Sarah Solomon ENT3003

30A- Final Reflection  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 definitely will remember making the bug list.  I had expected it to be so easy, but as I kept climbing the numbers on the list I had to think harder and harder to think of things that bothered me.  It was hard because I realize that being an entrepreneur isn't fixing things that just "bother you", it is about finding unmet needs.  I struggled with this at first, but then once I got it the list became easier to finish.  My most joyous experience was making my first elevator pitch.  I thought I was going to hate it and that it would take me forever to record.  However, because the opportunity I picked was an unmet need I had myself it was very easy for me to talk about.  I was proud of the pi...

29A- Venture Concept No. 2  1.  Opportunity:  The University of Florida is the nations fourth largest university in terms of enrollment.  While many students are in state students, there are a plethora of students who are out of state.  Many of these students are  from New York, New Jersey, Long Island, etc.   The University of Florida was just ranked number 8 on the best public universities list.  This is drawing more students to attend the university.  The need is to incline more out of state students to attend the university, and for those who already do, to have an easier time getting home.  Currently, the Gainesville airport does not offer direct flights to these particular locations.  Either you pay for an expensive connecting flight and waste your whole day, or you spend $250 for an Uber to get to the Orlando airport in addition to already paying for your flight.  Enlarging the Gainesville airport would...

28A- Your Exit Strategy  1) Identify the exit strategy you plan to make. Do you intend to sell your business in the next 5 years for a large return? Do you intend to stay with the business for several decades and retire? Do you intend to protect the venture as a family business, and pass it down to your children? This question was difficult for me to answer in that I was creating an opportunity for a business that already exists.  In fact, I was kind of just enlarging the business.  Therefore, I would definitely sell my business in the next 5 years for a large return.  This is because I am not an expert in this field: airports and airplanes.  I am truly not passionate about it although I do consider it a severe unmet need of mine.  I see myself working in a financial firm in the future, or being an entrepreneur for something sports related!  2) Why have you selected this particular exit strategy? I've selected this particular exit s...

Assignment 27A- Reading Reflection No.3 1.  What was the general theme or argument of the book?  I chose to read Guy Kawasaki's novel, The Art of Social Media.   He discusses how to get the most out of your time when using social media, or in other words, how to get the best bang for your buck.  He gives hundreds of practical tips, advice, and different strategies for varying social media platforms. A lot of people think they know a lot about social media, however Guy makes it obvious that there is so much more to explore.  If you want to optimize your profile, attract more followers, and post great content, this is definitely a book you should read.  2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003? This book connected with and enhanced what I am learning in ENT. It did so by emphasizing the idea that your social media is representative of you. It is how people perceive you, it i...

26A- Celebrating Failure  Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed -- whether in this class, or outside of this class. Don't spare any details! It'd be even better if there was something you tried several times this semester, and failed each time.  This semester, I failed to set myself up for success.  In fact, I set myself up for failure.  In the beginning of the semester, I had a planner, bought my calculator, signed up for study edge, and was so ready to take on Finance.  For the first test, I studied frequently, yet not as much as I should have.  I ended up getting away with a good grade on the first test.  Honestly, I'm not really sure how.  Then, because I was so confident with the grade I received I thought finance was a piece of cake. It wasn't as bad as everyone says it is.  So, for the next test, I completely procrastinated.  I didn't attend reviews, booked a flight home the week of the test, and took m...

Assignment 25A- What's Next?  What I think is Next?  I think what's next for Gainesville on the Go is having their amenities match the quality of the direct and efficient flights they offer.  As of right now, there is one little food court in the airport that's service is practically self- sufficient.  However, whenever I seem to go there, no one is ever working it.  Therefore, I cannot get anything to eat or drink before my flight.  This may be that there is not enough demand for them to even bother paying someone to stand there for a few hours.  Fix the flights, the planes, and the airport as a whole.  Then, fix the amenities.  Existing Market Interviews:  I interviewed three students who attend the University of Florida.  I interviewed Jamie, Cassidy, and Jacob.  I chose these students because I have interviewed them before for the opportunity, and wanted to catch them up on the ideas I have added since then....

