One of the main things that I have been posting about is the problem of how hot most people get when they sleep. I believe that there are two possible ways to go with solutions for this one. The first option is a solution that is similar to the new A/C seats in vehicles. If we put fans in the mattress to pull the cool air from underneath then it would keep the mattress from getting hot. We could simply create channels in the mattress for the cool air to run through to reach the top of the mattress and the person.
The second solution is a cooling gel layer near the top of the mattress. This would help to reduce the heat from building up in the mattress while you are sleeping on it. This is obviously the simpler option but I also believe that it would be slightly less effective than the fans.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Looking for Opportunity
Economic Trends
1. Bitcoin
A. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/5/prweb13447745.htm
B. Bitcoin has been around since 2009 and although it has had its ups and downs, it seems to be getting the attention of the public now.
C. The younger generation who has more tech knowledge with mostly be the customer.
D. We all use currency so Bitcoin will be relatively easy to catch on. And with the promising investment opportunities it is hard to not like.
I have studied Forex trading and this is something similar.
2. Grocery home delivery
A. http://www.gourmetretailer.com/top-story-profiles___trends-meal_kit_delivery_services_projected_to_top_$1b_this_year__packaged_facts-12701.html
B. In the ever growing convenience and want-it-now society that we live in, it is no surprise that have groceries delivered straight to your home wouldn't be the next logical step. And we aren't just talking groceries anymore, this has evolved into having already planned meals being delivered directly to your house. This has taken all of the hard part of deciding what to put together for dinner out of the equation.
C. A lot of the younger generation might consider this but I believe that the busy soccer mom and the elderly who have trouble going all of the way to the grocery store will get on board also.
D. Everyone needs groceries so this wouldn't be too much of a challenge to get going. And it clearly isn't considering they were on track for $1 B in sales.
I see this because I understand people wanting convenience even though I actually like going to the grocery store, I understand some people hate it.
Regulatory Changes
3. Cyber warfare
A. My source is a warrant officer in the United States National Guard
B. Cyber terrorism is one of the biggest threats we face in today's society. With our major cities becoming more and more based off of computers and everything being digital, we are becoming vulnerable. For example, think of a the city water supply of a major city like Phoenix, the water is chemically treated by a computer. If someone hacked into that network they could change the chemical balance and poison everyone in the city who drinks that water.
C. This can potentially affect everyone. The customer would be the government and defense companies who would buy software to prevent hackers and have a team monitor the software.
D. The opportunity is easy to exploit because it is very dangerous.
I see this because I am interested in defense and the military.
4. Emissions changes
A. http://www.autonews.com/article/20141008/OEM11/141009787/technology-propels-fuel-economy-average-to-record-24.1-mpg-epa-says
B. With the new emissions control, truck manufacturers have been pushed to develop more and more economical trucks.
C. This effects the manufacturers and also the people who buy the trucks.
D. This is a regulated sector so it is easy to exploit.
I see this because I drive trucks so I pay attention to what is going on with them
1. Bitcoin
A. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/5/prweb13447745.htm
B. Bitcoin has been around since 2009 and although it has had its ups and downs, it seems to be getting the attention of the public now.
C. The younger generation who has more tech knowledge with mostly be the customer.
D. We all use currency so Bitcoin will be relatively easy to catch on. And with the promising investment opportunities it is hard to not like.
I have studied Forex trading and this is something similar.
2. Grocery home delivery
A. http://www.gourmetretailer.com/top-story-profiles___trends-meal_kit_delivery_services_projected_to_top_$1b_this_year__packaged_facts-12701.html
B. In the ever growing convenience and want-it-now society that we live in, it is no surprise that have groceries delivered straight to your home wouldn't be the next logical step. And we aren't just talking groceries anymore, this has evolved into having already planned meals being delivered directly to your house. This has taken all of the hard part of deciding what to put together for dinner out of the equation.
C. A lot of the younger generation might consider this but I believe that the busy soccer mom and the elderly who have trouble going all of the way to the grocery store will get on board also.
D. Everyone needs groceries so this wouldn't be too much of a challenge to get going. And it clearly isn't considering they were on track for $1 B in sales.
I see this because I understand people wanting convenience even though I actually like going to the grocery store, I understand some people hate it.
Regulatory Changes
3. Cyber warfare
A. My source is a warrant officer in the United States National Guard
B. Cyber terrorism is one of the biggest threats we face in today's society. With our major cities becoming more and more based off of computers and everything being digital, we are becoming vulnerable. For example, think of a the city water supply of a major city like Phoenix, the water is chemically treated by a computer. If someone hacked into that network they could change the chemical balance and poison everyone in the city who drinks that water.
C. This can potentially affect everyone. The customer would be the government and defense companies who would buy software to prevent hackers and have a team monitor the software.
D. The opportunity is easy to exploit because it is very dangerous.
I see this because I am interested in defense and the military.
