My Customer Interviews No. 1

1) Find an opportunity. For my opportunity, I began to think about the things we as students use/need on a daily basis. I came to the conclusion that we all, for the most part, use the bus system. This sometimes creates an overcrowding on the buses, resulting in full buses that cannot accommodate all the students that were trying to get on. This has been an issue for me in the past, whether I am trying to get to class, an exam, or just the library. To help this problem, I believe it would be beneficial if the TransLoc bus app not only showed WHEN a bus is coming, but also if it is already FULL. This would make it much easier for students to budget their time accordingly and make sure they get where they're going on time.

2) Figure out who might have the unmet need. Any students who take the buses to get to class, especially those who live off campus, have the unmet need.

3) Come up with a list of questions. I asked my "customers" unbiased questions about their experience with the RTS bus system, prompting them into further detail on their responses.

4) Go talk to customers! I interviewed 5 people from around my apartment complex. As it is primarily students who live here and most take the bus to get onto campus, I figured this was a good place to find my target audience.


5) Tell us what you learned about the opportunity. Based on my interviews, I believe that this is a valid opportunity where there is an unmet need. When asked about their experiences with the bus, most students I talked with told me that they are fairly happy with the bus system overall, but that they often have troubles with the buses being full. Because of this, they have had to adjust their schedules and a lot extra time for in case they end up getting stuck on the following bus.

6) Tell us what you learned about interviewing customers. I did not mind doing these interviews, as I am naturally a friendly, outgoing person who talks to strangers anyways. Some of my closest friends now are random people I just started talking to at some point in the past! So this assignment was not too far outside of my comfort zone.

Here are my interviews:

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

My Week 4 Reading Reflection

In Chapter 3, the biggest surprise for me was the statement that previously, researchers had thought entrepreneurship and bureaucracies to be mutually exclusive and incompatible with one another. This surprised me because now it seems so common that they go hand-in-hand when the situation warrants it. It only seems logical that in a large company, you would need entrepreneurs working within it to come up with new innovations and keep the company progressive.

I was confused by some of "The Corporate Innovator's Commandments," such as the one that mandates for the worker to ignore their job description entirely and do any job they deem necessary for their innovation to work. This is more leeway than I would have imagined is given to employees, although that is wonderful that they are given such free reign to experiment with ideas.

If I could ask the author two questions, I would first ask, "What do you believe to be the greatest benefit of merging entrepreneurship and bureaucracies?" I would also ask, "What have your experiences with this sort of company been?" I think it would be very beneficial to hear the answer to both of these questions.

In this chapter, I did not encounter anything that I particularly disagreed with or that stood out to me as seeming incorrect.

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

What I Believe To Be the Top 5 World Problems

Here are my top 5 world issues from last week, ranked from most to least serious, in my opinion:

1.  Poverty, Hunger, and a Lack of Drinking Water
2.  The Economic Situation of the World
3.  Availability of Energy
4.  World Pollution
5.  Racial Discrimination

For my rankings, I chose "Poverty, Hunger, and a Lack of Drinking Water" as my top problem because this issue affects people everywhere in the world, killing over 22,000 children per day alone. This is a global devastation that cannot be ignored, and those fortunate enough not to suffer these conflictions should do their part to provide relief to those who do.

Here are my solutions to these issues, ranked from most to least possible to implement, in my opinion:

1. One step towards helping to eliminate pollution is to get involved in or host a beach/park/wildlife cleanup - this will not only help the wildlife in the area but it will also help to raise awareness for people to do their part in this issue, such as regularly recycling in their own homes.
2. While it is a small step towards such a large problem, getting involved with and supporting your local food bank is a great place to start to help. If everyone helped out in their community in some manner such as this, it would overall have a very large impact on this world issue.
3. It is awful that this sort of discrimination and prejudice still exists today, but people can do their part by not participating in or condoning such behavior, as well as educating people on the realities of racism.
4. There is a lot of awareness today towards the global consumption of energy, resulting in the creation of energy-friendly products that make it easier for people to do their part for the environment, such as switching to LED light bulbs or even simply making sure all lights/electronics are off when not in use.
5. While the economy is difficult to directly implement a solution to, I think that it is very important for people to constantly be aware of what the current situation is so that they can respond appropriately and do their best to support economic growth. 
   

