28A – Your Exit Strategy

1.      I never want to be stagnant, I want to make the company thrive then sell to move on to something different or at a minimum do what Elon Musk does and start a side project using my main work as a reason for investors to place their bets on me.

2.      It’s my personal preference, if you aren’t learning you’re wasting your time. I enjoy learning something new and doing things I would have never seen myself doing.

3.      My concept is not affected by my personal desire to always be doing something new. I want to be a force of creative energy. If I let this choice effect everything I do I would never get anything done due to apathy. I need to look past that for any desire that is pressing. Long term I do let this effect what I do in the time between choices.

27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

1.      I read Grinding it by Ray Kroc out after reading Christians write-up on it. I always figured that the franchise was started by the founders of McDonalds, this book taught me that Ray Kroc bought it from them and made it into the megacompany that it is today. His judgment on the company was ruthless but I think the results speak for themselves. Starting as a milkshake salesman and working up from there based on his own grit and ability is the American dream, because what’s more American than McDonalds?

2.      Ray Kroc made choices that built the largest companies in the world with the determination not seen since. Carving his own path that lead directly to success, how does one make the choices that could destroy or make something as important as a business.

3.      I was confused by Ray Kroc’s desire to pick McDonalds over getting any other location. A classic burger joint is the staple of the time period. I don’t know why he would choose such an oversaturated market to make a bold change.

4.      My first question would be to how he knew which choices to make, what did he know to avoid, why did he avoid it. My second would be how he knew what he needed to scale and what he needed to replace?

5.      I think that Ray had an image in his head and he knew that only hard work would allow him to achieve it. Additionally, based on where he started he knew it was his best chance at success.

26A – Celebrating Failure

1.      My first failure was my second Chemistry exam, I spent way too much time studying for math and ignored this exam. I got a 92 on the math but fail the chemistry with a 40 percent. Additionally, I’ve missed some assignments in this class due to my inability to properly time manage. I may even miss some of the assignments tonight due to this.

2.      I’ve made a huge improvement making schedules and staying on time with things. Compared to the beginning of the semester I really made a big change in myself to ensure that I can improve not only my grades but other aspects of my life. Said other areas include my health. I’ve found ways to deal with my panic attacks and I’ve made improvements with my weight, In the first couple weeks I gained 40 pounds. Just now I’m losing weight again.

3.      Failure is not the opposite of success but rather a process to success. I lose in order to learn how to succeed. I treat failure almost akin to how people treat plane crashes. I find the black box and analyze why it occurred and make every necessary change possible to improve the situation for next time.

25A – What’s Next?

What I think is next:

               I think the next service I could provide is a material delivery service (in the vain of UberEATS) so that anyone working on their project wouldn’t need to worry about running low on anything they would need, because the worst part of building is stopping your flow to go on a last-minute trip to the store for that last bit.

Existing Market Interviews:

1.      My roommate informed me that I’m not making the incentives for the provider-side of my company.

2.      My other roommate informed me that I could do this now without an app and that I should try and organize before I even consider anything.

3.      My friend who was over informed me that I’m rushing my work and I should not quote him…

Reflection:

               My roommate Arthur is right, I think that the cut for those who supply the tools and area are getting a rough deal compared to Uber and I should find ways to incentivize them to be hands on with people who pay them for their tools. Maybe with an emphasis on “learning to teach” I could attract more people, or maybe if I push more of a casual way to meet new people.

               I prefer my idea because I’m obviously smarter than Arthur, duh. Anyway, I think a great way to expand would be to follow in the footsteps of Uber and continue to make the ease of access a major part of my company. If I ever get to the point where I can’t mirror Uber then I would be large enough to absorb smaller companies that could fill any niche I didn’t think of.

 New Market:

               A new market I haven’t thought of is I much older and rural market that would otherwise not use an app to preform this task. Think a hoarder that want the satisfaction of knowing their things will go to use and not be wasted, they could provide misc. objects to get peoples creative juices flowing. On top of fueling creativity I could do a social service and help someone’s hoarding problem.

Interviews:

1.      Arthur says that the “rural” engineer has a lot to teach city folk about how to be resourceful.

2.      Kenneth says that farmers could put up jobs to makers to solve any small jobs

Reflect:

               I like the idea of people becoming pro-am makers, completing small jobs and anything that would otherwise be a DIY project. My worry at that point is at what point does a contractor become necessary and how do I avoid people using my app as a loophole. The last thing a new company (or I) needs is a lawsuit.

               Arthurs idea of finding a new market to target sounds promising, but how would one penetrate such a market, I don’t have much experience in said market but I’m sure I could find myself someone who is.

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

1.      My idea is an extension of an existing tried and true product. Renting is an age-old practice, while uber is new and hip. Uber’s user interactions placed in tool and space rental makes up the crux of my venture.

·        Valuable: Good artists copy, great artists steal. Building on the shoulders of giants is tried and true.  

·        Rare: Few can properly steal the feel of something and not make it an exact copy.

