Identifying Local Opportunities

Case 1

1. Rabies Alert Issued in Brevard County
2. https://www.hometownnewsbrevard.com/news/rabies-alert-issued-in-brevard-county/article_347b54e4-32e4-11ea-8dc8-53d6f56f171f.html
3. A stray cat in Palm Bay tested positive for rabies. The public is being alerted in order to raise awareness and the knowledge of the fact that rabies can affect both wild and domestic animals. Rabies is a fatal disease for warm blooded animals. In order to protect your pets, it is important that they are vaccinated and that you keep an eye on them at all times. The warning is valid for 60 days.
4. The problem is the presence of rabies and the risks it poses to both animals and humans.
5. Who has this problem: animal owners, regular citizens, children, stray animals, wild animals, veterinarians, doctors, the community as a whole, residents of the affected areas.

Case 2

1. Pedestrian Details Close Call at Indialantic Crosswalk
2. http://www.melbournebeachsider.com/Ebooks/Current/mobile/index.html
3. In Satellite Beach and Indialantic, new pedestrian crosswalks have been installed not at intersections. The pedestrian pushes the button and yellow blinking lights flash and are supposed to require cars to stop to allow pedestrians to cross. There have been two major accidents in these crosswalks recently. 
4. The problem is that cars don't always know to stop and a child was killed as the result of this. 
5. Who has this problem: Pedestrians, the family of those who have been injured and killed, drivers, other cars in the area, police officers, the cities of Satellite Beach and Indialantic.

Case 3

1. Powerful 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Between Jamaica and Cuba, Impact Felt in South Florida
2. https://spacecoastdaily.com/2020/01/powerful-7-7-earthquake-strikes-between-jamaica-and-cuba-impact-felt-in-south-florida/
3. A 7.7 earthquake struck north of Jamaica and some residents of Miami said that they could feel the buildings shake. 
4. The problem is that these types of natural disasters are unpredictable and we never know when and where they will strike. 
5. Who has this problem: weather forecasters, residents of earthquake prone areas, people in Jamaica, Cuba and South FL

Case 4

1. Worker Killed in South Orlando After Being Hit by Falling Equipment
2. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ne-worker-killed-hit-falling-equipment-20200130-qxcqtwtuyvhs5ajlgw2dy37iu4-story.html
3. A worker hit by a falling electrical panel and was taken to the hospital in critical condition when he passed away.
4. The problem is why the electrical panel was not properly attacked to the ceiling.
5. Who has the problem: workers at this business, the family of the man who passed away, the owners of the business, the person who installed the panel.

Case 5

1. Hackers Steal 200K From Sumter Schools
2. https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/hackers-steal-200k-from-sumter-schools-pricy-micro-apartments-come-to-thornton-park-and-other-news-you-may-have-missed/Content?oid=26720160
3. Hackers stole $206,000 from the Sumpter County School Board. The hackers were able to access the school board's banking info on a fake website.
4. The problem is that the school board's banking information was not protected enough.
5. Who has this problem: Sumter School Board, School Board employees, teachers, students, parents, tax payers.

Forming An Opportunity Belief

I believe that an opportunity exists to improve the way people can find parking in busy cities.
What is the issue?The issue is how long and frustrating it is to find parking in cities for drivers-especially ones that are new to the area.
Who has the issue? Everyday commuters, tourists or new people to the area, businesses in the downtown area, police officers, the city, residents living in the city. I will focus on people who are trying to park that are not familiar with the area.
Where did the need come from? The need for an easier way to find parking has always existed but is now even more needed with the growth of urban areas and populations rising.
What are people doing to meet this need now? Apple maps will sometimes be able to locate parking lots or parking garages to guide drivers to, but there is a lack of help for finding street parking or understanding when you can legally park there (during certain hours on certain days) and how much it will cost (ex: if you need to use a meter or pay a fee for being in a garage, etc.)
I am about 70% sure that a need for this exists because I have personally struggled with this and I have heard and seen of many others facing this problem as well.

The pro-typical customer would be someone like me right now. I am in Downtown Columbus in an area around many office buildings, apartments, government buildings and businesses. Since I have never been here nor am I a resident or worker in this area, I have no idea where I can legally park without having to drive around for hours. I will try to relate to people who I encounter or ask for help from in this situation. I will also talk to people who perhaps do know the area and ask them if they think it is a problem as well.

1) I am in Downtown Columbus for a week and before I even started this assignment I had a pretty in depth conversation with someone about this. My friend and I were trying to figure out if we were able to park in a certain lot so we asked someone who looked like they lived around here. We talked to him and found out that parking in the city is becoming such a hassle that he doesn't even have a car! He agreed that signs and rules can be confusing and many areas are not marked well. The only way he has resolved this issue is by doing what we had done, which was walking around until he found tow away zone signs or not. This encounter is what inspired me to think of a better solution to this common problem.

2) The second interview I conducted was with the friend I am traveling with. When we first got here, I noticed this issue but didn't really mention anything about it, just because I am not in cities often and thought it was just me who had trouble with finding parking. She pulled into a parking spot on the street and I asked how she knew that we were able to park there. She said "I don't! We can try to look for signs or see if we need to pay but it's the only place I could find so I might just take the risk." We continued thinking about this issue and how this is an inconvenience for so many other people other than us. She brought up a good point and said that we are probably taking up a resident's parking spot which we weren't even trying to do! I brought up an idea of adding an up-to-date map that allows you to select your destination and the directions will take you to a place where you are allowed to park rather than just a store front.

