Week 15 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

----The biggest surprise from the reading was the opening, where it was explained that the company was robbed and attacked by criminals.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

----One part that was confusing to me in the reading was when it was said that the connection between Microfinance and poverty. The article states how "Microfinance is often lauded as the solution to poverty."

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

----Even with such a small customer base, how were you able to maintain the amount of money you needed to lend money?

----If your business was that of a non-profit, did you not charge interest? and If you weren't charging interest, how were you able to lend out so much money?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How? 

----I do not believe the author was wring about anything in the article.

Final Reflection

Final Reflection

2) The most formative experience from this semester was having to go out and interview people to get information on how I would run my potential business. That probably is also the experience that I will remember years down the line. The experience that I'm most proud of is the overall effort of getting all my assignments done in order to stay on track with my daily activities.

3) I do see myself as an entrepreneur after this course, because I developed more skills and knowledge into taking myself further. With all the readings from this course, it helped me gain my knowledge on the things I needed to learn and know.

4) One recommendation I would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future, is to always stay on top of your goals and never stop trying until you get there. In this course, I would tell you to manage your time and be able to get everything done, so you can have time for other things. To foster that mindset, just succeed and manage yourself perfect repetitively!

Elevator Pitch No. 4

1) Pitch:

2) A reflection on the feedback you received from your last pitch. Describe what stood out to you as important, what feedback surprised you the most, what feedback you think was outright wrong or silly. 

---From my last pitch, the feedback I got was positive regarding to how I carried my pitch out. What was important was gaining the viewers attention. Thats also what surprised me too, because its very crucial to start your pitch right.

3) What did you change, based on the feedback?

---Based on the feedback, I just revised my flow of words and got straight to the point.

Venture Concept No. 2

1. Opportunity

(1) who has the need (i.e., who are the potential customers?)
The customers who have the need for my product are consumers who are into stylish retro clothing, specifically the collegiate crowd where styles are hot and trending very fast.

(2) the nature of the need.
The nature of their needs are to look good in public and always keep up to date with the trendiest clothing. 


What are the forces or changes in the environment creating this opportunity?
The forces in the environment that create these opportunities is trends. Every day there is something new trending in the style world and with my clothing line specifically targeting the collegiate crowd. 

How is this market defined geographically and demographically?
Demographically the market is designed by the four years of college students; in other words, every year theres always something new that is trendy and everyone wants it. This market consists of college students between the ages of 18-23. Geographically, this market is in sections of states all over the nation. Every college campus can be aware of the styles of my company through social media.

How are customers currently satisfying this need? And how loyal are they to whatever they use now? 
Customers are satisfying these needs by being trendy and staying up to date with their styles. Students go out and buy the clothes thats hot during the time and spread the word normally.

How big is this opportunity?
This opportunity is probably one of the biggest ones I've seen pop up, especially due to the fact that I have support from big names in the music industry who'd be willing to promote and wear the clothing.

How long will the “window of opportunity” be open?
This window of opportunity will be open forever pretty much, since trends have always been a forever thing.

2. Innovation

I would like to you discuss your innovation in moderate detail. Explain what it is, what it does, and how it works. You should also describe how you will make money – in other words, what, exactly, are you selling and for how much? 
My innovation ideas for this opportunity are very broad, because its such a huge market of collegiate students. I will make money simply by the profit margins from buying the clothing at wholesale and reselling it for a few dollars more than I got it for. To be specific, I will be selling tees, hats and tanks with all-black designs that were inspired by the styles from Europe. These styles will also be available in various comfort ways. Tees and hats will be at $20, tanks will be at $15.

3. Venture Concept

A venture concept may be defined as the application of a specific innovation to address a specific opportunity. In this section, describe how your innovation will solve or address the opportunity you identified. You also want to explain why customers will buy your innovation. In describing the concept, you also want to be sure to cover issues such as:
My innovation for this venture concept will solve the opportunity I mentioned above because trends are always happening. Its a never ending market, especially with college students. The 4 years of college are always one of the most trendiest time periods of a person's life. 

