Venture Concept No. 2

1. Like I said in my first concept, my venture appeals to families and individuals who live a hectic lifestyle but want to provide their families and nourish their bodies with healthy and fresh food. My customers do not always have time to make home made meals that are healthy and provide all the nutrients a body needs. Today, many families do not have the luxury of having a parent stay at home to take care of the children, clean, and cook. It has become very difficult to live a comfortable lifestyle where money is not a huge issue. Many families and individuals are affected by money issues everyday. As I mentioned before, I think my venture would appeal to metropolitan areas where people live high pace lifestyles. I still think customers are satisfying this need by meal prepping. I also know some people who pay companies to prep their food for the week and have it delivered to their homes. I do know that these prepped delivery places are pretty pricey and do not appeal to families, mostly individuals. I think people are somewhat loyal to what they use now. I believe those who meal prep probably are the most loyal. I think this is a huge opportunity. Everyone is looking for ways on how to do things faster and have more time in their day to spend with their family and friends and i do not think there is stopping people from having hectic lifestyles. The "window of opportunity" will always be open. 

My concept involves offering fresh, fast, healthy meals to customers. We will use our local community to our advantage. To make sure it is fresh we will purchase our food from local vendors. We would make the food in increments throughout the day in order for it to stay fresh. As I mentioned before, the food would be served in an assembly line fashion for lunch and dinner. My plates will still range from $5-$15 and beverages $1-$4. 

As I said in my previous venture concept, my restaurant will address the problem in multiple ways. I will provide my customers with guaranteed fresh and local food. It won't be difficult for my customers to eat at my restaurant because there aren't many similar options available in the market. I still think my biggest competitor will be places like Wholefoods who prove healthy fast options. The only down side to their food is that you do not know how fresh it is. My food will be freshly delivered straight from the local vendor every morning. Regarding the other questions, I would keep everything the same. I think my pricing would have to be in a good range where customers do not feel like they are over paying for their food. Customer experience and location go hand-in-hand for my restaurant. It will have to be in an easily accessible location and the decor inside will have to feel homey and encourage happiness and relaxation. I think my restaurant would need about 7-8 employees and 25% of my employees will be hired from local schools who are interested in the culinary arts. 

My "secret sauce" will definitely be using local resources/vendors. This is difficult to copy because many restaurants owners do not want to waste time and money to find good local vendors and not be able to provide the same food everyday. I do not think it is important to have a consistent menu. People understand that not all vegetables and fruits are in season all the time. I think it teach customers the importance of using what the earth has provided and not using chemicals in their foods in order to produce it in climates that the food does not naturally grow in. 

I still think my next venture will still be creating a delivery app to bring more convenience to customers.

In the next five years I still hope to have multiple location. I understand this will be difficult because it is not easy to find local vendors who can supply enough food. I think I would also want to create a catering aspect to the business. In the next decade I would hope to own other types of business that would develop from what I learn running Homestyle.

2. The feedback I received was all pretty positive. Even though it was positive they did mention how there are not many affordable healthy places to go to. These comments did get my thinking about the affordability aspect of my venture. 

3. After reading the comments on my previous venture concept, I started thinking on how I can keep prices low. I know a lot of places have tried to do my idea but have failed at providing food at good prices. I think I can achieve my concept by using local vendors, having our own driver picking up resources/food and bringing them to the restaurant, and creating a green space/environment to use less electricity and reduce waste. 

Final Reflection

I think this class has showed me that it is important to stick to your goals and life. There might be times that you feel like giving up (i.e. not do the work), but once you do you are rewarded and it feels great. This is the first class I have taken at UF that has allowed me to basically grade myself. I was a little hesitant at the beginning thinking that taking a class with less freedom would be easier, but I was wrong. I had to depend on myself for this class. When I did an assignment I did not have to worry if I did something wrong or right. Some mistakes were made along the way but my grade did not suffer because of it. All the responsibility was put on myself and I truly enjoyed it. It made me realize how great it feels to accomplish goals, even though these goals were just completing an assignment for class. 

After this class I do see myself more of an entrepreneur and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. This class guided me on what first steps to take to develop an idea and try to figure out if it is actually a good one. It showed me how to do research and how important it is to receive and listen to outsider input. 

One recommendation I would make to students who will be taking this journey in the future is to not only believe in yourself, but believe you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. To perform best in this course make sure to set a certain amount of time during the week to dedicate to this class. Develop a routine to complete assignments in order to not feel overwhelmed. Maybe try to write down on a calendar or an agenda when you want to complete the assignments and make sure to follow it. You will feel so accomplished if you do and that is honestly a great feeling in this course. 

Reading Reflection No. 3

The Wright Brothers, David McCullough 

1) You read about an entrepreneur:

• What surprised me the most was how so many people did not believe in them. They tried very hard to convince people that flying was possible and did not stop at anything to keep convincing them. 
• The thing I most admired from the Wright Brothers was their attitude. No matter what they encountered - money problems, many people doubting them or making fun of them, and even crashes - they kept on fighting. They proved that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and believe in yourself. I also admired how humble they were.
• There wasn't much that I did not admire from the Wright Brothers. I think they were very admirable people. 
• Yes, the Wright Brothers encountered a lot of adversity and failure. Even though they did, they kept on going. If something did not work they went back to the drawing bored. They never gave up on themselves and always thought outside the box. 