I chose the solution to "World Pollution" as my top solution because I believe it is the most implementable. If EVERYONE simply did their part for the environment, recycled, and didn't litter, this issue would eventually, in theory, solve itself.

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

My Week 3 Reading Reflection

In Chapter 2, one of the things I found most surprising in the reading was in the section about an entrepreneur's risks, and psychic risk was listed as one of them. I had never thought of this as being a potential risk to entrepreneurs, but it made sense to me once I read it. Entrepreneurs tend to push themselves to their limits to achieve their goals, but sometimes they may go to far or have an endeavor fail miserably, and the results are simply to much for them to handle.

I was a bit confused by the section of grief recovery. It seemed odd to me to think of a failure as something that requires a period of mourning, although I can see where it may be quite a traumatic event for someone if they had invested a lot of time into the concept.

If I were able to ask the author two questions, I would first ask, "What have been your experiences with entrepreneurial stress?" I would want to hear how he handled and found ways to help relieve the stress. I would also ask "What do you believe to be the most important characteristic associated with the entrepreneurial mindset?" It would be intriguing and beneficial to hear his response.

I disagree with the author's statement that "Job security and retirement generally are of no concern to them [entrepreneurs]" (pg. 37). While I understand that the author is trying to convey that entrepreneurs have a high tolerance for ambiguity, I don't believe it is entirely accurate to say that those issues are of no concern entirely. Perhaps it would be more accurate to state that "Job security and retirement are of a lesser concern for entrepreneurs than for people who have a very low tolerance for ambiguity."

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

Identifying Local Opportunities

I have identified several current problems in the city of Gainesville. Each of these can either simply be viewed as a problem or, to those with a developing entrepreneurial mindset, as an opportunity to step in and attempt to fill an unmet need in the community.

UF union presidents: Campus gun bill is a recipe for tragedy

This article discusses the open opposition of several groups on campus, as well as that of state authorities, to a guns-on-campus legislation. This legislation would permit students on campus to begin carrying guns in an attempt to empower victims. However, all international students and anyone under the age of 21 are not legally able to carry a weapon, automatically rendering a large portion of the student body powerless while the other students are now armed.

This poses an obvious problem, as it would be a bit scary to walk around campus knowing that half the student body is potentially carrying a weapon. The article also points out that college students, in general, are under a lot of pressure and stress, many of whom turn to drugs and alcohol for relief. Adding guns to this mix would certainly make for a precarious and potentially deadly cocktail.

This issue would directly affect students, faculty, and anyone else on campus. If Florida Legislature decides to proceed with this act, they will be ignoring the 73% of Floridians that oppose it.  

http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E65B509B4FF0?p=AWNB

UF event tackles Islamophobia

 

In this article, awareness is brought to the issue of Islamophobia and the reader in invited to attend the event "Welcoming Diversity: A Community Action Forum against Islamophobia and Intolerance," which will be held Wednesday evening at the Thomas Center. Many local leaders will be in attendance, including representatives of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths.

There will always be cultural, religious, and political differences between people, but the key is to be informed rather than fearful of people's differing beliefs. When someone's fear is greater than their knowledge on the subject and respect for others beliefs, this often results in prejudices and phobias.

Anyone can be affected by prejudice, although there are certainly some groups of people, such as Muslims, that have a larger and more commonly accepted stigma against them.

http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E65B2D116250?p=AWNB



Cold weather shelter program houses homeless

Gainesville's Cold Night Shelter program offered housing, blankets, and breakfast for Gainesville's homeless residents during the past few particularly cold nights. They have two shelters where they house as many people as they can, offering temporary relief to those that spend their lives constantly braving the elements.

