Customer Interviews No. 1

Fish hawk, Florida is a little 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 restaurants and so on. However, I often wonder to myself where all of the 'healthy' options are. Being a plant-based eater, I 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, 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.
With this idea,  I spend sometime in the local park over the weekend, observing some active people enjoying the outdoors and time with their family. I interview five people to try and uncover if this truly is an unmet need in their area!

Fish Hawk Marathon 

Questions being asked in interviews: 

• Do you prefer to go out to a restaurant to eat or cook at home? Why?
• Where is your favorite place to eat in this area?
• What makes the restaurant your favorite? 
• What types of cuisine is typically your favorite? 

(Videos will be uploaded later)

Interviews

1. Fish hawk Resident, Christine

• Do you prefer to go out to a restaurant to eat or cook at home? Why?
• "I like to go out to eat most of the time, I like to be out and about and not have to worry about cooking at home." 
• Where is your favorite place to eat in this area?
• "I normally drive to Brandon or Tampa to find a restaurant because the options are limited in this area. One of my favorite restaurants is Bone Fish Grill" 
• What makes the restaurant your favorite? 
• "They have a good menu... some healthy options that taste good and great specials!"
• What types of cuisine is typically your favorite? 
• "I eat mostly seafood and Italian foods."

2. Fish hawk Resident, Austin

• Do you prefer to go out to a restaurant to eat or cook at home? Why?
• "I prefer eating at home...there aren't many foods in this area that are healthy, mostly fast food places, etc."
• Where is your favorite place to eat in this area?
• "That is a tough one... The Brunchery sometimes for breakfast with my buddies I would say is my favorite."
• What makes the restaurant your favorite? 
• "I like to eat healthy and workout, they have good breakfast options...Omelets and stuff for breakfast."
• What types of cuisine is typically your favorite? 
• "I like all types of foods, although I try to eat healthy as much as possible."

3. Fish hawk Resident, Josh

• Do you prefer to go out to a restaurant to eat or cook at home? Why?
• "I prefer to eat at home because I save money and know what's in my food."
• Where is your favorite place to eat in this area?
• "I don't really have one."
• What types of cuisine is typically your favorite? 
• "Anything  really, Italian, Chinese...I am not picky!"

4. Fish hawk Resident, Lynn

• Do you prefer to go out to a restaurant to eat or cook at home? Why?
• "I like to meet with my friends from church at Panera bread or Chilis. That is just where we all have been going the last couple years..."
• Where is your favorite place to eat in this area?
• "If it's just myself, I like to go to the fresh market and get some healthy prepared foods."
• What types of cuisine is typically your favorite to eat? 
• "I really try to eat healthy... I eat a lot of salads and vegetables."

5. Fish hawk Resident, Michael

• Do you prefer to go out to a restaurant to eat or cook at home? Why?
• "I like to go out to eat, just wish there were more options in this area"
• Where is your favorite place to eat in this area?
• "I like the Sushi restaurant over by Stein mart. 
• What makes the restaurant your favorite? 
• "I have always been a sushi lover"
• What types of cuisine is typically your favorite? 
• "Sushi, but I would like to see some more healthier options to change it up."

Reflection

I realized from this assignment and interviews that there are many who do crave healthier options in the community of Fish hawk. Many of the people I spoke with seemed to leave the community for better food options but wish they had more options in their area. Without specifically asking about a plant-based restaurant, I learned that people are open-minded in this area and want to be more health-conscious. 

Reading Reflection | Week 4

The Entrepreneurial Mind-Set in Organizations- Corporate Entrepreneurship 

Questions being answered regarding Chapter 3:

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. In Chapter 3 "The Entrepreneurial Mind-Set in Organizations", there were many sections that stood out to me. I personally enjoyed the Rules for an Innovative Environment. The author goes through and explains the 10 rules for being innovative within organizations. Encourage action, using informal meetings whenever possible, tolerating failure, and putting people on small teams for future-oriented projects to name a few. I felt that these are great tips and very important aspects of being an Entrepreneur within a corporation. 


2. I found this chapter 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:

1. What motivated you to become an Entrepreneur?
2. What types of ventures have you worked on in your experience?

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 on the Entrepreneurial mind-set in Organizations and enjoyed the authors explanations regarding developing a vision.

Top 5 World Problems | Health Issues

Google Images

1. Disease

Cancer, diabetes, digestive issues, sexual transmitted infections, and so on.

I feel that most every one carries a cancer gene in some form or the other. However, I strongly believe it is the environmental factors (things we do) that can turn on and off cancer. Diabetes (type-2) is nearly 100% preventable. A person's diet and personal decisions significantly affects the longevity and quality of their life. Sexually transmitted infections are another part to this topic. The most implementable solution is not falling into the habitual hookup lifestyle that seems to be the norm.

2. Obesity

"Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel." This I feel is a major issue in the world, more specifically in North America. The majority of people are living with various health issues that are caused/contributed to by obesity. I feel a practical solution that would at least contribute to helping this issue is educating people. I believe that schools should definitely teach children the importance of overall wellness from a early on. I also am a believer in the saying, "let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food". The world would be much more happy and healthy place if people understood how to implement this, and the importance of taking care of themselves.

3. FDA (Federal Department of Agriculture)

I feel that people put way too much trust into the FDA. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods are deemed as "safe"by the FDA, however, numerous studies have shown otherwise. Among the other chemicals, preservatives, hormones/antibiotics included in processed foods, there is no way any of these aspects are good for the human body. Other continents, such as Europe from example, prohibit the use of many food ingredients that the FDA approves in America.

4. Pharmaceutical Industry

I believe that finding the root cause of a health related problem is the first step to truly healing. While I definitely believe prescription medication can be lifesaving in certain situations, most of the time prescription drugs treat one’s symptoms, rather than truly correcting the problem. Not to mention all of the side effects that come along with them. I think people should take preventative measures, such as taking care of their health by eating a plant-based diet and exercising.

5. People's Lack of Self Control

Many things come to mind for this one, but I will just name a few things. This not only ties into obesity, and general health issues, but it also goes along with why the world has criminals. People's lack of self control with food causes various diseases. People who lack self control while shopping may be inclined to steal. Lack of self control with alcohol, drugs, etc lead to numerous issues as well.
Although I don't believe there is a "fix all" for this issue, among other things, I do believe that everyone should meditate. Meditation helps literally everything, and certainly contributes to mindfulness, which I feel is linked to self control.

Obviously this topic is highly controversial. Everyone seems to form their own opinions on what the world's biggest problems are; terrorism, disease, famine, hunger, global warming, war, debt, etc. I wanted to spend some time discussing 5 problems that I feel are some real world problems people face, and also what I feel would be a practical. implementable solution to the issue.