2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited?

• The competencies that I noticed from the Wright Brothers were: 
• Committed
• Motivated 
• Knowledgeable 
• Humble 
• Trustworthy 

3) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

• There wasn't really anything confusing to me in this reading. 

4) If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

• Two questions I would ask the Wright Brothers: 
• What kept you going? You encountered so many hardships and many people could have possibly not succeeded in doing what you two did. So what gave you the motivation?
• If you could have done something differently, what would it be? 
• I would ask them these two questions because I think it is important to understand what motivates people that way you know how to motivate others and yourself. I also think it is important to learn from not only your mistakes but other people who are more knowledgeable than me. 

5) For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?

• I think the Wright Brothers opinion of hard work would be that it always pays off. To always work hard because you know you are giving it your all no matter if you fail or succeed. I definitely share this same opinion. 

Making It Real

Resume

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N6Aafs8JWnLP_3shl6rBu-TVGqLWUC5ISPT-YRENOrg/edit?usp=sharing

My Exit Strategy

1) I am not sure what would my exit strategy actually be. If I feel like my business will be a staple in the community, I would probably stay with the business for several decades and retire or protect it as a family business and pass it down to my children. If it isn't a staple in my community I would probably sell the business to make a large return and start a different business. I think it ultimately depends on how responsive my customers are to the products we serve and the environment we provide. 

2) Like I said before, I would choose my exit strategy based on how my customers respond to my venture. I think this is very important to me because I want my restaurant to really feel like home. I want the food I provide to taste home cooked and I want all types of families to feel like they always belong and are welcomed. If they do and love the restaurant I would definitely keep it until I retire or pass it down to my children. 

3) I think my exit strategy has definitely influenced other decisions I've made in my concept. Because I hope to love it and make it feel homey, I think it has influenced the type of food I serve and the type of employees I hire. I also think it would influence the decor and location of the restaurant. My exit strategy has influenced how I plan to acquire and use resources. I want to buy food from local farmers who put all their love into growing healthy, fresh food. I also want to hire high school students to learn while they work and feel like they are a part of another family. That is why I named my restaurant "Homestyle". 

Venture Concept No. 1

"Homestyle"

My idea appeals to families and individuals who live a hectic lifestyle and are trying to eat healthy, fresh food. There are some places who do have some of these aspects to their business, but it is hard to find one that is fast, fresh, and healthy. This opportunity was created because many families not only have both parents working in their household, but they also have many after-school activities which make it difficult to have a healthy and fast cooked meal at home. This opportunity was also presented through individuals who work full-time and try to stay fit. Geographically, I think my restaurant would really appeal to metropolitan areas where many families and individuals live who like high pace lifestyles. Currently customers might be trying their best to satisfy this need by meal prepping on Sundays for the week. I think customers are pretty loyal to what they use when it really satisfies their needs well. I think the opportunity is pretty big. A lot of people in the US are over weight and I think the window of opportunity will be open for a long time. People are trying to change their way of eating and having an overall healthier lifestyle but it is difficult because unfortunately life does get in the way. 

 

My innovation is a restaurant that offers fresh, healthy and fast food to its customers. We will use local resources to create the food and make it in increments throughout the day to keep the food fresh. The food will be provided in an assembly lined fashion. Customer will tell the employee what type of protein they want and then veggies/grains, and so on. I would be selling plates of lunch/dinner food ranging from $5 - $15 and beverages ranging from $1-$4. Exact prices will depend on the time required to make the food and the amount of food provided per plate. 

My innovation will address the problem in many ways. My customers will be provided will not only healthy food but it will guaranteed fresh and local and it will be available for them the second they walk into the restaurant. I do not think it will be hard for my customers to switch to eating my food because there isn't really anything available like my product. I think my biggest competitors who be places like Wholefoods that provide healthy fast options at their stores but you do not really know how fresh the food is. The food is also self served allowing the food to be exposed to many people. I think my packaging, price points, distribution, customer experience and business location plays a huge part in defining my business concept. I think my pricing would have to be in a good range where customers do not feel like they are over paying for their food but that they feel like it is a fair price for the quality of food being provided. Customer experience and location go hand - in - hand I believe. It will have to be in an easily accessible location and the decor inside will have to feel homey and encourage happiness and relaxation. I think my restaurant would need about 7-8 employees. One manager, one main chef, two student chefs, two servers, and one bus boy. 25% of my employees will be hired from local schools who are interested in the culinary arts.    

My most important resource will definitely be the local vendors who will be providing the food and those students who are passionate about food. I think it would be hard for my competitors to copy these two things because it is not easy to find local vendors who will be able to provide all the food used. I also do not think many restaurants implement a learning program. Customers will be contributing to the community and at the same time eating delicious food. 

The next thing for my venture would definitely be creating a delivery app where customers will be able to choose what food they want and it would be delivered to their doorstep/place of work etc.

For me, I would want to have multiple locations after five years of opening my venture. In the next decade I would like to own other businesses and I think this first venture will help understand what it takes to run a business. 

