ENT 3003

1. The first time we had to go and interview people for an assignment was honestly a moment I was not looking forward to. It was awkward and embarrassing, but the more times we had to do it the more comfortable I became, and now I could honestly walk up and bother anyone with no problems. Developing my business was one of the most stressful, but also one of the most exciting moments for me in this course. What started with me having absolutely no idea what to do as a business (up until the Thursday night before the assignment was due), has now turned into a business I would actually really love to start one day. 2. I think something I will take with me down the road is just knowing how to see things and think more creatively. I feel like I really learned different ways to see opportunities in things. I am defiantly most proud of essentially "growing" my business. Starting the concept from start to end and changing and evolving it to be the best that it could be. 3. I defi...

1. The Venture Concept Opportunity APTA Athletic Boutique will satisfy the need to an all-encompassing women's only fitness apparel store. At the moment, there's essentially no physical store that carries a wide variety of fitness apparel for women. The stores that exist typically don't have shoes, clothes, bags, and other accessories all in one. Additionally, they tend to lack options that are high quality, unique, and comfortable. The stores that do carry these tend to have only one or two different brands, and all carry similar, if not exactly the same, basic items . The styles that this need addresses can easily be found online, but there are no options for those who wish to go into stores to see, feel, or try on these items. The development and increasing popularity of not only a fit/healthier lifestyle, but these online fitness apparel brands, have really created this opportunity. The people with this need are just women. The concept of athleisure has become so...

For this assignment I read about Steve Jobs 1.  When reading about Steve Jobs I think what surprised me the most was that he messed around with LSD. I went into this not really knowing much about Steve Jobs. Obviously I know who he was, but when it came to the details of his life I didn't know to much. The way he treats a drug like LSD was so fascinating to me, I actually ended up going and watching some of his videos talking about it afterwards. I think I most admire just his work ethic really. He was a very hard working, and pursued what he was passionate about, and willing to put in the work for it.  What I least admire about him was that he definitely had a selfish side to him. He treated people who didn't add value to his life or company very poorly. He definitely overcame failure, I mean the man was fired from his own company at one point, and look at where that company is today, and it's definitely because of him. 2. Steve Jobs had a lot of the competencies of a ...

1. Identify the exit strategy you plan to make. Do you intend to sell your business in the next 5 years for a large return? Do you intent to stay with the business for several decades and retire? Do you intend to protect the venture as a family business, and pass it down to your children? My exit strategy would ideally be to keep the business and pass it down to family. At one point I'd have to retire, but if it's a business I love I would really want to keep it in my family. If I do sell it, it wouldn't t be until many years into the future, as I want to expand the businesses within 5-10 years. If I do sell, I would also need to already have another successful business going, but I want something to pass down to family. 2. Why have you selected this particular exit strategy? One of my main goals in being successful is to be able to provide my kids and family a great life in the future. Selling the business once I retire may help in the financial impact of this, but t...

1. My Failure  I'm sure it comes to as no shock to anyone that's read my past posts that I have a passion for fitness. One of the things I have been trying, well maybe not trying but have always wanted, to accomplish is a press handstand. This has been something I have tried for years, but it wasn't until around the start of the semester that I really started trying. Going into this process I couldn't even do a handstand, so I'm not sure why I thought this was going to be easy but it was not. I had no idea what I was doing or really where to begin. I tried some things I thought would work to master my handstand and the flexibility aspects. I was doing more yoga, more stretching, and felt confident that my training at the gym had given me the straight to do this. Well... it didn't. I wasn't able to do a simple handstand, let alone a press handstand. After a few months of what I thought was the proper, and consistent, training for this I was essentially in th...

Existing Market Step 1: The next step would just be expanding and growing the business, whether that be in terms of what items/brands we carry or how many stores are open. Step 2: So after interviewing people, a lot of them just mentioned expanding the different brands that the business would carry. Obviously when starting out I won't be able to have every brand I want to carry so just constantly growing that would be good. They also mentioned again growing the types of items, such as adding supplements or other fitness related items that aren't necessarily clothing. One person did mention maybe having an exclusive line only carried at my stores, so it could be exclusive with one of the brands we carry, or maybe one day we make some of our own clothing items. Step 3: I think within 1-3 years of opening that I should have grown the items and brands that my business will carry. Between 3-5 years would be a good time to open up a second location if the business becomes su...

Opportunity The need that APTA Athletic Boutique will be satisfying is the need for a fitness apparel store for women. There are almost no physical stores that carry not only women's fitness items (ranging from clothing, to shoes, to accessories), but items that are high quality, unique, and comfortable. The stores that do carry these items tend to have very few different brands, and all carry similar, if not the exact same, basic items. The styles that this needs addresses can easily be found online, but there are no options for those who wish to go into stores to see, feel, or try on these items. The development and increasing popularity of not only a fit/healthier lifestyle, but these online fitness apparel brands, have really created this opportunity. The people with this need are women between the ages of 15 to about 30, who also have some sort of interest in fitness or health. There are two ways in which these women are currently satisfying this need, and neither option re...

