Final Reflection

What sticks out to you as the most formative experience? The experience that you'll remember years later? What was your most joyous experience? What experience are you most proud of yourself for accomplishing?

I think the experience of talking to random people and getting their feedback was very valuable. I'll remember being outside in 100 degree weather trying to talk to people. I think I'm most proud of developing a product that has actual potential in the retail area. 

At the beginning of the semester, I mentioned that I wanted each of you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. And we repeated the mantra -- I am an entrepreneur. Now, at the end, do you see yourself as an entrepreneur? Do you think you have moved closer to developing an entrepreneurial mindset?

After going through this semester, I definitely see myself as an entrepreneur. I'm constantly looking at situations and thinking of ways to exploit an opportunity. I know I'll keep this mindset for the rest of my life and am sure it will benefit me. 

What is the one recommendation you would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future? What would you recommend they do to perform best in this course? What would you recommend they do to foster that mindset?

I would recommend that they set reminders for assignment due dates, especially the extra credit quizzes. I often times was out of town and wasn't able to get to a computer during the period the quizzes were open. I would advise future students to stay true to the schedule they set at the beginning of the semester, and especially to have no fear. Just do it. Many of the assignments will make you uncomfortable, but if you persevere you'll begin to find success. 

Venture Concept No. 2

The opportunity I see is for fishermen to be able to have a sense of security when wearing sunglasses out on the water.

-Who has the need? 

• Fishermen who are on the water constantly. Anyone who has lost a pair of sunglasses from dropping them overboard. 

-The nature of the need? 

• The nature of the need is that people spend hundreds of dollars on high quality sunglasses and can't afford to buy a new pair when they lose one while fishing. 

-How is the market defined geographically and demographically? 

• No age limit, anyone who can wear sunglasses
• Men/boys and Women/girls who love the outdoors
• People who spend hours a year fishing 
• Use high-quality, polarized sunglasses 

-How are customers currently satisfying this need? And how loyal are they to whatever they use now? 

• There is currently not a product that activates as Floaki does. There are croakies that have a large float attached, but this is extremely cumbersome and uncomfortable on the back of your neck. 

-How big is this opportunity? 

• This opportunity is very large in fishing towns and cities. Coastlines, lake and river areas would be the best locations for opportunity. 

- How long will the window of opportunity be open? 

• Once the higher end fishing sunglasses companies (Costa del Mar, Smith, etc.) develop floating glasses with the same lenses, there will no longer be a need for Floaki. 

What I am trying to develop is a product that helps save fishermen money and gives them peace of mind. I've personally experienced losing an expensive pair of sunglasses to the ocean, and replacing them is no cheap task. Having great sunglasses is crucial if you are on the water frequently and this product can help ensure that people's investment won't be lost because of a simple mistake. 

The venture concept is that the product I am trying to produce will help people save money and not deal with the headache that comes with losing a nice pair of shades. 

-What are the reasons to think customers would switch to this new product? How hard will it be to get them to switch? 

• Today there isn't a product that fulfills the function of Floaki. I think it will be easy to get customers to buy the product because they don't have another option. 

-Who are the competitors? 

• There are no competitors for this market at the moment. The product is new and may start its own market when launched. 

-What role does packaging, your price points, distribution, customer support, the customer experience or the business location play (if any) in defining your business concept? 

• I think many of these aspects are important for this product. 
• Packaging must be simple but provide the function of the product
• Price point must not be to expensive and should be achievable given the product's simple makeup 
• Customer support will be needed to spread the word, word of mouth will be a huge way of marketing this product

-How would you organize a business to support the ongoing production of your new product?

• I would organize the business with production and office (sales/marketing) in the same location. I would try and locate somewhere in Florida due to the high population of fishermen and charter companies. I would eventually get the product into retail and continue to ship products to all of the stores we create partnerships with. 

