Identifying Local Opportunities

1). Leaked report shows United Nations suffered hack

• Multiple servers at the United Nation's offices in both Vienna and Geneva were hacked. According to a U.N. official, the hack was very sophisticated and perhaps state-sponsored. One of the U.N. offices that was breached was the human rights office; however, nothing confidential was obtained. A report showed that 22 servers were compromised. This hack comes amidst rising concerns about phone and computer vulnerabilities. 
• The problem presented in this article is the vulnerabilities in technology. Everything is susceptible to being hacked. This means your personal information is at risk. 
• Everyone has this problem. Governments, corporations, small businesses, and individuals are all susceptible to being hacked. 
• https://www.gainesville.com/zz/news/20200129/leaked-report-shows-united-nations-suffered-hack/1

2). Airlines suspend China flights, cut services on virus fears

• Multiple airlines, including British Airways, Seoul Air, and Lion Air are halting flights to and from China in fear of the new coronavirus. Many other airlines are significantly reducing the number flights to and from China, even canceling flights for February. China itself has cut off access to its central city, Wuhan, which is the epicenter of the outbreak. China has also closed off 16 other cities, not allowing anyone to enter or leave.
• The problem presented in this article is the spreading epidemic of the coronavirus and its resulting effect on airlines. 
• Airline companies and passengers who had flights booked to and from China are experiencing this problem. 
• https://www.jacksonville.com/ZZ/news/20200129/airlines-suspend-china-flights-cut-services-on-virus-fears

3). Gaming arcades have 30-day deadline to vacate Nassau County after commission vote

• The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to shut down gaming arcades in Nassau County after a the number of gaming parlors have doubled in recent months and crime has increased. According to Sheriff Bill Leeper, violent crimes at simulated gambling establishments has significantly increased, especially as the number of parlors has increased. The new ordinance prohibits these simulated gambling places defining them as a "public nuisance and noxious us."  These arcades will have to leave within 30 days. 
• The problem presented in this article is the rise of crime as a result of the increase in adult gaming arcades.
• The police, adult gambling arcade owners and customers, and citizens of Nassau County are all effected by this decision. 
• https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20200128/gaming-arcades-have-30-day-deadline-to-vacate-nassau-county-after-commission-vote

4). Dumpsters at Arlington condo complex not emptied for weeks

•  Trash along Arlington Expressway and at Les Chateau Condominiums continues to pile up despite the numerous complaints filed by residents at the condominium. Trash hasn't been picked up in six weeks. According to the trash service, their trucks are broken, however, no other comment was offered. 
• The problem is the lack of trash service here and the resulting pile up of trash at various homes. 
• The tenants of the condominiums and anyone else not receiving trash service all have to deal with this problem.
• https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/01/29/dumpsters-at-arlington-condo-complex-not-emptied-for-weeks/

5). Tracking Coronavirus: John Hopkins maps outbreak

• John Hopkins has created an online dashboard that tracks the worldwide spread of the coronavirus outbreak that is continually being updated. The map displays statistics about deaths and confirmed cases of coronavirus. Data is being collected from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with a couple other establishments in China. 
• The problem addressed in the article is the need for easily accessed real-time information on the coronavirus outbreak.
• Currently, the people in China are the main people affected by this problem. However, the coronavirus is a problem faced by the whole world as other countries are discovering cases of coronavirus in their own backyard. 
• https://www.news4jax.com/features/2020/01/29/tracking-coronavirus-johns-hopkins-maps-outbreak/

Forming an Opportunity Belief

1). I have a belief that there is an opportunity to create a phone program that blocks telemarketers from using phony numbers to bombard you with phone calls.

2). Currently, there are no completely effective programs that stop robocalls or calls from telemarketers. The unmet need is the need for privacy and to avoid the pestering of telemarketers. Everyone that has a phone that receives calls from telemarketers and robocalls has this need. This need is not new and has existed for some time. Currently, there are several different but unsuccessful no-call lists. However, there is nothing that successfully prevents these phone calls. I am very certain this opportunity exists.

3). The prototypical customer includes everyone who has a phone.

4). Customer Number 1
He was not very aware of the need. He only receives robocalls around once a month so he has not been bombarded by telemarketers. He began receiving robocalls shortly after he got a new phone number.  He isn't currently addressing his robocall problem because it didn't occur often enough for him to be bothered by it. Now that he has considered robocalls, he would use the program, but it isn't something he would go out of his way to use.

5). Customer Number 2
He was very aware of the need. He receives calls from telemarketers and robocalls multiple times a day. He uses his phone for work so the robocalls are a major nuisance in his life. He has gotten robocalls for the past few years occurring at an increasing volume. He has tried several different no-call lists which seems to result in more calls from telemarketers. He would absolutely love a program that stops calls from telemarketers.

6). Customer Number 3
She was also aware of the need. She receives three to four robocalls a week. She has received calls from telemarketers for the last few years, similar to Customer Number 2. She has also tried a no-call list or two, but neither of them worked. She says she would definitely use this program. While she doesn't receive too many calls, she receives enough to be annoyed by them.

7). I learned that my opportunity does exist. However, I was surprised that it is not as prominent as I thought it would be.

