22: Elevator Pitch No.3

https://youtu.be/qNksl6cyY9A
:)! Elevator Pitch No.3

21A: Reading Reflection No.2

1. The general theme of “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck are the concepts of having a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. While both are essential for success, both differ greatly from one another. A fixed mindset often involves acceptance of predetermined abilities, while a growth mindset does not limit oneself to a fixed mindset. With a growth mindset, one believes that traits can be cultivated with persistence. 

2. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” connects with and enhances what I am learning in ENT3003 due to the main argument of the book and its correlation to the mindset of an entrepreneur. In order to succeed, one can not limit themselves to a fixed mindset, rather they must have a growth mindset at all times in order to see progress in what we do as entrepreneurs. Once you place limitations on oneself with a fixed mindset, you have lost an opportunity for growth. 

3. The exercise would involve creating a list of ones predetermined abilities and talents, along side of another list of behavior traits that can be cultivated and learned. This exercise would clearly show the differences and similarities between both a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. 
4. The biggest surprise I came across when reading this book occurred to me while reading Chapter 8: Changing Mindsets. Within this chapter, Carol Dweck writes about self awareness and it’s similarities to the process of cognitive therapy. Self awareness often leads to realization, judgment of oneself, and transformation of one’s perspective. Failure is no long se viewed as a hinderance, but an opportunity for learning and growth. 

19A – Idea Napkin No. 2

1. I am an undergraduate student at the University of Florida. My aspirations include pursuing happiness and making differences in the lives of others. If I were to create the business I have in mind, it would dictate my future, as I would put in the majority of my time and effort into it to ensure success. 
2. Changeville of Gainesville would offer assistance to those who face racial and equity disparities. By making information more accessible, the result would improve the quality of life of those utilizing the service. 

3. All our customers are individuals who suffer from racial and equity disparities. 

4. Customers would know that they are being provided with a service that solely exists to make their lives easier. If the organization is a non profit, they would ideally be provided the services free of charge. 
5. Changeville of Gainesville is an organization built on helping those who are less fortunate. Our core competencies lie within our dedication to helping those in need by providing exceptional services.  

I believe that there are aspects of my business concept that are weaker compared to that of others due to my misunderstanding of non profit organizations. Two main points that I omitted from the second napkin idea were remarks regarding Changeville and it’s potential customers. I elaborated on the demographic in my previous post and it is unnecessary to reiterate the potential customer, having already discussed it. 

20A – Growing Your Social Capital

Robin Rosario

1) Robin Rosario is certified in marketing within a company she has worked for, for over 10 years. She has recently taken interest in building her own business and has had much success, as well as much failure. She has experienced the highs and lows of being a business owner. 

2. She would be considered the domain expert, as she has had experience within industry. 
3. Robin is a good family friend and has known us for several years. 
4. Robin helped me understand that there is a lot that goes into forming and sustaining a business. 
5. Including Robin would enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity due to her experience in the field. She is also connected to many different companies within my home town and has contacts of her own who may potentially be interested in the services I’d have to offer. 

Crystal Maldonado

1) Crystal Maldonado is the College Access Coordinator who works for Grace Place for Children and Families. She has experience conducting research for a non-profit organization 

2) Crystal would be the market expert due to her exposure to a non-profit organization that is known to pave pathways out of poverty for children and their families. 

3. I met Crystal during my senior year of high school. I had applied to a position referred to as being an “AP Mentor” and worked with middle school aged children after school. I had a class size of children to myself whom I aided with their homework, and conducted team building exercises with. 
4. I was able to participate in an after school program as a mentor and in exchange, she gave me community service hours. 
5. Including Crystal in my network would enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity due to her expertise in the field of non-profit organizations and how they are structured an ervices provided by marketing to locals as best he can. He connects his father to potential clients and essentially seeks work for his father to fulfill. 

