Picture it. Magic Kingdom. A beautiful hot July summer day, where the more water you drink the more you seem to sweat. You weren't able to get a fast pass for Seven Dwarf's Mine Train, and as of 12:30pm, it's 180 minute wait to get on the 2-minute minimal thrill ride. But, what if you could pay someone to stand in line for you? What if you could sit in an air conditioned restaurant, while someone else sweats their life away for your place in line? Would you pay someone to do that?
As annual passholders, my daughter and I often bypass a line that is just too long to wait in. We have learned little tricks to getting on the most popular rides with minimal wait times. However, not everyone at Disney World is a passholder, which means they are most likely there for a brief period of time and have to make the most of their trip.
I spoke with three moms (who are not Disney Passholders) to get their take on this idea. After all, moms are the ones who mostly plan family vacations. Even though I spoke with three moms, I got three very different answers - Yes, No, and Someone already started that business (well duh, I cannot be the only person who thought of this). Even better, after speaking with one of the moms, I actually found another problem and possible solution which I believe would be useful to ALL moms.
I'll start with the "No" mom. Although she loves Disney, and loves being there when she goes (about once a year). she will not pay for someone to stand in line for her, or her family. Her feeling is that they are already paying a lot of money to be at Disney World, why she should pay more for someone to stand in line for her? She understood it would allow her an opportunity to do other things while the person waits in line for her, but it just was not worth it in the long run. If she cannot ride the ride during her visit, maybe she will be able to next year.
My Reflection: I can see where this mom is coming from. Disney Vacations are not cheap, and unless you know the tips and tricks for getting around the parks, you may just overspend while you are there. Spending additional money to have someone stand in line for you seems excessive when you look at it from this mom's point of view.
Next mom is "someone already started that business". She believed it definitely is a good idea, however because this type of business is already up and running, she suggested I find a target market with my idea. As we discussed this, I mentioned after all of my trips to Disney I never noticed this type of service being conducted. Maybe it's because I avoid the long lines as much as possible. Every now and then I will cave into a 60 minute wait (it's hard to keep an 8 year old entertained in an hour long line) for a popular ride, but I do not do it often. Now that the existence of this service has been brought to my attention, I believe I just might see them around the park now.
My Reflection: During our conversation, I was able to think of a target market - Disney Visitors. Being that I am an annual passholder, I will be at the park whether I was being paid to wait in line for someone else or not. Honestly, it would be fun to earn some extra money while I was there.
My last mom is the "Yes" mom. She enthusiastically said yes to this idea. It would be a great way to make the most of their Disney Vacation to have a service like this. Her concern was other people in line. I hadn't thought about other people's feelings. After a moment, I suggested the person would then at least have to ride the ride with who hired them so it would look like family or friends holding a place in line in hopes to minimize any bad feelings. As we continued to talk, I realized families do not need just a person to stand in line for them at Disney, but they need a safe, reputable Uber-like transportation service for kids to get around. With more and more working parents, and kids who want to be involved in anything and everything, it's hard to get kids where they need to be. We are blessed because we have help, however, there are families out there who do not have help and who have to schedule every last second of their day to make sure everyone is where they need to be. As we talked, we started to discuss Care.com, a service for families to find babysitters, adult sitters, pet sitters, etc. It hit me like a bolt of lightning. This transportation service could partner with Care.com. As of today, Care.com has been one of the most reputable places to find people to care for children. They do extensive background checks of all sitters listed on their website. By partnering with them, it would be easier to ensure those drivers who want to participate in this type of transportation service would be vetted thoroughly and moms could rely on the services to help them get their kids to places they need to be. It would also help moms to ensure their kids are getting to and from different places safely. It's not easy being a working mom with a daughter who plays soccer, dances and enjoys tumbling at gymnastics. Did I mention, she loves to participate in anything and everything STEM too? Having a service like this would be beneficial to me if we didn't have the help we currently have.