Celebrating Failure

This past semester I did not have a specific failure that I clearly remember. I do believe I did fail at giving my all in this class. I convinced myself that I was working to hard and that was an excuse enough to not do a specific assignment during the semester. I did not complete any of the elevator pitches and now that I look back I realize that it was an important aspect to the class. Not only did I lose the points, I lost development that the elevator pitches would have given me. They would have not only helped me developed my idea further, but I know for certain I would have gotten more comfortable with preparing speeches and practicing them. After looking through other classmate's third elevator pitches, I realized that I really missed an important part of the class. 

I did learn many things through this failure. I realize that I sometimes try to come up with any excuse not to do something that makes me feel uncomfortable to accomplish. I also learned that when I just do something and get it over with, I am proud of myself and realize that it was not that difficult to accomplish. I think I realized that it is important to stop making excuses to not do things that make me feel uncomfortable and try to make an effort to complete the tasks in front of me. 

I think failure is very important in life. It helps you become a better and stronger human being. It helps you deal with other hard situations in life. It many cases failure is hard for me because I do not like how it makes me feel. However, I know it is important. When I fail I try to think about what can I learn from the situation, what can I do differently next and what actions did I take that led me to failure. I also reflect on any uncontrollable outside sources that contributed and piece together what I can control and what can't be controlled in the future when I am trying to accomplish a task or goal.  I think this class has really helped me realize how important it is to do things in a timely manner and allow myself to not get overwhelmed. I'm overall likely to not take these types of risks than I did four months ago. I think I always need to assess the situation and realize what is important and what can not be taken lightly. 

Amazon Whisperer

• Revenue drivers:
• Working with local vendors in the community to bring natural, sustainable food to consumer plates. 
• Working with local students from the community to teach culinary skills and positively impact their lives. 
• Families who live a hectic lifestyle and want to provide something beneficial and healthy for their loved ones without breaking the bank. 
• Providing options to consumers for all types of lifestyles. 
• What's next? 
• Having meals delivered to homes and offices. 
• Working with local chefs and vendors to develop a seasonal menu but always providing the basics. 
• Enhancing the existing product/service: 
• I think these two "next" things will definitely enhance my existing product/service. It would improve their user experience because it will become more convenient for them to have food delivered to them and give them more options with a seasonal menu. It will not increase their customer switching costs and I believe delivery will no doubt foster customer loyalty. 
• Similar product:
• The closest thing I found to my business is an an app called AmazonFresh. This app. According to the product features you can "shop complete grocery and selected Amazon.com aisles; choose time slots for doorstep and attended home delivery; and place an order quickly and easily". Even though it is not a restaurant, it does provide a service of bringing food to your doorstep. However, because it is only groceries, the food is not cooked and most likely not from a local vendor. This app is also only available to consumers in Seattle and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. 
  
• Reviews: 
• 3 1/2 Stars 
• What they like: convenience, packaging, everything seems fresh. 
• What they do not like: not reliable, expensive ($300/year fee + groceries + tip), unorganized billing/charge. 
• Changes to the product: 
• Make the app available to more metropolitan areas. 
• Include tip in the yearly fee. 
• Work more with local vendors. 
• I don't think this app would actually make a good addition to the service/product I am offering because my business is about food that is already made and the convenience that it brings. It did however help me realize that it would probably be very beneficial to create an app that consumers can use to order for pick-up/delivery, to check what is on the menu (since some of the options would be seasonal), and what may be the special for the day. 

My Unfair Advantage

• Organizational Skills 
• I have always been a very organized person. I think this is very valuable when owning and running a business. Without organizational skills a company can easily fall apart. Having this skill can help you prioritize what is important and I believe it makes me a naturally good scheduler. It is not something easily copied by others. Many people have to work to have organizational skills which might not come easy to them. There is probably other resources that can provide the same benefits like other people or software, but I believe having this skill as an owner is very beneficial to the business and does not cost me money.  
• Natural Leader 
• I am a take charge person when it comes to getting stuff done. I believe that this is also a very valuable skill to have when it comes to having a business. Not everyone has a leader personality and it is not easy to copy. Like having organizational skills, it is probably easy to find other resources like hiring people who obtain these skills but that would cost more money. 
• Know what it takes to run a company
• I have been running a company for about 5 years now. It isn't my company but i have helped the owner grow it to what it has become today. I help manage 11 employees and about 85 clients. I am in charge of scheduling, payroll, invoicing, and everything in between. I think this is something that is very valuable and rare. It takes time to learn how to do the things I do. My job can not be easily be copied by others. There are other resources that can supply these skills but again, they cost money because they have the knowledge that many people do not not have.  
• Communication Skills 
• Like having organizational skills and being a natural leader, I believe having communication skills is valuable, rare, and inimitable. Other people can provide these skills, but again will cost more money. 
• My Education 
• I think my education adds a lot of value. I am a construction management major. Even though it has nothing to do with food, it has everything to do with learning how to manage other people. I also believe that finishing your college education really proves to you how much dedication you have. It is definitely rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable. 