24A- Venture Concept No. 1  1.  Opportunity:  The University of Florida is the nations fourth largest university in terms of enrollment.  While many students are in state students, there are a plethora of students who are out of state.  Many of these students are  from New York, New Jersey, Long Island, etc.   The University of Florida was just ranked number 8 on the best public universities list.  This is drawing more students to attend the university.  The need is to incline more out of state students to attend the university, and for those who already do, to have an easier time getting home.  Currently, the Gainesville airport does not offer direct flights to these particular locations.  Either you pay for an expensive connecting flight and waste your whole day, or you spend $250 for an Uber to get to the Orlando airport in addition to already paying for your flight.  Enlarging the Gainesville airport would p...

23A- Your Venture's Unfair Advantage  1.  Large Consumer base: Thousands of students are out of state students attending the University of Florida.  The Gainesville airport is lacking direct flights to many of these places, especially New York. Valuable:  My prototypical customer base is already relevant  Rare:  This is not rare, many people attend Florida as out of state students  Inimitable:  My customer base can be copied for specific locations Non-substitutable:  The Orlando Airport provides direct flights to these locations, however, the 2 hour drive is inevitable  2.  Proximity within Campus: The Gainesville airport is 15 minutes away from campus.  The Uber ride there is so much cheaper, and people would rather catch a flight there then drive or spend $250 on an Uber in addition to their flight.  Valuable:  It's location is superior to the other airports Rare:  There is only one airport in...

22A- Elevator Pitch No. 3  Reflection:  In regards to my last elevator pitch, I was given advice to be a little more persuasive.  Such as use my hands more, emphasize my tone, etc.  I took all these suggestions to heart, and think I have produced my most passionate elevator pitch yet.  Changes based on feedback:  Based on the feedback, I definitely changed my tone to be more persuasive and serious.  I also used my hands more, and wore my University of Florida sweatshirt to throw some hand motions in.  I really love the feedback I get on each video, and am excited to receive more! 

21A- Reading Reflection No. 2 1.  What was the general theme or argument of the book?  I decided to read the book  How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams. I initially chose this book due to the title drawing me in. I truly thought to myself, after all the times I've thought I've "failed", how do I become successful? I was intrigued, and wanted hear how Scott Adams did it. This book, is simply about Scott Adam's life, the cyclical negative experiences he encountered, and how he ultimately became the creator of one of the most popular comics in the world, Dilbert. He discusses how after each failure, he changed his mindset/perception, or accepted the situation. His approach differed depending on the encounter. 2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003? Scott Adam's book certainly connected and enhance what I am learning in ENT 3003. ENT 3003 is all about entre...

20A- Growing Your Social Capital  Domain Expert: Who they are, what their background is: Cassidy, college student who attends the University of Florida. She is from Long Island, New York. How this person is a “domain expert”: Cassidy has the same aspirations as I do. She desires an airport in Gainesville that allows direct flights, and makes traveling easier. She does research on the side when booking flights to go home. How I found and contacted this person: I called her on her cellphone, and briefly interviewed her about her aspirations. Nature of Exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: I explained to her my opportunity at hand, as she acknowledged it is definitely one she would support. She also gave me more ideas as in who to contact next, etc. How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: Including Cassidy enhances my ability to exploit my opportunity because it proves o...

19A- Idea Napkin No. 2  1.  You:  Not much has changed since I last wrote my Idea Napkin No. 1.  However, I was able to interview the 5 people closest to me, and gained some new insight about myself and how I am perceived.  I think one thing I neglected to elaborate on about myself is how truly passionate I am.  I feel things so deeply, some days to the point where that problem/ new solution cannot leave my brain.  Some may call this anxiety.  However, I perceive my anxiety as both a blessing and a curse.  Sometimes, issues and concerns need a strong foundation backing the idea/solution up, and I certainly am that foundation for issues I believe in.  2.  What are you offering to customers?    My opportunity has not changed either since my last Idea Napkin.  However, regarding the feedback I received I have decided to expand my opportunity.  At first, I was solely focused on direct flights to New York....

18A- Create a Customer Avatar  My opportunity is not necessarily a product, but it is a service.  A way to get from Gainesville to New York and vice versa, in one flight.        She is from Long Island, New York, and is always asked why she chose to attend the University of Florida.   She states that she loves the weather, and for no other reason then that she just admired UF.  She has blonde hair and blue eyes, and is just about 5 feet tall. She's 20 years old, currently a Sophomore, and is a member of the sorority Delta Phi Epsilon.  She joined Delta Phi Epsilon because their house radiated comfort, fun, and familiar faces.  A lot of other people in that chapter are also from Long Island.        She loves everything about UF, besides how hard it is to get to Gainesville.  Her parents did not allow her to bring her car because parking spots are too expensive and her older siblings didn't get t...

