30A

The most formative experience would be identifying local opportunities. By identifying these opportunities, it made me understand and realize the problems within my local community, and made me think of ways I could better these issues. The experience I will remember for years to come will be creating my idea. Creating my idea took a lot of thinking and hardwork, as coming up with a business venture is not an easy task. The experience I am most proud of myself is developing the underlying ocncepts and goals for my business venture within this class. By giving purpose and meaning to my idea, it was able to come to life when details were added.

I currently do not see myself as an entreprenuer, however I do see myself as an entreprenuer in the making. I do also  think I have moved closer to develping an entreprenuerial mindset.I believe I have a lot more to learn, and this class has assisted me by introducing me to the tasks and things that go into creating a business. It is far greater than developing a name and getting a business license, but it must be planned out, strategized, fully developed, and more.

The one recommednation I would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future, is to take this class seriously, regardless if you see yourself owning your own business or not. This class will prepare you for the business world, business interactions, and will help you understand and respect the goals, time, and dedication of other business owners for this process is not an easy one. To perform best in this course, I suggest that they complete all of the assignments, and not allow themselves the given amount of time (a week) to efficiently and effectively complete these assignments. Take advantage of the extra credit opportunity, and fully read the expectations of this class in the syllabus. To foster this mindset, just simply understand that every college course is meant to assist and enhance your knowledge of the real world.

29A- Venture Concept No. 2

Opportunity: There has been an increase in the educational gaps in the world, however, locally in the Alachua County area. Minority children, especially Blacks, face the challenges of their environment affecting their education and increasing the probability of their chances of being imprisoned, suspended, or lack of success in the future. This issue has persisted for decades and the problem has yet to decrease in statistics. By providing students and their families with the materials, resources, and more that they need, the likelihood of success will increase. 

Innovation/Venture Concept: After understanding and researching my opportunity and target audience, I came up with the idea of Students Succeed. Although Students Succeed is similar to many organizations that give back to the community, it adds a more inclusive approach from many people within the community. Families, students, and teachers are unable to receive the resources and supplies they need to create a more efficient learning environment. By presenting a foundation that not only gives back to the community, but places each student, family, school, and teacher in an environment to want to succeed and exceed statistics and personal doubts.

Three Minor Elements: My ability to work hard, social capital, and the ability to relate to the customers through similar experiences will be the advantage that sets me apart from other customers. To bring this venture to the next step, I will need to do some more demographic research, interview and speak with other non-profit organizations and get their take on providing this service, talk about the pros and cons, and possible successes and failures. For me, I am going to take what I have learned from this experience and set forth to begin my own business or non-profit in the near future.

I did not receive much feedback, however the feedback that I did receive suggested that I find ways in which to expand and reach different areas of the community. 

28A- Your Exit Strategy

With this type of business venture, I plan on keeping the business as a family business. There will be always be great advances and technological changes made to make a more efficient and effective ways to improve the community. However, the need will always be there.  As long as I am able to continue to advance with the market and not lag behind, if pursued, I would one day like to pass it down.

I have  selected this particular exit strategy, because there is power in ownership and it is also a form of residual income and community advancement.

My decision didinfluence my opportunity. I did think  far in advance to the future, I was thinking both in the now and in the future. I chose a more long standing opportunity, that had great opportunities to grow in a field I was more passionate about. Because I have made my decision to make this business longstanding, my goal would be to grow and hire experts in this field to help me along this journey.

27A- Reading Reflection No. 3

The book I read for my final reflection was The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. I read this book because although I'm not fascinated with planes, the names seemed very familiar. The Wright's Brothers were very inexperienced with planes, however they were dedicated to the process. This surprised me, because most often we associate great inventions with people who are masterminds of their craft, but these two brothers had a great idea and they went after it. I most admire about them, there will power to try even when people doubted their ability. This still applies today, but many people do not take that negativity and persevere through. These two gentlemen, learned, failed forward, and conquered.

I accredit the Wright Brothers with the ability to fail foward. This trait is very admirable, because from their failures came great success.

