1) Elevator pitch for Millie's Cafe: https://youtu.be/sOjGE1XrCac
2) Though I did not receive any feedback from my peers, I did go watch my last elevator pitch and noticed a few things. As far as presentation goes, I made an effort to be more concise, and to only say what was necessary. Also, I felt myself speaking like the "OxyClean" commercial head in the first elevator pitch, so I worked on my tone of voice and sentence structure. I think that it is critical to go through the other elevator pitch, as it made me realize the different things that I can work on. I did not find any of my presentation "silly", but rather I found it to appear more professional than how I felt originally.
3) Based on my personal feedback, I made an effort to speak more concisely, and to not sound as "obnoxious" or like I was trying to sell the perfect cleaning product or specialty device. I made an effort to maintain professionalism throughout the entire presentation, though sometimes it can be difficult to stay focused the whole time.
Friday, October 26, 2018
18A - Create a Customer Avatar
Creating an "Avatar" - Meet Lisa, a 19 year old student at the University of Florida
Lisa is a 19 year old student that is in the Warrington College of Business. She is in her second year as a Finance major, and has a hefty school load this semester. On top of school, Lillie enjoys exercising, spending time with friends, and going to vegan events around Gainesville. She drives a small, forest green Mini Cooper, and enjoys driving her friends and herself around town. When not spending time with friends at the mall, Lisa enjoys watching the Walking Dead and the Vampire Diaries with her friends. When not busy with her friends or school, Lisa likes to spend time with her 9 month old puppy, Lillie. Lillie is a 25lb miniature goldendoodle, and is a bundle of energy. Lisa likes to bring Lillie with her everywhere, but can only bring her indoors where her ESA certification is granted. Lisa usually starts her morning walking Lillie to the Starbucks in downtown, where she will sit with Lillie and sip on a skinny mocha latte. Lisa will then get a few hours of homework in, outdoors. Being in the business school, which has mostly online classes, Lisa's computer dies a lot. When this happens, she must charge her laptop inside, while trying to keep Lillie under control. After her morning coffee, Lisa will walk back home and either go to class or the library - leaving poor Lillie by herself for a majority of the day. Lisa enjoys a healthy, balanced life and tries to include as many people as possible.
I feel like I would relate to Lisa as both a business owner, and a friend. When creating the avatar, I found myself describing a version of myself that I strive to be. Lisa is a successful, organized, productive student that knows how to balance it all (for the most part). I see coincidence in these few things, and also how I saw myself comparing my qualities to hers.
Friday, October 19, 2018
16A - What's your secret sauce?
My 5 Unique Human Capital Traits:
1. The ability to be personable - I am able to connect with people in a way few are able to - I can get people to speak to me about things they may not even want to tell to their best friend. I am able to get a connection and make even the quietest people "crack".
2. Determination to succeed - When I create goals, I will try relentlessly until they are complete. There have been many personal hardships in my life, and the only way I have been able to overcome them is through hard work and wanting to come out successful.
3. Curiosity - I like to ask questions, and often times, I end up learning a lot more than I asked for. This is good and bad, but always a great experience when meeting new people.
4. Experience - I have seen and done a number of different things, and will be able to help individuals with a number of different things.
5. Creativity - I like to think out of the box when coming up with ideas, asking people things, and creating content.
Video 1: My mom
My mother said that I was intelligent, kind, and resourceful. I agree with these things because I have tried to live those virtues my entire life.
Video 2: My Boyfriend
My boyfriend was able to say that I am very well rounded with regards to people, and that I am intelligent. I believe these fall into a few of my unique human capital resources I mentioned above.
Video 3: Harrison
Do you think I am more creative or curious?
Harrison said that I am more creative because I am inquisitive, and always try to look at things in a different light. I definitely agree with him
Video 4: Nick
If you had to mention any of my weaknesses, what would they be?
Nick mentioned that though I am very determined to succeed, I sometimes try too hard and things end up not working out. I definitely agree with him, and that it is something I can work on.
Video 5: Dillon
Do you think my education or experiences are what makes me unique?
Dillon mentioned that both make me unique, but more of my experiences because of my cultural background. I agree with this because I do have an interesting background and I think that I do rely on past experiences.
