My Venture's Unfair Advantage

1. Passion

• Valuable: Passion is valuable because it brings a new level of drive to the project and meaning to the product. 
• Rare: This is rare because not everyone has something that they can call their passion. People often have things they care about, but not enough to make change towards it. 
• Inimitable: This is not inimitable because you cannot force someone to care about something to the point of passion.
• Non-substitutable: This quality is non-substitutable because there is nothing that will drive a team like a common goal that they all believe in. 

2. Insight into the Desired Demographic

• Valuable: This is valuable when it comes to selling and creating a product. Being a part of the targeted demographic makes it easier to know what the consumers would want from the product. 
• Rare: It is rare that I am part of the desired demographic because it only makes up a certain percentage of the population. 
• Inimitable: It is inimitable because people don’t know the exact thought process of teenage environmentalist unless they are one. 
• Non-substitutable:  This is not substitutable because the insight into the demographic through a person in that demographic is only available from a select number of people and cannot be replicated. 

3. Ability to Network

• Valuable: This is valuable in expanding our reach for the product.
• Rare: It is rare to have a large social network, such as through my sorority, and still be able to expand it from current social media platforms.
• Inimitable: It is inimitable because the connections I have made have been on my own time, as an executive member, with a specific group of driven and intelligent women. 
• Non-substitutable: It is non-substitutable because the specific group of women I work with are a special group with diverse talents and knowledge.

4. Capital and Funding 

• Valuable: It is extremely valuable that Florida, and more specifically the University of Florida, are always looking for ways to protect the environment. 
• Rare: It is rare that Florida is such an environmentally conscious state, with places like Miami and the Everglades that are often negatively affected by disregard to the environment. 
• Inimitable: It is inimitable to have people care about the environment due to the place they grew up. People in Florida care and are often willing to put forward money to protect the environment because they grew up on the beach, near the Everglades, among numerous other natural wonders. 
• Non-substitutable: It is non-substitutable to have connections to people who care and are actively looking to help protect the Earth and environment. You cannot force this and it is an essential part to building a foundation. 

5. Drive

• Valuable: It is valuable to have drive because it will be the reason things actually get done even when things are tough.
• Rare: It is rare to find people who will work really hard at whatever they are doing.
• Inimitable: It is inimitable because you cannot teach someone to be hardworking, they have to want to do it on their own. 
• Non-substitutable: It is non-substitutable because when things get hard, you need people with drive to keep on carrying on to meet the goals.

6. Background in Economics

• Valuable: I believe this is valuable because I already have a foundation for understanding how businesses work in the market.
• Rare: This is rare because proportionally very few people are economics majors.
• Inimitable: This is inimitable because if you do not know economics, you can’t really fake it. 
• Non-substitutable: This is non-substitutable because it is a huge asset and there’s not another form of knowledge that gives you the same benefits. 

7. Background in Sustainability 

• Valuable: This is valuable because I actually know the difference the product is going to make and, to a degree, how it works.
• Rare: This is rare because few people study sustainability to this degree.
• Inimitable: This is inimitable because if you do not know about sustainability, you can’t really fake it. 
• Non-substitutable: This is non-substitutable because it is a huge asset and there’s not another form of knowledge that gives the same benefits.

8. Accessibility

• Valuable: This is valuable because people are more likely to buy things if they can easily attain them.
• Rare: This is rare because some products are just online, the phone case will be sold in phone stores and online. 
• Inimitable: This is inimitable because my phone case itself is inimitable and only certain items are sold in the places I will place my product. 
• Non-substitutable: This is non-substitutable because people who are buying new phones, or accessories, will be able to see my product every time they do. 

9. Good Speaking Abilities

• Valuable: This is valuable when speaking to investors or potential buyers. 
• Rare:  This is rare because often people are nervous or uncomfortable when speaking to people, but I am not. 
• Inimitable: This is inimitable because you can learn how to be better at public speaking, but you can’t learn people skills and projecting a comfortable feeling.
• Non-substitutable: This is non-substitutable because having a warm and friendly, yet knowledgable spokesperson is not something we can afford to not use. 

10. Like-Minded Team of Workers 

• Valuable: This is valuable because people who actually believe in what they are doing tend to do it well.
• Rare: This is rare because it is hard to find a group of people who share a common bond through a collective idea. 
• Inimitable: This is inimitable because you cannot make people feel united through a common goal, they have to actually believe in it. 
• Non-substitutable: This is non-substitutable because people who believe in what they are doing tend to work hard at it and do it well. 