FEEDBACK

I've received lots of positive feedback from classmates concerning Floaki. Some of my classmates are fishermen as well and agree that this product has lots of potential. At this point in time the challenges I face are production, but once that's achieved I think the distribution will become popular as more people experience or hear of Floaki. 

Reading Reflection No. 3

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

The general theme or argument of the book was that we are experiencing a third industrial revolution. The major drivers of production are no longer what they used to be--labor based. As we move into robotic labor, the new advantage will be closeness to production. The closer production is to the market the more successful that product will be. 

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

I think it connected with the aspects of knowing your market and both past and future trends. The trends in the production world are changing drastically. 

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

If I were to design an exercise, it would have to involve adapting to a changing market demographic. This book really focuses the changing of businesses focus on labor to proximity of production to distribution. 

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

My biggest surprise moment was how real this third industrial revolution is. Companies bringing production back to the US is something that will be happening in the next decade. Robot technology is rapidly advancing and before we know it most production will be done without the use of human labor. 

My Exit Strategy

1) Identify the exit strategy you plan to make. 

I plan to sell my business after 5 or so years. This could change depending on the trending success of the product and whether it's projected sales are worth holding on to the company. I always like thinking of new concepts or potential ventures so I think I'll want to start the next 'chapter' after 5 years. 

2) Why have you selected this particular exit strategy?

I selected this exit strategy because I know how my mind works, and 5 years from now I will likely be eager to experience something other than Floaki. Granted, I could be very wrong and if the product is a huge success I would like to hold on to the company (wouldn't we all). If I had to bet, though, I see myself wanting to sell. I always viewed this venture as a side business to my main career, so selling wouldn't be a devastating financial blow. 

3) How do you think your exit strategy has influenced the other decisions you've made in your concept? For instance, has it influenced how you have identified an opportunity? Has it influenced your growth intentions or how you plan to acquire and use resources?

I think my exit strategy has influenced how I've approached acquiring and using resources. My main focus has been to talk with avid anglers and see what they have to say about the product. Realistically I would be happy with partnering with one of these people and letting them do most of the selling/marketing because they're already in the demographic I need to be in. Because of this, I wouldn't have as much 'skin in the game' and selling would be much easier for me to do. 

Making It Real

My Resume

Celebrating Failure

Past failure...

A few weeks ago my scooter wouldn't start. I've had it for 3 years and have never had a problem with it, until now. Instead of bringing it to a mechanic right away, I decided to try and fix it myself. I got out some tools I had laying around the house and got to work, starting by removing the top of the scooter to have more access to the engine and battery. 

After a few turns and quick battery charge I was able to eventually get the engine running. It drove well until I stopped it again, and it wouldn't start. I decided to do the same process as before, but something went wrong. My scooter was only going 10mph and accelerating when I would turn my blinker on. Needless to say I had a much bigger problem than I had previously thought. 

What I learned...

I learned my way around a scooter engine/battery and how the connections vary from the engines I'm used to. I also learned that I'm not as good of a mechanic as I may have thought as soon as I got it working the first time. 

Once I was told what the real problem was (after a trip to the mechanic) there was no way I could've solved it with my own resources. 

Reflect..

I think failure is crucial when going through life. If we never fail we will never know how to overcome adversity or problem solve. At the end of the day failing is learning. 

When faced with failure, I get very critical of myself. It also makes me more driven to accomplish what I haven't accomplished. This class has helped in not feeling as embarrassed to put yourself out there. When I'm faced with a challenge in a comfortable environment, it's much easier to overcome compared to the environment that this class has put me in. I'm definitely more likely to take a risk now than I was at the beginning of the semester. 

Growing My Social Capital

Spencer Riley, Market Expert

He grew up fishing and surfing in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, FL. I believe him to be the market expert for me because he recently opened a tackle shop in town. I've known Spencer throughout high school and know his knowledge is unmatched in our area. I ran into his younger brother a few days ago and was able to get his information. 

