14A – Halfway Reflection -Tenacity & Paying It Forward

Principles of Entrepreneurship is an excellent class provided you understand the need to develop the core principles associated with being successful as an entrepreneur. Your mindset must be focused not on just learning those principles but executing through practice and thus proper development occurs. So long as you are prepared for being hands on in your creative process you will undoubtedly be successful not only in class, but in the real world as well.

Tenaciousness is a competency I am constantly working on. The behaviors I have found to be successful in moving me forward for this class have been determination and persevering. Forging through times where your mind appears blocked and a path forward is unclear.

There have been several moments when I have felt the urge to discontinue the ‘good’ fight. Those times were mostly associated with juggling family and other business matters unrelated to the task. In those intervals, having a creative mind became a significant adversity. What I was able to do in those circumstances was to refocus on my goal. Once I was able to remember the end game, the short requirements of achieving it became easier.

Three tips I would give a new student would be:

1. Steel the course. Allow no opportunity for doubt to creep into your process.
2. Understand no skill was developed without significant trials of process. Lower your expectations of being a star your first trial.
3. Lastly, I have been working hard to reverse the understanding of failure. As opposed to feeling defeated, strategize. With the proper perspective, you better understand that failure is simply a byproduct of early learning. Through proper development your percentage of failure will undoubtedly reduce.

13A – Reading Reflection No. 1

Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records was more than a music executive/ businessman. During an area of time in which not many African Americans wore leadership hats as executives in large companies Berry formed his own. At the height of his success, the Motown empire boasted 100M dollars in annual revenue, and had headline stars such as Diana Ross, Billie Holiday, Michael Jackson, and more.

In reading To Be Loved, Berry Gordy, what surprised me the most was his upbringing. Two life changing careers of which I believe undoubtedly shaped his life, was that of having served in the military, and formerly being a boxer. Both were surprising to me but assisted me in understanding where his laser focus for success came from. Having grown up in a hard scrabble neighborhood of Detroit during the 1930’s, what I admired most about him as an entrepreneur, was his ability to departmentalize his personal circumstances for him to focus on being a success. What I admired least, was on some levels, his business acumen. Gordy was known as a scrupulous businessman. Motown’s contracts with their talent were some of the worst in the industry. As such, many died broke and owing money to Gordy for professional services and the like.

Gordy faced significant level of push back as he entered an emerging market where most of the competition was white. Instead of becoming disenfranchised like many of that time, Gordy lowered his head and redirected his energies to becoming an industry titan.

Gordy possessed various core competencies at differing times in his life. Decision making using sound judgement is what ultimately garnered Gordy his success. From his time in the military and boxing, he was also able to excel in planning and organization. These competencies were relied on heavily in various areas of To Be Loved, Berry Gordy.

While there were no areas within the book that confused me, there were areas where I felt the author could have gotten more specific in information. I believe some areas were intentionally left to be very vague. Areas related specifically to his personal life.

If I were able to ask two questions to Berry Gordy, I would ask more specifically about when he decidedly dropped out of High School. What led him to that decision. I would also ask what he gleans from for motivation. Gordy is known to be very charismatic. What gave him in the earlier years such a high ideal of self-worth.

I know from the reading Gordy was no slacker. As such he looked down upon those who didn’t tackle the hard works first. This characteristic I am very aware of, mostly because it is easier said than done. As Gordy believes, I too understand there are no easy roads and that no objective can be met with short sighted planning.

Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

In keeping with my newfound unmet need, I interviewed three individuals who also found this need to be one of substance and necessity. The market segment they occupy is that of middle-class parents with children. I specifically chose this segment due to their ability to influence their local political representatives in order to gain traction in legislation, as well as their concern for providing some level of societal decorum as it relates to public use of marijuana.  If you recall, my research was for a hub like structure in which those indulging in marijuana use in public places (streets, parks etc.) could do so without disturbing the quiet enjoyment of others who may not have the same disposition. This need is necessary as recreational use is due to become state law in the months and years to come.