Top Resource:

To me, passion is my top resource. I believe that without passion, nothing would be accomplished or at least not in a way that is true to the nature of the project. While creating this product, I want to create an atmosphere that is pro-environment and pro-kindness in every aspect of the business. 

Elevator Pitch No. 3

Link to pitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul7yXR9T57M&feature=youtu.be

Reflection: I mainly received positive feedback, but I did receive one piece of constructive criticism. The piece of criticism I received was to take out the introductory part of my elevator pitch. I did this and was able to add in a part of my pitch that included that the phone case will be affordable. I do think that this part of my pitch is a much better use of the time, since I wanted to keep it under 90 seconds. I basically have my pitch memorized at this point and have become much more comfortable in front of the camera. Because of these two details, and my ability to be more passionate and lively, because my pitch is memorized, I think my pitch is much better. I also think that this was my best outfit, making this pitch the best by far. 

Reading Reflection No. 2

The book I chose was Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky.

1) General Theme

The general theme of this book was that the time we are able to do what we want, leisure time, can be dedicated to many different things. Recently, there has been a larger potential for this time to be considered more “productive” and breeds creativity due to interactive online media that connects us all globally. 

2) How this book connects with and enhances ENT 3003

In my opinion, this book connects with ENT 3003 by promoting the idea of self-interest driven productivity and creativity. This class has expanded my understanding of what I find to be interesting and important, making the work revolving around those topics easier to complete and ultimately making me want to dedicate more time to it. Similarly, the book promotes the idea that free time spent on doing something productive, yet still about something you want to learn or share about, is still considered leisure. 

3) Exercise I would create for this class

I would create an exercise that is a powerpoint, separate from our product/idea, that is just about a topic you are passionate about. The student would record their presentation along with submitting the actual presentation. I think this would allow students to put in productive and creative work into a topic they are already passionate about, yet haven’t been given the opportunity to research for a class because it is considered a “leisure” topic. Whether it is that Hairspray is the best movie of all time or that ghosts are real or their new theory for astrophysics, I think it is important for students to be able to present on something they are passionate about even if it doesn’t seem “productive.” 

4) My “Aha” Moment

The moment that made me really think about my life was when Shirky outlines the other projects that could be undertaken in just a small percentage of the time people dedicate to watching television. It gave me a bit of a sinking feeling, the feeling that I could be doing projects that make me happy and productive. I actually watched videos learning how to paint and draw after reading this book, something I have always wanted to do but have never dedicated time to before. 

Growing My Social Capital

Domain Expert:

1. Financial Consultant- This contact is an expert in studying the market and knows a lot about which companies/ideas work and which don’t in order to help his clients. He’s based in Charolette, North Carolina. 

2. Domain Expert. This contact knows a great deal about stocks, investments, and other information that was valuable about the market. 

3. This contact is a friend of my older brother and I contacted him by FaceTime after my brother sent me his number. 

4. He talked to me a great deal about how to present the product. He suggested having a line of products, because people are more likely to buy and invest in a company/product that seems established. He was a great resource because he is only a few years older than I am so he spoke in a way that was easy for me to understand. He did me the favor of putting in the time and effort to talk to me and the return expectation is a continued friendship with my brother and myself.

5. Including this person in my network is a great way to enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity. He knows so much about the market and companies and can even help me handle my personal finances. 

Market Expert: 

1. This contact is an Environmental Science Researcher/Graduate Student at Duke University. 

2. Market Expert: This contact knows so much about the field of renewable energy and has spent the past couple of years research the best methods for people to switch to renewable energy. 

3. This contact is a friend of my older brother and I also contacted her by FaceTime after my brother sent me her number. 

4. I found this contact extremely helpful and interesting. This was an amazing conversation because I got to talk to someone who cares about the same things as me AND is so knowledgeable about them. She talked to me about how this is a great idea, and how she would definitely buy one. She said if it really does happen she could help me with the actual design of the phone and wiring. So cool! She did me the favor of putting in the time and effort to talk to me and the return expectation is a continued friendship with my brother and myself.

5. Including this person in my network is a great way to enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity and I got to ask really cool questions. She knows so much about renewable energy and the market behind it, she was a huge help.

Supplier

1, Phone Case Salesman- This is the manager at a phone repair and case store in Boca Raton, Florida.

2. Industry Supplier: This contact knows what types of phoneeases sell and which demographics buy which cases.

3. This contact is a salesman in the plaza closest to my house. I called the store and asked to speak to the manager.

4. I shared my idea with the manager and he said if we could get it down to a reasonable price, he would consider selling it in his store. He also said if it came in different designs, such as solid colors, glitter, and some with pictures on them, he thinks all different kinds of people would buy it. He did me a favor, potentially with the intent of me to continue being a customer, but probably was just trying to be kind. 