Reflection of Differences
I believe that though I received different things than I put, I think that these people may know be better than I know myself. I value their opinions because I have spent a lot of time with them and can see how they think about these different questions that I asked.
15A Figuring out Buyer Behavior
1. For this round of interviews, I chose three women in my sorority that are dog owners. They are all in the same age range, from 18-22. They all are full time students and thoroughly enjoy spending time with their pets. I will refer to them as A, B, and C.
2. The three interviewees had many alternatives, but none of them were necessarily as effective or well-rounded as a dog cafe.
Interviewee A mentioned that an alternative to the issue of not being able to study with their dog indoors was to simply bring their dog to an outdoor coffee shop, such as a Starbucks or something similar. This is does necessarily solve the solution though, because it is difficult to be a fully serviced customer outdoors. Additionally, it ignores the problem of summer heat.
Interviewee B mentioned that she could just bring her dog to a cafe that is "chill" with having dogs indoors (i.e. Wyatt's Coffee). While this does solve the problem of being outdoors, it does not allow the dog to be comfortable in this setting.
Interviewee C mentioned both of the previously mentioned alternatives.
3. This segment is more likely to meet in a brick and mortar retail space, as the product is a dog cafe. A dog cafe is a solely tangible item, though there can be an online retail presence for merchandise from the cafe. Interviewee C mentioned that she normally purchases her dog products at online boutique shops.
4. Interviewee A mentioned that it is critical to enjoy an experience, and that sometimes the price does not matter. She would spend money on premium items in order to provide her dog with a positive experience while she could enjoy one as well.
Interviewee B mentioned that price matters a lot, but she mostly looks back on the fun, memorable parts of an event. "A coffee is just a sunk cost a week after it is purchased" is a critical quote she made, stating that it is more important to remember a fun time.
Interviewee C looks back on price a bit more than the other interviewers. She determines a good purchase as something useful and cost effective.
5. The three interviewers were very insightful in letting me know different things to consider when trying to provide a great experience. A was very interested in the idea, as was B, but then C was more considerate of different logistical things.
6. Overall, I would say a dog cafe would be something that has few effective alternatives, but then has low purchasing competition if it were selling at premium prices.
2. The three interviewees had many alternatives, but none of them were necessarily as effective or well-rounded as a dog cafe.
Interviewee A mentioned that an alternative to the issue of not being able to study with their dog indoors was to simply bring their dog to an outdoor coffee shop, such as a Starbucks or something similar. This is does necessarily solve the solution though, because it is difficult to be a fully serviced customer outdoors. Additionally, it ignores the problem of summer heat.
Interviewee B mentioned that she could just bring her dog to a cafe that is "chill" with having dogs indoors (i.e. Wyatt's Coffee). While this does solve the problem of being outdoors, it does not allow the dog to be comfortable in this setting.
Interviewee C mentioned both of the previously mentioned alternatives.
3. This segment is more likely to meet in a brick and mortar retail space, as the product is a dog cafe. A dog cafe is a solely tangible item, though there can be an online retail presence for merchandise from the cafe. Interviewee C mentioned that she normally purchases her dog products at online boutique shops.
4. Interviewee A mentioned that it is critical to enjoy an experience, and that sometimes the price does not matter. She would spend money on premium items in order to provide her dog with a positive experience while she could enjoy one as well.
Interviewee B mentioned that price matters a lot, but she mostly looks back on the fun, memorable parts of an event. "A coffee is just a sunk cost a week after it is purchased" is a critical quote she made, stating that it is more important to remember a fun time.
Interviewee C looks back on price a bit more than the other interviewers. She determines a good purchase as something useful and cost effective.
5. The three interviewers were very insightful in letting me know different things to consider when trying to provide a great experience. A was very interested in the idea, as was B, but then C was more considerate of different logistical things.
6. Overall, I would say a dog cafe would be something that has few effective alternatives, but then has low purchasing competition if it were selling at premium prices.