In interviewing my participants, I found their awakening to this unmet need more so found them. This I found to be quite interesting.  In one instance, the individual’s children bought the subject matter up after smelling the odor while walking past a condominium complex. The parent was unable to reconcile the issue and became perturbed that it was introduced before they were prepared to. In the other two situations, the unmet need was discovered when the individuals as users had to reconcile the smell within their clothing when visiting a restaurant soon after use. Their preference would have been to somehow have contained the odor prior to being introduced into a public situation.  In these instances, the unmet need became the same, which was to create a level of anonymity to the use.

The participants within my project as middle-class parents for the most part use the same behaviors in becoming aware of their needs to resolve a problem. Being busy in career development, child rearing and providing for family, they were not of the segment to research solutions to problems proactively. Because of their busy lifestyles they are all reactive. Now that they are left with a problem (after it having been pointed out) that is directly affecting them, they are interested in a quick resolution.  

In closing, this segment while having the ability to create the highest level of change due to their having political, monetary capital and influence, in most instances do not proactively utilize this capital. The issue while paramount to them may be swept under the rug so to speak until someone reminds them of the issue, and a possible resolution. It is at that point that they become activated in wanting a resolution sooner rather than later. In this instance, I would use them as influencers within my marketing appeal to marijuana business leaders, and politicians who have been actively forging for this to become law. This is where the funding for my devices will come from.

Idea Napkin No. 1

In holding to the napkin business sketch of my business concept I have the following brief outline:

1) You. 

My firm will be engaged in creating a more perfect/ harmonious union amongst those who lawfully engage in cannabis smoking either medicinally, or recreationally, whenever that comes to pass. My firm’s skills and talents include social media marketing and public outreach. Our aspirations are to remove the taboo associated with the public utilization thereof. Once a bridge is built in order to form a better understanding amongst users and non-users, cannabis smoking will have avoided the scarlet lettering cigarette smoking has taken on.

2) What are you offering to customers? 

In addition to the social outreach piece that will accompany the changes in legislation, my firm will also be active in the installing of a yet to be named open air hub device. This device is best described as being like a bus shelter, will allow smokers to freely engage in their activities, all while the device collects the exhaled by-product. Like what you may see at Disney, in the form of a mister, only this device will blow air and collect the same.

Having such a device available will aid in reducing the public backlash to perceived air quality and discomfort of associated smells in clothing etc.

3) Who are you offering it to? 

As noted in the physical description above, this will be a lightweight steel constructed shelter. The users would stand within them, but not be contained by them as they would be accessible from two sides. The actual device would one dimensional but would have strong but quiet suction attachments that would receive expelled air. From the sides, it would also direct the air upwards.  

This device would be marketed to those who preferred anonymity in their use of cannabis. Clothing would not be drenched in the smell, and the demographic of those utilizing the herb, would not be ostracized as they are now. My primary customers would be retailers who would benefit from the perceived discretion of use near to their shops. The cannabis industry would also be interested in supporting as the public relations would be good for public perception.

4) Why do they care? 

The industry, retailers, and others directly impacted by these changes in law will be interested in funding this endeavor as it would help introduce these dramatic societal changes we will see occur in a positive fashion. The open-air hub piece would also include a PR initiative.

5) What are your core competencies? 

Our research is part of our core competencies. We have performed in-depth research denoting what will occur should there not be some significant relationship building between the cannabis industry, and the general public. Cannabis smoking if not introduced correctly, will go the way of cigarette smoking.

The areas where I perceive there to be the potential for difficulty, lie in the core competencies. As of now, the majority of my theory of potential interest comes from those who look to be impacted. I would need to increase my level of research in order to be sure a market exists to where this can be monetized on a large scale.

