1.) As I read through my blog from this semester, I realized that I had a lot of fun moments. From learning how to create this blog, and just the consistence with it was enjoyable for me because it introduced me to something I am actually passionate about, which is blogging. One of my favorite moments was creating a Bug List. I was able express 20 pet peeves, which was actually sort of a relief to write about it. I also had to really push myself with some of the assignments. Going up to strangers for instance to interview them, was at first quite intimidating. The more I did it however, the more comfortable I became. Going forward with ventures in the future, I will know more what types of questions to ask and won't feel silly asking them.
2.) What sticks out to me as the most formative experience the most was the Elevator pitches. I've always watched the show "Shark Tank" and observed the Entrepreneurs as they gave their pitches to the investors. I didn't realize the time and practice that went into these pitches as they perfected them before the show. This is certainly an experience that I'll remember years later as I continue to create business ventures that I want to pursue. As far as my most joyous experience, I really could not choose just one. I think many of the experiences associated with this class has taught me that there are no limits. Anything can be accomplished when one pushes themselves to do it.
3.) I definitely see myself as a growing entrepreneur. I think much differently now about the meaning of being an entrepreneur and it fascinates me. There is nothing more exciting to me than creating something I'm passionate about and sharing it with the world.
4.) I have three recommendations I would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future:
Be creative. There is so much to learn within this class and you can really learn a lot about yourself.
Push yourself. Even on those days where you feel that an assignment is out of your comfort zone, give yourself the privilege of doing yet. If you put effort into it, you will be glad you did every time.
Watch Dr. Pryor's lectures. I think this is a key step in the process of developing the 'tenacious mindset'. Enjoyable, always something to learn, and definitely motivational.
Vikram Akula: Business Basics at the Base of the Pyramid (Harvard Business Review, June 2008 )
Questions being answered regarding Harvard Business Review:
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? 2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you. 3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why? 4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?
1. While reading this article in the Harvard Business Review, there were many sections that stood out to me. I personally enjoyed learning about the essential element and basics required in business. The Pyramid really goes into depth about the qualities team members must have, as well as the necessities that the product, business plan, and market must have in order to work.
2. I found this article to be very clear and concise. I really didn't have any section that was confusing to me. I enjoyed it!
3. If I were able to ask the author two questions:
What would you say is the most important aspect of capital markets?
What are the best ways to master venture capitalism?
I would ask these questions in order to hear the perspective of an intelligent writer and also to learn about the author's ventures that lead him to the place he is today.
4. I don't have anything in particular that I felt the author was wrong about. I really enjoyed this review and learning about the Business basics.
100% organic, plant-based cafe that specializes in gourmet cuisines.
Brief overview if you're new to my blog:
Fish hawk, Florida is a growing community that is located close to the heart of Tampa. This community is continuing to develop and already has most everything you would find in a small city; grocery stores, banks, doctor offices, homes, parks, nature trails, water parks, some chain restaurants, fast food places, etc.
I see many people in this town striving to be health conscious and live an active lifestyle with their families. Being a community full of families who strive to live a healthy fitness lifestyle, food is a big issue. Fast food places (such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Sonic), along with some ice cream places, and a few chain restaurant that let's just say are..."eh", make up the food options in this community.
As a plant-based eater, I personally find it very difficult to find places to enjoy in this community that offer foods that fit my dietary needs such as plant-based, vegan, gluten free, non-processed healthy foods. With this personal unmet need, I can't help but believe there may be others out there that would consider the restaurant options in this area as an unmet need for them as well. Whether one is Vegan, Vegetarian, or just wants some healthier options, I feel this is truly an unmet need in the Tampa bay area, particularly in the community of Fish hawk. That is why I created the idea of Rare Earth Organics Cafe.
I want to bring a restaurant to the market that offers creative plant-based cuisine that is both rich in flavor and of course, nutrient dense. This cafe will offer a unique environment that focuses on supporting nutritional wellness and sustainability for every person who walks into the door. Rare Earth Organics will ensure to select the finest organic ingredients while also supporting local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products.
Thanks for reading & watching!
Reflection:
Most of the feedback I received was positive, as many students can relate to wanting healthier/dietary restriction options even in their areas and on campus. Although I don't have five that came up, one thing that was mentioned that I am highly considering incorporating into my business is having a few healthy grass-fed meat options in order to attract more customers and be more diverse. My cafe will be mostly plant-based, and offer the highest quality in every aspect of the food ingredients, whether it be a vegan dish or a meat option. That is how I will incorporate the feedback into this final pitch.