Friday, October 12, 2018
13A - Reading Reflection
I read "Shoe Dog" By Phil Night
1) I was surprised how crazy the story is. Phil Knight, the author, had a passion and just decided to go for it. He went to Asia, out of all places, and conveniently got the opportunity to meet with the CEO of a large Japanese manufacturer. That is where “Blue ribbon” was born. And after sending just one round of samples to his mentor, he found a partner.
I admire the management style of Phil Knight. I believe that being hands-off, and just telling people what to do, is overall more effective than trying to micromanage everything. I see this practice effective in many parts of my life, especially when I am doing group work.
I least admired how all he seemed to care about profits. His first mission was to create a high end, low cost shoe line. To me, that sounds like he just wants to make money off of cheap goods by selling them at a high price. Additionally, with all of the issues at sweatshops, Phil Knight came off as a tad greedy.
He encountered very small sales in the beginning, only making 8,000 after selling out of his trunk at track meets for a whole year. Additionally, it took over a year to get the first round of shoe samples when the company first started. Despite these initial issues, Phil Knight was very confident and persistent in trying to make the business work. He still sent out the samples and had his partner coach more people to get more units sold.
2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited?
Phil Knight appears to be competent in a number of fields. He is an intelligent man, that was able to create a business from a small idea. He is always a team player, shown through his management style and wanting people to excel as well. He was very hardworking, and strived to surround himself with likeminded people.
3) I was genuinely confused why the Japanese CEO decided to meet with him. Typically, things like that don’t happen. It was crazy how that moment was the beginning of his great business.
4) What was your craziest investment?
If you could go back in time, what would you change about your business?
I would ask these questions because it is always interesting what people have to say when reflecting on the initial stages of their businesses.
5) I think Phil Knight’s opinion of hard work was never giving up, and I share that opinion. He never stopped trying and worked hard to get his business going. Those traits are critical in bringing any career to a successful point.
14A Halfway Reflection
14A
1. This course has taught me a lot about myself. I constantly see myself thinking about new things that bother me, and other business ideas that could arise. The exercises made me think about the different things that I could make, the logistical problems about them, and how I could solve it with other business decisions. This course has helped me think more strategically about life itself, and that you can turn even the most insignificant things into a business. We’ve covered a lot of things about how to be an entrepreneur, and that everyone could be one if they are passionate about something. Before this course I never thought I wanted to start a business, but after combining my love for dogs and the need to bring my puppy everywhere, I have thought about different business ideas advocating for the inclusivity of pets. I have kept a pattern of when I do my work to make sure I don’t forget any assignments.
2. This fall, I started classes in the MSF program. I’m not great at math or accounting, and all of the masters classes are heavily quantitative and focus on advanced accounting principles. Just last week, I had three exams - two I took on Monday, and one Tuesday morning. It was difficult to find the time and motivation to get through all of them, and I wanted to give up. However, I realized that I can’t do that if I want to have a successful career. I feel like I have developed a more tenacious attitude than ever before. My course-load this semester has greatly contributed to this.
3. My three tips would be: 1. find a passion, and make a goal live your passion. 2. Find a supportive group of people that can push you along the way. 3. Surround yourself with other tenacious people, so they can rub off on you.
Mount Everest!
Friday, October 5, 2018
12A Figuring out Buyer Behavior No. 1
Need Awareness and Information Search Interviews
Interview One: I began my interview process by speaking to a fellow family member, who has a dog. My sister loves her dog very much, and rescued her about a year ago. She always wants to bring her dog everywhere, but struggles with finding a place in Gainesville that will let her bring her pet inside. She is currently applying for medical school, and needs a quiet place to study. However, she does not want to leave her dog alone for long periods of time. My sister would definitely benefit from this business because she definitely fits the profile of someone that would be a frequent customer of the dog cafe, and who would probably bring others with her to spread awareness. This is an example of someone who would need a dog cafe to solve their mix of daily inconveniences.
Interview Two: I interviewed a friend of my sister, who is interested in purchasing a dog. She has lived with a roommate with a dog, and now that she is moving away for full time, she wants a companion to live with her in her one bedroom apartment in Boca. She believes that now would be the perfect time to get a dog, so she can train her while she is a puppy. However, she has never owned a dog and does not know how to take care of them. When discussion what she would do with the dog, she mentioned that she would want to spend all day with her/him. The business idea would help her truly decide if she wants a dog or not, as this environment provides exposure to those with or without dogs. This is an example of another need for this business.