·        Inimitable: I mean, it’s what I’m doing so yeah, it’s probably very inimitable.

·        Non-substitutable: The idea is built on this, so it can’t be substituted.

2.      Social Capital: I am one of the many who need this service for not only school but also personal hobbies.

·        Valuable: This is very valuable, not only being close to but also one of the users of a service is the best way to find its flaws.

·        Rare: Few entrepreneurs are so close to the business as someone who goes into it not to just to make money but to improve an aspect of their life.

·        Inimitable: Few ever do even though I think it’s what separates the good companies from the great.

·        Non-substitutable: This is a part of me, it can’t be substituted.

3.      A similar solution doesn’t exist: makerspaces are on the rise but for people outside of these metropolitan areas don’t have access to such amenities, which is where my idea comes in.

·        Valuable: Uniqueness is very valuable to a business, filling a niche is a safe bet when the niche is large enough.

·        Rare: Companies that find a niche and stake their ground early are the most volatile ways to start but if ones succeeds then greatness lies ahead.

·        Inimitable: Someone could copy me in the future.

·        Non-substitutable: I could probably try and come up with a different niche to fill that would have the same chances for greatness.

4.      Experience working in a tech company.

·        Valuable: Experience can make or break entrepreneurs.

·        Rare: Not very rare but certainly not common.

·        Inimitable: People who do work in tech companies have this as well.

·        Non-substitutable: Experience cannot be replaced.

5.      Ear to the ground mentality

·        Valuable: In the ever-shifting world of tech knowing what’s in and what’s out of favor is invaluable.

·        Rare: Not that rare, some people even found a way to monetize this ability.

·        Inimitable: People should imitate this more, whether they do or don’t is lost to me.

·        Non-substitutable: Like I said someone could be paid with the sole purpose of doing this.

6.      I’m not racist like Papa John, or knee-jerking like Elon Musk

·        Valuable: The PR from these incidents seriously hurt companies.

·        Rare: Apparently it isn’t as common as one would hope.

·        Inimitable: Everyone should be like this.

·        Non-substitutable: What would you even substitute this with? This must be non-substitutable.

7.      Social Capital: I’m a people person willing to spread the word amongst fellow students.

·        Valuable: Getting your name out there is practically half the battle.

·        Rare: Anyone willing to start a business should be ready to get extroverted and sell themselves.

·        Inimitable: People, once again, should imitate this but it’s not always the case.

·        Non-substitutable: Getting a marketing person a real and often smart choice after you get your feet wet, but in the first stages nothing beats doing it yourself.

8.      My idea has demand before I’ve even done anything to organize it.

·        Valuable: People seem to like the idea and say they could use it all the time.

·        Rare: No-one is doing what I’m doing

·        Inimitable: People could do what I’m doing but they aren’t, so I’ll do it first.

·        Non-substitutable: My idea is first and foremost mine, so it can’t be substituted.

9.      Social movement could aid the growth of my idea

·        Valuable: Having a known demand across the nation could be short lived but this has been in the making for years

·        Rare: Plenty of business already cater to this crowd

·        Inimitable: Same conclusion as my rarity.

·        Non-substitutable: Nothing can substitute the growth potential of being supported by a social movement.

10.   My network of people in the industry.

·        Valuable: This is very valuable when starting.

·        Rare: Someone my age doesn’t usually have access to the industry like I do.

·        Inimitable: No one can copy my network.

·        Non-substitutable: I have the most efficient way to contact people in the industry, someone not in the industry has to jump through the hoops I’ve already cleared.

I found this difficult because I didn’t realize my misunderstanding of what counts as a resource. After doing VRIN for this assignment I can say I have a better understanding of my industry and myself.

I think that this is unique, mainly because no one has done such and obvious thing to me yet. All of my capital should be enough to make the difference but I know that the people who make up that capital will put me over the edge and ensure success.

22A – Elevator Pitch No. 3

My video is here

Personally I think my pitches are getting worse because the idea I have in my head only evolved in execution not at its core. Meaning my pitches will remain the same but if it were to become real there are changes I'm still thinking about.

My feedback on my pitches have been sparse and often just praise.

21A – Reading Reflection No. 2

1. 1.      The general theme of “Makers: The New Industrial Revolution” by Chris Anderson is that there is a new revolution on the horizon that could change the way the world makes and sells things. In reality though he only focuses on boutique, expensive, small scale individuals that sell to the rich when describing what the reader can do, and states that the larger scale would actually destroy a lot of jobs due to the reality of economy of scale.
2. 2.      The book enhanced my learning in ENT 3003 by reminding me that more than one perspective is necessary. Mainly because I believe the core of his ideas, but the explanations and direction he takes with it did not sit well with me.
3. 3.      Starting the same way the book did, with the 3d printer. I would then expand to all the things making is about and go into the realities of the maker movement.
4. 4.      The definition for the maker movement taught to me by leader in the movement like Adam Savage aren’t always the same take aways that others may get. Armed with the knowledge I am determined to spread the maker movement as seen by the founders and not the ill informed few who profit from it like a Victorian penny writer.