While this program is doing a wonderful thing, it is sad that there are only two participating facilities. With increased locations, they would be able to offer warmth and shelter to a greater percentage of the homeless community. It would also be amazing if they were able to offer these amenities year-round and not only when the temperature dips below 45 degrees.

All homeless people are affected by a lack of shelter and food. It is so easy to overlook these people in a the streets, when in actuality if a community was to come together to help them, perhaps this problem would not even exist or at least become greatly diminished.

http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_42dd9a7c-bb44-11e5-8aaa-2b8f4774dbac.html

Rock Gym faces unstable ground, buoyed by locals' support

The Gainesville Rock Gym has temporarily been forced to close due to the recent discovery of cracked and sinking concrete slabs. The gym had been planning on expanding due to their popularity and success, but this issue has had to put that plan on hold. This has displaced its 400 active members as well as its 10,000 monthly customers. Rock gyms in neighboring areas have been kind enough to offer free or reduced climbs to Gainesville's members until they are able to get back on their feet.

The biggest problem here is that in order to repair the broken slabs, the gym needs $100,000. They created a Go Fund Me page three weeks ago and in this short amount of time they have already received nearly $10,000. The community is very supportive of the gym and are clearly trying to do whatever they can to help it reopen as quickly as possible.

The closure of the gym affects more than just its patrons, as it also forced them to lay off nearly 20 employees, who will either be out of a job until they reopen or need to find a new job.

http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E65B287302D0?p=AWNB

Editorial: Alternatives to marijuana arrests

This article discusses the issue of marijuana and the charges associated with someone caught in possession of this substance. While it is technically illegal in the state of Florida, officials are trying to come up with alternatives to arrest for those who have been found with less than 20 grams, saving them from a possible year in jail and $1,000 fine. It will now be possible for an officer to issue a civil citation or warning instead, though it will be up to his discretion.


It is problematic that someone caught with enough marijuana to have intent to distribute would be charged the same way as someone who has just a few grams. Some people are using it purely for medicinal purposes, such as to help alleviate seizures, and they should not be punished for this.


This issue affects anyone using marijuana for medicinal purposes or for occasional recreation, as they will now not necessarily be arrested for their possession.

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A88EA85B0000A8?p=AWNB

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

Very Short Interview No. 1 with Teresa Aleppo

     For my mini interview with an entrepreneur, I chose to speak with Teresa Aleppo, one of my father's oldest and closest friends. She has been an entrepreneur for many years, always trying new endeavors and never afraid to take a bit of a risk. One of her earliest businesses was named The Stuffed Basket, a boutique/gift shop where people could place orders for handcrafted, artisan gift baskets filled with unique treats and goodies. After this, she later on pursued her love of cooking and opened her own bakery and rosticceria, MarLyssa's, a charming hole-in-the-wall place with everything from French pastries to homemade eggplant Parmesan to chicken salad croissants with a dedicated following of patrons.
     After a few years she chose to close this business to open her own catering business, MarLyssa's Catering Co. This business is still thriving, and I often work various events for her as a prep cook, waitress, or bartender. In between all her endeavors, she has also had a few little side businesses, such as making homemade jams and jellies to sell at craft fairs or selling freshwater jewelry at Junior League conventions. I have known Teresa all of my life and I have always admired her drive and determination to pursue her dreams, never worrying if something fails as she knows that this means it was simply not God's plan for her and that there must be a better path on the horizon.

• Me: What does it mean to you to be an entrepreneur?

• Teresa: For me, it is someone who has the heart, desire, and drive to take an idea and turn it into a business. Someone who enjoys working for themselves and has a strong development of management and leadership skills.

• Me: What do you think I should learn in an entrepreneurship course?

• Teresa: I believe you should learn what it takes to start a business and properly develop it, the skills required to operate your own business, and the mindset necessary to come up with an innovative idea that meets the markets unmet needs.

• Me: What do you wish you had been taught in school before setting out on your own path as an entrepreneur? 