4. Emissions changes
A. http://www.autonews.com/article/20141008/OEM11/141009787/technology-propels-fuel-economy-average-to-record-24.1-mpg-epa-says
B. With the new emissions control, truck manufacturers have been pushed to develop more and more economical trucks.
C. This effects the manufacturers and also the people who buy the trucks.
D. This is a regulated sector so it is easy to exploit.
I see this because I drive trucks so I pay attention to what is going on with them
Friday, May 20, 2016
Identifying Local Opportunities
1. More than 4,000 GRU customers lose power in storm
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160520/ARTICLES/160529989/1002/news01?Title=Trees-down-power-down-after-storm-blows-through
GRU had a mass power outage today following the storm.
The problem was above ground lines being hit with all of the tree fall due to the storm.
GRU as well as their customers have a problem.
2. Optimism and Issues at Alachua County Business Forum
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160519/ARTICLES/160529999/1002/news01?p=3&tc=pg
County commissioners are at opposing views on whether growth for the county is a good thing or not. With that being said, there is one major issue that restricts economic growth with manufacturing in the county. Manufacturing companies don't like high utilities because they use a lot of electricity and this increases their cost.
This causes problems for a wide range of people. Large amounts of tax revenue from large companies increase the county budget and allows for improvements. County wide growth is important.
3. Area unemployment rate lowest since 2008
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160520/ARTICLES/160529979/1002/news01?Title=Area-unemployment-rate-lowest-since-2008
While the article as a whole is great, there is a sector that could be even better. Manufacturing is the fastest growing for jobs in Alachua county and we are hindering that with high utilities.
The workforce is affected.
4. Real estate inventory down, prices up in April
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160520/ARTICLES/160529980/1003/NEWS?Title=Real-estate-inventory-down-prices-up-in-April-
Home sales have jumped 17% compared to last year. Part of the reason due to a low inventory of lower prices homes. This caused people to spend a little more than they usually would which increased home sales by 44% between 200 and 250k. This issue here is low inventory of low end homes which hurts the buyer.
5. Faculty spouse recommends state buy bullet-proof lecterns
http://smartboard.blogs.gainesville.com/2015/11/faculty-spouse-recommends-state-buy-bullet-proof-lecterns-for-profs/
As another option for those who are opposed to campus carry, a professor's wife has proposed that universities use bullet-proof lecterns.
The issue with this is it would cost about 60 million and actually offer very little protection to the professor and absolutely no protection to the students.
Forming An Opportunity Belief
I believe that most people experience a problem with becoming too hot while they sleep. Especially if you sleep on memory foam due to the amount of heat it holds. I think everyone who gets hot while they sleep have this need. It has always existed. There aren't too many great options out there now. I would suggest a mattress that incorporates a cooling gel in the top layer to keep you cool while you sleep. Right now people keep fans on and sometimes don't sleep under their sheets. I believe there is a 100% chance it exists.
Iteration 1
Devyn West
I have always gotten hot while I sleep. I keep my fan on high and don't sleep under my sheets half of the time. I always turn the A/C on higher at night which increases my electric bill. I only experience the problem at night. I am not happy with the current solutions now because I still get hot on the side that is on the mattress when I sleep.
This is pretty much the answers I expected I would receive from her on this issue.
Iteration 2
Kevin Brill
I usually don't get that hot while I sleep because I keep my house pretty cold. Although I have to pay a lot higher of an electricity bill, I hate being hot.
I believe the main reason Kevin doesn't have the need is because he keeps his house below 70 degrees to begin with. Most people don't want that expense so they keep it between 72-75.
I think that all of my original opportunity is still there. Even if you don't get hot when you sleep because you keep your house so cold, you are still recognizing the problem that you have to keep your house cold in order to not get hot.
I think costumer feedback is a critical step in determining how well your product will do in the market. Entrepreneurs should take their feedback seriously.
Iteration 1
Devyn West
I have always gotten hot while I sleep. I keep my fan on high and don't sleep under my sheets half of the time. I always turn the A/C on higher at night which increases my electric bill. I only experience the problem at night. I am not happy with the current solutions now because I still get hot on the side that is on the mattress when I sleep.
This is pretty much the answers I expected I would receive from her on this issue.
Iteration 2
Kevin Brill
I usually don't get that hot while I sleep because I keep my house pretty cold. Although I have to pay a lot higher of an electricity bill, I hate being hot.
I believe the main reason Kevin doesn't have the need is because he keeps his house below 70 degrees to begin with. Most people don't want that expense so they keep it between 72-75.
I think that all of my original opportunity is still there. Even if you don't get hot when you sleep because you keep your house so cold, you are still recognizing the problem that you have to keep your house cold in order to not get hot.
I think costumer feedback is a critical step in determining how well your product will do in the market. Entrepreneurs should take their feedback seriously.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Bug List
Bug 1. Cell phone service weakened by metal roofs. (which I happen to have on my house)
Why 1. Because the signal from the tower doesn't travel well through metal.
Bug 2. Satellite Wifi going out due to rain.
Why 2. Because rain causes satellite signals to weaken
Bug 3. Rush hour traffic.
Why 3. Because everyone is getting off of work at the same time.
Bug 4. Old people being terrible drivers.
Why 4. Because the government doesn't make them retest each year after turning 70.
