8A – Solving The Problem

Opportunity- Students in college are struggling to develop friendships early in their academic year because there is not a third party bridge that facilitates meeting platonic friends. Based off of my experience, interviews, and knowledge, this opportunity mainly exists among incoming freshman and transfer students.

Solution: Application, similar to a dating app, that focuses on linking interests, hobbies, majors, clubs, etc. 

Product- To fix this problem, a friendship app similar to that of a dating app, can help incoming freshman and transfer students feel more comfortable going into a new environment. Meeting new friends before even setting foot on campus can make a scary large campus, smaller. This can also help with returning students that are not meeting friends in class or clubs. Other students may be a part of the target audience, however, just like those that recently end a relationship, students leaving their home to go to a new school will be the most eager for instant gratification. 

7A- Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Students in college are struggling to develop friendships early in their academic year because there is not a third party bridge that facilitates meeting platonic friends. 

Of the five interviews I conducted, 4/5 subjects expressed that they had difficulty making friends with college at the start. All five of them mentioned that there have been times in the span of their college career that they have been lonely, wishing they had a new friend. One person in particular highlighted that they hoped that friend was someone not in their current immediate circle or social life. All the five subjects also said that their solution was to join a new club. One subject noted that for immediate social interaction, they turned to the existing dating apps Tinder and Bumble. Three subjects expressed that they like to make friendships with similar and different interests, while two subjects preferred friends with similar interests. Three also expressed that they often meet people with their same interests, while two said not often. In response to where people meet peers with the same major, four mentioned in class, three mentioned in clubs, and one mentioned in the dorms. When asked if they feel satisfied with their current way of meeting people with the same interests/major, two responded "I guess" and three responded that they are not. All subjects had similar means of meeting friends: class, clubs, friends from high school, and "luck." 

From these interviews, I learned that this opportunity exists. However, it is crucial to present the product in a very sensitive way. The tone of interviewees was uneasy, as lack of human connection tends to be associated with being lame or uncool. I did learn that these people tend to turn to clubs and dating apps to fill this void. I learned from these interviews that subjects were looking for friends not only with the same major, but also those who have similar interests. 

6A- Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

https://www.epi.org/blog/over-5-million-workers-will-have-higher-pay-on-january-1-thanks-to-state-minimum-wage-increases/

Many factors have led to an increase in minimum wage among 19 states. When the minimum wage increases, there are many economic implications, such as a decrease in labor demand. This, in turn, increases unemployment. Homelessness has the potential to increase during this time, leading to an opportunity for social entrepreneurship. This issue has various prospective opportunities, but the largest one I see is in the real-estate market. This opportunity involves employing homeless people to house-flip, allowing them to live in the homes as they are flipped and as they earn money. Depending on execution, this opportunity is likely moderately easy to exploit. I was able to identify this opportunity as a consequence and combination of my economics background and my work with the non-profit Food Recovery Network, that benefits the homeless.

https://nypost.com/2018/06/04/baby-boomers-are-refusing-to-leave-the-workforce/ 

Since interest rates have been quite low for a while, and individuals fear not being able to sustain themselves if another recession hits, the baby boomers are not leaving the workforce. As this is the case, those seeking to replace baby boomers can find opportunity in entrepreneurship. Rather than working at an already established company, millennials will have the chance to build a business and make their own workforce. The customers of this opportunity will be dependent on what is made. This opportunity is relatively hard, as it requires creating an entire business at a young age with little-to-no experience working for an employer at an already successful company. I think that this opportunity was clear to me because I enjoy entrepreneurship and likely will make my own company one day. 

https://riskandinsurance.com/wc-regulatory-trends-changing-the-industry/

As artificial intelligence is introduced into the workplace, productivity surges and human labor demand decreases. AI’s introduction into businesses has been making the execution of manual jobs more efficient. This creates an opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to develop something that requires manual labor, without the fear of workers comp. This can extend to car parts, kitchenware, etc. This opportunity is relatively easy but has costs associated. As someone who has been curious as to the implications of AI, this opportunity was not difficult for me to find. 

https://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2018/food-safety-regulatory-issues-for-2018/ 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/austin-jack-peter-decoster-executives-salmonella-case-must-report-to-prison/

In the food industry, management is being held responsible for food borne illness outbreaks, despite a lack of evidence linking intention or knowledge of harm. This regulatory trend, seen in the case of the DeCosters, is one that leads way for opportunity. Development of a device that can detect food borne illnesses has the potential to save lives and futures. The customers of this would be food companies that have perishable foods or foods that can be infected with contaminants. This opportunity requires a heavy chemical and technological background, so it is not relatively easy. I was able to identify this opportunity because the recent romaine lettuce recall made me consider what can be done to prevent issues of this sort. 