• Teresa: I wish that I had been taught the importance of understanding the research that goes into starting your own successful business, of having an accurate and concrete plan with solid numbers to back it up, and of having a better understanding of fact checking.

     From this interview, I was surprised to hear Teresa say that she wishes she had been taught a better understanding of how to formulate a concrete plan with accurate numbers. This surprised me because those are two things that I have always thought she was very good at, as she is successful in whatever plan she sets in motion and always seems to have the numbers to back it up. This goes to show that people are always growing and improving, skills can be acquired through practice, and an entrepreneurial mindset is certainly not something that cannot be learned.

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

What I Believe To Be The World's Biggest Problems

There are so many important issues in the world that it is difficult to choose which are the largest, but here are a few that I believe to be quite pressing.

Poverty, Hunger, and a Lack of Drinking Water

• More than 1.3 billion people are living in extreme poverty today, meaning they live on less than $1.25 per day
• 22,000 children die per day due to extreme poverty (UNICEF)
• Over 750 million people do not have sufficient access to clean drinking water
• Diarrhea due to poor sanitation/hygiene/nutrition kills approx. 2,300 people every day

While it is a small step towards such a large problem, getting involved with and supporting your local food bank is a great place to start to help. If everyone helped out in their community in some manner such as this, it would overall have a very large impact on this world issue.

The Economic Situation of the World

• Global growth is projected at a mere 2.4% for 2015
• Growth in transition and developing economies is at its weakest pace since the 2008 crisis
• More than 40% of the world's poor live in the developing countries whose growth slowed in 2015

While the economy is difficult to directly implement a solution to, I think that it is very important for people to constantly be aware of what the current situation is so that they can respond appropriately and do their best to support economic growth.

Availability of Energy

• 65% of climate pollution comes from energy generation and use
• 75% of the energy in electric generation and delivery is lost before it even reaches customers 
• $150 billion is lost annually from power outages and blackouts in the U.S. alone

There is a lot of awareness today towards the global consumption of energy, resulting in the creation of energy-friendly products that make it easier for people to do their part for the environment, such as switching to LED light bulbs or even simply making sure all lights/electronics are off when not in use.

World Pollution

• Pollution is one of the largest global killers, affecting over 100 million people
• More than 100,000 sea mammals and 1 million seabirds are killed by pollution annually
• People who live in highly polluted areas have a 20% higher risk of contracting lung cancer

One step towards helping to eliminate pollution is to get involved in or host a beach/park/wildlife cleanup - this will not only help the wildlife in the area but it will also help to raise awareness for people to do their part in this issue, such as regularly recycling in their own homes.

Animal Cruelty

• Large scale commercial dog breeders care more about profits than the health of the dogs, resulting in kidney and heart disease of the animals
• 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals
• Nearly 1 million animals are abused or killed in connection with domestic violence per year

This is such a sad issue in the world - people can do their part to help prevent this from happening by caring for their own pets as well as volunteering for animal rescues.

Global Warming

• Global warming is occurring largely due to an over-emittance of gases and fossil fuels
• There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere now than there has been in the last 800,000 years
• Americans = 4% of the world's population but produce 25% of the carbon dioxide pollution from fossil fuel burning

Everyone can certainly do their part to help diminish their fossil fuel emission, such as switching to a more eco-friendly vehicle or riding a bike instead whenever possible.

Racial Discrimination

• African Americans are only 14% of the drug users in the U.S. but make up 37% of the drug-related arrests
• In 2010, African Americans received 10% longer sentences than white people for the exact same crimes
• In 2009, African Americans were 21% more likely to receive a mandatory minimum sentence than white people

It is awful that this sort of discrimination and prejudice still exists today, but people can do their part by not participating in or condoning such behavior, as well as educating people on the realities of racism.

