Final Reflection- 30A

1. During the course of the class I had to conduct main interviews for assignments. I think the hardest part is simply talking to a random person. Many individuals do not want to be bothered especially people in the gym. It is very ironic because the reason I believe my opportunity exists is because at a gym it is very difficult to talk to strangers. I had to experience this often as I was trying to interview people while at the gym and many did not want to be bothered or thought I was trying to "hit on" them. I don't think I developed any confidence as the semester passed because it was still difficult for me every time to ask someone to interview them. However I did make some new friends at the gym from this experience. Therefore I think the interview process is very important since you are contacting potential customers. 
2. The experience I will remember the most as well as the most helpful experience is during the "Growing your social capital" assignment. During this assignment I was able to request an interview with a CEO of a company and he was willing to let me interview him. During the interview I planned to go with the flow and did not have any particular questions instead I wanted to chat with him to get to know him and his business better. The interview did not go according and although I got what I needed for my assignment I felt I did not leave a good impression to build any form of relationship with him. 
3. I do not think I was able to produce an entrepreneurial mindset during the semester. At the start I was super excited to finally put something together towards the idea I had. Once I started doing the assignments I got more and more interested and inclined to start my venture. However towards he end of the semester it became something I am not as interested in anymore. My attitudes towards it changed drastically and I do not know why. Possibly its because I realized how hard it will be to successful start this venture. 
4. The main advice I would like to give new students is complete the assignments to your best ability. I notice many students who became lazy towards the end and would write a bunch of fluff and not try for their assignments. Some also stopped trying to even meet word counts. I think the assignments I designed well to get you started with your venture. Actually interviewing individuals rather than making it up or interviewing your friends is essential to produce real results. For activities such as growing your social capital use your status as a student at UF to get you interviews with individuals in successful businesses. They are willing to speak to you if you email them using your UF email. 

Venture Concept No. 2- 29A

Opportunity

• The opportunity is, individuals who workout at a gym have a difficult time finding a gym partner. This occurs when they are planning to workout at a gym. The reason the opportunity exist is because of the gym environment. Although individuals in there are friendly. It is very difficult to approach someone and befriend them. Even after meeting someone at the gym it is unlikely that they will want to be your gym partner because there are so many different programs and variations of lifting. I am focusing my market to America currently. This market is for people above 16 years of age and go to a gym. Individuals in the market need a smartphone since it is an app. Currently individuals are attempting to satisfy this need by texting their friends. Others don't even try to satisfy their need, they continue to workout alone because they can't find a way to find a good gym partner. This opportunity exist all throughout America, wherever their is a commercial gym. In these commercial gyms there are a multitude of individuals struggling to find a gym partner. The window will be open until either someone else creates a service that satisfies this need or people stop working out. 

Innovation

• I am creating is an app that will match individuals to a gym partner based on the criteria they input. They will be asked what type of workout, the time, the location, the experience of their partner, and the gender of their partner. Runners will also be able to use the app so find other runners in their area. They can meet up and run a trail together. From this they will be matched with multiple individuals and they get to pick which one they want to workout with. Once both individuals agree to each other they will be connected. Each user will have their own profile. The profile is connected to their social media page within the app. The profile will have basic information such as gender and experience level. The social media page that each individual has can be public or private, allowing them to keep their privacy. If they choose to make their account private, during the matching process the only information given to the other individual is their gender and experience level. However once they match up all necessary information will be shared so that no one is considered a stranger before working out. The app will be free to use, however it will have two free matches each week. For a $1 a month or $10 a year individuals will get unlimited matches and a workout tracker that they have to upload their own workout. They will get to select one workout program every fourth paid month. For $2 a month or $20 a year individuals will get unlimited matches, a workout tracker with a timer, free workout programs and a diet tracker. The free programs will come from the app itself and individuals who upload their workouts. This plan allows for instant change without having to wait 4 months to select a new workout The diet tracker can track the nutrients from the meals they eat. The app will also have advertisements. There are multiple ad choices. For example they can purchase an ad that last 10 sec on the screen and the user can not exit. Or they can purchase a banner that stays throughout the duration the app is opened. The app will have a store that contains fitness products such as supplements and gear. 

Venture Concept

• This venture will connect individuals to a workout partner. Individuals will want to use the app because a gym membership is often expensive and when it isn't expensive on a monthly basis there is usually a contract involved making it more expensive longterm. They don't want to be wasting all this money. Therefore using the app to find gym partner is very appealing since studies show that having a gym partner resulted in individuals working out for longer and seeing more growth. It will be difficult to get individuals using this app since it highly depends on the number of users. If there are not that many users than others will not want to use it. So the main issue that needs to be solved is how to get a high volume market using it and then replicating that elsewhere. There are currently no competitors therefore, individuals will not be spread up between apps instead they will be on the same app if they choose to. This increases the number of users, increasing the effectiveness of the app. The price points are a main part. The free version gives access to the main feature of the app. Each price point higher is directed towards a different group of gym-goers. So it is directed at a wider audience then just those looking for gym partners. There isn't a need for multiple employees. The app will need individuals at the top that focus on the management and financial aspects. A technical team is needed in the future for updates as well as maintenance of the app. Initially however there will only be either me or another individual that will handle coding of the app. 

Three minor elements

• I think the most important resource is my desire to make the world more fit. This will keep me motivated and on dedicated to continue to pursue launching this and making it spread worldwide. Next for my venture will be to expand outside of the gym. Staying in the gym and only focusing on finding partners for lifters will not make the world more fit. Instead I need to branch out and incorporate other fitness activities such as running or yoga. By including other activities I can reach bigger crowds and spread fitness even easier. In the next five years I want to be capable of opening a training facility. The facility will focus on training athletes. I want to use fitness as a way to give athletes an advantage in their sport. For example, making running backs more agile and quicker. Or increasing the striking power of a tennis player. The facility will be designed for professional and collegiate athletes. But I want to provide free training for middle school and high school students.

Feedback received

• The feedback I received asked how big of a difference there is between the free version and the subscription version of the app. I thought I explained it clearly in my venture. During my whats next exercise many individuals stated that I should incorporate other activities such as running or yoga. 

How I changed it

• I decided to add other activities such as running to the app. By doing so I can create a bigger audience for the app even though the lifters and runner do not share anything in common. But by having a social media page, I hope they can influence each other and inspire each other to try new activities. 

Reading Reflection No. 3- 27A

Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

1. What was the general theme or argument of the book
• Carol Dweck stated that the constant fear of judgment comes from the core belief that everyone has set amount of intelligence. Therefore whenever someone makes mistakes they assume they are not as smart as others. She stated that some individuals have a fixed mindset. In a fixed mindset you believe things are how they are, therefore you will take on less challenging tasks and stop trying. The other mindset is a growth mindset. Those with a growth mindset believe there is growth. Therefore by making an effort to do something you can end up successfully accomplishing it. They believe that effort and a plan is essential in success, not chance. 
2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?
• I think it connected really well with the class. During our identify an opportunity assignment, we were tasked with finding an opportunity and explaining why we saw it and not anyone else. This caused some individuals to look deeply for a hidden opportunity. Some students picked the first thing they found, these people would be considered fixed mindsets. The one who dug deep to find hidden opportunities have a growth mindset. 
3. I'd you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?
• The exercise that would fit this assignment the most is asking students to pick an opportunity from someone in their group and make a venture for it. This will show if individuals simply mimic the original venture or come up with something unique of their own. 
4. What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?
• My biggest surprised is that those with a fixed mindset are really harsh on themselves. They stop themselves from cognitively growing my harshly judging themselves. This makes me question if having a fixed mindset is linked with depression or other mental illnesses. 