The group of customers who have this unmet need are those who want to live a healthy lifestyle and nourish the body. Being a plant-based eater, I personally find it very difficult to find places to enjoy in this community that offer plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, healthy foods. It seems that unless I go to a grocery store myself and put some ingredients together, I am so out of luck. With this personal unmet need, I can't help but believe there may be others out there that would consider the restaurant options in this area as an unmet need for them as well. Whether one is Vegan, Vegetarian, or just wants some healthier options, I feel this is truly an unmet need in the Tampa bay area, particularly in the community of Fish hawk. Fish hawk, Florida is a growing community right outside of Tampa that has most everything you would find in a small city; grocery stores, banks, doctor offices, homes, parks, nature trails, water parks, some chain restaurants, fast food places and so on. Being a community full of families who strive to live a healthy fitness lifestyle, food is a big issue. Fast food places (such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Sonic), along with ice cream places, and a few chain restaurants that let's just say are..."eh", make up the food options in this community.
The forces or changes in the environment that contribute to this opportunity is the growing awareness of making better food choices, people wanting to lose weight, and healthier living in general.
This market is defined geographically and demographically as a growing community known as Fish hawk, full of middle to upper class families who are striving to be healthier individuals.
Customers are currently satisfying this need by going to the local grocery stores, attempting to find healthy items that are available, and bringing them home to cook. Not only is time an issue for many working families, but many people don’t take the initiative to research healthy recipes and actually try them, whether because they are use to cooking the same types of meals, or for other reasons. Many people are becoming more conscious of their health and want to do what they can to improve it. Rare Earth Cafe fits into the lifestyle of those wanting to look and feel their best. The loyalty of customers cooking healthy at home is difficult to determine. It appears that most people settle for restaurants that are very health conscious.
This opportunity is big in the sense that Fish hawk is a growing and developing community. The fact that people are becoming more health conscious is also a factor that plays into this opportunity. People want to build a better future for their families, and one’s health is the first place to start.
This window of opportunity will be open until business owners who see the same opportunities as I do, start opening more businesses that offer plant-based, dietary restricted-friendly places.
Innovation
This cafe will offer a unique environment that focuses on supporting nutritional wellness and sustainability for every person who walks into the door. Rare Earth Organics will ensure to select the finest organic ingredients while also supporting local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products. Each of the menu items will be market price and will vary by item or dish.
Venture Concept
Rare Earth Organics is 100% organic, plant-based cafe that specializes in gourmet cuisines. I want to bring a restaurant to the market that offers creative plant-based cuisine that is both rich in flavor and of course, nutrient dense.
I think customers would be happy to have a dietary restricted-friendly café such as Rare Earth Organics. As I mentioned before I personally find it very difficult to find places to enjoy in this community that offer plant-based, vegan, healthy foods. It seems that unless I go to a grocery store myself and put some ingredients together, it isn’t happening. With this personal unmet need, I can't help but believe there may be others out there that would consider the restaurant options in this area as an unmet need for them as well. Whether one is Vegan, Vegetarian, or just wants some healthier options, customers would benefit from having a place to go such as Rare Earth Organics. The competitors in this community are slim to none as far as what I am offering. In the surrounding areas of Tampa, there are also few competitors. There is certainly a growing market for Plant-based restaurants in the area of Fish hawk and even most parts of Tampa. The organization of the business would include hiring plant-based chefs, servers, and (eventually) management. As with other cafés, the production would be similar as far as some equipment. Also, Rare Earth will work with local farmers, products that support sustainable agriculture, and are environmentally friendly.
Secret Sauce/ Unfair Advantage
Hard-working and high energy staff/employees who are compassionate by nature and passionate about holistic health.
The unique gourmet plant-based cuisine I think my most important resource will be the local farmers and knowledge of the products and industry. The growing appreciation to the farm-to-table concept will be a definite unique aspect to my business, compared to others, particularly in this community.
What’s next for the venture:
The next product that Rare Earth Organics will offer is a superfood trail mix line. Customers need a healthy snack that they can take on the go. Adding a trail mix line will enable customers to be healthy on the go! It is a misconception that traditional trail mixes that you find at Publix/ other grocery chains are healthy. Most are highly processed, have added sulfur and sugars, etc. Once these wonderful nuts and berries are processed, they loose their nutritional value. Most of the time people are just eating empty calories and missing out on all the benefits. This trail mix will offer a variety of raw, organic superfoods carefully selected from different parts of the world that will nourish the body and provide sufficient energy to every consumer. This product is 100% certified organic, gluten free, dairy free, raw, non-GMO, no pesticides, etc. Most customers gave it a good rating, however, some claimed it to be dry and unenjoyable. The dryness to me sounds like it was expired. Most raw nuts and berries are naturally very flavorful. In five years I would hope to have Rare Earth Organics all over the nation. I would want to either sell or franchise depending on circumstances. This first venture helps me achieve my vision by giving me knowledge and understanding of what it takes to start up a business.