After speaking with him at the new tackle shop he cut me a deal on some shirts if I wore them around town. He also gave me his thoughts about the product I have been working on. Including Spencer in my network enhances my ability to exploit opportunity because he has the local knowledge of a market I know as well, but no longer live in. Having his trust and insight in that area could be helpful down the road. 

Billy Ninesling, Supplier

Billy grew up fishing in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, FL and works at large tackle shop in Stuart, FL called White's Tackle. I keep in touch with him every couple of weeks and we always try to fish together when we can. He fits the supplier slot because he deals with customers on a daily basis. He sees what products people like, don't like, and hears why. 

We were recently texting each other and I asked about meeting some of his coworkers/owners down in Stuart when I got the chance. He gladly said he would, only that I had to fish with him before doing so. Having a long time friend like Billy who is in the fishing supply industry reaches a network I'll always want to be a part of. 

Eric Davis, Domain Expert

Eric owned outdoor outfitting store, The Backcountry, and now works as saltwater fishing guide from Melbourne all the way to Key West. He fits the slot of domain expert because he has the utmost experience in the retail side of the market as well as the most experience fishing in all areas of Florida. I was able to contact him over Facebook after seeing some pictures of fish he had recently caught. 

Once I broke the ice, I began talking about current events going on with the algae in south Florida and the tarpon run off of Vero Beach. Being a long time friend of my dad, Eric needed nothing in return to offer me advice and insight on any aspect he can. Having him in my network introduces information I would have previously never known. 

Reflect

Having experience in the same field these people are in was a huge aid in networking. Being able to strike up a conversation about something someone is interested in is the easiest way to begin. It differed in my past experience because I knew the three people beforehand, but I found that being as genuine as possible got me the most trust and response. 

I'll try and use these same strategies that proved effective in the future. With chances being low that I'll know the people prior, I'll need to become as comfortable as possible speaking to total strangers. 

Reading Reflection No. 2

What was the general theme or argument of the book?

In Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick's book The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users he offers tips on to become a better self-marketer. Their ideas of self-promotion and making yourself standout were very interesting because some of them are so simple but never thought of. It's an art (if you can look at it that way) to be able to self promote effectively, especially with the tech savvy world we live in today making it so difficult to get noticed. 

How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

This book explains exactly what we're talking about and learning in this class. It connects with what Dr. Pryor is teaching us on many levels and also gave alternative views on similar subjects. It enhanced my mind because Dr. Pryor always says to look at something in as many different ways as you can and the book offers just that. I will say that I'd rather watch a live lecture to learn about the material, but the book was eye opening to the amount of strategy that goes into marketing campaigns. 

If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

I think it would be interesting to have a contest with students: Making a new twitter account with zero followers and seeing how many followers people can get by the end of the semester or a certain period of time. It would be cool to use the tactics described in the book as strategy and see the results. 

What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

I think the biggest surprise I had while reading the book was the amount of information I wasn't aware of. At first I felt bad about myself when realizing how much I didn't know, but then that made me realize how much OTHER people don't know than me, which was intriguing. I feel more knowledgeable on how to carry myself and the simple tricks that can make all the difference when self-promoting. 

Idea Napkin No. 2

You.

After reading my comments and reflecting on my first idea napkin I don't need to add much to this section, but will do so in the following. This is my previous description of who I am: 

In order to understand and develop marketing strategies and the best way to sell the product, I need to realize my best strengths as an entrepreneur. I am a strong leader and have always taken direction when given a challenge. I know how to communicate with people and feel that I can have a genuine conversation with most everyone I meet. I've had experience in making clients lower prices for construction products as well as cutting deals with expensive fishing equipment. I have experience in overcoming adversity as I was always told I wouldn't be able to make the football team at Florida. Rather than listening, it drove me to work harder and eventually making the roster. I feel that any entrepreneur must have this attitude in that there will inevitably be negative feedback or "haters" everywhere in life. 

What are you offering to customers? 