Interview Three: I interviewed a friend that also has a dog, fitting the profile of a typical customer. She was discussing, like my sister, the inconvenience of not being able to bring her dog anywhere indoors to study. Another issue that she mentioned is that her dog never gets exposure to other dogs, because there are not any dog parks. This cafe would fix that problem, as dogs would be allowed to be off leash and be able to interact with one another. The indoor environment also assures that they would not be able to get away, which is also likely when in an outdoor dog park.
For this group of people, it is obvious that people need a place to bring their dogs so they can blow off some steam, or to just embrace their love for dogs in general.
Interview One: I began my interview process by speaking to a fellow family member, who has a dog. My sister loves her dog very much, and rescued her about a year ago. She always wants to bring her dog everywhere, but struggles with finding a place in Gainesville that will let her bring her pet inside. She is currently applying for medical school, and needs a quiet place to study. However, she does not want to leave her dog alone for long periods of time. My sister would definitely benefit from this business because she definitely fits the profile of someone that would be a frequent customer of the dog cafe, and who would probably bring others with her to spread awareness. This is an example of someone who would need a dog cafe to solve their mix of daily inconveniences.
Interview Two: I interviewed a friend of my sister, who is interested in purchasing a dog. She has lived with a roommate with a dog, and now that she is moving away for full time, she wants a companion to live with her in her one bedroom apartment in Boca. She believes that now would be the perfect time to get a dog, so she can train her while she is a puppy. However, she has never owned a dog and does not know how to take care of them. When discussion what she would do with the dog, she mentioned that she would want to spend all day with her/him. The business idea would help her truly decide if she wants a dog or not, as this environment provides exposure to those with or without dogs. This is an example of another need for this business.
Interview Three: I interviewed a friend that also has a dog, fitting the profile of a typical customer. She was discussing, like my sister, the inconvenience of not being able to bring her dog anywhere indoors to study. Another issue that she mentioned is that her dog never gets exposure to other dogs, because there are not any dog parks. This cafe would fix that problem, as dogs would be allowed to be off leash and be able to interact with one another. The indoor environment also assures that they would not be able to get away, which is also likely when in an outdoor dog park.
For this group of people, it is obvious that people need a place to bring their dogs so they can blow off some steam, or to just embrace their love for dogs in general.
11A Idea Napkin No. 1
1) You.
My name is Melissa Eliseo, and I am currently a combined degree student here at UF. I find myself most talented in helping others and in strategy. I have been starting to utilize this talent as a teaching assistant for the course Effective Career Management. I have experience in a few different areas - my first internship was in high school, at a company called Oxbow Carbon. Simultaneously, I started volunteering at my local hospital ER. From these experiences, I realized that I liked helping people in the hospital, but did not like the hospital itself. I worked at Kate Spade as well, where I learned more about the importance of servicing your clients. These experiences made me think more about people, and the importance of thinking of others in a professional setting. This related to my idea because I want to help people by adding convenience and joy to their lives - by creating a cafe where you can bring a canine companion. I think that this business would play a huge role in my life - I would personally spend a lot of time there and would enjoy getting to know my clients.
2) What are you offering to customers? I would be offering a space where people could get coffee, and allow their dogs to spend time with them in an indoor, welcoming setting.
3) Who are you offering it to? I am offering it to the general public - anyone that does have a dog, or even if they do not. Coffee, beverages, and other goods are available to the general public in a setting where one can either interact with dogs, or not.
4) Why do they care? People will care about this idea because they will definitely want to spend more time with their animals once they hear about this, and will want to bring them here.
5) What are your core competencies? I am very motivated, and determined to succeed. I will work nonstop until this idea becomes a reality.
After self reflecting, I do believe that this business could work, and that it will be successful. In addition, I also think that I would be able to successfully manage and start this business. There may be difficulties in the beginning, but that is the case with every business. I will only be able to see certain logistical issues when the business actually gets rolling.
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