Celebrating Failure- 26A

1. On my first biology 2 exam I got a score I was not proud of. It dropped my grade drastically and put me in a rough spot for the semester. Normally I would be ok with a low grade if it was above the average, but it was not. The reason I failed the exam was because I was too confident with myself. I thought that biology was something I can just walk in and do. The only method of studying I did was reading my notes. I did not try to apply it or even memorize facts. 
2. I learned that even when things are easy or if you are confident, failure is possible. It has changed my mindset drastically. I no longer view things not as strength and flaws. Because no matter what it is their is someone out there that is better than me at it. Therefore I have to continue personal growth. 
3. I have always seen failure has a disappointing situation. Whenever I fail no matter what it is, I always blame myself for it. No one else is involved but to me, everything I do is my responsibility. I normally use my failures to motivate myself to work harder. For example I am a competitive powerlifter. At my most recent competition I failed a record deadlift because the bar slipped out of my hand, not because the weight was too heavy. I am now training my grip strength as well as working on my technique to get a record the next time I compete. I always believed that taking risk is how you can grow. This mentality was developed from the gym. In the gym in order to increase strength you have to train at high intensities and heavy loads. Using minimal weights will not produce any results.

Your Exit Strategy- 28A

1. My end plan on the business is to sell it. I did not necessarily want to sell it for a large return. As long as I make something out of it I will be happy. 
2. I have chosen to sell the business one it takes off because my main goal with the business is to promote fitness and help individuals have a healthier lifestyle. I do no want to do it for the money. By selling it as it takes off I can let a company that has access to highly intelligent individuals that can work out the kinks in the app and trouble shoot it. They can even code it differently to make it more effective. My goal in life is to become a sports performance trainer with my own facility therefore the app is not essential in my life.
3. Because I am not looking for a large return in my business when I sell it, I do not plan on using that much money to start it. I will be trying to do everything on my own with my own resources. That way when I decide to sell the business I will not be taking any financial hits. 

Venture Concept No. 1- 24A "Lifter"

Opportunity

• The opportunity is, individuals who workout at a gym have a difficult time finding a gym partner. This occurs when they are planning to workout at a gym. The reason the opportunity exist is because of the gym environment. Although individuals in there are friendly. It is very difficult to approach someone and befriend them. Even after meeting someone at the gym it is unlikely that they will want to be your gym partner because there are so many different programs and variations of lifting. I am focusing my market to America currently. This market is for people above 16 years of age and go to a gym. Individuals in the market need a smartphone since it is an app. Currently individuals are attempting to satisfy this need by texting their friends. Others don't even try to satisfy their need, they continue to workout alone because they can't find a way to find a good gym partner. This opportunity exist all throughout America, wherever their is a commercial gym. In these commercial gyms there are a multitude of indivuals snuggling to find a gym partner. The window will be open until either someone else creates a service that satisfies this need or people stop working out. 

Innovation

• I am creating is an app that will match individuals to a gym partner based on the criteria they input. They will be asked what type of workout, the time, the location, the experience of their partner, and the gender of their partner. From this they will be matched with multiple individuals and they get to pick which one they want to workout with. Once both individuals agree to each other they will be connected. Each user will have their own profile. The profile is connected to their social media page within the app. The profile will have basic information such as gender and experience level. The social media page that each individual has can be public or private, allowing them to keep their privacy. If they choose to make their account private, during the matching process the only information given to the other individual is their gender and experience level. However once they match up all necessary information will be shared so that no one is considered a stranger before working out. The app will be free to use, however it will have two free matches each week. For a $1 a month or $10 a year individuals will get unlimited matches and a workout tracker that they have to upload their own workout. They will get to select one workout program every fourth paid month. For $2 a month or $20 a year individuals will get unlimited matches, a workout tracker with a timer, free workout programs and a diet tracker. The free programs will come from the app itself and individuals who upload their workouts. This plan allows for instant change without having to wait 4 months to select a new workout The diet tracker can track the nutrients from the meals they eat. The app will also have advertisements. There are multiple ad choices. For example they can purchase an ad that last 10 sec on the screen and the user can not exit. Or they can purchase a banner that stays throughout the duration the app is opened. The app will have a store that contains fitness products such as supplements and gear. 

Venture Concept

• This venture will connect individuals to a workout partner. Individuals will want to use the app because a gym membership is often expensive and when it isn't expensive on a monthly basis there is usually a contract involved making it more expensive longterm. They don't want to be wasting all this money. Therefore using the app to find gym partner is very appealing since studies show that having a gym partner resulted in individuals working out for longer and seeing more growth. It will be difficult to get individuals using this app since it highly depends on the number of users. If there are not that many users than others will not want to use it. So the main issue that needs to be solved is how to get a high volume market using it and then replicating that elsewhere. There are currently no competitors therefore, individuals will not be spread up between apps instead they will be on the same app if they choose to. This increases the number of users, increasing the effectiveness of the app. The price points are a main part. The free version gives access to the main feature of the app. Each price point higher is directed towards a different group of gym-goers. So it is directed at a wider audience then just those looking for gym partners. There isn't a need for multiple employees. The app will need individuals at the top that focus on the management and financial aspects. A technical team is needed in the future for updates as well as maintenance of the app. Initially however there will only be either me or another individual that will handle coding of the app. 

Three minor elements

• I think the most important resource is my desire to make the world more fit. This will keep me motivated and on dedicated to continue to pursue launching this and making it spread worldwide.  Next for my venture will be to expand outside of the gym. Staying in the gym and only focusing on finding partners for lifters will not make the world more fit. Instead I need to branch out and incorporate other fitness activities such as running or yoga. By including other activities I can reach bigger crowds and spread fitness even easier. In the next five years I want to be capable of opening a training facility. The facility will focus on training athletes. I want to use fitness as a way to give athletes an advantage in their sport. For example, making running backs more agile and quicker. Or increasing the striking power of a tennis player. The facility will be designed for professional and collegiate athletes. But I want to provide free training for middle school and high school students. 

What's Next?- 25A

Existing market

1. As of right now my service satisfies the opportunity. I think I can potential branch away and make services for none gym activities such as biking or running. I also think a social media section would be a good idea. Most people are afraid to post fitness content on their normal social media because they are afraid of judgement or people being annoyed of them for doing so. 
2. What makes most sense for my venture is to incorporate more user interaction. While speaking with the interviewees one of them suggested that I allow users to upload workouts for others to use. They stated that they trust another person's workout program more than some random one online. I will also be creating a social media segment that will create a better sense of community. Based on an interview and my own thinking I would like to expand the activities. Rather than only gym workouts, possibly add yoga as the interviewee suggested or running and biking. Included with the workout tracker and on its on will be a timer as well. An interviewee stated that they would love that feature because it helps them remain more efficient and cut down on their time at the gym. By timing their breaks they know when to start their next set. By doing this I believe I can reach a bigger audience. Even though everyone will not use every feature it will be available to them. I believe they will use more than one of the features which is why making it available is important.

New market (Active individuals who do not go to a gym)

1. I think that my service will not work for other markets unless I modify it. For example I can include other fitness activities and this will allow me to incorporate individuals in other markets such as runners or bikers. By branching out I can offer a service that matches runners so that they can run together for both safety and for company. 
2. This market focused on other activities such as running and bicycling. They suggested that I branch out and create an app that will connect runners to each other. I also believed that this is the main way to target these individuals. For example, the app will connect to runners in the same area so that they can run together. I don't think making an app will be a good idea because from my experience and interactions with other runners, they like to run alone. Even when running with others they have their headphones in therefore I do not think the app will have a big following. So including the feature into my previous app would be smarter. The other individual suggested including home workouts. However I believe that is deviating from the original idea of the app. So I will not continue with that idea. This market is smaller in my opinion and too diverse. Therefore I do not think I will be targeting them. 

