Interviewing Customers No. 1

1.  For the opportunity, I chose to go with the stress that is caused from traffic.

2.  Unfortunately, Anybody that lives in an city, no matter the size, is forced to face traffic on a daily basis.

3.  Now That I have interviewed 5 different people, I realize how much traffic is disrupting peoples everyday lives and leading to added stress and possible accidents

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4.  It was an interesting experienc to interview people about this opportunity.  You have to learn to get past the nerves and put yourself out there.  The feedback you receive is worth it in the end.

Week 4 Reading Reflection

1. The biggest surprise for me was the myths of innovation, especially the myth that people love new things.  I understand where the author gets this, but I have always seen people liking new gadgets that can perform unique tasks.

2. There was not much confusion in this chapter, but I did not quite understand the Critical Thinking Process Chart.  The author didn't really describe it in much detail which made it seem out of place.  However, the chart is interesting and I would love to get further explanation on what each box means and how they are all connected to each other.

3.  If I had to ask the author a question, I would love to have him explain the myths of innovation in further detail.  I found this part of the chapter to be the most interesting and would love to really have an in depth conversation about why these myths exist and see the authors experience in innovation.

4. The chapter as a whole was good and I don't really disagree with anything, But I would like to know more on certain parts of the chapter, especially about the Critical Thinking Process Chart.

Top 5 World Problems

1. Poverty has become a huge problem worldwide

2. On a different note, terrorism has been a huge problem worldwide.  With ISIS in full throttle, nations have to begin to fear and start preparing for potential attacks. 

3. Gun Control has been a huge issue specifically in the United States.  With all of the mass shootings over the past 10-15 years, people are starting to question whether or not people should be able to buy guns anymore.

4. Sexual abuse for both men and women has become a big problem worldwide and especially on college campuses.  Stories are on the news daily of a girl getting beaten at a bar or raped after a night at the bars.  A fix would be to enforce more education about manners, self-defense, and sexual encounters. 

5. Laziness has become a huge problem nationwide. 

  

I chose these problems in order because of how bad poverty has gotten worldwide.  In the United States alone is 15% and 12.7% worldwide wide.  In the United States, the problem does not stop there. The current presidential debate is discussing different solutions to help the wealth inequality.  Solutions must be made to fix the poverty problem and increase the working middle class. The other problems listed under it have great significance as well.  The terrorist group ISIS has to be contained soon before their terrorism expands and leads to wars.  Gun Control and sexual abuse need to be control especially in the United States.  And finally, laziness is something I have just realized as a problem in the United States specifically.  Hard work leads to success, can’t expect to be given everything. 

1. I think that people should still be able to buy guns, but the process should be harder, especially for the powerful guns.  Tests should be taken just like a hunting license. 

2. A fix for sexual abuse would be to enforce more education about manners, self-defense, and sexual encounters

3. The way the problem with traffic worldwide can be fixed is not always creating a 9-5 work schedule.  And also to create lights that analyze traffic and help speed traffic up.

4. The ISIS Terrorist group is a hard fix because there are many different viewpoints.  I would think if we join together with other victims and stop their expansion and limit their resources, the terrorist group would be finished.

5. Find similar resources that can be used to achieve the same effect could fix the decline in natural resources problem

Of the solutions I came up with, I thought that my solution for gun control is the best solution.  I believe in the 2^nd Amendment and what it stands for.  I believe in having the right to defend yourself against the possible evils in the world.  However, I do believe it has become too easy to obtain guns, especially the high powered guns.  With more tests, people can get more knowledge of their firearms and the purposes behind the firearms.  These tests can also lead to red flags in certain people who may have psychotic problems.  Unfortunately, there is always going to be the problem of bad guys find ways to obtain weapons to do bad things. However, with more regulations, these bad things might be decreased.  

identifying local opportunities

1. "It could Cause Trouble in the wrong hands" (http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A92F0168E1C648?p=AWNB) (http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2016/01/22/nearly-50000-in-bull-semen-stolen-from-turlock-truck/)

• This is kind of a weird story that I found from a blog on the Miami Herald.  After doing more research on CBS.com, I found that there was $50,000 worth of bull semen that was stolen from a truck.  This is a big deal because bulls have the best genetics and it would not be good if it is in the wrong hands. However, in this case, the theifs probably did not even know what they were stealing, but its worth $50,000.
•  The problem with this is for the farmers who have to make a living off of breading.  With the creme of the crop being stolen from them, and so much of it being stolen from the, it hurts the business for the farmers.  

