Testing the hypothesis part 1

Opportunity: Expanding education and activities through apps for special needs children who are taking online lessons right now but are not getting the same amount of activity as before and may not be participating in their school lessons.

Hypothesis: Special needs children are not getting the same amount of activities and education as before coronavirus because they are taking online lessons with fewer resources as in school and are not attentive to their online lessons.

·      The who: Special needs children

·      The what: Not getting the same amount of activities and education as before coronavirus

·      The why: Because they are taking online lessons with fewer resources as in school and are not attentive to their online lessons.

Testing the who: This is directed just for special needs children, it wouldn’t be as advanced for other people. This is to be provided by the parents, family, friends, teachers of these special education children.

Testing the what: There are definite boundaries, some special education children don’t have access to a phone or tablet to play this app on. The main boundary would be that there are different types of special needs, like some autistic children can communicate and think effectively while others can’t and are very dependent.

Testing the why: There are others who are dependent on the school that their special education child goes to, their special education child can get these activities and education once school is in-person again.

Interview 1: John has an older son with special needs who is currently taking online school due to the coronavirus. Doesn’t see this as a need for her, her son pays the most attention he can during his online school lessons but can become distracted at times. She would, though, try to involve her son in this app if it existed, to see if she could get his full attention not just some of it.

Interview 2: Lex has a teen son with special needs who is in online school at home. He isn’t working at home right now, his wife is, so he doesn’t know if he has this need for his son to be active and educated through an app. He would assume, though, that his son isn’t getting the same amount of activities as he would at an in-person school.

Interview 3: Madison’s younger brother needs special education, he used to receive this through school in-person, but now he is in online school due to the quarantine. While doing her schoolwork she did realize her brother was struggling to give his full attention to his lessons, she believes he’d give more of his attention if he were active like he was in school. She never thought of creating an app that would give her younger brother activity and education, for now she has been trying to play games with him more but he refuses wanting to play alone.

Interview 4: Ashley has a friend whose brother has special needs, she didn’t think he was in online school right now. She has heard through her friend that her brother hasn’t given any attention to his online lessons, wanting to play surrounded by his toys. She thinks this app would be a great idea for special needs children not getting all the education through their online school, she does think, though, that they are fully active being always surrounded by their toys at home.

Interview 5: Alyssa has an older cousin with special needs, she knows that has moved to online school because of the pandemic. She isn’t around her enough right now because she is quarantined, she has noticed in the past, though, that her cousin’s attention has always been somewhere else- on her mom’s phone, playing with toys, watching children’s movies. She’d assume that this app would be good for her cousin, she hasn’t really though about the amount of activity her cousin is currently getting either.

What I now know about this opportunity is that it is dependent on the type of child, like if they can communicate effectively with autism or if they can’t communicate with words and are dependent on their parents. Also, how long this opportunity would last because it would work especially with school not in-person right now, its whole point is that these children aren’t getting the full activities and education as they would physically.

Identifying opportunities in economic and regulatory trends

Opportunity 1: Resources and employment in small businesses

a)     https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/low-unemployment-great-unless-you-re-small-business-looking-workers-n1001626

b)    As stated in the article, small businesses are taking the heat right now with few provided connections, little resources, and difficulty hiring qualified employees. Bigger companies are prepared and can provide because they have these resources and already the connections. Its clear that an opportunity is open for employment in small businesses with little job growth. 

c)     I think the prototypical customer will be friends and family who are connected to these small businesses, people who’ve known these small businesses all along.

d)    I think this opportunity will be difficult, where big companies have had time to prepare for any crisis and have backup, small businesses have just started and don’t have these resources. Resources are really hard to get right now, and finding the qualified employee who isn’t afraid to work during this virus will be difficult.

I saw this opportunity from doing research for current problems on people and businesses. Also, I live in a smaller community with small businesses all around me that my family has gotten to know, I even saw a family friend have to put her shop up for sale because of this crisis.