Bug 5. Car A/C not being as strong while you aren't moving in Florida heat.
Why 5. Because the A/C doesn't have as much power coming from the motor to power it.
Bug 6. Movie previews being so long.
Why 6. They have to make money somehow from advertisements
Bug 7. Eyes hurting after starring at a computer screen for a while
Why 7. Causes strained muscles in your eye
Bug 8. Commercials during TV shows.
Why 8. Again, they gotta make money somehow with advertisements.
Bug 9. Salesmen in stores and carlots.
Why 9. They gotta feed their family somehow.
Bug 10. My computer gets slow sometimes
Why 10. It slows down after the memory gets somewhat full and it hasn't had a software update.
Bug 11. Having a cold and sore throat like I do right now.
Why 11. Germs infecting my body.
Bug 12. Airplane companies cancelling flights when it isn't full.
Why 12. They would rather combine two flights instead of flying two half empty planes.
Bug 13. Mail-in-rebates taking so long to come back
Why 13. Because they have so many coming in and probably aren't in a rush to hand out money.
Bug 14. The printer running out of ink.
Why 14. It eventually has to be refilled.
Bug 15. Cops writing speeding tickets.
Why 15. They are trying to keep the roads safe.
Bug 16. Gun-free zones
Why 16. Because people are confused and think gun-free zones are safer (like a criminal cares if there is a sign that says no guns)
Bug 17. Car heater taking so long to warm up in the winter in the mornings.
Why 17. It can't produce heat until the engine is warm which takes a few minutes in the cold.
Bug 18. Motorcycles parked in regular parking places when they have motorcycle parking close by.
Why 18. They don't want their bike getting scratched.
Bug 19. Getting to the airport early just to sit and wait and the gate.
Why 19. You have to allow yourself enough time just in case something happens going through security.
Bug 20. Spiders getting in my house.
Why 20. There are holes and vents in the attic that they can come through
This was very hard to write. I can only think of so many things that are actually relevant and the rest just seems like filler.
Why 1. Because the signal from the tower doesn't travel well through metal.
Bug 2. Satellite Wifi going out due to rain.
Why 2. Because rain causes satellite signals to weaken
Bug 3. Rush hour traffic.
Why 3. Because everyone is getting off of work at the same time.
Bug 4. Old people being terrible drivers.
Why 4. Because the government doesn't make them retest each year after turning 70.
Bug 5. Car A/C not being as strong while you aren't moving in Florida heat.
Why 5. Because the A/C doesn't have as much power coming from the motor to power it.
Bug 6. Movie previews being so long.
Why 6. They have to make money somehow from advertisements
Bug 7. Eyes hurting after starring at a computer screen for a while
Why 7. Causes strained muscles in your eye
Bug 8. Commercials during TV shows.
Why 8. Again, they gotta make money somehow with advertisements.
Bug 9. Salesmen in stores and carlots.
Why 9. They gotta feed their family somehow.
Bug 10. My computer gets slow sometimes
Why 10. It slows down after the memory gets somewhat full and it hasn't had a software update.
Bug 11. Having a cold and sore throat like I do right now.
Why 11. Germs infecting my body.
Bug 12. Airplane companies cancelling flights when it isn't full.
Why 12. They would rather combine two flights instead of flying two half empty planes.
Bug 13. Mail-in-rebates taking so long to come back
Why 13. Because they have so many coming in and probably aren't in a rush to hand out money.
Bug 14. The printer running out of ink.
Why 14. It eventually has to be refilled.
Bug 15. Cops writing speeding tickets.
Why 15. They are trying to keep the roads safe.
Bug 16. Gun-free zones
Why 16. Because people are confused and think gun-free zones are safer (like a criminal cares if there is a sign that says no guns)
Bug 17. Car heater taking so long to warm up in the winter in the mornings.
Why 17. It can't produce heat until the engine is warm which takes a few minutes in the cold.
Bug 18. Motorcycles parked in regular parking places when they have motorcycle parking close by.
Why 18. They don't want their bike getting scratched.
Bug 19. Getting to the airport early just to sit and wait and the gate.
Why 19. You have to allow yourself enough time just in case something happens going through security.
Bug 20. Spiders getting in my house.
Why 20. There are holes and vents in the attic that they can come through
This was very hard to write. I can only think of so many things that are actually relevant and the rest just seems like filler.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
My Entrepreneurship Story
In middle school we were required to create a new invention for a problem that we had in our lives. It was a semester long project that had various steps to it. The problem that I came up with was reading in the dark. Even with a lamp, you don't get light on all of the pages because you seem to end up with shadows. So I created reading glasses that had a micro LED light attached to them. (This was several years before a company actually created this exact thing) I was fun to not only see a problem but create a resolution to that problem.
I enrolled in ENT3003 to help me become a better entrepreneurial thinker. I hope that after finishing this class I will see everyday problems a little bit differently by also automatically thinking about solutions.
I enrolled in ENT3003 to help me become a better entrepreneurial thinker. I hope that after finishing this class I will see everyday problems a little bit differently by also automatically thinking about solutions.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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