After speaking with these moms, and getting first hand feedback on this idea, I believe my original opportunity doesn't have much support. However, the new idea with developing an Uber-like transportation for kids seems to have a better opportunity to assist working families. As I was having these discussions, I realized entrepreneurs need to listen to their customers. What I believed to be a problem, really wasn't a problem.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
3A – Your Entrepreneurship Story
My first, and last (with the exception of this course), experience with entrepreneurship was my Capstone class at Palm Beach State College. It was a required course to obtain my AS-Business Management degree. It was the semester I learned, entrepreneurship is definitely not for me...and I'm ok with that.
The Capstone course is all about writing a business plan for a business you think you might want to start. Being that I was at the prime of my cupcake baking fun, I thought it would be fun to develop a cupcake business. Each week, a new part of the business plan was due. I thought it would be easy to put it together, I wasn't looking for retail space, and I didn't want to have employees. It was going to be a "cupcake" walk, and did I ever get a reality check.
Throughout the course we were required to do a lot of research. We had to locate the local competition; compare our ideas with what was already out there; and develop our niche for our business. During this research, I learned I wasn't the only one trying to sell cupcakes from their home. I also learned, my fixed costs were more than I anticipated. It never dawned on me to calculate the amount of electricity I would need to keep an oven at 350 degree for 8 hours to bake at a minimum 300 cupcakes per day. It didn't dawn on me that the air conditioner would have to run longer, and harder in order to keep our home cool. It didn't dawn on me that our water bill would increase as a result of the additional dishes that would accumulate throughout the day. I didn't anticipate how much storage I would need. Of course, there were other things I had to account for, but these were the item I did not anticipate at all.
My niche for my business was to do a baker's dozen. Based on my research, the retail cupcake shops sold single cupcakes, and cupcakes by the dozen. The at-home cupcake bakers had a minimum order of 24. I decided to have something different, and that's where the baker's dozen came in. I also decided I would only have three standard flavors, and one flavor of the month. The flavor of the month would identify with a holiday or a theme. Unfortunately, after asking family and friends what they thought about this idea, they said they may purchase from me once or twice, but since I only offered a limited selection, they would be forced to look else where. I didn't blame them. The retail cupcake shops and other at home cupcake bakers offered at minimum 10 flavors, and several different frostings. Although I thought I was keeping it simple, I ended up looking like I was a frugal entrepreneur.
At the end of the semester, we had to do our sales pitch. It was difficult, but I had to admit my cupcake business would operate at a loss for the first five years. Zero money would made and not once would I break even. I had to admit, my idea failed. It was disappointing to say the least, but at least everyone in the class enjoyed the cupcakes I brought in for the presentation.
The entire experience was stressful, but also fun. As of today, the retail cupcake shops I researched for the project are no longer in business. Some at home cupcake bakers are still going strong, but there are not as many within the same radius as there used to be. At the end of the assignment, I decided I'll just stick to baking for my daughter's birthday, and if my family and friends ask, I'll bake for them too.
This photo contains the cupcakes I baked for my business plan presentation:
1. Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Peanut Butter Frosting
2. Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Whip Cream Frosting
3. Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
The Capstone course is all about writing a business plan for a business you think you might want to start. Being that I was at the prime of my cupcake baking fun, I thought it would be fun to develop a cupcake business. Each week, a new part of the business plan was due. I thought it would be easy to put it together, I wasn't looking for retail space, and I didn't want to have employees. It was going to be a "cupcake" walk, and did I ever get a reality check.
Throughout the course we were required to do a lot of research. We had to locate the local competition; compare our ideas with what was already out there; and develop our niche for our business. During this research, I learned I wasn't the only one trying to sell cupcakes from their home. I also learned, my fixed costs were more than I anticipated. It never dawned on me to calculate the amount of electricity I would need to keep an oven at 350 degree for 8 hours to bake at a minimum 300 cupcakes per day. It didn't dawn on me that the air conditioner would have to run longer, and harder in order to keep our home cool. It didn't dawn on me that our water bill would increase as a result of the additional dishes that would accumulate throughout the day. I didn't anticipate how much storage I would need. Of course, there were other things I had to account for, but these were the item I did not anticipate at all.