1.) Some of the activities I did for each blog post in order to pursue SEO include:
Always using the 'Labels' section while posting
Using 'Headings', 'Subheadings', and 'Normal' text when writing my post.
Commenting on students blogs and linking my blog to theirs.
2.) My key words were Entrepreneur, Label, Yoga, Organic, Raw, Plant-based, Fitness. I didn't change or refine my words too much this semester, as my main focus was on overall wellness and fitness of the body.
3.) I actually did not use social media to promote my blog. Most of the assignments I felt were specifically relevant to this class, so I did not think to share them among my Facebook friends.
4.) My most "viral" post was my Bug List. I think this post gained the most attraction because it was an interesting topic to read about, learning the pet peeves of my peers. Ironically that was the one I enjoyed writing about most as well!
5.) I did make it to the first page of Google results when you type in my name, followed by the word blog. I think this is mostly because my name is very common.
Kuratko Ch. 3 & 4 (The Entrepreneurial Mind-Set in Organizations – Corporate
Entrepreneurship / Social Entrepreneurship and the Ethical Challenges of an Entrepreneur)
Entrepreneurship
Questions being answered regarding Ch. 3 & 4
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?
2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.
3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?
4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?
1. While reading this chapter, there were many sections that stood out to me. I personally enjoyed learning about the essential elements for a successful presentation to venture capitalist. This section really goes into depth about the qualities team members must have, as well as the necessities that the product, business plan, and market must have in order to work.
2. I found this article to be very clear and concise. I really didn't have any section that was confusing to me. I enjoyed it!
3. If I were able to ask the author two questions:
What would you say is the most important aspect of capital markets? What are the best ways to master venture capitalism?
I would ask these questions in order to hear the perspective of an intelligent writer and also to learn about the author's ventures that lead him to the place he is today.
4. I don't have anything in particular that I felt the author was wrong about. I really enjoyed this chapter and learning about the venture capital market.
This is a very short interview of Entrepreneur and Owner of Karma Yoga & Fitness, Megan Smith Hochheimer.
I attached the first interview to show the differences in questions. Since Megan was out of town, I sent here a message to follow up the interview. I attached her answers below:
New questions:
What is your perspective on the word "failure"?
Megan: "I don't really believe in complete failure. Everything that happens to you in life is a learning experience. What you do after the failure is what matters. Perseverance is what you have to focus on in every circumstance.
Can you give me an example of a time you failed and how you overcame it?
This is a personal one. When I got married I was very young. I had two kids with my ex husband, and like most people, I never thought I would ever get a divorce. When I did, I was devastated. I felt like I failed myself, my marriage, and especially my kids. I did not know what the future held. When I met my current partner, I realized that things were working out the way they should. I was able to fulfill my dream (and partners dream) of opening a yoga studio together. Now here we are :)"
In this video, Megan shares some great tips for anyone aspiring to pursue there own dream as an entrepreneur.
Megan Smith-Hochheimer earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 2001. It was at UF that her yoga practice began, with a book that taught her one pose every day to combat stress. In 2003, she began a career in fitness, teaching group exercise classes at Fort Hood, Texas. Megan has taught a wide variety of classes, including Zumba, Les Mills Classes, Boot Camp, Core Strength, Yoga, and she works one-on-one with clients as a Personal Trainer and Reiki practitioner.
Megan recognized an unmet need in her town and fulfilled it successfully. As her business, Karma Yoga & Fitness continues to grow, Megan continues to prove that with hard work, determination and passion, dreams are possible!
Megan is gifted yoga instructor, personal trainer, and mother. She and her partner Nooie, provide a positive experience in the studio for each person who walks through the door. If you ever happen to be in the Tampa Bay area and you are interested in taking care of your mind & body, I highly recommend checking out this studio, located just outside of Tampa, Florida in Valrico.
More info on her work:
www.karmayogafitness.com
Her Instagram: @karmayogafitness
http://Instagram.com/karmayogafitness
I realized that I've come a long way in this class. One thing that this class has taught me is how truly difficult failure is. At first, I did not want to have to admit to my failures. As I reflected on what I've learned from this class I realized that failure is only a first attempt in learning and it only truly happens when you give up. I love this quote by Michael Jordan, it really sums up the meaning of "failure". Overall, this class has taught me that perseverance wins over any failure.
Also, another thing I have developed in this course is the love of blogging. I enjoy the creating new blog posts and the creative activities that are challenging and fun at the same time. I feel that it is somewhat of a creative outlet for me. Pushing yourself outside my comfort zone and being creative is certainly the way of keeping up with the requirements of this course.
