Celebrating Failure

1. Personally, I believe that I have failed to how to further enhance my planning and assignment schedule to finish the course before the end of the semester. 

2. What I have learned about failure is that if that when you make a commitment, you have the job to complete the tasks you have pushed yourself to do instead of piling up until the deadline you have set for yourself. 

3. Personally, I hate failure. I am tough on myself and harsh to finish on assignments. I will literally tell my family that I can't go to the beach because doing online college classes has caused me to be more motivated and self-disciplined. Every single week this class has 3 assignments due, so when I heard that we had a 2-week Summer Break due to the 1-week Summer Break as well as an extra week because of the Summer B semester starting later, I decided to take advantage of it. I decided that I needed to get most of the class finished by the end of the first week of Summer Break. I am also a student in the Innovation Academy, which means that I have a Spring/Summer schedule versus a Fall/Spring, which means I am taking a full-time program this summer, so this class, along with 3 other courses, is a lot. I also am taking one of the main classes for my major, and that is a lot of work as well, so this break is coming in the clutch to work harder and more effectively. By watching more productive people, it has really helped me and building a system that works for me. Because I believe that it is essential to work smarter, not harder. Also, we must understand that productivity is about not the quantity of work we can get done but the quality of the work we can get done effectively. I have grown as a person just by being alone and creating a routine during this time because it makes me feel like everything's OK and "normal" and helps me in understanding more about how I use my time. I don't see failure as something weak but as an attributes that needs to be worked or improved upon. 

Reading Reflection No. 2

1. The theme of the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck is to inform the reader that an entrepreneur's mindset is critical to their success and perception of the world, how it can rule your life, how to understand others' mindsets, and how to change it if you find yourself not at the position you want to be in (Dweck 3). 

2. As an entrepreneur, have a growth mindset is critical for the success of your company. Dweck really places a unique perspective for the reader when she mentions that she does in research to ensure the credibility of the findings and evidence to present her case on how mindset really helps in becoming a successful individual. At the beginning of the novel, she mentions that "believing that your qualities are carved in stone—the fixed mindset—creates an urgency to prove yourself over and over" (Dweck 5). I think it is a high point when she mentions that a fixed mindset creates a need for a person to seek recognition in the endeavor they are considering pursuing. Hearing this as an incoming entrepreneur really helps because it helps the reader understand that intrinsic motivation pushes further than extrinsic motivation. It teaches the reader to move towards a path of assertiveness. The exercises and the way class ENT3003 is structured as a blog creates a concept that I have seen has shown that entrepreneurship can easily be changed and adapted as new ideas spark. Professor Pryor asks us to propose a business idea just as we would when we go into the workforce, so when that time comes, we are more than ready to take on the project ahead. 

3. Personally, if I had to create an exercise for this course, "Create a Zoom Networking Mixer" with people in the class. The class is filled with 500+ students, and I think it would be really great to get to know the people in the class. During this Summer semester, I have built a platform during a program I chose to participate in that is now virtually being taught. As an incoming entrepreneur, I believe networking is one of the most significant aspects one can partake in. Building those relationships with mentors and people who have pursued similar endeavors before you are incredibly critical. With that being said, every single Saturday and Tuesday at 11 AM and 1 PM on Tuesdays, I host networking mixers for everyone to have a chance to build a social capital even through a virtual platform. Because I believe that can take you very far in whichever endeavor you decide to pursue. 

4. I believe that the most surprising thing about this entire book was the number of examples of building that mindset to further propel success were included. The author is an incredible author who really wants to engage the reader for them to understand the value that a growth mindset has in an idea/product/service's (etc.)'s success. Dweck uses stories of entrepreneurs we know and love but also her personal experiences in the area, which creates a more manifest reality of mindset's importance. With that being said, I would like to add that I completed these assignments, not in the order that they were intended to be, so I decided to do Assignment 23A, which was Your Venture's Unfair Advantage. In that assignment, I discussed the importance of having a growth mindset and used a VRIN analysis to address its concern.

Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

1. Innovation Process

Valuable: Yes, this resource will be valuable as it will provide incoming college students the ability to expand their potential further. 

Rare: This resource isn't rare because there are many people that already possess this skill without having gone to college but it is a skill that is acquired not inborn.  