• My parents 
• My parents are my biggest supporters. They encourage me and help me in every way that they can. It is very important to have people who support and encourage your ideas. They help you believe in yourself and remind you to keep going. That is something very valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable to have. 
• My boyfriend 
• My boyfriend owns his own company. He knows what it takes to get a company up and running and the hard ships involved. He is also a very big supporter of my dreams. I think it is very important not only to have support, but know someone who you can go to when it comes to dealing with vendors and how to approach a business plan. He is someone who is also rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable to have. 
• My friend Jessica 
• My friend Jessica is a health nut. She loves all things local and fresh. She is also an amazing cook. She can easily open the refrigerator and create an amazing meal with anything there is inside. Every time I try something she makes it blows my mind on how nonchalantly she creates these tasty meals. I think she is very valuable to my team. She can help me create meals that no one would think of.  She is definitely someone who is also rare and inimitable to have. Other cooks can provide the same resources as she can but I feel like we would work better together because we consider each other like family.
• High School Students 
• In my business plan I said I would want to hire 25% of my workers from high school. These students would be interested in or have culinary skills. I think this is a very valuable aspect to my business because not only would they bring a younger crowd into the restaurant, it will also make people feel that they are contributing to their community and these students education. Having these students involved is definitely rare, inimitable and non-subsitutable. 
• Local Vendors 
• Local vendors are a huge aspect to my business. They will be providing 100% of the food for my business. Having hard working, reliable vendors will add a lot of value. I do feel like they are rare to find and are inimitable. However there are other local vendors who can provide the same benefits and resources.

Most important resource: 

I think I have more than one important resource, but I truly believe my education and my parents are the most important. No one can ever take away your education and my parents will always be there to encourage, believe, and love me unconditionally.  

Idea Napkin No. 2

1) You.

This is going to be my last year at UF. I am a construction management major and I am fascinated by how buildings are constructed and the management process. I am a good leader and I thrive on trying to solve problems. I aspirer to own my own businesses. I think I would really very good at owning my own restaurant and developing it into something my community could actually enjoy. I think it would play a huge role in my life as I really enjoy healthy food and the environment. 

2) What are you offering to customers?

My restaurant, Homestyle, would cater to families and individuals who like to eat healthy but are on a tight schedule and/or budget. It will offer fresh, fast, healthy food that is a cost-effective way to eat-out without hurting their bodies. The food will be catered to meet their nutritional needs like those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegans, or those who are just trying to live an overall healthy lifestyle. 

3) Who are you offering it to? 

As I said before I think my business would appeal to a mass population, but I do think it would definitely benefit families and individuals that live a very hectic lifestyle and feel like they do not have enough time to cook the type of meals that want to feed their families or themselves. 

4) Why do they care? 

I believe customers would come to my restaurant and buy the products I offer. Like I mentioned in my first napkin idea, in today's world many people live hectic lifestyles. Many families have both parents working full-time jobs and it is hard to find the time to make a healthy, satisfying meal. Individuals who work full-time jobs also find it difficult to find good healthy food options  especially when they want to stay in shape. 

5) What are your core competencies? 

As I said before, I think how I approach my business concept would set me apart. I will still develop contracts with only local farmers and use produce that are only in season. This in-turn will boost the local economy and reduce delivery costs as well as environmental impact associated with delivering and growing produce not from local farmers. The food will also be free of GMOs and preservatives. A huge issue with fresh, local food being used in restaurants is the cost associated with it. The cost is then passed to the customers. Like I previously stated,  I would keep costs low by hiring 25% of employees from local high-schools who are aspiring to go to culinary school and become chefs. I would work with local schools to implement a teaching program. I think this will really help set me apart from other restaurants and put the focus on the local community 

I think these elements of my business concept fit really well together. I am trying to develop a feeling of community by providing the best food for the customers. I did not get much feedback besides that they really enjoyed my idea. I did not really know what I could improve on. I was not really challenged on any part of the business idea. I was however able to re-think my idea in depth. This exercise made me ask my self how I can develop my idea further. I think by adding more environmental friendly aspects to my restaurant will help boost my idea and take it to another level. 

Reading Reflection No. 2

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success 

by Carol Dweck

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

Carol Dweck believes that your mindset is a huge determinate of how one succeeds in life. Throughout the book she discusses the difference between having a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset. She believes having a growth mindset is what will help a person learn, grow, and succeed in life. It will help one accept failure and continue trying to work hard too accomplish his or her goals. According to the author, a fixed mindset will just hinder the person and won't allow him or her to fully become who they are suppose to be. 

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

I think the book helped enhance what I am learning in the class because it helps me understand that taking this class is one step closer to one of my goals in life. No matter how much I do not feel like doing some of the assignments I know I will learn from each and everyone of them and that will help me grow as a person. 

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

My exercise based on this book would be to use the questions the author provided in order to figure out what type of mindset you have. Once you figure out if you have a fixed or growth mindset then you move on to how to change your fixed mindset to a growth mindset or how to continue using your growth mindset and apply it to everyday life. 

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?