 Resources and VRIN 1. Social Capital I have met with the manager of a fitness apparel store, this social capital can help run my business a) Valuable: this is definitely a very valuable resource to have b) Rare: this isn't very rare, I didn't personally know the guy, though I did use someone I knew to introduce me, I think he would be willing to speak to anyone that walked in and asked c) Inimitable: This is a pretty easy resource to copy because again anyone can walk in and speak to him d) Non-Substitutable: There are plenty of people or even books that could provide the same insight as him, so this resource is substitutable 2. Social Capital  I have a friend that is actually an athlete affiliate with one of the online brands I wish to have in my store, another social capital resource that could be beneficial a) Valuable: this is an extremely valuable resource to have because she provides a way in with one of the companies I wish to work with b) Rare: I ...

The Pitch Link to Video The Feedback I only received positive feedback on my last pitch so nothing really stood out to be as being wrong or silly. I did get comments on how good my hook was, as well as the value that my closing statement added. Another comment I got was that I was confident and used meaningful gestures throughout the pitch. The Change  I definitely memorized my pitch more. I didn't get any comments on my second pitch about it, but I didn't like how often I looked to the side (where I was reading my script) so I wanted to change that. I also was able to wear one of the unique outfits I talked about which I wasn't able to do last time. There wasn't really much in what I said that I changed. I worked pretty hard the second time to make sure I really liked what I was saying in the pitch, and based on the feedback I got others did too, so I didn't feel the need to change anything in terms of that.

The book I read was How to Fail at Almost Anything and Still Win Big 1) What was the general theme or argument of the book? I would say the theme/argument of this book is how trying and failing at things can actually make you successful. The author mentions many, many, ideas and ventures he had that failed (despite similar ventures to his succeeding afterwards). His main idea that every single skill you gain will help you be more successful. Despite failing at many things, each time he tried something he learned about it and in turn learned a new skill. Even the process of failing can teach you things and those things will eventually help you succeed later. 2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003? This book definitely connected with a lot of content from the course. I think one of the things this book really connected with from the course is the importance of both human and social capital. The author, being t...

1) Colleen at the Rusty Crickett The Rusty Crickett is a store where I am from in Sarasota, Florida. It has a lot of unique items such as clothing, apparel, jewelry, and more. I chose Colleen as my market expert. I did this because their store, like mine would, caters to women. Though they don't specifically have fitness apparel, they are popular for their clothes and prom dresses, and their target market is similar to mine in terms of age. I had known about the Rusty Crickett, and shopped there before, so the shop came into mind when I read this assignment. I simply sent them a message on their Facebook page explaining the assignment, and scheduled a phone call. We discussed my business idea and I asked for any thoughts or advice she had, especially when it came to targeting that segment. For example, how she got the word out about her business, and how she advertises it. One thing she mentioned that stuck out, is since her business is primarily focused around women, she likes t...

1) You For my business concept, and the industry it's in, I feel as though I have a pretty good deal of experience in.  For the last 5-6 years, the gym and fitness apparel have played a huge role in my life, as I used to compete in physique/bikini competitions. Even when I am out of competition prep, the gym and fitness play a huge role in my life. I personally am someone that loves having a cute outfit to wear to the gym. I have experienced what having a great (or a not so great) outfit can make you feel like at the gym, and how it can actually effect your workouts. I have watched the fitness apparel industry grow over these years from just a few dominating brands, to now way more than I can even count. I have tried all the popular brands, and know what brands are good and what ones aren't. If I were to start this business, I would ideally like to first open it up in a college town like Gainesville. Based on this success here, I think opening more locations and allowing franc...

1. The Pitch  Link to Video 2. Feedback I didn't receive any feedback on my original pitch, but I did make some notes when going over them in class, and some of the feedback and tips given for other people. When recording my original pitch, it didn't appear that the camera had cut off part of my face but it did. So better camera, lighting, and angles were done for this pitch. Another thing was I added more statistical data, as people in the class associated that type of data with being more knowledgeable on the subject. Additionally, there was a point made to not talk about yourself so much, and I feel like I mentioned what I liked and my personal beliefs too much in the first pitch so that changed. I also was wearing one of the fitness outfits that my company would carry, but with the quality of the video you couldn't really tell what was unique about it. I originally wanted to wear an outfit that you could tell was a different than what you can usually find, however...

Customer Segment: women aged 18-30, with an interest in fitness/a healthy lifestyle Picture of Customers: this is a campaign shoot from Buff Bunny Collection Customer Avatar: Age: a college student, early to mid twenties Hobbies: working out, cooking, doing yoga, going to the beach, playing with animals, sorority, movie/game/wine nights, reading, traveling, Starbucks, writes a fashion and lifestyle blog, enjoys makeup Car: White   Jeep Grand Cherokee Children : None yet, but wants 3, may even adopt- she does have two dogs, both she rescued from a shelter TV Shows:  Friends, The Bachelor, Game of Thrones, Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl Books: likes classic romance novels, and life/self help books Employment: a full-time student, she wants to be a nurse, currently works part time at a spa (only 2 days a week because school takes up a lot of time) Typical Day: On days where she doesn't have to be up early for class or work, she likes to take the dogs on at least...