Imitable: The resource is imitable with current websites like LinkedIn and Skillshare which are paid subscription services. 

Non-Substitutable: Because this resource is available to learn across many platforms, it is non-substitutable because many platforms are paid but none at this point are free to learn. It costs me to learn something no matter the circumstances. 

2. Customer Understanding 

Valuable: Yes, this resource will continue to be valuable as the initiative gathers many constituents that can help contribute to its funding. 

Rare: Yes, this resource is rare because the initiative will gather to assist in building a network of state government officials to assist in proposing the initiative. 

Imitable: The resource is imitable as it can provide the adequate connections needed to push the legislation to the next step. 

Non-Substitutable: The resources that I possess are non-substitutable that have provided me with insight into the governmental climate. 

3. Growth Mindset 

Valuable: Yes, this resource is valuable as it helps me grow my business further. 

Rare: Yes, this resource is rare as it helps the initiative have more potential to reach more people. The initiative is designed to assist students of all kinds. 

Imitable: This growth mindset is imitable because it can lead to more outreach across various states to produce initiatives just like my own. 

Non-Substitutable: The resource is non-substitutable because one doesn't want to lead an initiative with a fixed mindset thinking there is a limit to the amount of potential that it can provide. 

4. Problem-Solving Skills

Valuable: Yes, this resource is valuable as it can help in fixing and combat any small details that can prevent the initiative from being proposed. 

Rare: This resource is not rare because every product and service must encounter a problem that needs to be solved. 

Imitable: The process to solve problems in business is not imitable because we all solve problems in different ways. 

Non-Substitutable: The process to solve problems is non-substitutable because every type of business encounters a problem that within the firm is very difficult to solve and might need to seek outside resources. 

5. Social Capital

Valuable: Developing those networking skills can really benefit the business moving forward. 

Rare: Social capital isn't rare but it is vastly underrated in terms of its importance in the current business climate. 

Imitable: The resource is imitable as the skills you use for one person can be transferred to another. 

Non-Substitutable: Because our social capital can reach far horizons to help us, they are non-substitutable for our busy ideas. 

6. Expressing Employee's Strengths

Valuable: These strengths are valuable as they provide a way to examine every participating member's qualities and attributes. 

Rare: These combinations of strengths by Clifton Assessments are rare because they are unique to each person who takes the examination. 

Imitable: The strengths individually are imitable across different people because one person may share strength with someone else and that can enhance efficiency. 

Non-Substitutable: All of these strengths examine the best qualities that can be represented within one's own skillset. 

7. Work Experience

Valuable: The fact that I have worked in an environment that provides a service is a valuable aspect because it helps in understanding the consumer's needs with the product/service. 

Rare: The resource is not rare as many people are often inspired by working somewhere to start their own business. 

Imitable: The resource is imitable because many people can build their work experience. 

Non-Substitutable: The resource is non-substitutable because work experience is different for everyone. 

8. Business Ethics

Valuable: Business ethics are valuable as they ensure that the company you are working for is in check. 

Rare: Business ethics are rare because some companies have their best interest to make a profit in mind. 

Imitable: This resource is imitable because many companies can learn more about producing products/services sustainably. 

Non-Substitutable: Ethics are non-substitutable because they provide a way to produce effective and righteous policies. 

9. Time Management

Valuable: Time management is valuable as it stimulates productivity and efficiency. 

Rare: The resource is rare because many often think we must work harder but we should actually work smarter.

Imitable: The resource is imitable to other companies to use a proper method to execute their tasks. 

Non-Substitutable: The resource is non-substitutable because it ensures the well-being and active collaboration in the team within a time frame.   

10. Leadership Experience

Valuable: To execute legislation, we must expend the great resource of leadership to expand our initiative's goals. 

Rare: The resource isn't rare because many companies have an executive but this executive may not execute leadership. Leadership is about service, not position. 

Imitable: Leadership is imitable because it has the ability to acquired and spread across many of the initiative proponents. 

Non-Substitutable: Leadership can't be exchanged but can be enhanced and sharpened. 

