Reading Reflection No. 3

The Wright Brothers By David McCullough

The most I ever really knew about the Wright brother was that they built the first airplane so I was really surprised by everything in the book. I didn't know about their siblings or when they were kids. I didn't how they got started in the whole airplane adventure. I didn't know about their personalities or failures. I really enjoyed learning about them. They were very admirable men. I really admired their determination and ambition. They were determined to build the plane and get it to fly, even at the risk of their own life. They were very admirable men so it's hard to say what I least admired. If I had to pick something I would say that I least admired their social skills. They didn't have an interest in socializing or getting marred. They were fine with how things were. They were shy and socially awkward. This may not have been their fault, just who they were. The Wright brothers definitely faced adversity and failure. They grew up with their father travelling a lot and their mother died. The didn't have plumbing and electricity as children. When it came to building their planes they weren't always successful. Their first try was not a success. They continued to work hard and try different things and eventually they were able to fly. 

The Wright brothers exhibited a great deal of competencies. They were very intellectual, ambitious, and even courageous. They created things from a young age. They saw how things could be changed and changed them. They risked their own lives in attempt to get see their places fly. They were men of great qualities. 

I really wasn't confused by anything in the book. I understood what they were doing and who basically who they were from how the author described them. However, I didn't understand why they wouldn't want to get married and have a family. I also didn't understand why the military wouldn't want their planes. I guess I could understand their initial hesitation but they needed it and saw they potential. 

If I could ask them two questions I would ask:

1. How it felt to finally be successful and have their plane in the air?

2. Did they have any idea that they were going to make such a huge impact on history?

I'd I ask them these questions because I imagine that it was an amazing experience. I don't think any one would image changing history in such a major way. They were very low key guys so I'd like to know how they truly felt. 

I think that the Wright brothers thought hard was very important. They never gave up on their dreams. Without their hard work they never would have been successful and they wouldn't still be known today. I agree that hard work is important. You can't be successful in life without a little hard work. 

Final Reflection

I have really enjoyed this class and feel that I have learned a lot. I feel that the most formative part of this class for me was working based on experience, instead of out of a textbook. I was forced to create and develop my own idea as opposed to reading about how someone else did it. I think that I will remember the creative process the most. By reflecting on my experience of developing my idea  really helped me to grow as a possible entrepreneur. My most joyous experience was reading the feedback from my peers and learning that they thought I was doing a good job, even when I felt like I wasn't. I am very proud of myself for creating this product that actually has potential. I received some great feedback and learned that a lot of people found this product to be something that is needed.

Now that the class is ending, I do believe that I am closer to developing an entrepreneur mindset. I have never really had the desire to be an entrepreneur. Now, I see that there are some great benefits in being innovative and creating your own concept. There is a lot of work involved in being an entrepreneur but all worth it to create something that you are passionate about. There is no limit. I've learned that anyone, including myself, can be an entrepreneur.

For future ENT 3003 students, I would recommend just having confidence in yourself. If you believe that you have a good concept than that's all that matters. The best thing you can do to perform well in this class is to do the assignments and listen to Dr. Pryor's lectures. To foster the mindset of an entrepreneur just believe you are one.

Venture Concept No. 2

OPPORTUNITY

There is an opportunity for individuals everyone to have healthy snack options. Everyone who has to be at one location for a long period of time such as a hospital, work, or school are potential customers. The nature of this need is the lack of healthy options when stuck in one location. The main change in the environment that would cause this type of need is the excessive number of those who are obese. Unhealthy options are cheap quick and easy so more and more people are buying things that are not good for them. These junk food types items may be convenient but they are harmful to their health. The market for this opportunity is vast. Although I do believe this opportunity could be worldwide, I feel that the United States has the greatest need. Demographically, I believe that schools should really be focused on for this opportunity. If healthy options were provided or at least made available in school as early as elementary then maybe children would lead a little bit more of healthy lifestyles. Other than schools, I believe that workplaces should have healthier snack options. Currently it seems that this need is not being properly met. Children at school, employees at work, or even those sitting in hospitals are only satisfying their hunger with junk food. So really they are not satisfying their need. This is a big very important opportunity. Too many people are unhealthy and obese for this not be a big opportunity. I feel that this opportunity is something that should be addressed now. It will be an opportunity until there are healthy options available in all schools, workplaces, and hospitals everywhere.