My niche for my business was to do a baker's dozen. Based on my research, the retail cupcake shops sold single cupcakes, and cupcakes by the dozen. The at-home cupcake bakers had a minimum order of 24. I decided to have something different, and that's where the baker's dozen came in. I also decided I would only have three standard flavors, and one flavor of the month. The flavor of the month would identify with a holiday or a theme. Unfortunately, after asking family and friends what they thought about this idea, they said they may purchase from me once or twice, but since I only offered a limited selection, they would be forced to look else where. I didn't blame them. The retail cupcake shops and other at home cupcake bakers offered at minimum 10 flavors, and several different frostings. Although I thought I was keeping it simple, I ended up looking like I was a frugal entrepreneur.
At the end of the semester, we had to do our sales pitch. It was difficult, but I had to admit my cupcake business would operate at a loss for the first five years. Zero money would made and not once would I break even. I had to admit, my idea failed. It was disappointing to say the least, but at least everyone in the class enjoyed the cupcakes I brought in for the presentation.
The entire experience was stressful, but also fun. As of today, the retail cupcake shops I researched for the project are no longer in business. Some at home cupcake bakers are still going strong, but there are not as many within the same radius as there used to be. At the end of the assignment, I decided I'll just stick to baking for my daughter's birthday, and if my family and friends ask, I'll bake for them too.
This photo contains the cupcakes I baked for my business plan presentation:
1. Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Peanut Butter Frosting
2. Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Whip Cream Frosting
3. Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
Thursday, January 23, 2020
2A - Bug List
2A - Bug List
1. Smokers
Why? Cigarette smoke has always made me sick. It’s hard to
be around people who smoke because of the stale smoke smell on their clothes,
hair and breath. It’s very bothersome to me. Smokers tend to not care about
others around them when they feel like lighting up. It’s not fun having a
conversation while someone is sucking on a cigarette. Studies are showing secondhand
smoke is harmful to people as well, which is another reason why this bugs me.
2. Lazy people
Why? Lazy people always find an excuse to not do something.
They rather loaf all day than be productive. In my current job, two of my
employees can be lazy. It’s hard to motivate lazy employees to get the job done
effectively and efficiently when they rather hang out with co-workers or play
on their cell phones. Disciplinary action can help, but it doesn’t always make
the situation better. If anything, it can make it worse.
3. People who don’t flush toilets
Why? It’s not fun to walk into a restroom and see an unflushed
toilet. It can be downright disgusting when it happens. Flushing a toilet seems
like the easiest part of the whole bathroom process, however, the process is not
always followed completely.
4. Whiners
Why? Whiners always must complain about something. Work is
too hard. Walking to the copier is too hard. Life is too hard. Their attitude
can influence others behavior, especially in the office setting. It only takes
one whiner to start the conversation and for others to join in which is detrimental
of office morale.
5. “Used Car Salesmen”
Why? Used Car Salesmen was put in quotations for a reason,
it doesn’t mean a used car salesman, but rather people who feel they need to
constantly sell themselves as something they are not. It’s one thing to talk
about your accomplishments, your skills and your abilities, however, it’s another
thing when you have to not only convince the person you are talking to but you
also have to convince yourself you can do all of those things.
6. People who fail to signal when switching lanes
Why? Failing to signal when switching lanes can be
dangerous, especially when you are driving on the turnpike or other highways.
7. Ignorant people
Why? You cannot have an intelligent conversation with an
ignorant person. Ignorant people cannot comprehend there are other opinions different
from theirs, or more educated opinions than theirs.
8. People who can’t admit their own mistakes
Why? Admitting a mistake in the workplace is hard. No one
wants to fail at their job but blaming others for your mistakes is worse.
9. Jersey drivers
Why? Jersey drivers are the worse drivers in the United
States. I would rather drive in Downtown Miami during rush hour than share the
road with a Jersey driver. Jersey drivers lack common sense on the road, and
therefore cause near crashes as they try to figure out which way the want to go,
even if it’s cutting across four lanes to get to their exit they are about to
pass.