Elevator Pitch (Opportunity Post)

Carlton elevator pitch for Air Shelter!

https://youtu.be/8ltUI7tX260

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Who: As you may recall, the unmet opportunity I have been investigating is a discrete option for cannabis users to indulge in their use while in public places, without inconveniencing those who do not share their lifestyle. After interviewing various individuals, I found a mix of interests in resolving this issue. There were some that were concerned with individual air quality and agreed a buffer would be beneficial, and then there were those who did not agree with any intercession to create a buffer between the two sides. The latter felt that while the idea seemed novel, it did not seem practical. Additionally, these individuals also had an issue with how this endeavor would all be funded.

What: Between the two sides; those interested in hearing more, or aiding in the development of a buffer, and those that prefer not to intercede, the point of whether to get involved depended primarily on finances. The individuals I spoke with while understanding the inconvenience some may have, did not feel it would be a best use of funds.

Why: The underlying cause of the outsider’s need is very different than the people inside as those inside appeared more concern with embracing the change, whereas those on the outside were more abrupt and appear less interested in accepting what is soon to be a societal norm.

Inside the boundary	Outside the boundary
Those who have children, animals And may care-take the elderly	Those more interested in the limitations of What they perceive as limitations on their newly Introduced civil liberties.
The need is to improve the quality of life For those disinterested in second hand Cannibus smoke.	They do not foresee an issue that requires interference.
The need exists due to the discomfort Some feel the change will create.	The preference would be to allow the change to occur as it Is proposed and for everyone to accept it as cigarette smoke is Accepted.

Solving The Problem

As noted in the prior assignment, the recent regulation of the recognition of medical marijuana use, and / or legalization of recreational marijuana has created an opportunity that I have found through conversation to be in dire need.

Because of these changes in law, I believe there to be an unmet need of an outdoor location, or hub device to collect marijuana air during use. This collection would assist to facilitate the use of marijuana discretely, and lawfully without infringing on the rights of others. The new device would be much like a mist machine (those device hubs at Disney and other outdoor attractions that deliver mists of water during hot weather) only, it would work in reverse. As opposed to delivering mists of water, it would suck in exhaled marijuana smoke. The device would resemble a small hub but more so be just a frame. The hub would be for the most part open air, but with components made specifically for air collection. This would allow for users to step off a beaten path, like how cigarette smokers do now to indulge. Cannabis users would also benefit from not being associated with the coinciding odor should that be their concern.

 I believe there to be a strong demand for such a product. As use becomes more and more common, of which it is likely to be, these proposed contraptions would make living with this new societal norm more bearable.

You Have An Opportunity, Now What?

Recognition of medical marijuana use, and / or legalization of recreational marijuana

Hypothesis: Given the recent changes in regulation for medical and recreational uses of marijuana, users are entitled to a discrete event for usage. Currently, no provisions have been made for users to enjoy a discrete experience while indulging lawfully in public. The lack of acceptance of the changes in law, as well as the expedience with which some would contend the laws have changed, have not allowed the full embracing of this change, and thus, a slow incorporation into societal norms has occurred.

After conversations with more than five people, I have concluded there to be a present and immediate need for the ability of cannabis users to indulge in their activity discretely while in public. The cross section of those interviewed included both users, and nonusers, those who agree with recent changes in regulation, and those who do not. The issue that almost everyone agreed on is that users did not want to be labeled as selfish to air quality in ways cigarette smokers have been branded. This was noted as a primary reason social acceptance has lagged for the tobacco industry in many circles.  Not everyone agreed, however. There was a cross section who believed users should not be made to take into consideration someone else’s comfort when they have been given the legal rights to indulge. Separate of those outliers, most users preferred discretion when in public places. Public places included public streets, and other areas of high congestion. The preference was for anonymity and discretion was noted as paramount. Not introducing or forcing their interests/ lifestyles on others appeared primary. Those with this new problem include safety officials, users, nonusers, pets and others. How to not infringe on the rights of others all while satisfying legal rights are the concerns.