This product prevents expensive sunglasses from being lost to oceans, rivers and lakes. It will help take away headaches and save money for fishermen and boating enthusiasts. 
Once dropped in water, the product won't trigger. But, once the glasses sink below 2 feet, the Floaki takes effect. A small flotation device is released, allowing the glasses to rise back to the surface. 

Who are you offering it to? 

I believe this product can help anyone who is around the water. Whether it be salt or fresh, nothing is stopping your $200 glasses from sinking out of site. I think the unmet need resides mostly with fishermen and recreational boaters. 

Why do they care?

After speaking to numerous fishermen and being one myself, I share the frustration of losing a nice pair of sunglasses to the ocean or lake. If a product will save both added headaches and bank accounts I believe people will buy Floaki. 

What are your core competencies? 

I feel that the ability for the product to float after being lost sets it apart from others. There are sunglasses that float, but none that are ranked among the most effective glasses. Having peace of mind that after making the simple mistake of dropping your glasses they'll float back up goes a long way with people (especially me). 

Conclusion.

When evaluating these elements I think they fit together rather well. The unmet need is definitely there but a sufficient product hasn't come out to exploit it. I know that discovering this need out of my own necessity means there are other customers out there, and after speaking with various fishing guides and power boaters it confirmed the unmet need. Even though there is opportunity here, I know I would need help in getting the product made and developed. 

Feedback memo. 

After receiving feedback from my Idea Napkin No. 1, I had to adjust parts of my marketing scheme. I discovered that I was promoting it the wrong way by trying to bash croakies for their looks. I should be talking about the functional differences, not the looks. Yes, croakies seem ugly to a lot of people, but fishermen need to remove their glasses all the time while on the water and croakies make that easier than ever. I use croakies when I'm on the water so I had to change my approach. 

After thinking about it in more depth, I realized there is even potential for another product--croakies with the addition of Floaki, but I'll get to that later. From my feedback I think the biggest discovery was the issue with "What am I offering" and "Why do I care" and I have changed them above. 

Because there were only a couple issues brought up from feedback, I'll do my best to make five points: 

1. People like the idea
2. There is potential
3. I should change my approach (not using "ugly croakies" as a strategy)
4. Changing my approach changes the products main function (how I describe it)
5. I'm able to effectively describe the product and market demographic 

Elevator Pitch No. 2

Link to elevator pitch: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IarCHkEbNNo&feature=youtu.be 

A reflection on the feedback you received from your last pitch

I wasn't able to post my first elevator pitch, but from reviewing my classmates videos I feel I would've made the same mistakes. I think using gestures or speaking in an upbeat manner are important to grab attention. I know I still need to work on certain areas of my pitch but I am noticing improvement the more I practice this exercise. 

What did you change, based on the feedback?

As I mentioned before, I was unable to post my first elevator pitch, but I think I could use improvement in my delivery and wording of my pitch. I'll be sure to use the feedback from this post in my future endeavors. 

My Secret Sauce

Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique. 

1. I think I am very dependable and trustworthy. If I tell you I'm going to do something I won't fail to do so. 
2. I feel I can take a step back and assess a situation neutrally, or to the best of my ability. 
3. I'll admit if I'm wrong. If I'm proven wrong I won't continue to argue out of pride.
4. I am a good problem solver. I don't shy from problems but rather try and attack the issue with a solution. 
5. I can make friends or create good relationships with many different personality types. 

Interview the five people who know you the best. (the people who know me best are my family and are out of the country but I was able to get their opinions over email.)

1 - Mom : She's definitely bias, but my mom agrees with the list I provided her. She thinks I might be a little quick to assess situations sometimes, but I think this is because she hasn't seen me as much now that I've been at college for a few years. Seeing me grow up she saw that I was always able to make friends anywhere and she thinks that's what mainly makes me different. She also said that my stubbornness will serve me well when I'm older (still trying to figure that one out). 