Your Venture's Unfair Advantage- 23A

Resources

1. Knowledge of fitness activities
• Valuable- It is valuable in the context of my venture. Since my venture deals with fitness, having knowledge in fitness activities is necessary to create the app.
• Rare- This is not rare. Many individuals throughout the world have knowledge of fitness activities. They also probably have more knowledge than me. 
• Inimitable- This can easily be copied. Knowledge of fitness activities can be learned.
• Non-substituable- This is considered non-substitutable. Knowledge of fitness activities is crucial when creating a fitness app therefore nothing can replace it. 
2. I care for the world's well being
• Valuable- I believe this is very valuable because I will not try to exploit my customers. I want this app to become something that gets the world more active, not to make a lot of money from it. 
• Rare- I believe this is rare in the fitness industry. Most companies in the industry are exploiting their customers because they know their customers are willing to pay high amounts. Such as fitness clothing brands. 
• Inimitable- This can't be copied but someone else can feel the same way. Copying this feeling will make the individual a fraud. 
• Non-substituable- This is substitutable. Care for the world's well being can be taken out and the app can still function completely fine. The only difference is the pricing might differ based on who is in charge. 
3. I have a friend that can code an app
• Valuable- Knowing someone who can code an app or the ability to code an app is essential for this venture. Since the venture is an app this is a required ability to get the service out to the public. 
• Rare- This is not rare. With the emphasis on higher education many individuals have learned how to code apps through school. The ability to code an app can also be self taught using tools on the internet. 
• Inimitable- This can easily be copied. Another individual simply has to learn how to code an app or find someone who knows how and they can copy this. 
• Non-substituable- Knowing someone who has the ability to code an app is substitutable. If someone knows how to code an app they don't need someone else. However the ability of coding an app whether it be oneself or someone else is non-sustainable. 
4. Connections with individuals in fitness related fields throughout America
• Valuable- Having these connections are very valuable. Through these connections I can market my app to individuals across America for free. Also I can get feedback from people all over before launching my product. 
• Rare- Having these connections is considered rare because not that many people have these connections. But in the fitness industry it is not rare because a lot of individuals are connected. 
• Inimitable- This can be copied by someone however it will be hard for an average individual to do so. Making contact with individuals in the fitness industry is difficult because many will see you as a fan or follower and treat you as such. Also even though they make contact it is hard to form a relationship. 
• Non-substituabe- This resource is substitutable. There are other ways to market the app and receive feedback however they can cost money. This resource doesn't so it has an advantage.
5. Experience with fitness apps
• Valuable- Having experience with fitness apps is very valuable. By using them I can find different opportunities and then use my app to solve them. 
• Rare- This resource is not rare. With the age of smartphones many individuals have used fitness apps to supplement their training. 
• Inimitable- This can easily be copied by others. They can download a bunch of fitness apps and use them and figure out their own opportunities. 
• Non-substitutable- The same benefit can be achieved by surveying individuals who have used fitness apps and then forming opportunities from that. This is similar but requires a lot more effort than using your own experience.
6. First hand knowledge of the opportunity
• Valuable- This is valuable in that I can create a solution easier since I know what the opportunity is and why it occurs. 
• Rare- This is not rare. Many individuals in the gym will have experience of this opportunity. However they will most likely not see it as an opportunity. 
• Inimitable- This knowledge can be copied. Any individual can go to a gym and try to find someone to workout with. 
• Non-substituable- It is replaceable. Another person with no experience of the opportunity can also create the app. However they may not solve the opportunity fully if they do not know the reason for it. 
7. Connections with fitness product entrepreneurs
• Valuable- Very valuable resource. Having connections with entrepreneurs in the fitness industry allows me to gain knowledge about the target market and how to approach them and sell to them. 
• Rare- This is a rare resource. Most people do not have connections with entrepreneurs in the fitness industry. However in the fitness industry most of the individuals are connected with one another. 
• Inimitable- This is difficult to copy. Contacting entrepreneurs and forming a relationship is a little difficult. They are most likely busy with their business and do not have time to talk to "unknown" people. 
• Non-substitutable- This can be replaced by entrepreneurs in general. However that advice is not specific and may not always apply to the fitness industry. 
8. My powerlifting position
• Valuable- This resource is somewhat valuable. Since I am a powerlifter I regularly train at a gym and have met many individuals there. As a result I can spread information about the app at the gym. Also as a powerlifter I compete. At competitions I am also able to share information on about my app. 
• Rare- This is not rare. Many individuals go to the gym. Also many of those who create fitness apps probably go to the gym as well.
• Inimitable- This can easily be copied. Anyone can join a gym and meet people there. 
• Non-substituable- The same benefits can be achieved by marketing at a gym or competition. However that can be expensive and because it is an ad most people at the gym will brush it off. 
9. Experience as a brand ambassador
• Valuable- Experience as a brand ambassador is valuable. As a brand ambassador I promoted and represented a brand. From that I have learned marketing techniques as well as how to target individuals. 
• Rare- With the rise of fitness products in the recent years, brand ambassadors are not rare. Many brands use ambassadors to market their products cheaply. However it is still rare to find a brand ambassador in a crowd of people. 
• Inimitable- This experience can be copied. If someone becomes a brand ambassador or is already a brand ambassador they can have the same experiences. 
• Non-substitutable- This resource is substitutable. Experience working in sales can mimic the same benefit it just won't be as specific and targeted towards the fitness community. 
10. Lack of competition
• Valuable- Since there is no competition, this is valuable. Having no competition means that I have the monopoly at the moment. 
• Rare- Being that there is no competition. My venture is rare because I am the only one in the industry. 
• Inimitable- It can easily be copied if someone else enters my industry. However after so many individuals enter, the lack of competition disappears. 
• Non-substituable- Having a lack of competition is non-substitutable. The only thing that can substitute it is if I have a monopoly or a patent. 

I think that caring for the world's well being is my most important resource. I believe it will allow me to create a product that is beneficial to individuals and does not exploit them for their money. Also because I want to do this to make the world more fit instead of money, my culture will stay the same no matter what happens to the company. Therefore I will stay true to myself and hopefully I can keep loyal customers that way. Because change can recreate the business, resulting in a loss of customers. I believe this will keep me motivated and help me exploit the opportunity and create something that betters the world. 

Elevator Pitch N. 3- 22A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmVGQls5jZI
A reflection on the feedback you received from your last pitch

• From the last pitch I received feedback on the dynamics of the pitch such as voice level and tone. Both stated that I spoke louder and clearer, which made the pitch easier to comprehend. I received feedback stating that I varied my tone to highlight important aspects of the business. I do not think I can effectively vary my tone. So I'm not sure what the individual was referring to when they gave that feedback. Both of the individuals stated that the layout of my pitch was very effective. They stated that by starting out with some details about the problem and then providing a solution, my elevator pitch was effective in getting the point across.

What did you change, based on the feedback?

• I did not change much. I continued to try to speak loud and clear and vary my tone to highlight key components. I didn't get much feedback that would allow me to change my pitch. Since I changed my business plan, the pitch changed in the details.

I feel more comfortable in front of a camera but would still be nervous on a stage. One of my main struggles earlier was trying to perfect the pitch. I would stop the recording whenever I mess-up. For the last 2 elevator pitches I continued on such as if I were on a stage. I feel like the pitch stayed the same in its content.

Reading Reflection No. 2- 21A

1. What was the general theme or argument of the book
• Guy Kawasaki described the usefulness of social media as a tool for any business and described how to do so. The book outline how to make a post, what should be included and do's and don'ts of using social media. He goes on to describe the types of post and the life of each one on the internet. For example, a valuable post will receive shares and be spread around. He also described how to increase activity of your followers and how to gain new followers. 
2. How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?
• The book focused on using social media as a marketing tool for businesses. Although we did not talk about that specifically, we did talk about customer segments. Guy Kawasaki talked about targeting segments. We learned this in class as well as apply it in an earlier assignment. Guy described multiple ways to target different segments and how each of them are effective. He says you have to cater to their likings to get them interested. Then express a value in which they believe in. This allows you to connect with them and successful reach the target audience. 
3. I'd you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?
• The general theme of the book was how to use social media for a business. The exercise I would design is have students pick a social media and grow their platform. By doing so they can experiment with different types of post and how that impacts their account. The assignment will have them screenshot their numbers of followers at the beginning and then at the end. They will also note how many followers they gain when they change something up. 
4. What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?
• When reading the book, the author, Guy Kawasaki, said that an individual's profile picture for their social media account should not be a headshot. He stated that headshots look like mugshots. The picture should encompass the theme of a headshot but you should be laughing or smiling happily. Forced smiles often seen in headshots do not portray the individual. He related this to online dating. The profile picture determines if the individual is a yes or no, it is an instant decision. Therefore profile pictures are very important. 

Idea Napkin No. 2- 19A

Who you are. What your talents are. What your skills and experiences are. Also: what are your aspirations? Specifically regarding your business concept, how do you see this business (if you were to start it) playing a role in your life?