I was surprised to find out the United States ignored this great invention. The U.S., seems so tech savvy, that I would've expected a push for more research, improvements, and the desire to even have the blueprint for this invention. However, the French were the first to notice.

I would ask, what made them go from owning a bicycle shop to one day inventing a plane? I would also ask, what gave them the strength to persevere through all of the negative critiques of their work and how did it shape their mindset moving forward?

As stated above, their hardwork is admirable. I associated the name with the invention, but I never truly knew the success story.

26A- Celebraing Failure

There have been many times I have failed this semester, especially outside of this class. In my Geology class, I procrastinated on studying, rarely particpated in discussion assignments, and when I realized that I needed to make a change I was already a little over a month in. I began studying, paying attention to lectures, however, I failed my first exam. I took a different apporach, looked up tips on how to study, tried not to procrastinate, even though I found myself falling back into those old habits. I had to drop the class, because I didn't want to ruin my GPA.

From this moment, I realized that I failed forward. I realized that it took me failing to realize that there was a problem within me I needed to fix, and that when I tried to change, although I didn't get the end result I wanted, I saw the progress that can and will be made from change.

I think failure, if done right, can be very beneficial. It is so easy to get caught up in stressing and thinking you are a failure, however, if you fail forward in anything you do, it can eventually lead to success. I was stressing, because I didn't want to fail. I wanted to be the best of the best even when I wasn't doing what was necessary to accomplish it. But I realized that every failure you have control over in the end. You have the control to change, to realize your mistakes, and you have the power to look at it as a stepping stone and not a hinderance in your future endeavors. Along with life, this class has taught me that there are so many different aspects that will challenge you, and that you won't always succeed at. The business world is a key example of failing forward. One failure can lead to the creation of a masterful innovation. Because of this class, I am more willing to risk it all, for a better end result regardless of the failures that may follow, as long as I learn from them.

25A- What's Next

Existing Market:

I spoke with a three random people who were very familiar with and actively participated with non-profit organizations. I pitched them my idea, and they were impressed and was looking forward to this idea being implemented on the market. When I asked them how do they see this business moving forward within the community, they said they believe my target audience would be great. Their biggest concern was making sure I was focused on the main needs of the students and families, and not trying to stretch myself thin by attempting to solve every problem at once.

I took this into consideration and realized that I needed to have a more focused plan, that eventually expands in the future. I will need to talk to more people who are more familiar with this field.

New Market:

I contacted a few people I knew who lived in the Alachua County school districts that were experiencing these educational gaps. I pitched them my idea and asked them similar questions to that of the previous interviewees. They liked the idea, but their main concern was longevity and continuous public awareness. They expressed a lot of times people are concerned because the awareness is new, but eventually the “hype” dies down.

After listening to their concerns, in order for me to maintain active awareness and activity, I have to continue to find ways to make people passionate and willing to give back to schools and the community consistently to make a difference.

24A- Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity: There has been an increase in the educational gaps in the world, however, locally in the Alachua County area. Minority children, especially Blacks, face the challenges of their environment affecting their education and increasing the probability of their chances of being imprisoned, suspended, or lack of success in the future. This issue has persisted for decades and the problem has yet to decrease in statistics. By providing students and their families with the materials, resources, and more that they need, the likelihood of success will increase. 

Innovation/Venture Concept: After understanding and researching my opportunity and target audience, I came up with the idea of Students Succeed. Although Students Succeed is similar to many organizations that give back to the community, it adds a more inclusive approach from many people within the community. Families, students, and teachers are unable to receive the resources and supplies they need to create a more efficient learning environment. By presenting a foundation that not only gives back to the community, but places each student, family, school, and teacher in an environment to want to succeed and exceed statistics and personal doubts.

Three Minor Elements: My ability to work hard, social capital, and the ability to relate to the customers through similar experiences will be the advantage that sets me apart from other customers. To bring this venture to the next step, I will need to do some more demographic research, interview and speak with other non-profit organizations and get their take on providing this service, talk about the pros and cons, and possible successes and failures. For me, I am going to take what I have learned from this experience and set forth to begin my own business or non-profit in the near future. The tools learned from this class is an asset for future endeavors.