Honestly, this whole book surprised me. I did not know I would enjoy reading it so much. I did however have a defining moment. When I read through Chapter 5: "Business: Mindset and Leadership", I realized how important it is to have a growth mindset when it comes to leadership. I hope to have a leadership position when I get into my work field so I found this chapter very helpful. The author mentioned how important it is to ask questions and accept answers from your employees no matter how negative they are. This will help you understand your employees to a greater extent and help them feel appreciated and instrumental in the work place. According to Dweck, a leader should have 3 important aspects. They should be able to listen, develop employee talents, and give credit to where it is due. Those 3 things are very instrumental to make your employees succeed at work. 

My Secret Sauce

1. Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique.

• Independent: I believe I am a very independent person. From a young age I remember my parents making me learn how to do things for myself. When I was in middle school I already knew how to cook certain foods, clean, and do my laundry. My parents have always worked long hours and they wanted to make sure that I was able to figure things out on my own. I believe I am a very independent person and do not rely on people to get things done. 
• Organized: I believe I am a very organized person when it comes to my work. I always keep a notebook of what I have to get done and make sure I check off everything I have to do. 
• Hard Worker: Ever since a young age I remember being very committed when it came to my work. I always make sure I understand what is expected and wanted from me and make sure to achieve those expectations. 
• Caring: I have always been a caring person when it comes to anything in life. Even though I believe it hinders me sometimes, I think that it is a very important trait to have. It helps you understand those already you and walk in their shoes. 
• Leader: I believe I was a natural born leader. My parents are both natural born leaders and I believe I definitely have that trait. I love to take a hold of situations and get a thrill of figuring out difficult problems.

2. Interviews:

• https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/interview-1/s-rs7AG
• https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/interview-2/s-WBhQE
• https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/interview-3/s-RsZoD
• https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/interview-4/s-9IAEn
• https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/interview-5/s-IQZvD

3. Reflect on difference. 

• I think most of the people I interviewed mentioned qualities that I believe I have. After hearing from everyone I noticed how many people said how selfless I am. I think it is a good quality about me but sometimes it can hurt me. I sometimes care to much about other people and stop thinking about myself complete. I think I need to learn how to balance this quality. 

My Customer's Avatar

I think my prototypical customers would be families who live very hectic lifestyles. These families would have parents who work really hard and have multiple children. They would not have much time during the week because they are busy with work, after school activities, and homework. They love to live a healthy lifestyle but sometimes it is hard for them to find something that fits their life. I feel like they would drive either a minivan or a SUV. I feel like they would watch any shows that are on Netflix because they are easy to watch whenever they have free time. I do not think they would love any of the nominees that are running for president. They love their country and do not believe money should rule everything. I feel like the parents are within their thirties and their kids are pretty young. Most likely under 10 years old.

I feel like I would have a lot in common with the customer avatar. I feel like we would both have hectic lifestyles but still want the best for our family and be able to provide it to them. I do not think it would be a coincidence because there are some people who do not care and wish to avoid their eating habits especially if they have a very stressful lifestyle. Even though I am sometimes stressed out I feel like I make sure I have time to treat my body good and provide what is best for it.

Halfway Reflection

1) Tenaciousness is a competency. 

The behaviors that I have used to keep up with the requirements of this course are definitely time management. I realized early on in this course that I really had to pay attention to due dates and organize myself when it came to doing the assignments. I definitely developed new behaviors recently because of this course. At the beginning I did not like having interviews with people or commenting on other student's post. However, I've noticed that I have gotten more comfortable doing these things. 

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude.

Recently I have been overwhelmed with work. I am doing an internship, and work two other part-time jobs, on top of taking this course. A few weeks ago I thought about giving up on doing multiple assignments and taking a day of all my jobs. I think my mom and boss from my internship really helped me pull through. I spoke to both individually about the problem I was facing. They both agreed that they thought it was a good idea to take a day off of work and focus on myself and completing homework assignments as school was my number one priority. That is exactly what I did. I think I've always been a person who is very determined in life. I have noticed that this class has helped me take a step back and realize what is the most important thing allowing me not to get overwhelmed. It took me a few weeks to get on track, but I believe this class has really helped me realize how important planning and schedules are for my day to day life. 

3) Three tips:

• (1) Set Goals. I think setting goals for this class is very crucial for a successful completion. You should feel determined to try and get every assignment done as they are not that difficult but time consuming. 
• (2) Manage Your Time Wisely. Know when it is the right time to focus on school to get all the work done. Do not leave the work until the last minute. If you do, you will most likely not finish it and feel bummed about yourself. 
• (3) It's Okay to Leave Your Comfort Zone. Know that at the beginning of this class you will feel uncomfortable with what these assignments ask you to do. Take your time to develop your responses that way you feel satisfied with work you put out which allows you to feel more comfortable next time these tasks are handed to you. 