5A- Identifying Local Opportunities

“Walking? You’re risking your life in Florida, the deadliest state for pedestrians”

Link

The amount of pedestrians being killed in Florida is higher than all other states. The death rates are disproportionately high for the three main groups: the elderly, minorities, and people walking in poor communities. This problem is one that has the potential to be rectified in many different ways, including increased driver’s ed, restructured crosswalks, etc. 

“Report: UF students accused of cheating” 

Link

A UF Pharmacy professor called for disciplinary action after accusing 57 students of cheating. These students, who make up around 20% of the class, allegedly used an online document to cheat. The professor has the main problem, in this case. Her need for proper proctoring has not yet been met, apparently.

"Florida governor warns Airbnb to reverse its West Bank policy or face state sanctions"

Link

Following Airbnb's decision to not allow certain property to be listed by Jewish homeowners, Governor Ron DeSantis warned that Airbnb is facing sanctions, as Florida is a pro-Israel state. He claimed state laws prohibit business being done with an anti-Israel company. While the legality of this is not sound, this paves the way for opportunities by Airbnb's competitors. 

"Man says emotional support alligator helps his depression"

Link

Joie Henney is a man who convinced his doctor that he does not need anti-depressants if he has his emotional support alligator. This man's alligator is just like a dog, he claims, and was rescued at a young age. People with depression and animals needing shelter have the opportunity to help each other. Wildlife rescues might want to consider providing unconventional emotional support animals. 

"Brink: St. Petersburg’s controversial 50-story condo tower? ‘That’s what downtowns are for.’"

Link

A proposed new condo tower has been striking up controversy, but it appears to still be gaining enough support that it might actually be built. If built, the tax base and city tax revenues will increase. Individuals seeking a higher-end investment opportunity can look into real estate in the area or into buying one of the condos. 

4A- Forming An Opportunity Belief

It is my belief that there is an unmet need in regards to making friends with common interests in the college setting. The current way most college students make friends is through dorms, class, greek life, and clubs. However, many students struggle to make initiating moves to converse during the start of college term. Also, when starting college, most students are forced to take Gen Eds, which include a mix of different majors. This makes it so that people with similar interests, majors, and hobbies have a harder time connecting until they are upperclassmen. There currently lacks an application that helps facilitate this and serves as the bridge to connecting people who have common interests, in a noncommittal way. As a college student, I am 75% sure this opportunity exists. 

#1: 

Q: Upon coming to college, did you find it difficult to make friends at the start?

A: yes

Q: Have you ever felt lonely in college, feeling that you wish you had a new friend?

A: yes

Q: If yes to #2, what, if anything, did you do to solve this?

A: Nothing really tried to be friendly to people but it’s awkward talking to people in lecture halls

Q: Do you prefer to make friends with similar interests, or those with different interests?

A: Both! I think there should be some degree of similarity but I also like to have friends who would introduce me to new things 

Q:  How often do you feel that you meet people with your same interests/major?

A: I think generally I have a lot of political science and law friends just because those are the groups I interact with the most 

Q: Where do you mainly meet those with your same interests/major? Are you satisfied with your current way of meeting people with your same interests/major?

A: Probably just from clubs but I feel like I don’t meet a very diverse Group of people that way

Q: How do you typically meet friends in college?

A: In class or in similar activities 

Q: What apps do you mainly use?

A: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, & Pinterest

#2: 

Q: Upon coming to college, did you find it difficult to make friends at the start?

A: yeah, it was a nightmare

Q: Have you ever felt lonely in college, feeling that you wish you had a new friend?

A: not quite

Q: Do you prefer to make friends with similar interests, or those with different interests?

A: Different interests mean more things to talk about!

Q:  How often do you feel that you meet people with your same interests/major?

A: Not that often, but then again again my interests are messed up

Q: Where do you mainly meet those with your same interests/major? Are you satisfied with your current way of meeting people with your same interests/major?

A: Not really

Q: How do you typically meet friends in college?

A: Clubs and classes

Q: What apps do you mainly use?

A: Instagram and Snapchat

#3: 

Q: Upon coming to college, did you find it difficult to make friends at the start?

A: Not really, I joined an organization right away, and it was pretty tight-knit

Q: Have you ever felt lonely in college, feeling that you wish you had a new friend?

A: Of course, everyone has

Q: If yes to #2, what, if anything, did you do to solve this?

A: Nothing really. I was just kind of down on myself. Got some sleep, spent some time alone, felt better.

Q: Do you prefer to make friends with similar interests, or those with different interests?

A: No preference!

Q:  How often do you feel that you meet people with your same interests/major?

A: Meet people? All the time because we share classes.

Q: Where do you mainly meet those with your same interests/major? Are you satisfied with your current way of meeting people with your same interests/major?

A: Student orgs and classes; no

Q: How do you typically meet friends in college?