1. Yandeivis would act as the supplier, as he is experienced in supplying his father with clientele. 
2. Yandeivis is a family friend and has continued to be a part of my life throughout the years. Recently, he took interest in helping manage a business and therefore has experience that could be of use as I attempt to start my own. 
3. Yandeivis has been working hard to connect his father to clients. I referred him to Robin Rosario, who was able to grow the amount of customers asking for his fathers services. In return, he agreed to assist me in matters pertaining to the non-profit I’d like to start. 
4. Including Yandeivis in my network would enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity due to his role as a supplier. He would be a good asset to include on this entrepreneurial journey. 

Reflection: This experience will shape how I participate in future networking events due to the exposure of seeking contacts within the network I’d like to be involved in. This experience has differed greatly from previous networking experiences since I have not necessarily been involved in much networking. 

18A

My prototypical customer is named Maria Velasco. She does not have many hobbies since she is constantly working to support her family of two. She drives a red 2000 Ford station wagon with an engine that turns off if she is idle at a street light for an extended amount of time. She enjoys watching Texas Ranger starring Chuck Norris and likes to watch infomercials of jewelry being sold on that channel that no one else watches. She has two children and birthed both of her children. She has a 19 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. Her daughter does not read additional material she does not need to read. She is assigned enough readings in her Art History course. Unfortunately, her son is physically disabled and mentally delayed and is unable to read books. Maria’s favorite politician is nonexistent. She votes for the independent party year after year because she believes that voting for the independent party has a sense of neutrality embedded into it. She is 53 years of age and she feels as if she’s going on 100. She was recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and is doing her best to continue receiving an income to provide for her children. Her daughter works overnight shifts at a local Steak N Shake every single day after going to college all day. Her daughter is trying her best to alleviate the hardship they are facing and is working on getting her mother to step down from her position with her employer so that she can heal as best she can. Her children need her. 

What do you have in common with the customer avatar? If you have anything in common with the avatar, do you think that is a coincidence? Why? 

I share many similarities with the avatar. I grew up watching Chuck Norris on my living room TV and thought it was the silliest thing. My mother enjoyed it very much and I like to reminisce and think of the times where she was here with us. Unfortunately, the avatar and myself have similar financial situations. I do not have family. When I say that, I mean it. No one reaches out, no one tries to help. I am constantly struggling financially. The one thing that helps me most is the University of Florida. I was admitted as an MFOS Scholar and they have continually helped me receive the financial assistance I need to live. I think it is not a coincidence that I share these similarities with this customer avatar. We seem  to belong to the same demographic and could benefit from assistance. 

16A: What's Your Secret Sauce?

I truly do believe that I differ from most within my age group. I have gone through a multitude of experiences and have undergone inexplicable changes I wouldn't trade for anything else. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I am here where I need to be, doing what I must. I feel as if I was dealt a bad hand of cards, but since then have handled the deck rather well. I have not succumb to giving up, and quite honestly that surprises me. After conducting interviews with those who know me best, I can say one thing for sure: these people are life long friends you have to appreciate. Not everyone is privileged enough to have consistent friendships that have lasted and only continue to grow. I can agree with most of what was said about me. It is not rare to disagree when others speak of one's strengths. However, I am compelled to believe and trust in what they share when they speak of myself and how I am different from others.
What Sets You Apart From Others?

15A: Figuring Out Buyer Behavior

      As I have conducted my interviews, I have noticed one similarity among each and every individual. When it comes to purchasing a service. the value of the service itself is in question. "Is the object worthy of the expense I am paying for it?" is a question I tend to ask myself when making purchases and this same concern is shown by the individuals I interview. Though my potential business I'd like to create is deemed as a non-profit organization, I have concerns regarding the sustenance of such an organization without monetary funds. I have to become more educated in the matter in order to better provide answers to my potential clients in seek of assistance.
      Within my interviews, I spoke to Andy, George and Pietro. Each individual had concerns regarding pricing since the organization is deemed as non-profit. I would like there to be little to no expense to solely provide individuals with information regarding potential resources available to them. Each person interviewed had admitted to struggling with financial funds, as they are college peers who do not receive much parental contribution. If this service I were to provide were free of charge, I could surely help them resources that would assist them and improve their quality of life.