INNOVATION

My innovation for this opportunity is a healthy options vending machine. I call it the Better Options vending machine. This product will everything someone would need to get them through their day. Whether they forgot their lunch or they just need a snack to boost their energy, this vending machine will have it all. The Better Options vending machine will offer things such as protein shake and bars, granola bars and nuts, Gatorade and Vitamin water, carrots with ranch and celery with peanut butter. This vending machine would replace the current vending that are located almost everywhere and offer such healthy items. The profit would come from selling the machine itself along with the list of items available to be in the machine. The items in the machine would remain at an affordable price. For instance, a granola bar would be .75 cents or a Gatorade would run at $1.25. By buying these items in bulk I’d be saving money. Then I’d turn around and sell the items at a higher price so that there would be a profit. I want to keep the items affordable so that the customers are more likely to buy. I don’t want my customers to feel as though they are being ripped off.

VENTURE CONCEPT

This innovation will solve individuals need by being healthy, affordable, and convenient. This is a great product to be in schools, workplaces, hospitals, rest stops, really just everywhere. I think that a lot of people want to be healthy but there’s nothing currently out there that offers nutritional options that’s also cheap and convenient. I think that customers would switch to my product because they want to eat healthier. I don’t think it would be hard at all to get people to switch to this product. So many people out there already wish that healthy options were as cheap and convenient as junk food. The competitors that I would have to worry about are those who currently provide vending machines. Although they do not offer what I offer in the sense of food and snack options, they do already know the business and have connections. They could decide to make the transition to the healthier side. The currently vending machines are vulnerable to the fact that they are known for selling junk food. If they started selling health snacks, customers would be somewhat skeptical. I think that the biggest defining factor of my concept would be customer support. If the customer is not happy then the product will not be successful. The organization of this product would be a big project in itself. I would like this product to be available everywhere. For starters I would need the machines produced. The machines would require individuals to stock and refill them. I would need employees for maintenance, accounting, a call center, and delivery men. I would need to develop connections to get the items for the machines at a good price. This would be a big, very involved business.

3 MINOR ELEMENTS

The most important resource of this venture would be my determination to get healthier foods more accessible. So many people, including children, are extremely unhealthy because junk is always within arm’s length. If nutritional items were as available as junk food is I think that this would see a lot less obesity. To expand it even further, I would like my next venture to be similar to this but more for meal and less for snacks. I would like to have a machine that offered things such as sandwiches or small salads. I think this would change the demographic even more. I hope that in 5 years from now my product, The Better Options vending machine, is in all schools worldwide, offices worldwide, in hospital, malls, department stores…everywhere. Within a decade I believe that my concept would have really helped me learn what works and what does. It would’ve guided me to where I was meant to be. The first concept would have only been the beginning. 

The feedback that I received on my original venture concept was all very positive. The only changes that were suggested were to space out my thoughts a little more clearly. Everyone seemed to really like my posted over all. Based on the feedback, I did exactly as suggested and broke my thoughts up instead of having what seemed like one continuous thought. I believe it should be little easier to read and determine the different categories of the venture concept.   

Making It Real

Here is the link to my resume:

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AsY2LPc61M_ngz8WiNJeIAgZfg_o

My Exit Strategy

Although it is very hard to know where my company will be financially in 5, 10, or 20 years down the road, I would like to think that it is very successful. In that case, my exit strategy would be to keep the company and retire. I know that I would be very happy running my own company. This company would be a major part of my life. I am passionate about my business so I would like to stick with it and be able to retire. I feel that anyone who really loves what they do would consider their business their baby. I want to see my business grow and develop. If it is successful I see no reason to sell it. With my foot already in the business world, I can take my current product and add on. I can develop new ideas and product. I would go into this business with the exit strategy to retire from the successful company when I am ready.

Venture Concept No. 1

There is an opportunity for individuals everyone to have healthy snack options. Everyone who has to be at one location for a long period of time such as a hospital, work, or school are potential customers. The nature of this need is the lack of healthy options when stuck in one location. The main change in the environment that would cause this type of need is the excessive number of those who are obese. Unhealthy options are cheap quick and easy so more and more people are buying things that are not good for them. These junk food types items may be convenient but they are harmful to their health. The market for this opportunity is vast. Although I do believe this opportunity could be worldwide, I feel that the United States has the greatest need. Demographically, I believe that schools should really be focused on for this opportunity. If healthy options were provided or at least made available in school as early as elementary then maybe children would lead a little bit more of healthy lifestyles. Other than schools, I believe that workplaces should have healthier snack options. Currently it seems that this need is not being properly met. Children at school, employees at work, or even those sitting in hospitals are only satisfying their hunger with junk food. So really they are not satisfying their need. This is a big very important opportunity. Too many people are unhealthy and obese for this not be a big opportunity. I feel that this opportunity is something that should be addressed now. It will be an opportunity until there are healthy options available in all schools, workplaces, and hospitals everywhere.