Need Awareness & Information Search

1. The segment I picked for my Homestyle Restaurant is families, college students, and individuals who are on a budget and want healthy, fresh options that are affordable and appeal to their nutritional needs. 
2. Need Awareness & Information Search Interviews:
• Interview 1: https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/brandon-1/s-hvgqs
• Interview 2: https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/david-1/s-rY3Gs
• Interview 3: https://soundcloud.com/user-497376341/naty-1/s-pmJlD 
3. After conducting these interviews I noticed that each person had a place that they usually go to that they feel has a fresh, healthy option that won't break the bank. However, they weren't always satisfied or feel like there were many options. They also noticed that when they did pick the healthy option it was always more expensive. For example, one of the people I interviewed said he would go to Subway because it was easy and had salad options available. He told me that he would spend around $8 for his salad and he did not think that was too much. However, I mentioned that he could get a foot-long sub of the day for $5. This is my problem with these types of restaurants. Yes, they have a healthier option available but it is more expensive and at the end of the day it is not at all fresh as they advertise ( and their slogan is "Stay Fresh".....). 
4. I feel like the people I interviewed were aware of when they needed a fast, fresh, healthy, affordable place to eat. They each had about one or two solutions (places) that somewhat satisfied their nutritional needs but they were not completely happy. They found that searching online helped narrow down their options, but again not many options were available. 

Idea Napkin No. 1

Homestyle Fast Food Restaurant

1. My name is Ashley Chavez. I will be finally graduating May 2017! I like a lot of things but I especially love to cook, watch HGTV, hang out with my family and friends, and relax on the couch to binge watch my favorite netflix shows (when I have the time). I am a construction management major. I love to eat fresh foods when possible. I don't like restaurants that serve foods with preservatives and that are not humanely raised. Even though I want to be in the building business when I finish school, I do see myself opening this business if the opportunity arises. It would play a huge role in my life because I definitely want my children to be raised to eat fresh, healthy foods that are beneficial to their body and do little harm. I want that for my own body as well but I feel like if I was able to start my business it would not only benefit the consumers but my family as well.
2. My concept offers fresh, fast, healthy foods to customers. It will provide them an easy, cost-effective way to eat out without putting a strain on their body and budget. They will be able to customize their food to meet their nutritional needs (i.e. gluten-free/dairy-free customers, vegans, those trying to lose weight/stay fit) all without breaking the bank.
3. I think my business would appeal to everyone, but especially customers who do not have a lot to spend on eating out but have a hectic lifestyle. They want to eat the way they do at home but just don't have the time. I also think they would love to eat local fresh foods but might not know where to purchase it or might not be informed about what is in their food but know they want the healthier, freshest option.
4.  I think customers would pay for the products I offer because people have crazy lifestyles, food allergies, or needs they want from the food they put in their body and might not be able to provide it for themselves or how to provide it. Many families who have both parents working might not have the time to make this food at home even though it is what they want to eat. There are many college students who want to eat healthy but have never cooked in their life. or do not know how to cook properly. They would want something fast, healthy, and fresh without breaking the bank.
5. What sets me apart is the way I would approach this business concept. I would develop contracts with local farmers which helps the local economy and it reduces delivery costs (which in-turn reduces environmental impact). You'll be guaranteed that the food is free of GMOs and preservatives. I would also keep costs low by hiring 25% of my employees from local high-schools who are aspiring to go to culinary school and become chefs. I would work with these local schools to implement a teaching program where they get paid to work at the restaurant as well as receive credit towards their diploma.

I believe all these aspects of my business concept could fit together. It will be a bit difficult at first to convince someone that this is somewhere they want to spend their money because they are so use to the big chain restaurants and the prices they can offer; but at the same time, they can't offer the combination of fresh food and prices that Homestyle could offer.

Reading Reflection No. 1

Grinding it Out: The Making of McDonald's, Ray Kroc 

1. You read about an entrepreneur:

• What surprised me the most about Ray Kroc was how determined he was and how easily he was able to convince people that they needed something that he offered. 
• What I admire most about Ray Kroc was that he was a go getter, but he always stayed honest and humble. He did not like to take advantage of people and wanted to provide products that were  beneficial and affordable. My favorite quote was that he loved was “In business for yourself, but not by yourself" (pg. 110). 
• There was not much I did not admire about Ray Kroc, but I did not like that he went about marrying another woman after only knowing her for a short period of time. That showed that he did did not have patience when it came to his personal life. He wanted his personal life to have the success he had with his businesses. 
• Kroc did encounter many difficulties and failures. He had many difficulties with agreeing with Henry and failed at the real estate business. However, he kept on going. He did not let anything or anyone tear him down.

2. He is a motivator, a humble person, a caring person, he accepted failure and never let it hold him back. He was a hard worker who truly cared about what he was doing and loved every second of it. 

3. One thing that was confusing to me was how the company was doing really well but they had no cash flow. Is it that their money was all tied up in expanding the business? 

4. The first question I would ask him is: What motivated you the most to keep following your dreams? I would ask him this because sometimes life really knocks you down and achieving your dreams can sometimes feel impossible. I always wonder how someone stays so focused on their ultimate goal in life. The second question I would ask him is: What is the thing you think made you so successful? I would ask him this because I feel that it would be something I can implement in my own life. I don't believe it was one thing that made him so successful, but I do believe one thing took precedence. 

5. I think he truly believed to get what you want out of life, you have to work hard. He believed that you have to take chances, trust your self and others. You cannot play it safe. If you do, you won't be happy with the life you have. I do share his opinion of hard work. I think if you know what you want out of life you have to go and get it. No one is going to get it for you. You have to work hard and continue working hard even if you fail multiple times. At the end you will be rewarded.