2. "Researchers Seek to End Dump Stink" ( http://bi.galegroup.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/essentials/article/GALE%7CA135522765/4e9fc5a5e254b348d6e6f879c60fc32c?u=gain40375)

• This article describes how researchers have found that using beer bottles to hold smaller garbage items can help disguise the smell.  The researchers say other waste materials can be used as well to help block the smell.  
• The problem that is being addressed here is the smell that is generated from the accumulation of waste and garbage.  This affects the community and pollutes the air.  Using bottles to block the smell is useful but doesn't that take about from recycling.  There might be different way to achieve the same goal.

3. "Toxic Algae ID'd in Taylor" (http://bi.galegroup.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/essentials/article/GALE%7CA135522766/636f6d74c7587997883879352e9a7057?u=gain40375)

• Toxi algae, also known as red tide, was found in samples form Taylor County, Florida.  Thousands of fish were killed over the past month in these waters.  It is unsure if the cause of the deaths was the red tide, but researchers are coming to that conclusion
• The problem that is discussed in this article is red tide.  When you go to the beach and it smells like dumpster water, it probably is red tide.  This can kill marine life which affects fishing, and the marine lifestyles.  

4. "Solution to Guardianship Crisis? Advocates Say Cap Fees, Regulate" (http://bi.galegroup.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/essentials/article/GALE%7CA440977303/99d4d46f23cd9d5da20fb3c05df46f05?u=gain40375)

• This article is very interesting because my grandparents have fallen victim to fraudulent scams over the phone and online.  Today, it seems like this is even more of a growing problem.  As technology expands, the security it comes with decreases.  This article discusses that some solutions that may decrease the amount of fraudulent behavior may be to put a cap on fees, give seniors a bill of rights to protect them, and allow the state to have control over bad users.
• The problem here is the fraudulent behavior online and over the phone and the amount the behavior has gotten out of control recently.  The main target is senior citizens and young college kids as they may not "know any better."

5. "West Palm taking on crime, homelessness; City also pushing neighborhood projects, mayor says"(http://bi.galegroup.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/essentials/article/GALE%7CA440903260/793081ba3115ffa887955924701f9075?u=gain40375)

• Crime, homelessness and homelessness has become a huge problem in the West Palm area and has started to bring the its reputation down.  The mayor made a 20 minute speech on how she plans to beat the violence before it happens, create organizations to help the poverty and homeless, and create jobs through community and neighborhood projects. 
• Crime and poverty has become a huge problem not just in West Palm but in the United States in general.  The upcoming presidential election has major focuses on the poverty line and the increase in crime, specifically on police brutality.  

Very Short Interview No 1

I chose to interview my dad, Scott Smiley.  Scott Smiley is a lawyer in Tallahassee Florida.  After working for a big law firm for about three years, Scott decided to start his own lawfirm with some of his peers from law school.  He has since then been rewarded best law firm in Tallahassee multiple times and been able to join the International Association of Defense Council (IADC).  Here is the questions and answers from the interview:

1.As an entrepreneur what were some of the struggles you faced early on?

One of the biggest struggles is finding clients and covering overhead costs.  Everything front rent to secretary salaries need to be paid off before you can get paid.  N the beginning, my partners and I only had a few clients that carried over from precious jobs.  This required us to advertise ourselves and find new clients to bring in business for the firm.  With the overhead costs and the amount of clients we had.  The partners did not even take in salaries until a few months into the business.  The biggest thing to remember from starting a business is always to cover the overhead before thinking of your salary. 

2.What do you wish you would have learned before starting your own law firm

Coordinating the advertising like yellow pages.  There was a lull in name recognition at the start of the business.  Also, knowing which clients would go with us, but they wouldn’t commit to us or the old firm.  You can’t really fix that, but when you can’t necessarily expect to bring a lot of clients over. Clients like to see you succeed on your own before they take the risk of switching.  Lastly, always have more expenses than you plan for.  There are so many expenses that go into your bottom line that you do not even expect.  Now that I have worked for a long time, I see how much expenses there really are.  Budgeting with a bigger plus or minus swings. Sometimes an expense you thought would be $500 ends up being $700.  At the start of a business when you are bringing in as much revenue, $200 is a big change and you need those bigger plus minus swing budgeting to help cover possible overages. 