2 - Dad : I definitely have a lot of my dads traits when it comes to our 'human capital' so he has a very similar list, if he were to make his own. He jokingly said I'm way too stubborn, but that's just because we both don't back down if we truly believe we're right. We both, though, will admit (grudgingly when arguing together) that we're wrong. All in all he agrees with me on what I believe makes me different. 

3 - Older brother : My older brother thinks what makes me different is that I won't shy from adversity. We grew up playing sports and were on multiple teams together so he knows me at my most intense moments. He thinks my ability to lead and influence others is my strongest attributes (it took a lot for him to admit that). 

4 - Younger brother :  It was interesting hearing the different side of the story. My older brother and I were more peers because we are closer in age, while my younger brother looked up to me as a role model. From his view, he thinks my ability to earn the respect and trust of others is different than a lot of people. 

5 - Dale : I've known Dale since I was 5 years old and went to school together K-12. His opinion is very similar to my older brother's. He thinks what makes me different is how I won't back down from a challenge and won't let a person get the best of me. He interestingly said I did so without being reckless, or that I know when the right time is to take action or be patient. 

3) Reflect on the differences

I think my self assessment was pretty accurate to how others perceive me. I think my brothers and friends have seen me at my most intense and know me better than a lot of people, and I can say that I didn't know I was sometimes as intense or passionate as they said. I think my interviewees must be right because they are the ones who know me best, and I know we share the same opinions of our other peers. 

If I were to look at my first list after talking to my interviewees I would probably add that I'm very passionate about the things I care about, whether it be people or ideals. 

My Customer's Avatar

My prototypical customer is any serious saltwater fishing angler, whether it be charter captains or recreational fishermen/women. They get on the water whenever possible with their busy schedules. They like to watch fishing and adventure shows on TV. 

The customer most likely has children (if an adult), but it doesn't necessarily affect their buying probability for this product. My customer most likely watches shows or series rather than reading books. They can be from 10 to as old as one can fish. I know I was out fishing before the age of 10 and would have used this product if I was able to. 

They have been fishing long enough to have lost a pair of expensive sunglasses on the water and don't want to take another hit to their wallet. 

I think I'm able to describe the customer avatar easily because I fit the customer avatar description. Because it's available to both young and older people, it's more difficult to have a specific set of criteria for my avatar. I don't think it's a coincidence that I'm similar to the avatar because entrepreneurs want to solve customer problems, and the problems we think of first are ones we face personally. Being your own customer allows you to try and fix your own problems. 

Portmanteau: Floaki

Floaki

noun: A combination of the words "float" and "croakie" (the sunglasses attachment). Describes product that acts as a flotation device for glasses dropped into the water. 

As I first used the word around my friends, they were a bit confused. Once I explained to them the product I had thought of and what service it performed, they all agreed the name worked with the product. 

I started using the word commonly, whether I was explaining what I did that day or what I was doing, I would always say I was working on my Floaki project. After a day or two I started using it more often and sometimes got on my friends' nerves doing so. Waiting for some time to pass before starting again, one of my roommates used the word jokingly when watching tv. Joking or not, the fact that he used the word without my command meant I had succeeded in a small way. 

Because of this exercise, the word Floaki has been in my mind a lot more than usual. My friends and roommates have continued to use the word in passing, but rarely is the product part any conversations we have. 

Halfway Reflection

The past two months have been a lot different than I expected for this class. The material is a lot like what I thought I would learn, but the assignments were much different than expected. I found myself talking to strangers much more often and constantly looking at situations and trying to find the opportunity within. 

These assignments constantly put you in an uncomfortable situation, but pushing through the nerves makes you realize that it's really not as difficult as you think. Trust me, though, I'm not saying I enjoy it. I've needed to stay determined to get tasks done. I felt like giving up on a week of posts when I was out of town but was able to overcome my negativity and complete the assignments. I wouldn't say that I've developed determination because I've always been that way. 