17A- Elevator Pitch No. 2  Reflection:  I thought my first elevator pitch went well.  Unfortunately, I only had one comment under my video.  Yet, I was lucky enough that the one comment left included great constructive criticism.  The commentator complimented me on mentioning a personal experience, my passionate tone, and my addition of puns to make the pitch more engaging.  In regards to my weaknesses, she mentioned some things that I definitely noticed myself after rewatching my video.  The commentator suggested I give a pause after asking questions, to emphasize my point more, and to add a little more movement in my pitch.  What did you change, based on the feedback?  Based on the feedback I received, I definitely slowed down a bit and paused after asking reflective questions.  I also tried to use my hands a bit more, as well as keep up the passionate tone I was applauded for.  

16A- What's your secret sauce?  Five Ways in Which I think I have Human Capital:  Leadership-   Since Freshman year in high school, I was captain for the varsity basketball and soccer teams.  Sports, in general, have taught me so much about leadership.  I know how to light a fire within people, get people to collaborate, and encourage people towards achieving an eminent goal.  Passion-  My passion, while one of my better qualities, can also be one of my worst.  I become so invested in what I am doing, that I will not settle for anything less than perfection.   Loyal-  I am the type of person who has my friends back no matter the situation.  I am very quick to help a friend, stand up for what I believe in, and get angry at myself if I miss an opportunity to do so.   Unexpected-  On the outside, I am a 5 foot, blonde hair, blue eyed girl from New York.  However, I am a completely different animal...

15A- Figuring out Buyer Behavior No. 2  Report Findings and Draw Conclusions:         This assignment required me to interview three additional people.  I chose to continue interviewing people from the same segment I did last time, college students.  This time, I interviewed my friend Brett, my cousin Julia, and my roommate Cassidy. Each interview gave me more insight as to how I could make my opportunity better, what matters the most to them in regards to price and quality, and how I could expand my opportunity.          The first person I interviewed is my best friend Brett, who is currently a Junior at Towson University.  Brett, was going to visit for the LSU game, however he concluded that the flight and prices were too expensive.  The big elephant in the room was that there wasn't a direct flight.  Therefore, Brett thinks is my opportunity is essential.  He does not understand how the Un...

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?  This course, although not incredibly difficult is definitely time consuming.  There are typically two assignments each week, that involve critical thinking and lots of explaining.  I realized this after the first week, and knew I would have to manage this class with my finance class.  This class is great in that our professor gives us the ability to get ahead.  All assignments are open, and available to do as you please.  My biggest competency has been making sure I get the two assignments done that are due each week on a Monday.  That way, I do not have to worry about ENT until the following Sunday, when Peer reviews are do.  Hence, I have definitely made sure to stay ahead and prioritize the flexibility our professor enables us.   2)  Tenaci...

13A- Reading Reflection No. 1 1.  I decided to read a biography about Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson.  I chose Steve Jobs because although I knew about his immense successes with Apple, I knew nothing about his upbringing, family life, or how he managed to attain such success.  Fortunately, the novel by Walter Isaacson helped me grasp all of this.  I learned things about Steve Job's ranging from his adoption, his denial of being the father to his first child Lisa, and even his partnership with Steve Wozniack.  However, the most surprising thing I learned was that Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College.  Although he was such an intellectual man, he simply did not enjoy attending class, nor feel  the need to continue in school.  What I admired most about Steve Jobs, was his determination to get the best out of his employees and people in general.  He settled for nothing less than perfection.  His employees described it as th...

12A- Figuring Out Buyer Behavior  Choosing a segment:  For this assignment, I chose a segment of college students.  One from the University of Florida, one from Cornell, and one from Ohio State.  I chose a male from UF, and two females from Cornell and Ohio State.  All three interviewees are people who I know are generally healthy.  They strive to attend the gym frequently, and watch their intake.  They also have very busy schedules with their majors being finance, engineering, and accounting.  I interviewed these 3 students in that I feel that are prototypical customers.  Interviews:   The first person I interviewed is a male college student attending UF.  He is currently a junior, pursuing a finance degree. I asked Jacob numerous questions, varying from how important health is to him, does fitness play a big role in his life, and what are his typical eating habits.  His answers were mostly consistent w...