6A - Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

1. Climate Change (Economic Trend)

• https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666
• Presented in the article, as a result of global warming, food prices are rising - specifically corn and soybeans since rising temperatures decreases the yield. Sea levels are also rising causing flooding in cities and more wildfires destroying homes and forestry.
• Prototypical customer: farmers, coastline citizens, overall entire population
• Could be both easy and difficult to exploit the opportunity - ultimately the source of the problem (climate change) won't necessarily go away but there are ways to slow it down and aid the effects.
• Why I saw the opportunity: Honestly I was a little confused on how to approach this assignment so I turned to Google to help me out. This website was one of the first things I found and I could clearly see how this problem affects our daily lives. Especially after taking an AP Environmental Science class senior year of high school, I could see how this opportunity is possible.

2. Delayed Retirement (Economic Trend)

• https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666
• Due to the recession, retirement has been delayed and Baby Boomers continue to work. Because of this, the younger generation has resorted to other jobs - even creating jobs for themselves.
• Prototypical Customer: Millenials/younger generation
• Currently relatively easy to exploit this opportunity because the internet has gave way to so many new jobs/careers such as social media influencers, YouTubers, and bloggers.
• Why I saw the opportunity: Again, I used Google to help me out but this is also relatable to my daily life right now since I grew up in the big technology surge. More businesses are marketing through social media and almost everything is done through the internet so it's not surprising that there's new jobs there. 

3. Interest Rates are Rising (Regulatory Change)

• https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666
• The cost of loans from various products/consumer goods will continue to rise as long as the economy doesn't look like its going back into a recession.
• Prototypical Customer: Adults/Consumers of large purchases (ex. house, car, education)
• Seems to be relatively hard to exploit this opportunity because it seems like an insurmountable obstacle to dodge, especially since the Federal Reserve is enforcing it.
• Why I saw the opportunity: Google's help and this can relate to me since I'm a college student and I know people who are struggling to pay back their student loans.

4. Paid sick leave (Regulatory Change)

• https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7671-regulatory-issues-changes.html
• Paid sick leave is attractive to entrepreneurs who want to appeal to productive, valuable workers but adds to the planning and construction of policies.
• Prototypical customer: employees
• Relatively easy to exploit this opportunity since it's something that be easy to implement and has already been done before with larger corporations.
• Why I saw the opportunity: Google's help and it seems to be common sense - you want people who feel when they are sick or have to take medical leave that they are accommodated for in the workplace.

5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

1. Fla. student debt ranks highest in country - Experian study says rate spiked 35% in three-  year timespan 

• Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1711BDECA5359E98
• The story in the Orlando Sentinel described how student debts have risen, with Florida being the highest in the country. To combat part of the problem, lawmakers are having schools inform their students of their loan amounts and monthly payments.
• Student debt in Florida has skyrocketed and families are having to borrow even more money than before to pay for college. This is partly due to families moving to Florida and less grants being available. 
• Who has the problem: College students in Florida and their families

2. Orlando No. 1 for pedestrian deaths

• Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171269CE35BFB078
• The story in the Orlando Sentinel described how Orlando has become the hotspot for pedestrian deaths and delves into the history of how the city was built and other factors that have contributed to the level of deaths.
• The main reason for pedestrian deaths is that Orlando was designed for automobiles and cars. The main setup for pedestrian deaths are around roads that are “wide, fast, multilane, barren of safe crossing places and carry heavy traffic.” Those who are most vulnerable are older adults, people of color, and those who live in low-income communities.
• Who has the problem: Pedestrians in Orlando, FL and those who are most at risk: older adults, people of color, and low-income residents.

3. Orange high schools could see later start - School board members examine cost, logistics of pushing time back

• Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171269CD5B539B00
• The story in the Orlando Sentinel described how high schools in Orange County are considering pushing back their start times based off results from another county that tried it and the probable improvement of student academic performance and grades.
• A school district in Seattle pushed back their high school times and found that students were able to get 34 more minutes of sleep on average and their academic performance improved. That same school district have also switched high school and elementary school times - a plan that was well supported by teachers, parents, and staff.
• Who has the problem: High school students directly, but also teachers, parents, staff, and bus drivers are also affected