Immigration

• There are approx. 12 million undocumented citizens in the U.S.
• The Obama administration has deported nearly 2 million immigrants, the highest amount under any U.S. president 
• Just to apply for citizenship costs over $600 per person

Organizations such as the DREAM act and DACA are doing what they can to provide for immigrant children, and becoming involved with one of these organizations to help raise awareness is a great way for people to help out with this issue.

Education Around the World 

• In 2012, 31 million primary school students dropped out of school
• Children living in a rural environment are twice as likely as those living in an urban area to be out of school
• Children of the wealthiest 20% are four times more likely to be in school than those of the poorest 20%
• Africa has areas with less than 50% literacy rates among children 18 and under

There are many organizations who, for a very small daily donation, are able to send a child in the world to school, as well as many opportunities to get involved in local communities at low-income schools and shelters to promote and support children attending school.

Cyber Bullying

• Nearly 43% of children have been bullied online
• 68% of teens agree that cyber bullying is a serious problem
• 90% of teens who have seen cyber bullying on social media have chose to ignore it
• Only 1 in 10 victims will report their abuse
• Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to commit suicide than those who haven't been bullied

Cyber bullying has become a serious issue in this day in age and it is crucial that if someone witnesses this occurring that they take some form of action, as it could be the difference between saving someone's life or not.

Hopefully we can all do our part to help quell these serious and very real issues in today's world!

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

My Bug List

These are a few of my "buggiest" things:

1) People in my apartment complex who take their dogs for walks without putting them on a leash - This is not safe for the animals as cars are always driving around very fast and could hit them.

2) When the Starbucks line is very long and moving slowly - I want my latte ASAPS.

3) When people do not hear my name correctly and think I said "Bertha" instead of "Marissa" - This has happened way more often than one would think, I simply don't understand the confusion.

4) Traffic on Archer Road, particularly during rush hour - Need I say more.

5) People who don't understand what good food truly is - I am a foodie and I need restaurant reviews that I can trust.

6) Students who talk over the teacher while he is talking in order to ask him a question that he was about to answer - It is a bit disrespectful and wastes class time.

7) Not being able to remember the name of a song but trying to tell someone about it - It is so frustrating!

8) My mom making my favorite foods when I'm not home to enjoy them - These are some of the times I miss being home most.

9) When I am trying to go for a run but it starts to rain - There is nothing worse than thinking you are about to go for a run and then not being able to.

10) Country music in general - Unless I'm riding in a big truck, I probably don't want to hear it.

11) Finally deciding what I want to order at a restaurant and then the waitress telling me they are all out - Bring on round 2 of a 20 minute decision process.

12) People driving slowly in the fast lane on the highway - They are hindering my need for speed and I just don't get it.

13) People not cleaning up after themselves/putting their food away after cooking something in the kitchen - I hate finding dirty counters when I go to make food myself.

14) That it is physically impossible for me to try every kind of food in the world - One time I actually cried over this realization.

15) When I'm trying to be nice and talk to someone but they're just rude back - Who peed in your Cheerios?

16) People who have a negative outlook on life and are downers to be around - I am a pretty positive persona and I like to be around people with similar energies.

17) When I'm starving but I cannot think of anything that sounds good so I just don't eat - First world problems, I know.

18) Leaving my apartment in a hurry to get somewhere and realizing I'm out of gas - I was probably running late to begin with so now I'm going to be super late.

19) When my best friend is hanging out with someone other than me - I need her at all times.

20) Paying cover at a bar - Drinks are expensive enough without also having to pay just to get inside.

It was not too terribly difficult to come up with this list, as my best friend and I always tell each other what bothers us because it inevitably bothers the other as well.

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler 

My Week 2 Reading Reflection

In the Chapter 1 reading, one of the ideas that I found most intriguing was the section titled "The Myths of Entrepreneurship." I was surprised by many of the myths, as I have never personally believed them to be true or realized that others thought them to be true. For example, the myth that characteristics of entrepreneurs cannot be learned if one does not naturally have entrepreneurial skills seems quite absurd to me. I believe that these characteristics come more naturally to some than to others, but they are certainly concepts that can be taught. Everyone has room for growth in their lives, no one is born innately knowing how to do something perfectly.

