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.