If I could offer advice to a new student taking this course, I would say to work ahead when possible. If your ever stressed for time and haven't completed a task, try and make it a goal to accomplish. Working towards set goals seems to help me instead of viewing the assignments as a checklist. Finally, I would say be open to new ways of thinking because this course shows you more effective ways to do so.

Reading Reflection #1

Andrew Carnegie 

What surprised me the most? 

Reading about his childhood and what he came from was very intriguing to me. I don't think when he was growing up in Scotland that he had any relevant clue of how his life would turn out, but I guess that's the same case for most of us. 

What did I most admire? 

I most admire his spirit for philanthropy. Coming from a poor family, Carnegie wanted to provide chances for people who were like him growing up. At the end of the day he gave up most of his fortune for the betterment of others in an effort to help society improve. 

What did I least admire? 

I least admired how he treated many of his workers, but many people think it is due to his life growing up. The end game for Carnegie always seemed to be philanthropic, but his ways of getting there were sometimes harsh. Anyone who achieves that financial position would've had to pissed someone off along in the process, so I'm not surprised in reports of how he treated some people negatively. You can't fight the fact, though, of how much he provided for people who couldn't provide themselves. 

Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? What did they do about it? 

Andrew Carnegie faced much adversity in his upbringing as a Scottish immigrant in the United States. For his first job he worked as a bobbin boy in Pittsburg. He worked his way into the railroad business and used his resources to promote him self rapidly through the company. His mind was geared towards exploiting opportunity, which is just what he did when moving to America. 

What competencies did I notice in the entrepreneur? 

After reading about Carnegie's life and his endeavors, I discovered his constant go-getter attitude. He was never satisfied with the status quo and only wanted to increase his influence on the world. His commitment to philanthropy was rivaled by none. 

What part of the reading was confusing? 

I found it confusing how Carnegie interacted with people and treated his employees but also gave back so much of his fortune to society. It was hard to understand how someone was so eager to accumulate wealth but just as eager to give it all away. 

If you were able to ask two questions, what would you ask? 

If you could go back and change your employee policies, would you and how so? 

In your opinion, what do you think made you as successful as you were and do you think it can be done by anyone with the right approach? 

How might have Andrew Carnegie view hard work? 

I think he has a grasp on every angle of hard work, whether it's using his brain to make decisions or manual labor, Carnegie has seen both ends of the spectrum. I believe he would define it as any task that requires extreme determination to overcome it. I share this opinion because I've had grueling challenges in life, both physical and mental, I wouldn't say one chore was harder work than the other. 

Idea Napkin #1

Idea Napkin #1

In an effort to more accurately define my product, Floaki, I must identify the "who" and "what" my product is geared towards. This post will consist of who I am as an entrepreneur and what characteristics separate my product from others in the market. 

YOU...

In order to understand and develop marketing strategies and the best way to sell the product, I need to realize my best strengths as an entrepreneur. I am a strong leader and have always taken direction when given a challenge. I know how to communicate with people and feel that I can have a genuine conversation with most everyone I meet. I've had experience in making clients lower prices for construction products as well as cutting deals with expensive fishing equipment. I have experience in overcoming adversity as I was always told I wouldn't be able to make the football team at Florida. Rather than listening, it drove me to work harder and eventually making the roster. I feel that any entrepreneur must have this attitude in that there will inevitably be negative feedback or "haters" everywhere in life. 

What are you offering to customers? 

This product will take away the hassle of wearing croakies as well as their ugly look. Conveniently placed on the earpiece of the sunglasses, Floaki is much more hidden and out of site than any croakies, offering a fashionable alternative that provides security for your glasses. 

Once dropped in water, the product won't trigger. But, once the glasses sink below 2 feet, the Floaki takes effect. A small flotation device is released, allowing the glasses to rise back to the surface. 

Who are you offering it to? 

I believe this product can help anyone who is around the water. Whether it be salt or fresh, nothing is stopping your $200 glasses from sinking out of site. I think the unmet need resides mostly with fishermen and recreational boaters. 