What are the reasons to think customers would switch to this new product?  How hard will it be to get them to switch? 
The reasons customers will switch to this new product, is because it'll be trendy and superstar producers who they admire and follow will be supporting the clothing. In marketing of clothing styles, advertising through having famous people wear the clothing always does the job. 

·        Who are the competitors? What are their possible weaknesses or vulnerabilities?
      The competitors are other clothing brands, like vineyard vines, polo, nike and adidas. Possible weaknesses of these competitors are lacking the trendy college styles that these students would enjoy.

      What role does packaging, your price points, distribution, customer support, the customer experience or the business location play (if any) in defining your business concept?

      How would you organize a “business” to support the ongoing production of your new product, service, or process? How many employees? What roles are in the venture?
     Packaging, price points distribution and customer support all play a huge role in starting this company. When dealing with clothing, it is crucial that timing for shipping and satisfying your customers is going all well. 

The three minor elements

My rescue for this product I offer is the source where I buy the clothes wholesale. I can always drop prices as a last chance but its highly unlikely. What sets it aside from competitors is the style difference and quality comfort of the clothing. 
What's next for this venture is to bring attention to it and reel in more customers to hype them up for releases. The next opportunity I wanna tackle in this plan is to start making the shirts. The next product in line for this is unknown, but for sure will be accessories.
What's next for me? I'm aiming to have this company through the roof blooming in 5 years. As an entrepreneur, I just want to be successful.

Week 14 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations?
From the reading, the biggest surprise to me was the part about the Corporate Entrepreneurship Process.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.
One part that was confusing was the part about the social enterprise challenge.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?
- Are there any cons to the entrepreneurial philosophy?
- How does an individual build his/her "ecovision"? 
I would ask these questions because they would help me figure out and understand the chapters more.

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?
I do not think the author was wrong about anything in the reading.

Google Gold

1) A discussion of your general approach and strategy to search engine optimiation (SEO). What were some of the activities you did for each blog post to pursue SEO? 

My general approach to SEO is to always use keywords in your writing/posting. With each blog I wrote for this class, I wrote with vocabulary and keywords that were necessary to get my thoughts across with all my assignments. 

2) What were your keywords. How did you select those keywords? Did you change or refine your keywords through the semester?

My keywords were: major, successful, keys, business, entrepreneur and many more. 

I did in a way change or refine my way of expressing my ideas for my assignments, because I usually get my SEO strategy through big media outlets like EDMTunes.com to get my name out there. 

3) How did you use social media to enhance your SEO efforts? What your your surprises or general impression of using social media to improve your blog's profile? Was social media generally receptive of your blog, or did it get ignored?

I used social media to enhancing my SEO by gaining attention through many relatable topics, especially ones that gain a lot of attention or interest of the fans/viewers of my writings. My personal and only social media was in no way connected to this blog, due to way different approaches and aspects of business ideas. 

4) What was your most "viral" post? In other words, which post obtained the most traffic? Why do you think?

My most viral post was "What's Next." I honestly have no idea why this post got the most views but if I had to assume, it would be because its the most informational regarding my venture concept.

5) Finally, did you make it to the first page of Google results for your keywords? If not, what page of results did you make it to?

My blog does not make it to the first page of Google results, bus if you search my name, Joey Rubio, many results do come of my information from high school football, Facebook, Twitter, and EDMTunes.

Week 13 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

The biggest surprise in the reading was the part explaining the importance of valuation. To me it is very important that this gets across all entrepreneurs who are entering their first years trying to succeed.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

One part that was confusing to me from the reading was when it was explained what major points we should look out for when establishing a firm's value. I still haven't understood that fully quite yet.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

1- After analyzing the business, how important is it to look at every single factor of it? For example, what if the divergent goals are ignored?