•  My name is Larry Nguyen and I am a second year APK major with an Entrepreneurship minor at the University of Florida. From the secret sauce assignment I found out that I a very motivated and open minded individual. I believe this two things will play a big role in my success. By being motivated I will continue on with my journey even through rough patches. Having an open mind will help me understand how to receive feedback and use it to continue the growth of my app. I have been lifting for over two years now. During my time lifting I have grown as a strength athlete at a higher than average rate. I have always self programmed therefore I consider myself knowledgeable in fitness. Through lifting I have made many connections through the country. For example I have made connections with two fitness clothing companies in California. Therefore these experiences have widen my span of connections. I am hoping that this business concept will produce even further connections with athletes and fitness individuals for me. By doing so I hope to use them to create a training facility that focuses on training student athletes for free. By doing so I hope to help them receive a positive life. 

Describe the product or service (in other words, how you'll solve customers' unmet needs). 

• The unmet need is, individuals who are having a difficult time finding a gym partner. I will be making an app that provides the service of matchmaking gym partners. The app will connect individuals based on the criteria they input. They can specify the gym, the time, the workout, the experience of their partner, and the gender of their partner. By doing so this will match them with the best possible partner. Each week individuals will have two free matches. If they want to pay $1 a month they can get unlimited matches for the whole month. The app will also feature a workout tracker. The individual will have to insert their own workout and then they can track it while working out. This is great for monitoring growth in the gym. For $2 a month individuals will get unlimited matches, free training programs that will be uploaded automatically to the tracker once they pick one, and a diet tracker. The app will also contain a store. Users can rate the products they buy and use. Though the ratings as well as sales, a top 10 list will be generated each month to help new gym goers find supplements that work easier. 
• The app will have advertisements from various gym supplement, gear and clothing companies. Ads can be constant as a banner or appear for a set time then disappear. The length of the advertisement and how much of the screen it encompasses will determine the cost of the ad. This will help these companies reach more customers because this app is designed for every gym member. With the $2 a month subscription all ads will be removed for that month.

Describe, in as much detail as possible, the demographic and psychographic characteristics of your customers. Think especially of this question: what do your customers all have in common?

• All my customers are individuals who go to the gym. They can be lifters, sport players, or even joggers. As long as the activity can be done at a gym, the app can be used. The app is designed for those who are having a difficult time finding a gym partner therefore all of them will have that in common. It can also be used for those who want to switch up their partners. The users will generally be above 16 because those are the ones usually in a gym. Other demographic characteristics do not matter because all of them work. Since the product is an app. All users must have a smart phone with an App Store. 

Your solution is only valuable insofar as customers believe its valuable to them. Here, explain why customers will actually pay you money to use your product or service. 

• The app is designed to connect individuals to a gym partner. Since 80% of gym memberships in the US go unused, this will turn the tables. Studies show that those who train with a partner usually train for longer periods of time and are more motivated. Therefore by connecting individuals to a gym partner, I am keeping them from giving up and paying a gym membership and not using it. The app has two subscriptions choices, $1 and $2. Compared to the $130 average individuals spend on fitness purchases a month this is nothing, it is roughly 1.5% of their average. So they are likely to continue subscribing to the app in order to receive these services that will help them with their fitness journey. 
• The app is targeted to all gym members therefore this is a big audience for companies. By exposing a big majority of the fitness community to these brands I am cutting their expenses. They do not need to market to multiple customer segments instead they can market to all through my app.

What sets you apart from everyone else? Also: what do you have that nobody else has? 

• The main difference between me and everyone else is that I am not trying to make money and exploit my customers. I want to give back to the fitness community and make the world fitter. I have used many apps where there is a free and a subscription version. In the free version, the unmet need is never satisfied. They only do it partially. My app will satisfy the need with the free version. 

In addition to these five elements, please spend a paragraph evaluating whether you believe these elements fit together or whether there are aspects of your business concept that are weaker / out-of-joint with the others.

• All these elements fit together well. The only flaw is myself. I lack the skill of developing an app. My experiences although can help with making connections have no connections to the app itself. I am formed a relationship with a student with a computer science major who is willing to help me create this app.

Feedback memo

• I did not receive any feedback on my app from other students. I did not receive feedback from Ed Buckley, CEO of Peerfit. He told me to look at the last 5 years of top fitness apps and see why they succeeded and apply that to my business plan. I have looked and found similar characteristics and implanted it into my own plan
• Ed Buckley also helped me revise the monetization of my app. Instead of making matches free he stated that giving individuals a few free ones and making them pay for unlimited will produce better profits. 

Growing Your Social Capital- 20A

1. Ed Buckley

• Who they are and what their background is.
• Ed Buckley is the CEO of Peerfit. He is also one of the cofounders of Peerfit. He has a Digital Health PhD from UF. While studying at UF, Ed was a personal trainer. He initially created Peerfit to digitalize training programs to make it easier to send to clients and keep track of workouts.
• Which slot they fill and how they fill it.
• Ed Buckley is a domain expert in the industry I have chosen. Since Ed is the CEO of Peerfit, a company that creates a universal gym membership for employers to connect their employees with a multitude of fitness experiences, he fits this slot perfectly. Although Ed targets employers and gyms. He is still connecting individuals to different gyms. By doing so he is creating a healthier world. 
• Description of how you found the person and contacted them.
• I found the company, Peerfit, through crunchable.com. After finding the company I emailed them requesting an interview with Ed Buckley. One of the company representatives scheduled the interview for me. 
• The nature of the exchange you have with the person- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation?
• During my interview with Ed Buckley we spoke about his company, Peerfit, and my business plan. Ed described to me how his company started and then ultimately switched paths to the one they are today. Initially Peerfit was targeted towards individuals but now it is targeted to employers. After hearing my business plan, Ed describes to be the positives and negatives of it. He also gave me tips to improve it such as doing research on successful and unsuccessful apps in the recent years. Ed helped me reevaluate my business plan and find new developments for it. Ed did not expect anything in return, however from doing this interview, I can potentially spread his company for him and act as a marketing tool. 
• How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?
• Ed Buckley has been in the industry for approximately 7 years. He has experience dealing with the customer base and knows their buying behaviors. He was able to share some advice with me that has allowed me to exploit the opportunity better by understanding my customer base a little better.

2. Victor

• Who they are and what their background is.
• Victor is a a strength training coach. His brother, Frank, and him have an Instagram named "twinzpeakfitness." On it they share tips about strength training and is free to the public. They also have training programs which is personalized for everyone after a 10 minute interview with them. 
• Which slot and how they fit it.
• They will fill the slot of a person that is an expert in my market. They fit this spot because the target similar individuals. They target anyone who goes to the gym. Since their programs are designed based on the individual, it caters to anyone that goes to the gym, such as my app. 
• Description of how you found the person and contacted them.
• I found them through Instagram. They reached out to me to ask me questions about my fitness journey. While we talked I asked them about my app. We talked over direct messaging on Instagram. 
• The nature of the exchange you have with the person- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation?
• During our conversation, we initially talked about ourselves. We both described how we got into fitness and our aspirations. Then we spoke about how we try to better ourselves and how we were contributing to the fitness world. I then asked them the to give me feedback on my app design. They stated that it was an excellent idea and that I should go for it. By taking action I can modify the app to counter any negatives. Since we created a relationship neither of us expect anything in return from each other. However we believe that we can always ask the other person to help out if needed. 
• How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?
• Victor is a strength training coach that specialized in online training. Therefore he has many clients nationwide who go to gyms and he also works at a gym. Through him I can promote my app nationwide as he can mention it to his clients who are looking for training partners. 