Personally, I believe that my top resource is the expression of employees' strengths. When I go into my workplace, I want every employee who begins as an employee of my venture to take the Clifton StrengthsQuest Assessment. The assessment outlines each person's talents and qualities that make them an adequate candidate. The information provides from this assessment can help the company's leader assess these strengths and assist the candidates in providing benefits to those who sharpen those strengths and exploit them and view it as an opportunity. There is a lot of opportunities for those who choose to share their strengths with the company. They can find a couple of qualities similar to those in the workplace but the combination of their unique selves. 

Elevator Pitch #2

https://youtu.be/8okgu3q7TjY

Unfortunately, I didn't receive any feedback on my first Elevator Pitch. But looking back at my last elevator pitch, I think I need to show the audience of investors more emotion to convey my pitch more memorably. For the second round, I have produced more feelings to help the investors understand the devastating problem faced by many incoming high school seniors. The most significant factor that influences many on choosing where to go to college is the cost of attendance. Many can afford this cost as it is now seen more as an expectation to attend rather than a luxury. Genuinely, by mentioning that the funding will be assisted by Florida taxpayers, it provides a transparent approach and solution that encompasses the majority of the Florida resident population. It is essential to mention that to the investors because the investors (audience) can be state government officials to help begin proposing the idea. I think it can be a compelling opportunity to undertake, but the magnitude of the solution is so much bigger. 

Growing Your Social Capital

1A. Representative Anna V. Eskamani is a Florida Representative for District 47.  

1B. Domain Expert: With the fact that Ms. Eskamani is a Florida Representative, she has the voice of the people in Congress. She proposes legislation and is one of our United States representatives. 

1C. Anna Eskamani is the representative from Orlando. I contacted this person through my friend Danna who is an intern for her. 

1D. She mentioned to me the fact that you looking to propose more legislation to promote economic opportunities and reduce inequalities as she is an Iranian-American. The return expectation is that she is looking to support anything to promote economic opportunities for future generations. 

1E. She can help my idea start in the mayor's office and then expand to the county and then the Florida state government to pursue funding. 

2A. Peter Luu is a realtor in my area of Lake Nona. 

2B. Marketing Expert: The facts are that Peter Luu is one of the most well-known realtors within my neighborhood in Lake Nona. He conducts a lot of marketing research on how to promote and sell the houses within the area.

2C. Peter Luu is on my neighborhood Facebook group so I contacted him via Facebook messenger and asked for his advice and how to market this initiative based on how he markets the houses in the neighborhood. 

2D. The favor that he provided me with more insight on how to target my customers even further as he has the environmental trends of the housing market in my neighborhood before, during, and potentially in the future of the COVID-19 pandemic. The return expectation is that he is looking for a chance to be a shareholder in the initiative to propose it. 

2E. Peter Luu has a massive following in my community when it comes to selling houses. He can really assist in helping me market to the several demographics present in the community especially because there's a lot of younger and smaller kids with younger parents. 

3A. Sonya Labosco is a government law enforcement official in Lake Nona. 

3B. Supplier: The fact are that Sonya Labosco is one of the district governors of the law enforcement association for my area. She knows a lot of government officials and has spoken to Congress. 

3C. Sonya Labosco lives near my neighborhood and I was briefly introduced to her but fully knew more about her job more recently.

3D. The favor that she provided me was the time frame she spends looking for resources from Congress. She tells how difficult it is for a proposal to be proposed. The return expectation is hopefully the people she knows in Congress like senators and representatives who can assist in proposing the initiative. 

3E. Sonya Labosco is one of the most known government law enforcement officials as I looked her up and she has spoken to ABCnews and many other media sources. 

Personally, I have attended many networking mixers because of my involvement in Interact Club. I personally love getting to know people who live in my community. I have only lived in Lake Nona for 4 years since the beginning of high school. Before moving to Lake Nona, I lived in Gainesville actually for 11 years. With that being said, I am very grateful for the network my parents have assisted me. In Lake Nona, the networking began as I participated in Interact Club. To enhance future networking opportunities, I host networking mixers on Zoom every Saturday and Tuesday to get to know new people. This experience broadened my horizons more because these are people I don't know so it is always nerve-racking knowing what type of person they are to help me in this proposal. 