10. Bad pizza
Why? I’m from the Bronx, pizza is life, well at least for
me pizza was life when I lived there. Pizza in Florida is blah, unless you know
where to go. It’s not fun trying different pizza spots in Palm Beach County until
you find the right one.
11. Bad Chinese food
Why? Again, I guess this is a NY thing. Chinese food here
just does not taste right. I’m picky about my favorite dishes, and they just
don’t seem to be made right at the places I have been to throughout Palm Beach
County.
12. Baby Mama Drama
Why? It’s not easy sharing custody of your child with
someone. My husband has a 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
Dealing with her mother can be downright painful at times. It’s not easy to communicate
with her because we do not know what we are doing, and she is the only person
who knows how to raise her.
13. Publix Grocery Store Prices (especially produce)
Why? Prices at Publix tend to be much higher than at other grocery
stores such as Aldi or even Super Target. Produce prices are especially higher
at Publix than anywhere else. Why would I pay $5.00 for a bag of mandarin
oranges at Publix when I can get the same bag of mandarin oranges at Super
Target for $3.00? I’ve also noticed Publix sells the same product at different
prices at different stores. For instance, the Publix in Lantana sells LaCroix
for $5.15 for a 12-pack, but the Publix at Polo Square in West Palm Beach sells
LaCroix for $4.99 for a 12-pack.
14. Inconsiderate people
Why? Being a wife, mother, business professional and
student can be difficult. It becomes more difficult when my husband (who I love
with all my heart) turns on the TV while I’m studying; or asks me to help him cook
dinner when I’m in the middle of watching a lecture video; or tells me he’s going
surfing when he knows I need to study. Inconsiderate people do not understand they
are being inconsiderate. They believe the other person needs to readjust because
they are going to do what they want to do.
15. Lying
Why? I never realized how much it bugged me until my daughter
started to lie to us, or maybe it bugs me because my daughter is the one who is
lying. Either way, lying complicates everything and causes bad feelings. It
hurts to discipline my 8-year-old for lying about flossing her teeth.
16. Boston Red Sox
Why? I’m a die hard NY Yankees fan (from the Bronx too). Need
I say more?
17. Cheaters
Why? Houston Astros, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, New England
Patriots – what do they have in common…they are cheaters. Cheaters taint the
integrity of the game, and it hurts to see this happen in sports you love so
much.
18. Drive-Thrus
Why? Fast food drive-thrus contribute to society’s laziness
and impatience. It’s unsettling when I pull into the Starbucks parking lot in
Downtown Lake Worth and there are cars lined all the way to the street waiting
to place their order. Inside, there is no line or a minimal line to wait in to
place an order.
19. Slow internet connection
Why? Slow internet connection can make or break a student
trying to get their assignments done or take an exam. It can also help a woman
decide if the man she is dating is worth keeping.
20. Group Texts
Why? Group texts can be rather annoying. It’s a convenient
tool for a group of people to communicate, however, group texts seem to start
up at the most inconvenient times: while on a date, at a movie, in a meeting or
while you are sleeping. The “Do Not Disturb” option on my iPhone to silent the
notifications is great, but seeing 50 messages when I finally have time to
review the text message is not so great.
Reflection:
This assignment was harder
than I expected it to be. I had to really think about things that bugged me,
and why. It’s easy to say stupid people bug me, but why do stupid people bug
me? Is it because they’re stupid, or is it because they are ignorant? The “why”
challenged me in this assignment as well. Asking myself why and analyzing my
why was harder than I expected it to be.
Although the assignment was harder than I expected it to be, I did enjoy it. I learned a little bit more about myself as I completed it. It’s not every day someone asks you to list what bugs you and why, however, this was a good exercise for me. Being able to identify these “bugs” and why I have these “bugs” was eye opening. It also has me thinking about ways to mitigate these “bugs” so they do not completely bug me
Thursday, January 9, 2020
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