3.Expectations I should have in an Entrepreneurship class?

Getting a solid understanding of startup cost. Get an idea of how to do it and a good grasp of planning and implementing start up across the board, not just what you are going to do but the budgeting of what you are going to do.  Say you are going to sell sandwiches, ads insurance, and salaries are needed to be thought of in the planning process.

4.What does being an Entrepreneur mean to you

It means whether on your own or not, its coming up with a plan or goal and implementing your plan.  When you see your plans and dreams come to fruition that’s entrepreneurship. From the start up idea to moving towards profit.  Ideas alone do not do it.  Ideas with implementation that makes the business.  The theory is forming a company you are in charge of. 

5.Was “being your own boss” the main reason starting your own firm?

It was definitely a reason.  I wanted to be n control of my future and my goals.  However, you learn that in reality Are you ever really your own boss? 

This interview was interesting because it really got me to fully understand how my dad has gotten to where he is today.  I grew up knowing that my dad started his own law firm, however, I was too young to remember some of the struggles he went through when starting up his own law firm.  I thought it was interesting how much emphases he put on budgeting, and how you dont really know how many expenses you have until you start up.  I hope to learn even more about entrepreneurship and startup business from him in the future

World's Biggest Problems

Traffic is always a problem n practically every city, especially the major cities around the world. People have to plan out an hour just to drive 10-20 miles.  The way this is fixed is not always creating a 9-5 work schedule.  And also to create lights that analyze traffic and help speed traffic up.

Manners are another problem worldwide.  There are many people out there who are well mannered and treat others with respect, however, many others forget that a simple thank you after a good deed goes a long way. 

Another problem is Wi Fi.  Wi Fi in congested areas becomes weak.  During sporting events, concerts, and other volume crowd events, Wi Fi takes forever to get online and is practically useless.  Fix? Put more towers up for service.

Similar to the last problem, the amount of cellular services have increased with each one controlling specific areas of the United States.  I have Verizon.  In the south, Verizon works perfectly and almost always has a signal.  Up north, there are less people who have Verizon which means less stores and less cell towers which causes me to lose service frequently. This is vice versa for other cellular services.  Fix? Only have a few cellular services and have them throughout the country/world

On a different note, terrorism has been a huge problem worldwide.  With ISIS in full throttle, nations have to begin to fear and start preparing for potential attacks.  Fix? This is a hard fix because there are many different viewpoints.  I would think if we join together with other victims and stop their expansion and limit their resources, the terrorist group would be finished.

Gun Control has been a huge issue specifically in the United States.  With all of the mass shootings over the past 10-15 years, people are starting to question whether or not people should be able to buy guns anymore. I think that people should still be able to buy guns, but the process should be harder, especially for the powerful guns.  Tests should be taken just like a hunting license. 

Sexual abuse for both men and women has become a big problem worldwide and especially on college campuses.  Stories are on the news daily of a girl getting beaten at a bar or raped after a night at the bars.  A fix would be to enforce more education about manners, self-defense, and sexual encounters. 

Limited Resources are becoming a huge problem worldwide.  Places like California is running short of fresh water.  Oil has been a huge problem as people are always needing gas.  Fix? Find similar resources that can be used to achieve the same effect.

Poverty has become a huge problem worldwide.  Fix? Establish programs to help aid the poverty.

Laziness has become a huge problem nationwide.  People expect things to be given to them, and are afraid of hard work.  

Week 2 Reading Reflection

11.     The biggest surprise was by far the myths of entrepreneurs.  A lot of these myths I thought were true, and I even though these myths were some of the challenges that Entrepreneurs faced.  Especially “Entrepreneurship will give me back complete control over my schedule,” I thought this was especially true because you would be your own boss. 

22.       The Entrepreneurship Revolution was the most confusing to me because I never saw Entrepreneurship as changing or revolutionizing.  I understand that it has to adapt to the changing business environments, but I always thought the foundation of Entrepreneurship was the same.  Find unmet needs, and fix them.

33.       One of the questions I would love to ask the author is what his Entrepreneur experience is. Did he start his own business or firm?  What kind of firm was it, and what were the specific difficulties he faced at the beginning.  It would also ask him to explain the Entrepreneurship Revolution, because I still see Entrepreneurship’s foundation to be the same no matter what the business circumstances are. 