My Solution

My Solution:

In order to solve my problem, I think I would open up a fast food restaurant that sells affordable healthy food by purchasing from local vendors. My menu would overall healthy and focus on what is healthy for you and the environment. There are some "fast food restaurants" who might somewhat do this, but they don't really focus on local vendors or might sell foods that sound healthy but really aren't.

Looking for Opportunity

1. Housing Market

• http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2016/05/27/Housing-Market-Horror-Story-Isn-t-Over-Yet
• Average sale prices on homes have risen tremendously recently. You may think this is an indication that the economy is doing good, but the rich are the only people who can afford to buy these homes. According to the article, lower income home owners aren't able to get approved to buy these homes. So, "builders are making more luxurious homes rather than trying to attract entry-level buyers. Not only does this maximize their profits, it matches with the consumers most willing to buy home."
• The customer with the opportunity is those who have low- to middle-income and are trying to get approved to buy a home. 
• I believe it is easier to exploit. As stated in the article, builders are constructing more expensive homes because those who are getting approved to buy homes can afford them. This leaves lower-income families unable to find a home and get approved. 
• I recently was aware of this because my parents are trying to down size and move into a smaller but still comfortable home. The homes they have seen in their not so small price range are total garbage and need a lot of money and work put into them. 

2. Unemployment Rates

• http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/06/news/economy/obama-us-jobs/
• Even though unemployment rates have decreased recently, many believe that we still have a long way to go. According to the article, there is still a problem with the unemployment rate. Yes, it has decreased but when you look at the data "fewer adults are working; long-term employment is still high; and wage growth is still anemic". 
• The customer with the opportunity is millennials who are graduating from college. It is difficult for them to find a job and a good paying job for that matter. 
• I think it is easily exploited because there are jobs available, but businesses who are hiring what people with no skills or degrees so they can pay them less money to do the same job. 
• I was aware of this because my boyfriend just graduated from UF in December and it has been difficult for him to find a job, especially one in Miami. The positions they are offering have very low pay and zero skill invovled. 

3. Rising Oil Prices

• http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/u-s-average-gas-prices-may-climb-above-2-for-first-time-in-2016/
• According to the article..."gas prices tend to reach the highest levels of the year in the spring before the summer driving season. As the weather turns warmer and days grow longer, people tend to drive more, which results in increased demand. Many families also take spring break road trips this time of year, which means they may use more gasoline than normal."
• The customer with the opportunity is those who have cars and use it on a daily basis. This mean they will have to constantly put gas especially if they live in a over populated city. 
• This opportunity is not easily exploitable because there are so many producers and economic factors that have an effect on the price. These producers aren't working together to raise the prices. They base the price on demand.
• I was aware of this because my boyfriend invests in oil. He is constantly analyzing the market and telling what is or what is going to happen. 

4. Higher Interest Rates

• http://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/111203.asp
• Interest rates were lowered to stimulate the economy, but if the interest rates are too low it causes inflation. that is why we are going to have higher interest rates 
• The customer with the opportunity is those who have credit cards, are trying to buy homes, and those who take take out loans. 
• Interest rates are difficult to exploit because the federal reserve sets interests rates based on the economy. Banks can however can somewhat exploit when it comes the interest rates they set on lets say credit cards. 
• I thought about this because I recently heard on the news that the federal reserve was going to start raising interest rates. 

Testing the Hypothesis

Part 1 -

1. Cheaper Healthy Food Options at Fast Food Restaurants 
2. Americans find it more difficult to choose healthy food options at fast food restaurants because they are usually the most expensive option on the menu.
3. Testing the Who, What and Why: 
• Do you think all fast food restaurants have this problem? 
• Do you think spending money on food is an issue for some people? 
• Do you think it is just fast food restaurants or all types of restaurants (i.e sit down)? 
• Would you spend more money on the healthier option? 
• If money was not a problem for someone, why do you think they would choose the less healthy option?
• If money was not a problem for you, why would you choose the less healthy option?
4. Interviews: https://youtu.be/MGxdk2beoh4