4. We must protect the youth from nicotine addiction - GUEST COLUMN

• Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0122%21January%2B22&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/1711BDEC21D9FC30
• The story in the Orlando Sentinel described how Florida’s youth have dramatically increased in e-cigarette use - mainly with the JUUL and a call for action to protect the youth from suffering from nicotine addiction.
• Youth nicotine substance use has reached an all-time high in the past 43 years mainly through the use of the JUUL that contains nicotine salts that allow the user to inhale high levels of nicotine with less irritation. To combat this issue, Tobacco Free Florida implemented education problems about the dangers of use as well as local and state communities including e-cigarettes in indoor smoke-free zones, restricting youth’s access in retail, and implementing price policies.
• Who has the problem: High school and college students - mainly those who have tried/use e-cigarettes

5. Arts, culture deserve full funding from state of Florida - GUEST COLUMN

• Link: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17121490C15FC2C8
• The story in the Orlando Sentinel described the need for funding for arts and culture in Florida and how it can generate profit for the state.
• Representative Anna V. Eskamani is pushing for art and culture funding because it instills values, translates experiences across space and time, bridge gaps across class and culture, teach public speaking skills, and create an avenue of expression for those of any ability. Florida has recently cut funding by nearly 90% last session, but funding the arts could actually make an economic profit.
• Who has the problem: museums, theaters, science centers, artists, etc.

4A - Forming an Opportunity Belief

I believe that there is an unmet need for learning basic life skills such as filing a tax return, how to grow your credit score, how to get a loan, buying a house, choosing the right insurance, etc. The people I find the most who share this problem is graduating high school students and college students. For the most part, I believe that this problem has been prevalent for years, especially millennials today. In order to combat this problem, most people either ask their parents/guardians for help or learn by themselves when the problem arises (in other words, they cross that bridge when they get there). One way to solve this problem is to have seniors in high school take a class that teaches them the necessary skills before they graduate. I would say I'm 60% certain that this opportunity exists. The main prototypical customer will be high school/college students.

#1 - Male College Freshman

• When did you first realize that you need these skills?
• Probably around the time of graduating high school
• When do you realize that you need these skills?
• It comes into play a lot right now since I'm away at school and I have to take care of things myself 
• When you graduated high school, did you feel unprepared for the real-world?
• yes 
• What do you currently do if you don't know how to file a tax return for example? Are you satisfied with this solution?
• I usually ask my parents or friends and if not them, Google. It helps for now but extra help wouldn't hurt.
• Do you believe taking a class in high school that teaches you these skills would've helped you now?
• yeah probably, especially since most things you learn in high school don't apply to your day-to-day life

#2 - High School Senior

• When did you first realize that you need these skills?
• I felt the need a little bit throughout high school (with having a part-time job) but it was really emphasized the closer I get to graduation.
• When do you realize that you need these skills?
• Mainly whenever the situation arises, like applying for a job.
• As of right now, do you feel prepared for the real-world?
• Absolutely not
• What do you currently do if you don't know how to file a tax return for example? Are you satisfied with this solution?
• I would ask my parents and no - I would want to be able to be independent and not ask them for every little thing
• Do you believe taking a class in high school that teaches you these skills would/would help you now?
• Yes! I wish there was, it's really annoying that we learn about history and algebra but not any actual life skills

#3 - Graduating College Student

• When did you first realize that you need these skills?
• Senior year while using a credit card and thinking about the future
• When do you realize that you need these skills?
• Financial activities such as loans, rent, credit score, etc
• When you graduated high school, did you feel unprepared for the real-world?
• yes
• What do you currently do if you don't know how to file a tax return for example? Are you satisfied with this solution?
• Ask my dad. Not really satisfied because I'm going to have to learn it myself eventually.
• Do you believe taking a class in high school that teaches you these skills would've helped you now?
• Yes, it would've prepared me more.

Reflection from all 3: I learned that most people would ask their parents for help, especially if their parents were supporting them. From this, I would assume that students who are more independent (especially if they are financially independent) learned these skills on their own simply because they HAD to. Regardless, having a class in high school that teaches students these skills would be beneficial. In addition, there are resources students can turn to, but the older they get, the more crucial it is to have these skills.

