30A: Final Reflection

1. 

2. Looking at all my posts for this course throughout the semester made me realize just how far I’ve come--it seems as though the first “bug list” assignment was ages ago. I didn’t quite realize just how much training, reflecting and learning we did for this class until I took a look at the dozens of blog posts dedicated to ENT3003. Going back to that bug list assignment, I’d definitely peg it as one of the lows for the class only because it was one of the first assignments and I remember spending so much time racking my brain for a good list. I ended up talking to all my family members to get their opinions, and they were just as stuck as me. Looking back, that assignment was crucial in developing the entrepreneurial mindset because it helped target out problems that we face daily but don’t necessarily step up to fix. One of my favorite moments this semester was interviewing 3 friends who were closest to me and hearing their take on my strengths and weaknesses. Although we have really close relationships, this is one of the topics that we don’t really talk about in person so it was really cool and eye-opening to hear what they had to say about me.

3. The most formative experience in my opinion would be networking and talking with strangers to build my brand. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, even if it was virtual, but it was an invaluable experience for my future career building. This same assignment would also fall into my category of the experience I’m most proud of accomplishing. 

1. Standing at the end of the semester, I see myself as more of an entrepreneur than I ever have before. I’ve never put this much thought and effort into developing a business concept, and it was such an invigorating experience. The entrepreneurial mindset has definitely taken its place in me throughout this whole semester, and I now find myself subconsciously analyzing anything that has to do with my flesh-toned mask business wherever I go.

2. To the future students of ENT3003, I would say to find what makes you uncomfortable and pursue. If there’s a problem, pressing issue or injustice that nags at you personally, use this platform to develop an idea that will solve that. Nothing replaces passion, so if there’s a matter truly near and dear to your heart, you’d do well following after that. In order to perform best in this course, do 1 assignment a day. It may not seem like a like, but the weekly activities add up and you definitely want to make sure you have sufficient time to do each one. I found that this method works the best for me personally, so grab your agenda and lay everything out accordingly! You want to start being organized here in the classroom so that the same attitudes will trickle into your work life and personal life.

29A: Venture Concept No. 2

The Non-Mask

1. Opportunity 

My  target group of people who have an unmet need is rather large, and that need involves modern health and safety measures to guard against the recent COVID-19 outbreak. I would say that nearly everyone has this need right now, but I’m tuning in more on individuals in the United States who are at a higher risk and are seeking a preventative solution without feeling over-the-top or conspicuous. 

One major force prompted our whole world to be brutally impacted--and that’s the coronavirus. It seems as though we’re living in a time when everyone is in danger and susceptible to contracting this fatal virus, and vaccines, testing and cures seem too far away. Therefore, the opportunity of forming a way to better prevent contraction is huge. This “window of opportunity” will be open until a vaccine is widely available, but I also feel as though it’ll be open for a much longer time due to health experts stating that the coronavirus will never be fully eradicated but rather will come back seasonally--much like the flu.

Innovation

My product is a flesh-colored face mask designed to meld into everyone’s face color. It isn’t just a single nude-toned mask that’s expected to be a universal fit, but it’ll come in a wide range of tones. I’d like to design it to have the protective capacity of an N95 mask, which is the most sought-after mask, instead of having protection levels of cloth or surgical masks which only block out a fraction of the respiratory droplets carrying COVID-19. 

Since traditional N95 respirators retail for around $5-$6 each and $25-$30 for a box of 10, I would sell my masks for $4.99 a piece and $24.99 for a pack of 10. 

Venture Concept

It’s no secret that the use of masks has been a heated debate in our society recently, and there are people who strongly advocate for wearing masks in public while there are others who claim that it’s unnecessary or physically disruptive. I’d like to target the essential workers and offer a mask that makes it look like barely anything is being worn while offering safety for those wearing it and the people they come into contact with. Since these are the people who are most exposed the virus and therefore need the most protection, my main efforts will go to serving them first.

I don’t believe it will be easy to get people to switch to using my masks, but one prominent reason I can give to them is the unique characteristic of ambiguity. Packaging won’t be as much of a preeminent role because I suspect most to be sold online, but price points and distribution will play an incredibly important role in attracting customers.

My venture’s “secret sauce” is my background in communications and my work experience in social media management, where I scout out tools to promote and share a given product. Assuming I launched, I would want this venture to start a chain reaction in the wide use of masks in our country. This first venture helps me attain my vision of having my own business by acting as the starting point and initial product launch.

2. Based on my Venture Concept No. 1, the majority of feedback I received pertained to my secret sauce and how it was a good choice to add that in my venture concept. I did get a comment questioning my use of images so I decided to switch things up this time around. Another peer also talked about how masks are such a heated debate right now, and since some people believe it’s a breach of freedom, getting everyone to wear them will be a difficult task but my concept of ambiguity will help. 

3. To adapt my venture concept based on the constructive criticism I received, I looked for new images that would get my message across more effectively. Since feedback on changing my concept was fairly low, I looked back at my “What’s Next?” exercise and was reminded of one peer telling me that my targeting was off because targeting individuals who work from home would be a tough market because they don’t interact with many people anyways. Keeping this in mind, I focused my second venture concept on targeting essential workers who are more exposed to the virus.