2-When establishing a firm's value, how does one come up with the exact number of ho much a business is worth?

--I would ask these questions because they are what I don't understand from the reading.

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I do not feel the author was wrong about anything in the reading, simply because it was published and he obviously knows what he's talking about.

Celebrating Failure

This story actually happened a few semesters ago, where I had come to a point of realization where math just wasn't my thing. I attempted to take calculus twice, and both times it did not work out. Yes, it was really embarrassing for me, but I learned to utilize my resources and learn to make it through life without having to do so many unnecessary equations that will never help me in life down the line. 

What did I learn? That math was definitely not my thing, but entertainment was. When I kept struggling over and over with this calculus course, I had gone to one of my friends to tutor me. One day, he had his other friend over and we ended up getting into the conversation about music events. He was a big time promoter from Miami, and we had networked to the point where we would be able to discuss business opportunities out of Miami. It was a major curveball, but I had to thank calculus for this one.

Failure to me is inevitable; without it you wouldn't be able to shape yourself and fix your mistakes as a person. Failure is something that teaches you; its something that everyone needs in life in order to open their minds to bigger and better things, and to also build experience. I handle failure normal because its just a part of life that comes and goes. This class has not changed my perspective on failure, because I've always seen it the way I do now and will forever understand that its normal to fail in life.

My Exit Strategy

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 intend 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?

The exit strategy I plan to make with my developing business is to eventually sell it. In the next 5 years I won't be seeing myself sell the business. In 5 years, I see it being at its peak generating revenue. I intend to stay with the business as long as I desire, until the time comes that I decide I don't want to follow through with it anymore.

2) Why have you selected this particular exit strategy?

I selected this particular strategy just because its in my interests to.

3) How do you think your exit strategy has influenced the other decisions you've made in your concept? For instance, has it influenced how you have identified an opportunity? Has it influenced your growth intentions or how you plan to acquire and use resources?

My exit strategy has influenced other decisions in my concept like what target market to keep going after, because eventually a time will come where I will be older than my target market and maybe not be into it anymore. It influences my growth of this business while the time lasts, while I'm in my 20s.

What's Next

Existing Market. 

Whats next for my company is finding and targeting the market of college students who are into staying trendy with their fashion. Finding this market of people who are open to new trendy clothes is key to succeeding and growing as a clothing company.

1. Fabio

2. Krysten

3. Chris

What makes the most sense for a future path with my business is staying up to date with all the latest styles and seeing what people are getting into. With clothing, its all a matter of what people see and like by who is wearing the clothes. Many people who are fans of certain individuals tend to have the same fashion interests as them and will support the clothing they wear.
Now in this existing market, its always changing constantly and by what my interviewees had said, I think its crucially important to stay up to date with what the major populations are into. Again, this market that expresses interest is always changing with trends and forever will.

----

New Market.

A radically different market I plan to target that is quite different from my original is the market of younger kids, maybe in high school or middle school who would still idolize the fashion of the stars that'd be supporting my clothing.

I would target these kids through social media, because nowadays the younger crowds are even taking on social media at younger ages. They would no doubt come across my ideas and brand through mutual interests of the same stars. 

1. Lee

2. Jack

3. Reid

In this new market I discovered that these kids are actually easier to get to than the older crowd, because they are more open to discovering whats "cool." These kids are always looking to still find themselves in the developmental years of their lives. They easily idolize stars of the higher level and are pretty much willing to find what's trendy.

This market is more funded by their parents/family, and that makes this market very open for opportunities to bring in money on holidays and birthdays. Clothing companies usually have wider markets because everyone in the world wants to stay trendy.

Week 12 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

The biggest surprise for me in the reading was the chart explaining the strategic management process.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

One part of the chapter that was confusing was the part where the author explained the fatal visions in strategic planning.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

How accurate is the average strategic management process in comparison to real life?