20A – Growing Your Social Capital

dara@uber.com

1. Dara Khosrowshahi was previously the CEO of expedia as well as being on the board of directors for BET.com, hotels.com, and The New York Times.
2. Dara is my domain expert
3. Here
4. No response.
5. He’s one of the biggest names in tech

@testedcom on Instagram

1. Adam Savage is a leader in the maker community. A modeler for ILM in its silver age he later became a host on Myth busters a show on discovery. He now heads a maker site Tested.com. He’s my idol and the perfect person to contact for this field.
2. Adam is my market expert.
3. Internet, he as a very vocal presence online. I enjoy amd recommend his podcast, Untitled.
4. No response.
5. He's my idol and the biggest name in the maker community, so much so that during the Obama administration he judged that science fair at the white house.

I don’t really need a “supplier” per say so I chose what feeds all makers Papa Johns

@papajohns on twitter

1. John Schnatter started papa johns in the back closet of his father's business and it just grew from there into one of the leading pizza franchises across america.
2. Papa is my supplier, which sounds crazy now that I’ve read it.
3. I picked him for the meme because I don’t need a supplier, anyway I could probably hire him now that he destroyed his career.
4. LOL NBC can’t even get a response let alone me.
5. He knew how to grow a company from nothing, someone with that kind of experience is vital in the early stages of a company.

17A – Elevator Pitch No. 2

This is the link to my project

19A – Idea Napkin No. 2

1. You?  I’m a student, frustrated at the lengths I have to do any of the projects I want to do. I am a tech-oriented individual who loves working with my hands and making new things or fixing old ones. I just want a way to solve this seemingly solvable and widespread problem. I see a lot of things online about hacker/makerspaces and they seem really cool to me, but there is never one near me. I think this would be the perfect solution for those without access to these spaces who want to work. 
2. What are you offering to customers?  I offer two sides to the same coin, semi-passive income to space owners, and spaces for people who just need somewhere to work on a school project, hobby, or home improvement.
3. Who are you offering to?  My customers, like Uber, are a two-sided affair. The space owner who wants to make extra cash renting their tools/time/space and the students/hobbyists who want to have a place to work within their budget.
4. Why do they care?  As someone who would gladly use a service like this, when space is limited but work needs to get done this would be invaluable. When a hobby gets stunted because that next tool seems too far out of reach, or too specific to buy, the option to rent is very desirable. When a job just needs to get done and you don’t know where to turn, the local expert renting their time is a life-saver.
5. What are your core competencies?  I offer a service that meets a seemingly untapped need in college town, suburbs, and anywhere without a makerspace. This unmet need is ripe for the taking, especially to my current local students in IA who need a place to finish their catalyst projects. I watched students struggle to find, move, and use 3-d printers so they could create prototypes. With my solution their space could be just a drive away.

The point that feels weakest to me is my “What are your core competencies?”, this isn’t an issue I’ve seen outside of hackerspaces/makerspaces. I don’t know if it’s because this issue never arrived to anyone, or if it’s not a sustainable solution to my problem at hand. The desire seems to be there, at least for University of Florida students. Even then I don’t imagine my idea has to have any appeal outside those who want it, I shouldn’t aim to please the world. Gainesville might just be an echo chamber for a need that only Gainesville has unmet, or it could be more widespread I just don’t know.

I received no useful feedback from my fellow classmates as they praised my idea. My friends wouldn’t tell what’s wrong as well, so I’m at an impasse of knowing that it could be better but not knowing what to change. So as a compromise I made minor changes to the language so it’s more concise.

18A – Create a Customer Avatar

Sargent Peak, full name Winsor Peak, is an ex-military officer who trained in the navy’s engineering core. He grew up on a farm and has always been resourceful and mechanically inclined. He believes that the best jobs are ones you do yourself and everyone should know how to use noting but a saw, a hammer, some nails, a bit of wood, and some patience to solve anything that comes their way. His favorite TV shows are home improvement, anything on the garage, and CSI: SVU. He has two kids who just graduated from college and a wife who loves how handy he is. However, Sgt. Peak has had to move into a smaller home after retirement and his projects have become noticeably smaller and less to his tastes. Without his old shed to work Sgt. Peak has moved to woodburning and other art’s and craft’s, nothing like what he’s used to. He wishes he could go back to the old days when he could just get some time to himself in a garage and wrench. He wants to pass on what he’s learned to his future grandkids, but he can’t do that now that the new house lacks his usual grease monkey toys.

Sarge and I are very different, but our core problem is the same, we love to tinker but don’t have the room to do so. Our backgrounds converge into a very small segment that neither of us expected the other to have. I purposely set up my actor to be one someone who seems like a typical person for my service. Additionally, I might lose my hair just like his in three years or so if my dad is any example.