3. Anthony

• Who they are and what their background is.
• Anthony is the owner of a clothing called KrookedKings. His clothing is designed and targeted to fitness individuals. 
• Which slot and how they fit it.
• Anthony fills the slot of a person who is an important supplier in my industry. My app will include a store section in which individuals can purchase supplements, gear and clothing. Since Anthony owns a fitness clothing company he fits the slot as a supplier. 
• Description of how you found the person and contacted them.
• I found Anthony and his brand through Instagram. An athlete I followed was wearing one of his shirts and I liked it. I then reached out to Anthony to talk about his brand.
• The nature of the exchange you have with the person- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation?
• During our conversation, Anthony talked to me about his brand and why he does it. We spoke about loyalty to a brand and why one should stick to the original design of the company, as in don't change the culture of it. We do not expect anything in return from each other, however I hope to be able to work with Anthony in the future as I am going to be representing his brand at my next powerlifting meet.
• How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?
• By including Anthony in my network I have someone that is an example of staying true to his beliefs. This will help he success of my business because if I am able to exploit the opportunity and become successful that will in part be a result of the beliefs I established. By staying true to it I can continue to exploit the opportunity because my customers will remain loyal if I do not go back on my own beliefs. 

Reflection

• This assignment has taught me how to target individuals when trying to network. When I came to college I had the idea that I needed to form some sort of relationship with as many people as I can. As a result when I went to an internship fair I talked to every booth. For this assignment I spoke to individuals that I found were relevant to my app. For example I have never heard of PeerFit but I found them when doing this assignment by researching the industry. I realized that that is most likely a mistake because every internship was different from one another. Instead I should've found one that relates to my interests the most and get to know that person. From now own whenever I am networking, I will be looking for individuals who share similar beliefs or are doing what I want to do. 

Elevator Pitch No.2- 17A

Link to the elevator pitch

• https://youtu.be/YU9OS5yBKFQ

Reflection on feedback I received

• The biggest feedback I received pertained to how I spoke. They stated that I did not have variation in my tone and were not loud enough. I think this was very helpful for how I should change my next elevator pitch. They also stated that adding statistics was a good idea because it shows evidence in how the app can possibly be profitable.  

What I changed based on the feedback

• From the feedback I received I raised my voice a little to make it easier to hear. I also stepped closer to the phone making the my voice sound louder than before. I tried to change the tone of my voice however I am having trouble finding when and how I should. I do not think there are any emotional parts of the elevator pitch where changing my tone can easily be done. Tips on how and when I should change my tone would be greatly appreciated because I am a little confused on it. 

Create a Customer Avatar- 18A

The segment I have been focusing on in my recent assignments is female lifters.

• They love having a healthy lifestyle. Almost every aspect of their life revolves around being healthy. Such as a healthy diet, healthy sleep schedule and routines to destress themselves. Each of them have a different definition for healthy however they all live by what they define. For example healthy can mean looking fit to one but to another it means being strong. 
• Female lifters generally wear clothing pieces that make them feel confident. They tend to wear fitness clothing such as leggings, sports bras, compression shirts, spandex shorts and much more. The clothing normally highlights a part of their body they feel confident about. They will also wear fitness clothes on a normal basis. Such as going out in public. This is due to the current trend of athleisure wear. Since many of these females favor wearing athleisure regularly, they are willing to spend money on these products. For example they will wear brands such as Gymshark. For this brand the average pair of leggings is roughly $50.
• Female lifters are generally above the age of 16 years. Individuals in this segment can have children however the majority do not. Most females who do lift are under the age of 30. There are other lifters at younger ages however those individuals normally lift for a sport so would not be included in this segment. They drive all sorts of cars. The majority can be found in a common commuter car that is either a sedan or crossover SUV. They typically drive these cars for the abundance in storage and because they are efficient inexpensive vehicles. They do not have any particular taste in the choice of their cars. 
• They will watch fitness youtubers who inspire them. By watching these videos, female lifters may replicate the workouts they see as well as inspire to be look like them or use them as a source of motivation.
• When planning out there week they make sure to schedule days for the gym. By doing so they can hold themselves accountable and make sure they are continuing to stay fit.
• The social media accounts of female lifters will start to contain fitness content after they began feeling confident. They will either post videos showing their strength or how they look performing the exercise or they will post pictures at the gym. On their social media accounts they will also follow fitness inspirations for them, this ranges from competitive lifters to fitness models. 
• Female lifters much like other lifters have many friends who are into fitness. By having friends that are into fitness it allows them to surround themselves with others with similar mindsets.

Things I have in common

• I have many common characteristics as the female lifters in this segment. Like them my life revolves around fitness. My eating choices, sleep schedule, work schedule, social media, and even the friends around me typically have been influenced by fitness. These similarities are not a coincidence because living a healthy lifestyle does not mean doing only one of these things. In order to continue being healthy all aspects of your life has to become healthy. 

What's Your Secret Sauce?- 16A

Five ways in which I have human capital that is truly unique

1. Altruistic- I believe that I have a kind heart because I want the best for the world. My goal in life is to impact the world by increasing the number of healthy individuals through fitness.
2. Sociable- Whenever I am introduce to a new environment I try to meet everyone there and become socialized with them. This is a habit of mine because I think it is awkward when there individuals are divided into multiple groups I an event. By socializing with everyone I hope to be the one that connects everyone, making the experience more enjoyable for everyone. Also by doing this I can make it easier for shy individuals to meet others because I am doing the mingling for them.
3. Motivated- I grew up in a ghetto community in which the main escape for the kids there was through sports. Most of them did not do well in high school therefore they would end up in a community college near home. Which means they would still be in the same detrimental environment. However some were able to make it to universities through sports. One of my main goals in life is to give back to communities and help propel the children there to better lives. Therefore I am highly motivated because if I give up, I'm giving up on communities instead of just me. 
4. Analytical- Every time I approach something in life I tend to do it logically. I will assess the situation and apply my knowledge to get the best outcome. If I do not have sufficient knowledge then I will go out of my way to acquire it. 
5. Good trainer- I have been placed in roles in which I have to train another individual multiple times in my life. Examples include at the gym, at work, at school and volunteer events. In each scenario I was able to connect to the other individual and train them based on how they learn best. I try to find what makes them learn best and I will apply that to their trainer. This makes each experience unique and results in further development of the individual. 

Interviews

For individuals 2-5 I recorded myself reading their interview because they do not live nearby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgsPdvKjONs&t=2s

1. 0:00-0:38
• My girlfriend stated that the two things that make me different the most is my passion and my confidence. She included the example of how I self programmed myself for my first powerlifting meet and since then I have been loving the sport. She spoke about my confidence when I am taking a task head on. She stated that I never back out and complete every task to the end.
2. 0:42-1:02 
• My cousin highlighted that I am a very smart individual and have been able to stay at the top of my class through school. He also stated that when I have a goal in mind, I become highly motivated and committed to doing it and I apply this to all aspects of life. 
3. 1:04-2:08
• My friend highlighted multiple qualities that he considers makes me different. He stated that I am very open minded which allows me to identify with other people. He also said that I am very supported and encouraging to him. I have supported him with no judgement with everything. He spoke about how through basketball and the gym I have pushed him to better himself as well as establish a higher standard for himself. He stated that I help him with workouts but training him and providing him tips where as others wouldn't. He included that the advice I give is backed up by the knowledge I have as well as research I do. The last quality he mentioned is that I am open with my feelings which allows me to be sociable.
4. 2:10-2:52
• My friend's main focus was that I am very honest and have a lot of confidence. She stated that I can easily say things on my mind, I don't hide the truth and I am also able to confidently say it. She also pointed out that even though I am very nice and generous, I am not fake out it, she stated that I am genuine. The last thing that makes me different is that I approach problems with a logical standpoint and assess situations analytically 
5. 2:53-3:25
• My friend emphasized that I am able to fit into any situation. She said that in any situation I can observe my surroundings and then blend in with the crowd. She referenced that she witnessed this when she introduced me to her friends at her apartment and I was able to connect with each of them and become their friends as well. 

Reflection of differences
From my interviews I can conclude that others see me as someone who would be considered a good friend. Most of them highlighted that I can easily make friends because I am sociable and open minded. They also describe me as an individual with a lot of confidence and passion. The only similar trait I stated was that I am sociable. When describing myself I chose other words to describe me. However if you compare the general meanings of each description they are very similar to how I described myself. I just described myself on a bigger scale than they did.

Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No.2- 15A

Interviewee 1: Powerlifter at the national level, 5+ years of lifting
Interviewee 2: Co-founder of a fitness clothing brand(GuavaFit), 4+ years
Interviewee 3: Instagram Fitness female, 3+ years

Alternative Evaluations
During my interview process none of the individual interviewed had an alternative. They simply resorted to texting friends(3) or the would just go to the gym alone(1,2). I realized that everyone would probably say this therefore I searched online for apps that will satisfy this need. I found various apps yet none of them had ratings. When I presented my idea of the app to these individuals they all stated that this is something they would love to have access to. I showed them the apps(Physeek, Train With Me, and Chatfit) that I found online and they all stated they have never heard of these apps. I asked if they would try them. One replied probably not because it has no rating(1). The other two said they wouldn't try it because they've never heard anyone talk about it so no one is probably on it(2,3). Therefore I believe that they key factors individuals will look for when using an app that meets this need, they will look at ratings for the app and the popularity of it. This makes sense because this correlates with how many members are possibly using the app, which makes it easier to find a match.

How/Where do they buy?
Alternatives for this need are mainly apps. Therefore they are found on mobile devices in app stores. When conducting my interviews I showed the individuals examples of apps currently on the market that can satisfy this need. All of these apps were free to use. Therefore when I asked if they would pay for this service, two individuals(1,2) stated they wouldn't mind spending a dollar or so. The other individual (3) stated that they wouldn't pay since all the other ones are free. I believe that the majority of people will not want to spend money to use this app. This is most likely due to the fact that so many apps currently on the market are free to users and make money through advertisements.

Post-Purchase evaluation
None of the individuals interviewed have used an app to satisfy this need before. One of them has texted their friends (3) to go to the gym with them. They determined if they were going to workout again with them or not based on how the workout went. She stated that it didn't matter if the weights were different as long as the other person knew how to perform each exercise and was positive during the workout. When asked how they would evaluate if they were going to continue using the app or not, two of them emphasized that it depends on the workout partner they were matched too(1,3). For example if they stated that they want to be matched with an experienced lifter and weren't they most likely will not use the app again. The other individual stated that the most important aspect the apps needs for them to keep using it is the ease of navigating through the app as well as the number of individuals using(2).

Conclusion
When individuals in this segment evaluates alternatives they look to see is if the app has a high number of members and a good rating. They will most likely not pay for the gym partner matching service because other apps that have attempted to do so are free. They may potentially spend a dollar on the app, however there will be a higher number of users if it were free to download. After using the app the individuals will evaluate it based on the ease of using the app and if they had a good workout partner or not.

Reading Reflection No. 1- 13A

1. The Wright Brothers were the first humans to take flight. They were not students of prestigious schools or came from a family of money. Instead they were homeschooled and spent much of their time reading. It is so surprising that two individuals who were not seen as educated individuals by the public were the two who were about to piece together mankind's knowledge and be the first to fly. They also only spent about $1,000 total on their projects. They were able to do so because they were able to learn to design the majority of the things on their own. They also did not want any investors to be a part of this. I admired their mindset. They did everything on their own and would go to Kitty Hawk every summer and attempt to fly. After succeeding in creating an airplane, the Wright Brothers stopped being entrepreneurs in a way. They stopped at their last invention and let the competition out beat them. I felt like they were no longer striving to better their invention because they were happy to achieve what they did. Therefore what I least admire is that they stopped the progress they were making in aviation. During the process of building the first airplane they faced many challenges. Their projects kept failing and crashing. They used the information from each test run to revise their plan and continue building. They never seemed to give up. Even after Wilbur crashed and suffered broken bones, the two continued to attempt to fly. The biggest obstacle they had to overcome was to figure out a way to power the airplane. Engines at the time were too heavy. They overcame this obstacle with the help of Charlie Taylor. He created an engine built from aluminum that was able to propel the plane and not be too heavy. The Wright Brothers were able to overcome all their failures and adversaries by either enlisting the help of someone else or taking knowledge from other fields and applying it to theirs. 
2. Both Orville and Wilbur were very educated. They were not educated in a traditional sense, they learned everything from reading. The two were able to connect concepts between different subject matters that no one else could. By doing so they were able to create the first plane. Their observational skills were also very outstanding. By observing the flight of birds, the two were able to apply what they learned to their plane. This created wing tips which gave the plane lateral control. The Wright Brothers worked at a bicycle shop where they repaired and manufactured bicycles. The skills they obtained from this occupation translated into their ability to craft a plane. 
3. The most confusing part of the book was a small detail. During Wilbur's demonstration to the French they did not allow photographs to be taken. This confuses me because they are trying to promote awareness of what they have accomplished. Therefore by not allowing photographs it would result in the opposite effect. 
4. 
   
1. What did you envision for the future of airplanes and aviation?
• I want to know this because I would like to know about their possible future endeavors as well as if they had a dream for their creation. 
1. Who was the engineer and who was the brains behind the project?
• The book as well as other sources state they are both tied in intellect however I believe that their is a difference and want to know. 
5. I think they believed hard work was something you could spend all your time doing and not give up. They were worked on their projects for years and never gave up therefore I don't believe they would assign a certain degree of difficulty to the term hard work. But rather define it has work that envelops the individuals, work in which you become free from the world and solely focus on.

Halfway Reflection- 14A

1. This class has five assignments due each week. Two of the assignments are actual assignments that are due on Fridays each week. Two of them are comments on two other individuals' post for the week. The last is a "cupcake" on the week's lecture. The last three are due on Monday. Because there is a set schedule to when the assignments are due I have developed a schedule to keep up with the work. On Tuesdays I will watch Mondays lecture as well as get started on one of the two assignments due on Friday. Wednesdays and Thursday I will continue to watch the lectures and work on the assignments. Fridays or Saturdays I will comment on other blogs as well as take the cupcake if I am caught up with all the lectures. 
2. The majority of the time when doing the assignments I have a difficult time putting my thoughts into words. Therefore I tend to take multiple breaks to sort things out in my head. These breaks sometimes resulted in me stopping with the homework assignment. After awhile I stopped taking things breaks and instead just kept writing the assignment and working on it. I would later revise it and that seemed to work more efficiently. Therefore I developed an attitude that would keep doing the assignment even when I hit a mental wall but would fix everything next time I worked on the assignment. 
3. 
   
1. Creating a schedule each week of when to work on assignments will make the workload seem a lot easier and keep you on track.
2. Don't turn in "weak" assignments. Do them as if you were actually starting your own business. You will get the most out of it and develop skills necessary to keep at it when actually starting the business. 
3. Before starting the assignments read both of them and develop a game plan of how to approach it. This will help put you in the "zone" which allows the words to "flow" out of you and it is much easier to complete an assignment this way. 

Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No.1- 12A

Segment

• The segment I chose is female lifters. Two of the interviewees have lifted for 2+ years and the third has just started lifting.

Summary of Interviews

• The timing of the need differed based on the interviewees. However the need occurs at a common context, when they go to the gym. During my first interview the individual stated that it is difficult for her to find a gym partner because she has a strict schedule of when she can go. Therefore her need occurs at night. The other two interviewees stated that their need does not have a specific time. 
• The two individuals who have been lifting for 2+ years does not do anything about their need because they haven't found a solution. These two simply workout without a partner even though they want to. Both of them stated that they have asked their friends before to go with them. It didn't workout for one individual because her friend only wanted to do cardiovascular exercises and did not want to lift weights. The other individual ended up lifting weights with her friend however her friend was very inexperienced and it was difficult for her to get an actual workout because she had to teach her friend. One of these individuals has tried to ask other females at the gym if they would like to workout. This worked for "leg day" only because the person from the gym solely focused on working out her lower body muscles. The interviewee liked to train her full body so her need is only partially met. The third individual who is new to the gym stated that she would post on her snapchat story, "hmu if you want to go to the gym." She said most of the time it doesn't really work but occasionally someone would go with her. Therefore her solution is not reliable. 

Conclusion

• For the female lifter segment need awareness is very general, it can be anytime of the day. The only criteria is that the need occurs when they want to go to the gym with a partner. The need for certain individuals can occur at a set time if they only workout at certain times. From the interviews it can be concluded that no research is really done. The individuals in this segment will mainly ask their family and friends if they want to workout with them or not. One individual did use social media as a form of information search. With today's current technology and focus on social media this is likely a form for many other individuals in this segment as well.