My Human Capital: 1. I think I have very good people skills. I have worked in the service industry (in restaurants) since I was old enough to work. Working in this industry taught me to not only know how to speak and interact with people, the more they like you the better they tip, but also how handle bad situations in a way that they can still leave satisfied. My managers often applauded me on how I handled certain situations with customers when they were not happy. 2. I am generally a very positive person. I tend to look at problems that come up in a more positive light, and figure out how to solve them and move on, rather than dwell on the negatives. 3. I think I am also a very strong willed person. I am definitely someone that doesn't take no as an answer and will do whatever it takes to get where I want. Maybe this could be seen as a negative for some, but to me it is a positive attribute I give to myself because I know that I will not settle for things that aren't ...

Segment: Females aged 18-30 (roughly), with an interest or need in fitness apparel Interview 1:   my roommate, a 21-year-old girl For this buyer, quality and style mattered the most. When shopping for activewear, it was important that she got good quality products, that also fit her unique style. For her, price was not much of an issue. She mentioned one of her favorite brands being LuluLemon. Though their leggings start at around $100 a pair, in her opinion they last forever (and come with a lifetime warranty, so they will replace them), are cute and comfortable, and you can get them hemmed for free. In her opinion, she liked having a few pairs of more expensive items that she really liked, than multiple pairs of cheaper ones. She also said she did most of her shopping online, even though there were some Lulu stores, they never had the unique fun designs available in store. I mentioned when buying things online, there are things like sezzle and after pay, that let you mak...

Tenaciousness is a competency One of the things I think I developed that really helped me with this course was to start thinking creatively. I had not started this course was any business concept in mind, yet by learning to look at things differently, and think creatively to see opportunity, I have now developed a business idea that I actually really like. A behavior that I used was being organized and staying on schedule. I plan all of my assignments two weeks in advanced, and plan when and where I will watch the lectures and work on them. An important part of this for me was looking at the assignments ahead of time, because often one week was not long enough for me to work on the assignments and get them done to the extent I wanted, especially in cases of having to interview people. Tenaciousness is also about attitude One moment I specifically remember was when having to come up with a business idea. Like I said before, when I started this course I actually didn't have an...

Book: Coco Chanel , Lisa Chaney What surprised me the most: The fact that she was a live-in mistress for a wealthy man, and became friends with his wife. It was also known by the people of the city that's what she was, and she embraced that. Though this doesn't necessarily have anything to do with her entrepreneurship, I still found it incredibly interesting and surprising, especially for the time she lived in. What I admire the most & least: What I admire is just her personality. The fact that the author was able to capture her personality in this book, years after her life, show's how strong and influential it was. Her personality contained a lot of desirable qualities for entrepreneurship. She was also very proud to be an independent woman, having never wanted to rely on a man for things. I guess what I would say I least admired, was for a woman who was so unapologetically herself, she often lied about her childhood and early life. She seemed so authentic ...

Segment:   Females, age range roughly 17-30, have some sort of interest in fitness Product: women's fitness apparel store Person 1: This person recognizes this need when buying fitness clothing, however there were multiple scenarios when this happened. First, is simply when needing new fitness apparel, whether that be clothing, or shoes, or even a new gym bag. This involves noticing she either didn't have something, or what she does have has not gotten too old. Her response to this is usually to go into stores and shop, and this is when she recognizes the need. She often found that going into stores there weren't a large variety of options, so she would result to shopping online. Another time she recognized this need was when these online apparel brands had sales. A lot of the brands she likes are very expensive, and even on sale they are still a little higher price, because of this she finds it a little stressful trying to decide what size to buy, since in the case ...

1) You In terms of my business (women's fitness apparel), I have a great deal of experience with this industry. I used to compete in physique/bikini competitions, so the gym and fitness apparel have been apart of my life for about 5 years. Over the last 5 years, I have seen how much the fitness apparel industry has grown, and how much the need for more stylish gym wear has as well. When I first started working out, there really were only a few main brands like Nike, Puma, Adidas- and now there are so many more. I have tried numerous brands throughout the years, and feel as though I have a pretty good knowledge about what brands work and what don't. Regarding my business concept, I could see this store first opening up here in Gainesville. I think it would do really well in a college town like this. I do however think if I were to open this store, I would want to open more locations, maybe franchise it. I think if it did well here, it could gain popularity and be successful al...

https://youtu.be/w6y6SbveSKY

My opportunity is again a women's fitness apparel store that carries a variety of popular online fitness brands, all made easily available in one store. Interview 1:  The first person I decided to interview was a guy. He too preferred to buy his clothes in person, and often struggled with getting the correct fit when ordering online. He typically shopped for two brands when looking for gym clothes, Nike and Alphalete. He also felt like there was a lack of stores carrying men's fitness apparel, and expressed a need for one, especially if it were to carry brands like Alphalete and GymShark, that he could only find online. He expressed that he would be more inclined to buying these clothes in person if a store was available as compared to online. He also expressed the same opinion if he were to be shopping for girls clothing as a gift or something, he would prefer a physical store inste...