When once having the entrepreneurial edge, how do you capitalize after?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I don't think the author was wrong about anything in the chapter! I agree with pretty much everything he explained aside from my questioning of the accuracy.

Venture Concept No. 1

Venture Concept No. 1

1. Opportunity

(1) who has the need (i.e., who are the potential customers?)
The customers who have the need for my product are consumers who are into stylish retro clothing, specifically the collegiate crowd where styles are hot and trending very fast.

(2) the nature of the need.
The nature of their needs are to look good in public and always keep up to date with the trendiest clothing.


What are the forces or changes in the environment creating this opportunity?
The forces in the environment that create these opportunities is trends. Every day there is something new trending in the style world and with my clothing line specifically targeting the collegiate crowd. 

How is this market defined geographically and demographically?
Demographically the market is designed by the four years of college students; in other words, every year theres always something new that is trendy and everyone wants it. This market consists of college students between the ages of 18-23. Geographically, this market is in sections of states all over the nation. Every college campus can be aware of the styles of my company through social media.

How are customers currently satisfying this need? And how loyal are they to whatever they use now? 
Customers are satisfying these needs by being trendy and staying up to date with their styles. Students go out and buy the clothes thats hot during the time and spread the word normally.

How big is this opportunity?
This opportunity is probably one of the biggest ones I've seen pop up, especially due to the fact that I have support from big names in the music industry who'd be willing to promote and wear the clothing.

How long will the “window of opportunity” be open?
This window of opportunity will be open forever pretty much, since trends have always been a forever thing.

2. Innovation

I would like to you discuss your innovation in moderate detail. Explain what it is, what it does, and how it works. You should also describe how you will make money – in other words, what, exactly, are you selling and for how much? 
My innovation ideas for this opportunity are very broad, because its such a huge market of collegiate students. I will make money simply by the profit margins from buying the clothing at wholesale and reselling it for a few dollars more than I got it for. To be specific, I will be selling tees, hats and tanks with all-black designs that were inspired by the styles from Europe. These styles will also be available in various comfort ways. Tees and hats will be at $20, tanks will be at $15.

3. Venture Concept

A venture concept may be defined as the application of a specific innovation to address a specific opportunity. In this section, describe how your innovation will solve or address the opportunity you identified. You also want to explain why customers will buy your innovation. In describing the concept, you also want to be sure to cover issues such as:
My innovation for this venture concept will solve the opportunity I mentioned above because trends are always happening. Its a never ending market, especially with college students. The 4 years of college are always one of the most trendiest time periods of a person's life. 

What are the reasons to think customers would switch to this new product?  How hard will it be to get them to switch? 
The reasons customers will switch to this new product, is because it'll be trendy and superstar producers who they admire and follow will be supporting the clothing. In marketing of clothing styles, advertising through having famous people wear the clothing always does the job. 

·        Who are the competitors? What are their possible weaknesses or vulnerabilities?
      The competitors are other clothing brands, like vineyard vines, polo, nike and adidas. Possible weaknesses of these competitors are lacking the trendy college styles that these students would enjoy.

      What role does packaging, your price points, distribution, customer support, the customer experience or the business location play (if any) in defining your business concept?

      How would you organize a “business” to support the ongoing production of your new product, service, or process? How many employees? What roles are in the venture?
     Packaging, price points distribution and customer support all play a huge role in starting this company. When dealing with clothing, it is crucial that timing for shipping and satisfying your customers is going all well. 

The three minor elements

My rescue for this product I offer is the source where I buy the clothes wholesale. I can always drop prices as a last chance but its highly unlikely. What sets it aside from competitors is the style difference and quality comfort of the clothing. 
What's next for this venture is to bring attention to it and reel in more customers to hype them up for releases. The next opportunity I wanna tackle in this plan is to start making the shirts. The next product in line for this is unknown, but for sure will be accessories.
What's next for me? I'm aiming to have this company through the roof blooming in 5 years. As an entrepreneur, I just want to be successful.