A: Student orgs or mutual friends

Q: What apps do you mainly use?

A: Twitter, Facebook, & Snapchat

#4:

1. Upon coming to college, did you find it difficult to make friends at the start?

Yes

2. Have you ever felt lonely in college, feeling that you wish you had a new friend?

Yes

3. If yes to #2, what, if anything, did you do to solve this?

Get more involved with clubs

4. Do you prefer to make friends with similar interests, or those with different interests?

Some of both 

5. How often do you feel that you meet people with your same interests/major?

Pretty often 

5. Where do you mainly meet those with your same interests/major? Are you satisfied with your current way of meeting people with your same interests/major?

In class

6. How do you typically meet friends in college?

Clubs

7. What apps do you mainly use?

Instagram, Facebook & Snapchat

#5:

1. Upon coming to college, did you find it difficult to make friends at the start?

Yes

2. Have you ever felt lonely in college, feeling that you wish you had a new friend?

Yes

3. If yes to #2, what, if anything, did you do to solve this?

Made friends in classes but always felt still felt lonely.

4. Do you prefer to make friends with similar interests, or those with different interests?

Similar

5. How often do you feel that you meet people with your same interests/major?

Not often

5. Where do you mainly meet those with your same interests/major? Are you satisfied with your current way of meeting people with your same interests/major?

Class and work

6. How do you typically meet friends in college?

Class

7. What apps do you mainly use?

Instagram & Snapchat

I felt that to get a better understanding, it was important to interview as many people as I could. Overall, I feel that there remains an unmet need for alternative forms of socialization. Loneliness is a severe issue college students face. According to CBC news, more than 66% of university students surveyed reported feeling “very lonely” in the past year (Beaudette 2016). This was reflected in my interviews. I do, however, know now that friendships aren’t always sought after based on major, so it’s important to note that mutual interest should be considered, but not highlighted. There certainly is a trade-off between adapting and staying firm, but adaptation to market is crucial to appealing to the audience. 

2A- Bug List

• Glasses falling off your face
• Nose pads are not designed to be adhesive, nor shaped for the individual wearing them
• Starbucks coffee cups do not retain heat for long enough
• Cheap product is used 
• Temperature of a drink being too hot or cold
• Containers do not show temperature
• Nail salons are unable to get the proper shape and size
• They are forced to guess and ask clients, who often make assumptions and end up unhappy
• Fabric losing its color after a first wash
• Dye lacks potency and preservation 
• Brita containers running out of filtered water too quickly
• Too small
• Doors not being able to lock from the outside, unless they have a specific knob 
• Doors are typically designed to lock solely from the inside, but on occasion, there is a need for this, too
• Signs in Walmart are hard to identify
• This is done like this to force you to walk around the store and buy more things 
• Uber drivers play bad music 
• No feature on Uber exists to select ride preferences, such as music selection 
• iPhone is designed for right-handed 
• There are less left-handed people in the world, so things are made for the majority
• Movie theaters are too loud
• They make the audio loud enough for all to hear, while not considering those with sensitive hearing
• Rings slip off or are difficult to get off those with arthritis
• They are built to fit regular fingers, not for arthritis fingers
• Advising lines take forever
• There is no express lane for those with a single question
• Chargers break easily
• They aren’t made strong enough
• Slow traffic lights when there is no one waiting on the other end
• Traffic lights mainly work on a timer and not sensors
• When soda is flat
• Containers are not made to retain the bubbles
• Volume of waiting music on phones
• No leveling of audio
• Women’s bathrooms with no purse hook
• They aren't put in to save money or because it isn't considered important
• When food doesn’t microwave equally
• Heating works in a way that doesn't defrost equally.
• Wet socks
• Socks soak up water when exposed to it

This was slightly challenging to think up on the spot, however, once I started to pay more attention to my environment, I got into a groove and it was not as difficult. 

3A- Your Entrepreneurship Story

The first time I was exposed to entrepreneurship was sixth grade. My Earth Science teacher posed all her students with an interesting task: come up with an invention that will help improve lives. This task was one I felt unequipped to complete, however I did my best work and ended up creating what I called The Super Binder. Since many of my peers were forgetful, I decided to make a binder that contained all the school supplies a student would need for a day as a twelve year old, such as scissors, pens, and tape. I still remember presenting this idea in class, my palms sweating and heart racing. Though I had a big fear of speaking publicly, I was so excited to share my creation. My peers came up with highly creative inventions. In fact, I distinctly remember a friend of mine inventing peripheral shields for those who often get carsick. From this project on, I realized the amount of potential there is to innovate using creativity. I decided to enroll in this class because my desire to create has never died. I hope to learn what I should be considering when developing an app and how to think like an entrepreneur.

ENT test

Hoping this works! It seems like it is.