Identifying Local Opportunities

Local Opportunities

1. After traumatic brain injury, family asks NCL to release video of son’s fall (http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article78947757.html) 
• An 8 year old boy went on a Norwegian cruise with his family when he feel while playing basketball suffering severe brain damage. The boy was rushed to the hospital in Puerto Rico and was in critical condition. When the family asked to see the surveillance of the basketball court, the cruise line declined as well as giving the family an explanation of what happened. The boy is starting to learn to walk again. 
• This is a situation presents a problem because the surveillance video could help the doctors understand what went wrong and what can help the boys recovery process. 
• This is a problem for the boy as well as his family, because it makes it more difficult for him to recover. 
2. PETA, animal groups sue USDA over Seaquarium’s killer whale Lolita  (http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article78462107.html)
• PETA filled a lawsuit against the USDA for violating the Animal Welfare Act. PETA, along with other animal rights groups say the USDA is endangering the Lolita the whale at the Miami Seaquarium by re-granting them the license after new ownership. The lawsuit has been dismissed before by a Miami judge. 
• This situation presents a problem because the USDA basically gave the Miami Seaquarium the right to hold a wild animal captive for no reason while the animal suffers. This makes the seaquarium, along with the USDA , look bad. 
• This is a problem for mostly the USDA. 
3. Coast Guard: Cuban migrants come down from lighthouse off Sugarloaf Key (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-coast-guard-cuban-migrants-clinging-to-lighthouse-off-sugarloaf-key-20160520-story.html) 
• 19 Cubans arrived to the Keys Friday morning. The swam from their vessel to the lighthouse when they saw the coast guard approaching. The were finally brought onto the coats guard boat Friday late afternoon. They will have to wait to hear from multiple federal agencies to determine if the lighthouse is considered dry-land. 
• This situation has been an ongoing problem. Many people do not agree with our wet-foot, dry-foot policy.. This makes it difficult for the US because they have to allow these Cuban immigrants to stay in the US if they reach land. 
• This is a problem for the US government, along with those who live in the US. 
4. Air purifiers aren't for everyone (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/sfl-air-purifiers-aren-t-for-everyone-20160518-story.html) 
• Health experts say that air purifiers don't do much for an average persons home. They are mostly beneficial to those who have asthma or a lung condition. They believe it is a waste of money because one machine can at most clean an average size room. They also say that an air purifier that actually works are those with true high-efficiency particulate air filters, which most machines do not have. 
• This presents a problem because people are buying air purifiers to help clean their when they are mostly doing more harm than good. If they don't clean or replace the filters, mold can actually grow and cause more problems to your lungs. 
• This is a problem for those who do not buy true high-efficiency particulate air filters and have a air purifier. 
5. "Good" Cholesterol alone won't lower risk of heart disease, study finds (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/sfl-good-cholesterol-alone-won-t-lower-risk-of-heart-disease-study-finds-20160518-story.html)
• The study found that even if you have good cholesterol it won't lower your risk of heart disease unless your bad cholesterol is at normal levels. Good cholesterol, HDL does have a protective role as long as your bad cholesterol, LDL and TG, are at normal levels. 
• This is a problem for those who have high cholesterol. They will have to do a lot more than just raise their good cholesterol in order to prevent them from not having heart disease. 
• This is a problem for those with high bad cholesterol. 

Bug List

20 Things That Bug Me:

1. When my boyfriend serves himself water, takes a sip, and puts the cup in the sink right away. 
• This bugs me because I know he will want more water in a little while and he will dirty another cup for no reason. 
2. When people are driving and throw trash out the window. 
• This bugs me because how big an impact littering makes on the world and the animals that are put danger. 
3. When my dad uses the same dirty sponge to clean the dishes when we have a dishwasher. 
• This bugs me because a sponge is the object with the most bacteria in a house and the dishes never seem clean when washed with a sponge. 
4. When you text a friend and she has the read receipt on and you know when she has ignored your text. 
• This bugs me because she always tells me that she never received my texts or she forgot to answer. 
5. When someone has dirty finger nails and is eating/making food. 
• This bugs me because there are so many germs in the world and the person is putting them inside their body. 
6. When someone is cooking chicken and contaminates the whole kitchen in process. 
• This bugs me because not only do I have to clean the kitchen with disinfectant but salmonella is real.
7. When I am in the passenger seat and the driver does not stop texting or being on their phone. 
• This bugs me because I do not feel safe in the car. 
8. When I am on the expressway and someone drives slower than speed and are in the passing lane. 
• This bugs me because I feel like people who do that cause accidents and even more traffic. 
9. When I want to do something, but I can't decide what to do. 
• This bugs me because I am so bored but I can't make a decision to save my life.
10. When I am with a friend who is just as indecisive as me and we can't decide where to go. 
• This bugs me because I feel like we are going in a circle. 
11. When I am driving to work and there is more traffic than I expected. 
• This bugs me because it gives me anxiety. 
12. When I am in a rush to get to work or school and the line at Starbucks is the longest I've ever seen it. 
• This also gives me anxiety. 
13. When the wifi is slow and I am trying to watch a show on netflixs so it keeps buffering. 
• This bugs me because I feel like I am waiting for an infinite amount of time. 
14. When my boyfriend doesn't charge his phone over the night and it dies early in the day.
• This bugs me because most of those days I need a response from him for something. 
15. When I am comfy on the couch watching my tv shows and my phone is about to die but the charger is in my room. 
• This bugs me because I like to look through social media when the commercials come on.
16. When my dad over cooks good cuts of steak. 
• This bugs me because I feel like the full flavor of the steak is gone. 
17. When I am driving and someone cuts me off without putting their turning signal on. 
• This bugs me because most of the time I have to slam on my breaks and I get nervous. 
18. When I go to restaurant and the seat I am sitting down on has pieces of food from the previous person. 
• This bugs me because I don't want to sit on food and get myself dirty. 
19. When someone sits/lays on my bed with their street clothes. 
• This bugs me because they have germs all over their clothes. 
20. When someone is rude to their waitress/waiter and don't treat them with respect.
• This bugs me because the waitress/waiter is trying to just make a living and they should be treated like any human. 

I found it difficult when I first started. I knew I had things that bugged me but I could not remember them. Once I started writing things down, all the things that bugged started coming to mind. It was a bit difficult overall and I did notice that some of the things that bugged me are so petty.