Idea Napkin No.2

1. You

My name is Sophia Rodriguez, and I am a first-year Business Administration student at the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida. As a freshman in college, I have started to gain valuable skills to enhance my leadership through partaking in the Leadership Development Program. Leadership Development Program is "an organization...that enables participants in the school to learn the steps to grow personally and professionally, pursue involvement opportunities, and establish a network through mentorship and experiential learning". The opportunities to network with my mentors Ben Sisarsky and Lexi Stoloff, who have gone to do jobs at Blackstone Group and Proctor and Gamble. As a person who is continually looking for the next step in their academic journey, I am looking to pursue law school to further my education on how the law works and propose legislation to assist future generations. 

2. What are you offering to customers? 

I am offering a way for future generations not to worry about student loan debt. I will be proposing an educational initiative to use portions of Florida taxpayer's dollars to fund our future generations of a college education. 

3. Who are you offering it to?

The service is being proposed and offered to investors to enhance and curate the taxpayers' funds to go towards incoming high school graduates' college education at the Florida public universities. 

4. Why do they care? 

The customers who will partake in this initiative will care about it because it will reduce the amount of debt from student loans beginning in the state of Florida. This initiative has the potential to go and attract other states to do the same to reduce the amount of student loan debt in this country. If anything, this initiative will assist people and being motivated to pursue professional degrees without the threat of student loans holding them back. 

5. What are your core competencies? 

By partaking in a law program this summer, I have learned that the majority of incoming lawyers for law school have degrees in political science, philosophy, psychology, or/and sociology. Personally, I am coming from a business degree before attending law school, which sets me apart from the many applicants in the pool. Learning these business skills before attending law school will provide me with a more well-rounded approach to how to propose legislation. 

Personally, I believe that the part about what I am offering to customers can be perceived as very vague because it is tough to learn which segments are the best to market this initiative. This product has many market segments, which include investors, shareholders, stockholders, incoming high school seniors and their parents, etc. Learning how to divide the market segments is critical for any business to find success. When proposing laws, I am looking at the information given to me from the incoming high school seniors because they are ones leaving and starting to apply to college. They all mentioned to me that college is expensive and they want to pursue professional degrees beyond their Bachelor's. It is complicated to find out the proper and best segments to market this initiative effectively. In my last Idea Napkin, I received feedback from Bridget, and she asked what kind of policy I am looking to implement and how I plan to achieve it? To answer Bridget's questions: I believe that the type of procedure I am looking to implement is one that reduces the amount of student loan debt by using Florida taxpayers' money to fund students' college education. I plan to meet with legislators in the state of Florida and hopefully Florida senators and the governor to propel this initiative into action. I have used Bridget's feedback to enhance my response from Idea Napkin #1 for number two of this Idea Napkin, which is of what I am offering to my customers. 

Create a Customer Avatar

The prospective customer in the segment I am beginning to look at are incoming high school seniors. At this moment in time, this incoming senior is named Jamie, and she is starting to look at schools in which their SAT scores can help her apply but start building an academic resume to include all their activities and extracurriculars. The hobbies she participates in are Interact Club, volleyball, theatre, working at Mathnasium, babysitter, etc. The kind of car she drives is a Toyota Camry, a cost-effective option for the first cars. Her favorite TV shows are Outer Banks and the Vampire Diaries because they show teenagers and how they live their lives. She has no children as she is looking to pursue higher education. She is 17 years old, going on 18 years old. She isn't adopted and is depending on her parents. Her favorite book is The Outsiders by S.E Hinton. She isn't very involved in politics but her friends are. She feels as though she is already a college student as she wants independence and freedom from her parents. She is ready to move out as she wants to pursue her dreams of becoming a neuropsychiatrist. She decided that she wants to study sociology and philosophy before attending medical school to get a competitive edge in the applicant pool. 

Jamie and I have a couple things in common in terms of our goals, aspirations, and mindset. The customer avatar Jamie and I are both looking in a career beyond our undergraduate journey. Jamie wants to go to medical school while I want to go to law school. Jamie and I both like the Vampire Diaries. I think she is on Team Stefan and I am on Team Damon. Jamie and I are both self-proprietors in our very own babysitting and tutoring service businesses. I think that it could be a coincidence because the customer is having a need met by the person who originally had the unmet need and is working to meet the needs of others like Jamie who faced the current problem. 

In this post, I have attached a picture of Jamie and the Vampire Diaries. 

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