8). My opportunity still exists. However, I am now aware that all people are not plagued by the same amount of telemarketer calls. Some people receive very few calls, while others are bombarded by calls. The amount of calls they receive will determine how willing they are to use the blocker program. I definitely think entrepreneurs should be able to adapt their plans. I think it's important to be able to adapt to a changing market. 

My Entrepreneurship Story

     I have been surrounded by entrepreneurship ever since I can remember. My dad is what you could call a 'serial entrepreneur'. Over the years, he has owned several different businesses from running a tow truck company in south Florida to owning a gas station to owning a land clearing business to owning a pawn shop and most recently, owning a used car lot. My dad has always had a knack for starting a business right when the need for a service reaches a peak. When I was younger, I wanted to be just like my dad. I used to start my own little 'businesses'. For example, I sold candies in elementary school. I used kits to make and (try to) sell perfumes, as well as, other arts and crafts. Although none of my ventures were very successful, my dad would pat me on the back anyway.

      I enrolled in this course because I was curious about what an entrepreneurship course would entail. I wanted to learn as much as I could about entrepreneurship. I have always known that I want to own/run my own business. A 9-to-5 job is something that has never appealed to me, no matter how much more work owning a business requires. Perhaps it's the independence that comes with having your own business that I desire. I would simply like to learn more about every aspect of creating and running a business. From marketing to the details in entrepreneurship to handling finances, I want to absorb as much as I can about business.

My Bug List

1. In the afternoon, my internet connection becomes incredibly slow and results in buffering videos.
        Why? This most likely occurs because my provider has a limited bandwidth, and during the afternoon, there is a larger number of people accessing the internet.
2. Large extension cords that create bumps under rugs and make it difficult to run from outside to inside because it will not fit between the door and the doorframe.
       Why? The extension cord is most likely designed this way because it might be difficult to contain enough power in a flatter cord.
3. The packaging on scissors that requires scissors in order to open it.
        Why? The tough outer packaging on scissors is most likely for safety reasons, however, there are other ways to package something safely without making it too difficult to open.
4. Amazon packages that contain a small product in a large shipping box filled with stuffing.
        Why? This most likely occurs because of inefficiency at Amazon warehouses. Shipping small items in large boxes is very wasteful on Amazon's part.
5. Public toilets that automatically flush before you are finished with your business. These toilets, while much cleaner than toilets with handles, still waste a lot of water.
       Why? This occurs because the sensors on these toilets are very sensitive and are supposed to pick up any movement.
6. Prices stickers that leave glue residue on products, especially on dishes and other products that you handle often.
       Why? These stickers are more common than the stickers that peel off easily. Sellers probably choose the 'stickier' stickers so the prices won't fall off.
7. USB and charging ports that collect dirt and grime because there isn't an easy way to clean the ports.
       Why? It's difficult to clean the ports because it's small and contain sensitive components.
8. The lack of pockets, or fake pockets, on women's jeans.
       Why? I am absolutely uncertain why this occurs. It might be for stylistic reasons.
9. Long check-out lines at the Walmart in Lake City because of the very few cashier lines open.
       Why? Walmart typically only has a few cashiers because they want customers to use the self-checkout lines. However, if you purchase an item in a security box, then self-checkout becomes more difficult.
10. No parking at the Publix on 13th Street and University Ave.
        Why? Because of its location, the parking is very limited and fills up quickly.
11. Lint roller that doesn't collect all of the lint.
        Why? The lint roller probably doesn't have enough 'glue' to collect some of the tougher lint pieces.
12. All of the various products that claim to cure acne, but don't actually work.
        Why? Products like Proactive that claim to clear up acne, but it only helps a limited number of people because acne is far more complicated than these products claim.
13. The button in the elevator to close the doors that never actually works.
        Why? It's possible this button is simply a placebo button because it never seems to actually close the elevator doors.
14. Various cleaning products that claim to 'eliminate pet odors', but only eliminate a fraction of the odor.
        Why? While some of these products do a better job, most don't offer much in the way of actually cleaning pet messes. Perhaps their formula isn't strong enough.
15. Paint brushes that drip paint everywhere, or the brush itself becomes more of a mess when you set it on the paint can.
       Why? Messiness is simply a factor of painting. No matter what you do when painting, the paint will always get everywhere.
16. Fast food bags that don't keep the heat so your food is cold by the time you are home.
        Why? Fast food bags are not made to keep in the heat. It is simply an inconvenience.
17. Pet towels that claim to dry your pets faster and better than regular towels, but actually don't.
       Why?  Pet towels do not dry pets any faster or better than regular towels.
18. The bit of toothpaste left in the tube that is impossible to get out.
       Why?  Because of the design of the tube, getting the last of the toothpaste is difficult to accomplish.
19. DVD players that buffer if there is even the tiniest scratch on the DVD.
       Why?  DVD players are very sensitive and most likely react to even the smallest blemishes.
20. TV remotes with so many buttons that don't seem to actually do anything, and in order to work, it has to be pointed just right at the TV.
       Why?  The buttons most likely have a use, however, not an important use since they seem to hardly ever be used.  And sometimes the remote has to be pointed just right, so it can actually connect to the TV. 

Reflection: Coming up with 20 items for this bug list was surprisingly difficult. I had originally assumed it would be simple, but I quickly began to run out of ideas. I really had to think about many of these beyond the few that came to mind right away.. 

Test Post

This is just my test post!