I was slightly confused by some of the process approaches to entrepreneurship, as they seem quite complex. It is very interesting to read about all the different theories surrounding entrepreneurship and all the routes that a budding entrepreneur can take to achieve his end goals.

If I were able to ask the author of the textbook two questions, the first of these would be, "What have been your personal entrepreneurial experiences thus far in your life?" I always love to hear people's stories and how they came to be where they are today, and I would want to know what inspired his passion for entrepreneurship. I would also ask him, "What do you consider to be the most important concept in your book that you would want someone to remember forever?" It would be very interesting and beneficial for me to hear his response.

There were no elements of Chapter 1 that particularly stood out to me that I did not agree with or felt sounded grossly inaccurate.

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

My Entrepreneurship Story

Before coming up to UF, I would always hang out on Anna Maria Island, just five minutes from my home. I would often go to this vintage/up-cycled clothing boutique named Relish Marketplace, and I became very close with the owner, Rhonda. She was one of the most inspiring and entrepreneurialy-minded people I have ever met. She had come up with a very unique store concept and was always looking for new ways to improve and diversify her products even further. At one point, she also bought the cafe that was next door to her shop. She had a very clear vision for the atmosphere that she wanted for her boutique and cafe, somehow making a niche for herself with off-beat products and ideas while also making herself approachable to all. She turned the cafe into a southern-inspired cafe with a twist, serving anything from Nutella lattes to fried green tomato BLT sandwiches to the best blueberry scones I'd ever had. She hired me on as barista/front of the house, and working for her was one of the best work experiences I've had. I was always learning something new and I loved to watch her work, always excited for her next new venture.

Shortly after I left for school, Rhonda closed the boutique and cafe and moved to Ohio to be with her family. Since moving there, she has opened a new cafe with a similar concept. I know that Rhonda will be very successful in wherever her ventures take her, as she is an infectious people-person with a highly creative mind. I believe that these are key attributes to being a successful entrepreneur.

While I initially enrolled in ENT3003 simply for the business elective credits, this class has already become a lot more to me than that. Prof. Pryor's passion for the subject is as infectious as it is obvious. I am very excited to see what all I learn from this semester, as I feel like I will grow not only in entrepreneurial skills but also as a person. I hope to walk away with the ability to see everything as an opportunity, even when it seems that I have reached a closed door.

xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

My Entrepreneur's Mantra

Introduction to Me

Hello Everyone! My name is Marissa Mosher, and I am a Junior here at UF. I am majoring in General Business with a Specialization in Travel and Tourism. Next semester, I hope to be accepted into the combined program for a Masters of International Business. I was born and raised in Bradenton, FL, about an hour south of Tampa. My home is right off of Anna Maria Island, so I have grown up at the beach and it is one of the things I miss most while living in Gainesville. When I'm not at the beach, I love traveling, being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, shopping, and EATING. I love trying and experiencing anything new and am always down for an adventure. I hope to work in the travel and tourism industry after I graduate, potentially for Marriott or Hilton. Travel is one of the most important things in my life, and so any job where I am able to do so would make me very happy. I will be completing an internship with Hilton this upcoming summer, so hopefully that will provide me with some experience and insight into whether or not this is the best fit for me. I am very excited and looking forward to this opportunity! While I have been to many different places within the US, I had not been out of the country until this past summer when I went on a study abroad in Italy. Its focus was Food Production to Consumption, so we traveled throughout the country visiting various wineries, cheese factories, etc. learning about and sampling their products. This trip was particularly dear to me as this is where my mother is from, so it was wonderful to see all the places I've heard so much about. It was by far one of the best experiences of my life, and I hope have the opportunity to work and live in Italy someday.

Here is a photo of some beautiful tomatoes I had while I was in Sicily, looking forward to this semester with everyone! xoxo The EntrepreTraveler

ENT3003 Post #1

Just making sure I'm in the blogger sphere!