it to tear
20.) Toothpaste that is stuck at the very bottom of the tube - Due to the way the tube is shaped and the consistency of toothpaste


When I first read this assignment, I found it very challenging. Once I had the idea of what I was searching for, it actually became very easy to me. I would travel down archer road and stop in several stores such as Target, Publix and Best Buy, and instantly "bugs" began to appear everywhere. It's amazing to me how many products deficiencies are caused by lack of quality materials and/or production. This assignment has already changed me into thinking about the world in a more "cause and effect" way. I'm now beginning to search for problems, find out what causes them and find out what changes could effect the product in a more positive way.

Introduction

A little bit about myself -

My name is Drew Stuerman and I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Gainesville to attend my dream school. Both of my parents attended the University of Florida and have raised me with blue and orange in my veins. I am majoring in the General Studies Business major with a specialization in Sport Mgmt. After graduating with my Bachelor's Degree, I would like to work for the University of Florida athletic association and eventually be promoted to Athletic Director. In my free time I play for the Gator rugby team and am always practicing, trying to perfect my game. This is my ninth year playing, and
the sport has shaped me into the person I am today. I have traveled to several countries around the world, including: Rome, Malta, Czech Republic and London. After college I would like to spend many years traveling and exploring the rest of the world.

My Entrepreneurship Story

Hello blog-viewers,

Throughout my life, I have always been intrigued by creating things that are beneficial to me while peaking the interest of others. All throughout high school I became very interested in the recruiting aspect of football and rugby. I would follow athletes and watch as they became superstars over night, which led me to creating my own website and producing my own content with several other writers. The website which no longer exists, was named Rowdy Rundown - Rowdy, representing our student section and Rundown, distinguishing us as a news source. When we first began, our goal was to gain several hundred views a day and eventually gain field access to watch the games in person. After the first month we were averaging close to 200 views a day, but wanted more. The best decision we made was to cover the University of Florida rugby program because no one had covered their team before and had the detailed info. I had access to. Instantly, we doubled our views per day and even had rugby alumni wanting to advertise on our site. Soon after the "success" of the site, several of us had a falling out, which led us to shutting-down the website. Although we decided to close the site, the amount of knowledge I gained from this experience was far more than I could ask for. From building a website, to managing a team, I'm glad I now have a reference point for which actions need to be done in order to decrease my chances of failing again.

I joined Principles of Entrepreneurship because I have a passion to create an extremely successful business and need more tools in order to do so. While registering for classes, I spent several days pondering how I wanted my schedule to look. I searched vigorously for courses that would help me grow my business and entrepreneurial knowledge at the same time. This led me to professor Pryor's course and so far, it has met the expectations I had previously formed.

The Entrepreneur's Mantra

First Florida Gator Blog Post

Hello!

My name is Drew Stuerman and this is a test post for ENT3003 at the University of Florida.