20A - It's who you know not what you know

Rodrigo (aka. DJ Chuy)

1) Who they are and what their background is.
Rodrigo is a DJ stationed in Gainesville. He has been DJing for the past 8 years and spins around Florida.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.
Rodrigo would be a domain expert, as I would consider him a technical expert on the subject of DJing.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.
I met Rodrigo a couple of months ago during one of my gigs at White Buffalo, a nightclub in Gainesville. We had exchanged numbers and I reached out to him for an interview.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation?
He assisted me in getting a gig at another location and I did the same for him.

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?
He has a significant amount of technical knowledge and I believe he will be a key to my network.

Manny

1) Who they are and what their background is.
Manny is a alumni from the University of Florida. When he graduated he started his own company in Gainesville, Orlando, Tallahassee, and a couple of other cities around Florida. His company is named House Hats and focuses on promoting and DJing, working with nightclubs around Florida and, respectively, DJs who are looking for the opportunity to spin at different places.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.
I'd consider Manny as a market expert as he has been working on this company since high school, building a steady network and making a significant amount of connections in the meantime.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.
I worked for him company for sometime.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation?
I worked for him and in return, I furthered my network and got more gigs around town.

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?
His has an extremely extensive network which would be very useful to my company.

Diego

1) Who they are and what their background is.
Diego is a producer and music engineer. He works with software, hardware, and audio and is an expert when it comes to music.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.
I'd consider him as a supplier. He supplies audio, hardware, and other useful tools.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.
Through Manny's company. I met him during one of my gigs and we extensively talked and exchanged numbers.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation?
Haven't done any favors for each other yet.

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?
He would take over the supply and with his extensive background knowledge in music and audio engineering, he could benefit the company in many aspects.

19A - Idea Napkin No. 2

1) I am a student at the university of Florida. I am originally from Greece but I've lived in Miami, Florida for 5 years before coming up to Gainesville to study. My skills include proficiency in music and disc jockeying, speaking Greek, and generally being a social, open guy. My aspirations include starting my own business, and being successful doing what I love.

2) I'm offering opportunities, unity, knowledge, and growth to my customers. I am offering a website which will allow my customers to connect with one another, learn from each other, and use the knowledge gained to grow and achieve their unmet needs.

3) I'm offering it the average student who has a passion for music and the art of disc jockeying and the hunger for knowledge and growth.

4) Out of all the interviews I conducted, roughly 80% of my interviewees were not satisfied with their progress thus far and the opportunities offered. I believe my customers will care for a solution to their dissatisfaction and will help promote my product to great lengths.

5) I believe my core competency is my creativity and my background knowledge as an experienced disc jockey. I have been DJing for a while now and have struggled a lot in order to succeed. I believe I am familiar with the system and can step in my customers shoes due to the fact that they are reflecting the struggle, obstacles, and achievements I underwent to make it to the point I am on. I also still have a very long way to go and believe my contribution to this will not only be dependent on my entrepreneurship agenda, but also on my objective for personal growth and progress.

I believe that combination of my skills, experiences, and failures, a long with my product will be a great combination to satisfy the customer need and allow me to stand out in face of all the other similar products on the current market.

I unfortunately did not receive feedback for my first idea napkin, but, based on a personal synopsis, I'd say the whole shebang of my first napkin was less confident and more chaotic. I believe I painted a better picture on my second napkin as I had a better understanding of my idea.

Assignment 17A - Elevator Pitch No. 2

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCFTAGdYXUo&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR184pH3iBPLUwDoOHXayM_9R161CkihJE759ieE3KU4Bd66VQgrg4sc6XQ

2) During my first pitch I was told to use less hand movements, add a grabber/anecdote, and to not introduce myself. I thought that a grabber was a good idea while the rest were silly, as hand movement, is an important part of a pitch and also a brief introduction of oneself is necessary to present your background and experience on the subject.

3) During my second pitch I added a grabber. I believe I was also more confident stuttered less which is an important part of a short pitch such as this one.

Assignment 18A - Create Your Customer Avatar

Jake (Avatar): My Avatar is a DJ who’s been spinning for roughly two years and is moderately experienced. He is looking to improve his skills and isn’t financially independent yet. He is also looking to meet more experienced DJs and to receive feedback from them. He doesn’t have a steady job yet and is studying at a university. He doesn’t have a family. He enjoys traveling with the opportunity of acquiring gigs at new locations and meeting new people who have the same passion for music. He drives an SUV so that he can fit his DJ equipment in his car. He is very passionate towards all kinds of music (except country) but, above all, electronic music. He enjoys going out and having drinks with his friends.

Similarities: I believe that I’m similar to my avatar in various ways. I’d say I’m a more experienced DJ but share the same passion for music. I’m not yet financially independent as I also study at the University of Florida. I have made a lot of friends and enjoy going out with them and DJing for them at clubs but also house parties. I drive an SUV to fit my equipment. I don’t have a family.

Assignment 15A

Londos (Junior at UF who loves electronic music): When I interviewed Londos about how he would feel about a website such as my own he said that it would be a great idea. He also informed that he was attempting to get into DJing and needed a place do start. He was thinking of buying some tutorials online but that they would be too expensive. Price is the most important factor but he also searches for quality. He believes that my website would be a good cheap alternative if quality is applied to it. According to Londos, he prefers online purchases as they are quicker due to cookies on websites. He usually feels good about a purchase if it benefits him in some manner.

Manny (Senior at UF who has been DJs for a couple of years now): I interviewed Manny at Tatu during one of my DJ gigs there. He informed me that he enjoyed the idea of my website and that he would be willing to contribute. He has been DJing for a while now and wants to spread his knowledge to others. Manny’s alternative was to make his website to spread the knowledge but time is the most important aspect to him and with his job, not something he can afford. Manny enjoys both in cash and online purchases. He feels good about a purchase if it’s advantageous in the long run.

Aydan (Sophomore at UF who’s an anterior DJ/producer): I also interviewed Aydan during one of my DJ gigs. As a starting DJ, he informed me that he would enjoy the idea of my website but wouldn’t be willing to pay for it. Price is a very important aspect to him as his alternative is to watch free YouTube videos online.

Conclusion: I believe that for the most part, I knew a lot about this segment before my interviews and wasn’t really surprised with the results (as I am technically part of it). Most DJs would be happy with the idea of a cheap website to spread knowledge and learn how to DJ but others find that a price shouldn’t be set to learning. I completely understand and can relate to that. The online segment and purchase part of my idea helps a lot with time and convenience I believe and I think my customers will be satisfied with their purchase.