Why do they care?  

After speaking to numerous fishermen and being one myself, I share the frustration of losing a nice pair of sunglasses to the ocean or lake. If a product will save both added headaches and bank accounts I believe people will buy Floaki. 

What are your core competencies? 

I feel that the subtleness of the product is what sets it apart from other products. Top of the line sunglasses are meant to be fashionable while at the same time no one ever wants to lose a pair. Floaki is able to provide the security people like without hurting the look of the glasses. 

Conclusion: 

When evaluating these elements I think they fit together rather well. The unmet need is definitely there but a sufficient product hasn't come out to exploit it. I know that discovering this need out of my own necessity means there are other customers out there, and after speaking with various fishing guides and power boaters it confirmed the unmet need. Even though there is opportunity here, I know I would need help in getting the product made and developed. 

Looking for Opportunity

Legalization of Cannabis in Florida

The debate on the legalization of cannabis in Florida (as well as other states) is becoming increasingly popular. I just watched a documentary about epileptic children and the positive effects that marijuana had on them. With four states (Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska) recently legalizing recreational use and 20 other states legalizing medical use, it seems like the trend toward national recreation is imminent. 

I believe that medical use is the first step that will take place in Florida, so patients will be the prototypical customers. With the pending regulatory changes, the opportunity for the marijuana business to have future success seems very likely. 

Growing up, I played multiple sports with someone who had epilepsy. I saw the effects first hand and knew that the current medicine wasn't doing enough. After watching a documentary about the medicine "Charlotte's Web" I became much more interested in the issue and how the future is bright for the industry. I know there are others who have seen this future opportunity, but none (to my knowledge) have began investing in the technology needed to supply the specific drugs needed. 


Police cracking down on texting while driving
Throughout the country law enforcement has been cracking down with harsh penalties for those caught texting while driving. Some states are more lenient than others, but all have some form of texting while driving law. Because of this, I found that hands-free technology is becoming much more widely used. This is an opportunity because the market is increasing rapidly. 


The most likely customer for hands-free technology is basically anyone with access to a smartphone, so the market potential is huge. I think it could be difficult to exploit in that there are various hands-free programs out there, so those already in the market must gain a competitive advantage to grasp what portion of customers they can. 

I saw this opportunity because of an article I read concerning the texting while driving laws. Many car commercials are also incorporating the hands-free technology and promoting it to customers. I constantly hear stories about accidents happening because of texting distractions, and I know that I'm lucky to have not been close to a tragedy like that. The new technology won't only be convenient but will also save lives. 

The emergence of self-driving cars

I was watching TV when I saw an ad for Google test driving its very own self-driving car. This is an opportunity because looking at economic trends, our society likes to buy what makes life more convenient for them. So, what more convenient than to have your own chauffeur at all times? 


I believe the main customers for these cars, at least at first, would be elderly people. But, as the technology becomes better and better, I could see people of all ages becoming customers. 

At this point in time, the opportunity is difficult to exploit because the technology isn't effective enough to start a brand just yet. The future, though, holds a lot of potential for this business to thrive. 


Natural energy becoming more and more popular, powerful. 

Gas prices today are the lowest I've seen them in my lifetime. The new trend in much of the world is moving from gas power to solar and wind power, or "going green". I read that Portugal was able to survive for four straight days on wind, solar, and hydro-generated electricity. Accomplishments like this are signs of the potential opportunities in green energy. 


The potential customers for green energy are the entire world's population. As these practices become more and more efficient, it won't be long until our lives are run completely on green energy. 

The opportunity in the green energy market is astounding. The difficulty in exploiting it lies in making the energy practices more efficient and sustainable, even though today's technology is still profoundly successful. I saw this opportunity because I care a lot about the outdoors and keeping our ecosystems healthy. A powerful green energy practice will help ensure that our environment will continue to thrive.