My innovation for this opportunity is a healthy options vending machine. I call it the Better Options vending machine. This product will everything someone would need to get them through their day. Whether they forgot their lunch or they just need a snack to boost their energy, this vending machine will have it all. The Better Options vending machine will offer things such as protein shake and bars, granola bars and nuts, Gatorade and Vitamin water, carrots with ranch and celery with peanut butter. This vending machine would replace the current vending that are located almost everywhere and offer such healthy items. The profit would come from selling the machine itself along with the list of items available to be in the machine. The items in the machine would remain at an affordable price. For instance, a granola bar would be .75 cents or a Gatorade would run at $1.25. By buying these items in bulk I’d be saving money. Then I’d turn around and sell the items at a higher price so that there would be a profit. I want to keep the items affordable so that the customers are more likely to buy. I don’t want my customers to feel as though they are being ripped off.

This innovation will solve individuals need by being healthy, affordable, and convenient. This is a great product to be in schools, workplaces, hospitals, rest stops, really just everywhere. I think that a lot of people want to be healthy but there’s nothing currently out there that offers nutritional options that’s also cheap and convenient. I think that customers would switch to my product because they want to eat healthier. I don’t think it would be hard at all to get people to switch to this product. So many people out there already wish that healthy options were as cheap and convenient as junk food. The competitors that I would have to worry about are those who currently provide vending machines. Although they do not offer what I offer in the sense of food and snack options, they do already know the business and have connections. They could decide to make the transition to the healthier side. The currently vending machines are vulnerable to the fact that they are known for selling junk food. If they started selling health snacks, customers would be somewhat skeptical. I think that the biggest defining factor of my concept would be customer support. If the customer is not happy then the product will not be successful. The organization of this product would be a big project in itself. I would like this product to be available everywhere. For starters I would need the machines produced. The machines would require individuals to stock and refill them. I would need employees for maintenance, accounting, a call center, and delivery men. I would need to develop connections to get the items for the machines at a good price. This would be a big, very involved business.

The most important resource of this venture would be my determination to get healthier foods more accessible. So many people, including children, are extremely unhealthy because junk is always within arm’s length. If nutritional items were as available as junk food is I think that this would see a lot less obesity. To expand it even further, I would like my next venture to be similar to this but more for meal and less for snacks. I would like to have a machine that offered things such as sandwiches or small salads. I think this would change the demographic even more. I hope that in 5 years from now my product, The Better Options vending machine, is in all schools worldwide, offices worldwide, in hospital, malls, department stores…everywhere. Within a decade I believe that my concept would have really helped me learn what works and what does. It would’ve guided me to where I was meant to be. The first concept would have only been the beginning. 

Celebrating Failure

The first thing that comes to mind when talking about failure is when I failed to properly communicate at work recently. I was assigned to train someone on a procedure for certain tasks that need to be processed. I've been the only one working on these tasks for about a year now. I could do this process in my sleep so I assumed that it would be fairly easy to train someone on how to also work them. I was wrong. The person who I was training was not comprehending what I was telling them. They did not grasp the quick and easy steps that I was telling them to take. It was frustrating. I was failing to properly communicate to this person. I would repeat myself over and over again but that didn't seem to matter. I was failing to complete my task of training a new person.  

From this experience I learned that I am not a teacher. I do not have the patience for it. I also learned that sometimes just because we learn something one way does not mean that someone else will learn it the same way. Everyone learns in different ways. I'm a visual learner. I need to be shown an example. Others are okay with just reading or hearing it. Also, I learned that when one approach doesn't work you try another, and another, until finally you succeed. 

Failure is definitely hard. I don't like it. I've learned that when I fail at something I have to take a step back and regroup. When I fail, I get very frustrated and discouraged. I'll admit that I whine a little bit. I feel like giving up. I have to take a break and let it go for a while and then re-approach it. After that I am usually okay. Since taking this class I wouldn't say that I am more likely to take a risk. I would say that I am more used to being out of my comfort zone now than before this class. I've learned a lot about the risks that entrepreneurs have to take in attempt to be successful and stay that way.