Idea Napkin No. 1- 11A

Who you are. What your talents are. What your skills and experiences are. Also: what are your aspirations? Specifically regarding your business concept, how do you see this business (if you were to start it) playing a role in your life?

• My name is Larry Nguyen. I am a second year Applied Physiology and Kinesiology major at UF. I am a competitive powerlifter and through my training, I have obtained values and experiences that have shaped my life. I am not certified in any form of personal training however, I program myself as well as others and everyone has seen improvements in both strength and aesthetics. Therefore I consider myself qualified as a trainer. My main goal of this app is to increase health and fitness in the world. Though my training experiences I have witness influxes of people to the gym during certain times of the year such as New Years or fall. However the gym dies down about a month or two afterwards. Those who stick around usually are highly dedicated or have a partner. I can't change their dedication therefore I want to find a partner for everyone to train with. I see this as an opportunity for me to get a foot in the fitness world. My goal is to eventually one day create a training facility that focuses on athletes. The facility will also focus on high school athletes that do not have the funds necessary for hiring a personal trainer. At the facility these students will be able to train for free as long as they are successful in their studies. With the app I am hoping to make connections with other companies that will sponsor the training facility or help with fundraisers. 

Describe the product or service (in other words, how you'll solve customers' unmet needs).

• The unmet need is, individuals have a difficult time finding a training partner. The service I will be providing is an app that mimics matchmaking. Individuals will input search parameters such as; the gym, the time, the workout, and gender of the partner they want. This will match individuals with those that have the same parameters entered. After the match, the two can agree to workout together or not. If they agree, information they would like to shared will be shared such as their profile. As a privacy concern, individuals can choose to remain anonymous during the matchmaking phase however once both have agreed to workout together their identity will be revealed. The app will act as a social media app as well in which individuals can create their own fitness profile, here they can share videos, photos or even blogs. The app will also have a calendar for each gym in which individuals can post on. For example I can post on the calendar that on March 3rd I will be doing a chest workout at 3pm. This will also make the matchmaking process easier because a time is set in advance which allows others to adjust their schedule if they want to workout with me. The calendar can also be used to set up other activities at the gym such as a basketball game. Someone will create an event on the calendar for a particular day and time and people can come and play. The app will contain a store section. The store will contain products from clothing to supplements. They will also contain user reviews on each products to make the buying process easier, especially for new gym goers.   There will be a top 5 ranking for each category of products to make the buying process even easier. All these features are of the free version. For $1 a month individuals will have access to published workout programs, dietary resources and a workout tracker. The workout tracker makes it easier to log one's workout. Usually individuals will carry around a notebook and pencil to complete this task because their isn't any easier way. However with the tracker they can track their workout by inputting the weight, workout and reps. This makes it easier because most individuals already have their phone with them at the gym, so a notebook and pencil is no longer necessary. 
• The app wil contain advertisements from companies that are in the fitness industry. They can pay different fees for the type of advertisements they want. Examples include banners at the top or bottom or a 5 sec screen advertisement. Because the app is designed for individuals in the fitness community, these companies will be advertising directly to them. Individuals who are new to working out are viable customers for these brands to attract. Once an individual selects a brand they usually stick to that one brand for a while, increasing repeat revenues for these brands. On average $130 a month is spent by Americans on fitness related products such as clothes and supplements. Therefore this will be a great opportunity for businesses as well. 

Describe, in as much detail as possible, the demographic and psychographic characteristics of your customers. Think especially of this question: what do your customers all have in common?

• My customer base is very broad. The main similarity between them is that the workout at a gym. The free version of the app will be targeted towards those that want to workout with others at the gym but have a difficult time or simply can't find anyone to workout with. It can also be used by individuals to plan a game of sports at the gym such as basketball. The subscription version is targeted towards any gym goer that needs help with programs, diet or a way to track their workout or diet. The workout programs and dietary resources are mainly for those who do not have a trainer or coach to program for them. The workout and diet tracker is for anyone who needs it but is mainly targeted towards cross-fit, powerlifting, strongman and weightlifting athletes. These individuals usually track their workouts to track progress,as a log to refer to when creating a new program, and to report to their coach or trainer. In terms of gender, religion, politics and location the app is for anyone in those categories as long as they fit one of the above categories. Because it is an app, having a smart phone is a requirement, therefore a common characteristic of the customers is that they have a smart phone. 

Your solution is only valuable insofar as customers believe its valuable to them. Here, explain why customers will actually pay you money to use your product or service.

• The solution to the unmet need is free therefore individuals do not need to pay to use it. However I believe the will use it because statistics show that only 20% of gym memberships in America are actually used. That means 80% of the 54 million individuals who have a gym membership are simply wasting their money on an unused service. I believe they will use the app so that they are no longer wasting money on a gym membership. Study shows that the majority of individuals who quit going to the gym do so because they do not have a partner to go with. Therefore my service will be valuable to them. The subscription version of the app cost $1 a month. This is not even 1% of the $130 average individuals are spending on fitness related products a month. Therefore I believe that the benefits of the app will lead them to purchasing the subscription. It will make it more convenient to workout because their workout tracker and workout plan is in the palm of their hands instead of a notebook they have to carry around. Many individuals also do not want to pay for a personal trainer therefore they will be wiling to pay $1 a month to access a range of workout programs that have proved to be successful. 
• For businesses my approach is targeted towards both new comers and regular gym goers therefore their marketing audience will involve the masses. Whereas other services target a specific group so it will be much more cost efficient to work with me. These companies can also build loyalty within the new gym goers. These will result in a constant flow of revenue from these individuals. Also they will get free advertisement from the individuals who use their product as well as the top 5 product list that will be in the store section fo the app. 

What sets you apart from everyone else? Also: what do you have that nobody else has?

• The main difference from me and everyone else is that they are trying to exploit the customers whereas I simply want to increase fitness in America. I have used many fitness apps in which there is a free version and a subscription version. The free version will be very basic and not even serve its purpose, whereas the subscription version will satisfy the unmet need. My approach is different. The free version will satisfy the unmet need of the customers. My subscription version is to enhance the unmet need and explore other small unmet needs. For example it will solve the problem of having to carry a notebook and pencil around if someone was trying to track their workout.

In addition to these five elements, please spend a paragraph evaluating whether you believe these elements fit together or whether there are aspects of your business concept that are weaker / out-of-joint with the others.

• All the elements fit together, however my skills lack. I do not know how to create an app therefore that is a skill that I need to learn. My experiences as an athlete and a trainer are also not quite helpful in the actual development of the product. My experiences only helped formed the idea of the app. To help with this I have formed a relationship with a computer science student that would be willing to work with me on this app. 

Elevator Pitch No.1- 10A

Feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also do you guys have any tips on not scrambling for words?  My elevator pitch was a little short. Where should I expand more for next time?

https://youtu.be/GGucgWQRLGY

Testing the Hypothesis- 9A

• Who
• Individuals that do not have this need or mainly those who are a part of a small group in the gym or those who prefer to workout alone. I interviewed an olympic weightlifter(1) that competes at the national level and when asked how often he works out with a partner he replied almost never. He said there are people around as he works out that he talks to but because his program is designed specifically for his strengths and weaknesses he works out alone. However if he were to workout with someone he said he would have no trouble finding someone because he always works out around people he knows. I also interviewed an individual who is a part of the boxing club(2) here at UF. He works out with other individuals in the club and has transitioned into working out at a boxing gym off campus. He does not have the need to find a partner because his training is specialized, so he automatically trains with those like him. Another interviewee has a personal trainer(3). They stated that they strictly train with their personal trainer therefore they would not need such an app. I interviewed an individual after her group fitness class(4) and asked her about if she wants to train with a partner. She stated that right now she solely does the group fitness classes so she would not need a partner. She has met many people through the class and if she were to lift weights she would most likely do it with them. My last interviewee(5) was a normal gym goer that focused on strength training. He stated that although the idea is great he would not use the app. I asked why, and he replied, "I like to train alone. Working with others is too much of a hassle because I don't want to end up training them instead of working out." Therefore he would does not have this need. 
• What
• From speaking to the fifth individual I interviewed, I realized that this need can be confused with the need for a trainer. The need that I want to solve is for individuals to find a partner to workout with, not for them to find a partner to train them. 
• Why
• Outsider's do not have this need simply because they do not want to have a partner. The need is based solely on the fact that an individual wants to have a gym partner. Therefore if they do not want a gym partner, the need does not exist for them. 