3) The last person I talked to was the owner of a local coffee shop. I have been hanging out in his shop for a while getting work down and we have talked a little bit which has broken the ice and we are comfortable with each other. I brought up how I am not around here and I asked what he thought about parking in the city. He said that he wishes there was a better solution which allowed customers to access his shop easier. I understand what he is saying because there have been times where if I can't find easy parking near a location I simply find another place. There is street parking around here but a lot of people think if is for residents of the apartments above the coffee shop only. We concluded that customers would be more satisfied with a business if it had a convenient way of finding and accessing it.

How much or your original opportunity is still there? A majority of it is still there. The only people who are okay with the current situation are the ones who have their own designated parking spots or lots that don't have to worry about looking for spots. The city also makes money off of people who park where they aren't supposed to. However, there are many people who still face the original struggle.

Do you believe that your new opportunity is more accurate than when you started? Yes, talking to these different people gave me a more specific look into the problem and how to solve it.

How much do you think entrepreneurs should adapt their ideas based on feedback? I believe they should change something only if a majority of people give that type of feedback. If only a few people give complaints or don't agree, then it is not worth changing your whole idea just for them. Stick to your gut but also take suggestions into consideration!

My Entrepreneurship Story

I have dedicated my entire life to one thing-ballet. I have been dancing for as long as a can remember and it has become something that I couldn't function without. I grew up perfecting my technique and performance and am now on the track to becoming a professional ballet dancer. I have fallen in love with this form of art and how much joy it can bring the dancers, students and the entire audience.

I have been a student as Galmont Ballet in Viera, FL for about 14 years. All my fondest memories were made here thanks to my amazing teachers and directors. Mr. Frank and Mrs. Lucia (a husband a wife duo who owns and operates my studio) have taught and inspired me in so many ways possible. They are both from foreign countries and it is amazing how they were able to create such an amazing business here in Melbourne. Their ways of entrepreneurship have taught me a lot and have even inspired me to want to work at their studio and maybe take it over one day.

Recently, I have begun teaching younger kids at Galmont and it have truly brought forward my passion for teaching. My mom is an elementary school teacher so I have always had that skill for teaching and working with others. Owning a ballet school is not easy task, especially when you only have a few teachers. I grew up helping with performances, fundraisers, studio renovations and much more. Honestly, all of that hard work makes what you accomplish feel so much more rewarding.

I am not sure what exactly I want to do after I finish my professional dancing career but either working at my home studio to continue on the legacy of what my teachers have created would be amazing. I could even open my own studio somewhere with everything I have learned over the years.

I decided to major in business in case I want to make my dream of owning a studio become a reality. I believed that this class would give my an inside look on what it is really like to own a business. I have been pleasantly surprised with this class so far because rather than just memorizing vocabulary words and meaningless facts, I am really learning how to shift my mindset into one of an entrepreneur.

Bug List

Here are 20 things that BUG me (and why they are problems in the first place)!

1. When the sun is in just the right spot to shine directly into my eyes while driving and there is no way to block it. Why is this a problem in the first place? Windshields don't block the sun at all.
2. When traffic gets backed up for no reason. Why is this a problem in the first place? There might not be enough space on the road for everyone.
3. The fact that all alarm clock sounds are annoying. Why is this a problem in the first place? Nobody has found a sound that can wake someone up without being loud and obnoxious.
4. The sound of the fan rattling when it's on high. Why is this a problem in the first place? The fan is moving too fast for it to hold itself steady. 
5. Picking up dog poop. Why is this a problem in the first place? I don't have anything other than a plastic bag and my hands to use to clean up after my pup.
6. Medicine commercials are all boring and bad. Why is this a problem in the first place? Nobody has taken a creative twist on a different way for marketing for that field.
7. Parking lots at grocery stores, malls, etc. always being crowded and backed up with cars and pedestrians. Why is this a problem in the first place? There is usually only one or two entrances and exits in parking lots and with people always walking in and out of the place, cars constantly have to stop.
8. New shoes hurting. Why is this a problem in the first place? Shoes don't come already broken in.
9. How fast my phone dies and how long it takes to charge. Why is this a problem in the first place? We are constantly on the go and rely on technology and we can't use it properly if we always are charging our devices.
10. Getting chapped lips. Why is this a problem in the first place? Nothing seems to fix it.
11. Trying to find old files on my computer that have seemed to disappear. Why is this a problem in the first place? Macs don't have a user-friendly "Finder" application.
12. The fact that you can't predict the immediate weather like when it's about to start raining. Why is this a problem in the first place? The apps and technology we rely on are rarely accurate and are almost never up to date.
13. When people don't use their blinker to change lanes. Why is this a problem in the first place? People are lazy.
14. The idea of taxes and having no idea what to do. Why is this a problem in the first place? I was never taught this in school.
15. When my hair is wet and it gets the back of my shirt wet and cold. Why is this a problem in the first place? Blow drying my hair is time consuming and inconvenient. 
16. The entire process of getting off an airplane. Why is this a problem in the first place? Everyone is trying to get up, get all of their stuff, and go through one exit at the same time.
17. Trying to find where things are in stores. Why is this a problem in the first place? The only resources shoppers have are the vague signs above each section.
18. Being too hot when you fall asleep and too cold when you wake up. Why is this a problem in the first place? My body temperature changes as I sleep but my room stays the same temperature. 
19. Mechanical pencils running out of lead. Why is this a problem in the first place? They have to constantly be refilled. 
20. Having to do separate loads of laundry for different types and colors. Why is this a problem in the first place? Machines will cause colors to bleed. 

Reflection

This assignment was definitely something I had to stop thinking about. When I first started this, I tried to come up with a ton of bugs right at the beginning, but that didn't really work. I had to just live my everyday life for about a week and I was able to notice these little things. It was a little bit challenging but I enjoyed the challenge of trying to notice more things around me in every situation. 

Test post

Hey! Let's hope this works!