5. Including this person in my network allows me to get in contact with a potential distributor. It was really insightful in helping me plan the selling of my phone case.

Reflection: 

This exercise put me in contact with some really cool contacts. By asking my brother, I got two contacts already, which was awesome. I will definitely be using these contacts in the future in my research and/or other ventures. I was really thankful that each of these people were willing to talk to me and answer my questions. It is nice to think that people are willing to do that, especially with the current state of the world. 

Idea Napkin No. 2

Idea Napkin No. 1

1. Who I Am- My name is Nicole Kone and I am a sophomore at the University of Florida. I am an Economics and Sustainability Studies double major. I believe my strengths to be my charisma and my sense of humor. I usually can make people laugh quite easily, which makes people tend to feel as though they connect with me early on. My aspirations are to help save the world, become an environmental lawyer, and make a difference in the fight against climate change. My aspirations and my expertise increase my human capital, my dream occupation is related to my product, which is really cool! I see the solar powered phone charging case playing a role in my life by being a step in the right direction of making changes that will help the environment. 

2. What I Am Offering To My Customers- My product will satisfy the unmet need of an easy transition into renewable energy in everyday life. My expertise and passion are also being offered to help convince my customers to care more about the environment! The case will be affordable and customizable, making it an appealing product on its own. I am providing customers a phone case they will already want, that also helps save the world. 

3. Who I’m Offering To- My customers will be people who have phones, want a phone case, and especially those who want to help the environment. While I think that environmentalists and people already make a conscious effort will already buy this case, the case’s customizability and affordability will be a huge draw for customers who are just in the market for a new case. 

4. Why They Care- The truth is, for my product, customers do not need to care about the environment. Those who care about protecting their phone, or having a portable charger will be on board to buy my product by themselves. The charging capabilities and design of the case in itself will encourage people to spend their money on the case. The added plus is helping the environment, which may also be the draw for other people. 

5. My Core Competencies- What sets me apart from everyone else is my background in both economics and sustainability. For that reason, my knowledge and planning for my product is specifically geared to help the environment AND generate income. 

I truly believe all of these elements fit well together. With my desire to help save the world, the amount of potential customers, my unique product, and my unique background all fit together in a way that makes me believe in my product and pitch. I believe that no part of my business concept is weak because I truly do not believe that there are people actively working against the environment. 

Feedback Reflection:

My comments were all positive, so I did not change much about my idea napkin.My revisions were based around the comments that were all revolving around my major, expertise, and aspirations. Therefore, I changed a few things in part 1 and 2 of the idea napkin. I really appreciated all of the feedback. Thanks to everyone who commented!

Customer Avatar

This is Jenny, a senior Sustainability Studies major at the University of Florida. She is currently deciding between a job at an environmental consulting firm, and working for a nonprofit to save the rainforests. Her favorite color is orange and her favorite hobby is to watch the sun rise and set at Paynes Prairie. She manages a 4.0 GPA while being involved in about a dozen clubs on campus and keeping up with her busy social life. She drives a white Prius and loves to blast Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber while carpooling with her friends. Since her parents are both strong advocates for the environment, she has grown up loving our planet and working to protect it; it is a key part of who seh is as a person. Also, Jenny heavily advocates for any political candidate who makes environmental issues a leading part of their platform; she is even considering running for office one day. Jenny likes to dress cute for her daily life, especially when she has class, but also loves to rep the organizations she's apart of. She is always informed with what is going on, but never forces news on anyone that doesn't want to hear it. She is the perfect amount of passionate, not overbearing but makes you believe in what she's doing.

Jenny would identify herself as a "tree hugger" but others often think of her as a "cool" girl.

I feel as though I see a lot of myself in the avatar I created. I am passionate, definitely a tree hugger, and Taylor Swift's music is my guilty pleasure. I do believe that I can be pushy when it comes to the things I believe in, unlike Jenny. The reason I picked the product that I did, a solar-powered phone case, is because I truly believe it is something I would use and advocate for. For that reason, it makes sense that the person I envision using my product is similar to me in most ways.

Elevator Pitch No. 2

My Elevator Pitch No. 2: https://youtu.be/5SOheemddEM

While all of my comments were positive, I critiqued my own elevator pitch. I didn’t like my previous hook, as it did not truly capture the audience’s attention. I also amped up my energy level to make myself seem even more passionate and excited about my proposal. Lastly, I removed all of the larger vocabulary to make my proposal feel more personable and less preachy. I really feel as though these small changes made my elevator pitch infinitely better.