	Inside The Boundary	Outside the Boundary
Who	Gym goers that want a partner to workout with.	Gym goers that do not want a partner to workout with. Gym goers who do specialized training such as olympic weightlifting or boxing. Individuals who have a personal trainer or workout in fitness groups.
What	Finding a gym partner.	Finding a trainer.
Why	Difficult to approach others at the gym.	Don’t know who to approach. Schedules do not line up that well.  Differences in training programs.

Solving the Problem- 8A

My opportunity is a social network for gym goers. I want to create an app that will make it easier for an individual to find a gym partner at their gym. I believe that interactions between individuals are very limited at a commercial gym, making it difficult to find a gym partner. I am proposing an app that will create an online social network for every gym. This will make it easier for individuals to connect. The app will have guidelines that make it specific for every individual. Individuals will select their gym when creating an account, linking them to the gym so others can find them. The app will allow individuals to remain anonymous if they choose so, therefore others cannot stalk them or pick a partner simply based on looks. When looking for a partner, individuals can pick a partner for the day or for however long they want. The app will work like this. Individuals will answer questions and then they will be matched up.

1. Time and location
2. Type of workout(Allows individual to upload their current workout for their potential partners to see)
3. Gender of partner wanted(This makes it easier for individuals to be matched up based on who they want to train with.)
4. Level of experience of partner wanted(This allows for better pairing of partners)

Once two individuals are matched up, they will be notified and they can agree to workout or not. If they chose to remain anonymous during the matching process , their information will be given to the partner once both agree to workout together. This is a feature that will make the app safer. 

There will also be a calendar section for the gym. In this section, individuals will make public when they will be at the gym and their workout plan for the day. This allows others to see and request if they can join in. This is simply at the user's discretion to do so, therefore there is no safety risk at hand. 

The app will also act as a social media application, allowing users to post videos and pictures to their accounts. 

Testing the Hypothesis- 7A

Social network for gym goers

• Opportunity: Individuals in commercial gyms typically have a difficult time meeting new people at the gym and finding a partner if they want one. 
• The Who: Individuals in a commercial gym who are seeking a gym partner. 
• The What: People have a difficult time finding a gym partner.
• The Why: People who go to gyms tend to stay to themselves, making it feel uninviting and difficult for others to approach them. 

Testing The Who: The opportunity applies to small gyms as well. However at those gyms people are more connected and have more interactions then commercial gyms. The opportunity is still prevalent for new gym goers at small gyms who don't know anyone. The opportunity also applies to those who are not seeking gym partners but simply friends who go to the gym, however it is mainly for those looking for a partner.

Testing The What: The opportunity deals specifically with people having a difficult time finding a gym partner, however it can be applied to any gym relationship. It is also hard to make friends at the gym.

Testing The Why: Because the gym is filled with people of drastically different body physiques, it can also be a reason for people to have a hard time finding a gym partner. When an individual does not feel confident they are less likely to approach someone else. The fear of rejection is also a why that is possible. Many people are afraid to interact with a stranger because they do not know how the stranger will react.

Interview 1
The individual interviewed has 3+ years of lifting experience, during which she has done both bodybuilding and and strength training. She stated that when she initially started going to the gym she felt awkward and thought it was weird to spark a conversation with another individual. During her time lifting she has only had a partner for periods of time. The partner was her boyfriend. They did not have similar goals at the gym therefore they could only work out once or twice together. She said that she loved working out with a partner because it pushed it but it was so difficult to find someone who wanted to do the same thing she did at the gym. When asked if she has been trying to look for a partner she said she has tried working out with her friends but either they're not as experienced as her, making the workouts more of her training them, or they would rather do cardiovascular exercises instead of lift weights. As I explained the app and its purpose she was ecstatic. She said, "You should really make it happen!" Her enthusiasm implies that she would be a prototypical customer for the app.
Interview 2
The individual interviewed has lifted for approximately 2 years, he is a competitive powerlifter. He stated that he mainly workouts alone simply due to the fact that he does his own programming therefore it doesn't go with anyone else's workout plan. He has no problem working out alone and prefers it because it is a hassle changing the weight after each set for the partner. He does like to bench with others though because it's easier to change the weight plus having a partner makes him less scared if he fails, allowing him to go up in weight. I asked him if he would use this app if it was available and he said maybe, if he can find someone on it that lifts the same weight as him. However he said it would definitely used it if the app also had a section for other amenities at the gym such as basketball. He said it is normally difficult to find people to play against because everyone's skill level ranges so drastically, he doesn't know when to come.
Interview 3
The individual interviewed is a competitive powerlifter at a national level. He has been lifting for over 7 years now. Due to his competitive level he normally has 8-12 week programs leading up to a competition therefore he has to be on a strict workout regimen. He has worked out with people running the same program and competing in the same meet and loved it. He stated that he and his partner were able to push each other through each rep and make the most of their workouts. His strength is due to having a partner throughout his first couple of years lifting he said. As of late he has transitioned to working out alone due to travel. Traveling results in different gym quite often as a result he can't make any connections with anyone to have a partner while there. When asked about the app, he stated that it would be really good to have especially for the road because he can link up with someone before going so he can have a partner while in town. He also stated that during his offseason he would love to use an app as such to find bodybuilders at the gym to workout with, because he wants to work on his physique but doesn't know much about physique training.
Interview 4
My fourth interview was conducted with a male who just started going to the gym this semester. As of right now he said that he is simply going in and doing whatever he feels like doing. He does not have a current workout plan. When asked why not, he stated that he doesn't want to pay for a personal trainer and he doesn't know anyone who works out and can give him one. I asked if he wants a partner or to workout alone but on a program. He replied that he would prefer having a partner especially if the partner knows what they are doing. That way he can stay on track of his workouts and also do it correctly. I asked if I were to train him for a week then let him free on his own if that would work too. The individual replied yes but he would still prefer a partner, he thinks it will be a lot more enjoyable. Also he feels like he'll skip the gym if he's lazy but with a partner he would muster up the energy to go. When asked why he didn't just go up and ask someone in the gym if he can workout with them, he said it's scary. It's scary because everyone looks intimidating and in the zone, he said, and he doesn't want to get in their way. He thought the app was an amazing idea. Stating, "That would definitely be useful for me!"
Interview 5
My last interview was a female lifter with over 4 years of lifting experience. I interviewed her because of her position as an employee in the weight room. She said the faces she sees are pretty regular except when it is New Years or the start of a new semester. When asked if there are more new people who work out alone or new people with partners that make the gym a habit and don't quit, she said definitely those with partners. I asked what her opinion on working out with a partner is and she said some of her best workouts are with a better. She was able to go up in weight on her lifts because she felt motivated by her partner yelling at her. I asked her if she's noticed any trends in interactions between people at the gym. She stated that those who talk either come with each other or know each other and always talk, here and there people nod or wave when they make eye contact but no one is actively trying to meet new people. I asked if she thinks it's hard for people to find a partner for the gym and she said it definitely is because, "you don't know who to ask." She believes if you can have a partner definitely do it because you can learn a lot and have a better experience. When I explained my idea of the app she said, "That sounds interesting. I can see it working here, especially during peak times when new people come."

What I found out from my interviews
After interviewing different individuals that all go to the gym for a different reason I learned that my opportunity is a lot more vast than I thought. After speaking to the individual that loves playing basketball but can't find people to do so, I realized that my opportunity is not simply for lifting weights. It can be applied to any sort of exercise such as sports, biking, jogging and probably even martial arts. From my interview I realized that this opportunity is not seen by others at the moment. From everyone I interviewed, they all decided to not search for a partner, instead they just gave up. No one is actively searching for a way to make this process easier so as of right now I think my opportunity is hidden to the world, but is prominent. I also realized that the app has more potential then simply matching individuals. Even with the add-ons I believe it was still focus on the major opportunity.