Summary: Overall, the opportunity still exists partly because there's no harm done in having a class to educate high school students. Even for students that don't necessarily go to college, the skills they would learn is still applicable. However, those who learned from their parents may not necessarily need the class, it could still help. I believe that my new opportunity is more accurate than when I started based off the prototypical customer feedback. Entrepreneurs should definitely adapt and consider customer feedback since there would be no opportunity without them. However, I don't believe entrepreneurs should ever completely abandon their original idea/purpose. There must be a balance between the two.

3A - Your Entrpreneurship Story

I was first exposed to entrepreneurship when I was in high school and my cousins decided to start a non-profit organization called Susie’s Knee Project. The idea came from when we were on vacation in Jamaica and my aunt fell and shattered her knee. When rushed to the hospital, they were shocked to find inadequate conditions. After coming back to the states, they were inspired to arrange soccer fundraisers to raise money in order to purchase medical supplies and equipment to send back to that exact same hospital my aunt was admitted to. In collaboration with them, I conducted the social media marketing and constructed parts of the website. Through this experience, I learned more about entrepreneurship and my awareness of having a business mind.

By taking ENT3003, I hope to grow my skills not only as a businesswoman, but as an individual as well. I’m considering minoring in entrepreneurship so this class is the first step! I wish to gain some real-world skills and learn how to be more aware of my surroundings and how to utilize what’s around me to create something better.

2A - Bug LIst

1. Lack of healthy food options on campus
   WHY it exists: Healthy food is more expensive and fast food options (ex. Subway, Wendy’s, and Pollo Tropical) are more affordable.

2. Limited parking locations on campus for red 3 decals
   WHY it exists: Students with higher credits are able to have more options for parking and there’s limited space on campus for those with less credits.

3. No dining areas are open 24 hours on campus
    WHY it exists: It’s more expensive to have a place open all the time and potential workers want to be able to go home at a reasonable hour.

4. Long lines at Walmart during rush hour
   WHY it exists: People tend to get off work at the same time and because of its location and affordability, it’s a popular spot.

5. Recycling center is far away from housing
   WHY it exists: Recycling collectors usually access it by a vehicle and it’s easier to pick it up from one place instead of every doorstep.

6. Required new editions of textbooks for classes
   WHY it exists: Providers want to make money and there’s an occasional change of content between editions.

7. Creases in shoes (leather usually)
    WHY it exists: Shoes get worn down with use and especially with leather it’s something that’s difficult to prevent.

8. Shrinking clothes
    WHY it exists: Fabric’s reaction with heat and people’s general forgetfulness of not reading washing instructions.

9. Having trouble registering for classes
    WHY it exists: Popularity with classes/professors and different registration times.

10. Disposing old electronics (phones, old gaming consoles, DvD players)
      WHY it exists: New technology comes out and there’s no use for the old technology. There’s no proper recycling centers in place either.

11. Running out of memory on your phone 

      WHY it exists: Limited space on your phone, having too many pictures/apps, and not utilizing the cloud.

12. Getting leaves under the hood of the car
      WHY it exists: Parking under trees, wind, and exposed areas on the car.

13. Limited seating in Newell Hall
      WHY it exists: Too much open space and not enough chairs and tables.

14. Campus Chick-Fil-A doesn’t take gift cards 

      WHY it exists: May not be a full chain or because it’s located on campus.

15. Laundry machines don’t accept Gator 1 card in Hume Hall
     WHY it exists: System is not up to date.

16. Glasses sliding down face
      WHY it exists: Sweat prevents the nose-sitters on glasses from remaining stationary.

17. Getting a water cup and being given a smaller cup from Pollo Tropical in the Reitz Union
      WHY it exists: They don’t want to be scammed for a refill if it wasn’t paid for.

18. Limited bus routes on campus on the weekends
     WHY it exists: Less people on campus so there’s not as great as a need for the buses to run as often.

19. Having small desk space when taking exams in Turlington Hall
      WHY it exists: Building hasn’t been renovated and current seats are still functional.

20. iPhone speakers getting clogged with dust and lint
     WHY it exists: Exposed to the air and pockets

I found writing the bug list to be difficult since I don’t really consider how to solve the small problems I encounter in my daily life. My mind isn’t trained to spot the problems and find the root cause of why that problem exists. Usually, I have a second or two of annoyance and I move on with my day. In addition, trying to come up with bugs when they didn’t happen in the moment was also challenging.

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