4       

    4.  The main point the author made that disagreed on was that everyone can be taught entrepreneurship. I think to an extent this is true, but, people have to find their passion in life, or else he or she will not care about what they are doing.  Someone who loves sports will probably not succeed starting his own Tec company because he doesn’t have the same passion for it as he does to sports.  

Bug List

Drinks getting warm in a cup and ice melting

Why?    The drink does not taste as good

Sweat getting mixed with the shirt to cause B.O.

Why? The sweat shows through the shirt and doesn’t smell good

Line for Relish after the Bars close on the weekends

Why? After drinking, you may want something to eat but the line would take half an hour to get food

The loss of signal when splitting HDMI

Why? Because you have to choose which TV gets HD unless you get a completely separate cable box

Getting uncomfortably warm in bed

Why? It is harder to sleep when you are cold

Setting up and taking down a tailgate for an event

Why? When you get to the tailgate site, the last thing you want to do is set up or take it down

Fire Alarms that go off during thunder storms when there isn’t a fire

Why? They go off in the middle of the night when people are sleeping.

The headphones cant fit into the headphone dock when the life-proof is on the iPhone

Why? Have to take off the life-proof or use their separate piece that screws in to listen to music

Headphones when one of the earbuds stops working

Why? It gives me a headache only hearing out of one ear

People who Chew loudly

Why? It is distracting and annoying.

People who do not have manners. When you bump someone say excuse me or sorry.  If a car allows you to walk across the street, wave.

Why? It isn’t that hard to have the common courtesy of giving others respect

When the printer and the computer do not connect

Why? This always seems to happen when you are printing something you need for that day

Traffic during rush hour in Gainesville specifically.  The population is not big enough to cause traffic that’s is just as bad if not worse that bigger cities.

Why? At 5 oclock, it take me 30 minutes to an hour to drive 3 miles

The length of time it takes to wash clothes

Why? If I wanted to wear something that day, I have to plan to wash it a couple hours before I wear it

The inability to dry some clothes without them shrinking.

Why? It is easier and quicker to dry clothes in the drier, and it helps get wrinkles out

When you eat soup you have to wait to let it cool down before eating it,

Why? I saw a Rules Of Engagement episode where they made a spoon that was insulated to cool the soup down before it reaches the mouth

People who click clicking pens constantly in class

Why? It is distracting and too repetitive, like chewing loudly

Reading because I am a slow reader

Why? I feel like with the technology we have, there could be a device that could take the information n the book and feed it straight to your brain

Internet Problems, and The unreliable WiFi on campus

Why? When doing a proctor U Exam or any other important assignment, the WiFi is not reliable an could cut in and out causing you to lose connection

Headphones that get tangles up.

Why? I don’t even understand how I can lay headphones on the ground and come back later to get them and they are tangles in a million ways.

This assignment was challenging, but it was a lot of fun.  I thought about devices that bug me as well as things that occur in everyday life that bug me.  This thought process interests me because it shows how an entrepreneur finds different ways to improve unmet needs.  The first way to solving a problem is realizing there is a problem. 

My Entrepreneurship Story

My Entrepreneurship Story stays within the family.  My dad, Scott Smiley, is a family law attorney in Tallahassee, Florida.  After getting his law degree from Florida State University, he began working for a big law firm for a few years  before partnering up with two former friends from law school to start their own law firm.  My dad explained how starting your own firm takes confidence, strength, and leadership.  Just like starting any other business, you need the confidence that you have what it takes, the strength to persevere the struggles, and the leadership to guide others to help grow the business or firm.  He explained the importance of connections with former clients and how those connections help jump-start the business.  Once the business starts to get going, the feeling that you created this whole new business is so satisfying and shows that hard work pays off.  This story is what inspires me to start my own law firm someday.  I am excited for ENT 3003 because of the entrepreneur mindset is instills in its students.  I have never really understood Entrepreneurship and the mindset it requires.

Introduction

I am Brandon Smiley and I am currently a junior Finance Major at the University of Florida. I am from Tallahassee, Florida and grew up loving sports (mainly football, baseball, and basketball).  I chose the right school obviously.  My family is basically all rivals when it comes to sports.  We have 3 Florida fans, 4 Florida State Fans, 2 Clemson Fans, 3 Miami Fans, and 1 Duke fan.  Saturdays got pretty hectic.  I plan on attending law school after I get my finance degree, and I plan to eventually open my own law firm.  I am excited to learn more about the Entrepreneur mindset and have a great semester.

Entrepreneurs Mantra week 2

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