Opportunity 2: Trading with other countries

a)     https://www.axios.com/us-china-trade-tensions-phase-one-coronavirus-e77e9e2e-97cc-418b-a11e-b44f2eff4f87.html

b)    With the spread of the coronavirus there is tension and fear of how the virus will spread with trading goods. These are resources that will affect businesses around us and the products that are available to us. There is an opportunity with how we can get these resources whenever we want without tension and fear or risk.

c)     The customer would be businesses who need these resources to provide, would be the common consumer who needs resources for themselves. 

d)    This opportunity would be difficult because this would cause even more conflict with the countries we trade with, we’d also have to create a way where we can easily access these goods. I think this is especially difficult to be accessible because of the virus, there will be risk and fear.

I saw this as an opportunity because there are certain products that will be restricted from us, products that we’d have if it wasn’t for this virus. I wanted to get one product but cannot because this good would be provided by another country, there is already a limited supply.

Opportunity 3: Providing paid sick leave

a)     https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2020/05/26/paid-sick-leave-coronavirus-pandemic/5248530002/

b)    Some businesses are requiring employees to work during coronavirus, they will not provide paid sick leave. Some businesses are unable to pay sick leave, putting their employees at risk.

c)     The customer will be these employees having to work during the virus, who want paid sick leave but are unable to receive it from the business they work for.

d)    This opportunity is difficult because these are resources that are hard to receive right now, many businesses are asking for payment for sick leave.

I saw this opportunity with seeing business still open and employees working even more. And also with my parents working even more throughout this whole virus, with no chance of receiving paid sick leave.

Opportunity 4: No tax change for businesses

a)     https://taxfoundation.org/gavin-newsom-california-budget-economic-recovery/

b)    Businesses income will be affected with change in tax, this will be a cut back in resources these businesses have accesses to, it will determine the state of employees at this businesses- if they will work even more, if they will be laid off, if there will be no employment.

c)     The customer would be these businesses, business owners whose income will be cut by this tax.

d)    The opportunity is easy, right now during this pandemic we don’t need a change in taxes, a tax that will affect business’ income that are already affected by the virus.

I saw this opportunity based on my attitude that these businesses are already trying to operate and provide for their employees amidst this virus, there is no need for tax change now this can wait after we’ve recovered from this pandemic. 

Identifying local opportunities

1.     In the article “The pandemic took their livelihoods but not their spirit,” it details the multiple stories of workers, from jobs like starting a restaurant to bartending to a Lyft driver. All these stories are centered on how unexpectedly the coronavirus came and affected business, even home life for those who were sick or lost someone to the virus; it gives more of a background to these workers. The problem presented is how a major, uncontrollable event can impact a business and workers, having to find some backup recovery. The person who has the problem are workers, more specifically business owners, servers in the food industry, artists, even drivers.https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/05/28/the-pandemic-took-their-livelihoods-but-not-their-spirit/

2.     In the article “Pandemic prompts change in newspaper delivery at Tampa Bay Times,” it’s a call to its readers to keep reading this newspaper with not only being unable to print the newspaper during this virus (because of the cost of ink and paper) but also with newspaper failing now-a-days. It shows the desperation and encouragement to keep the newspaper alive, even stating how most of the revenue comes from advertisers. The problem is a block in delivering newspapers, and the need to keep reading the newspaper so we can keep it alive. The problem is presented by this newspaper Tampa Bay Times, and is speaking on behalf of all newspaper companies.https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/03/30/pandemic-prompts-change-in-newspaper-delivery-at-tampa-bay-times/

3.     In “Tampa Bay Times lays off 11 journalists,” I was surprised to read an article from the newspaper that layed off a number of employees reporting on the issue themselves. The newspaper blames the industry for why they had to cut some of the pay for their employees and even addresses how they layed off 11 journalists and more are to come. The problem presented is the lengths a newspaper has to take in a declining industry. Who has the problem are journalists and people who work for the newspaper facing cut backs and even getting fired in the near future.https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/03/18/tampa-bay-times-lays-off-11-journalists/

4.     In the article “Gulfport Gabber will be back with a likely new owner,” tells how a small newspaper that wasn’t running for some time is now unexpectedly gaining a new owner; its uplifting with all the newspaper business declining that the Gulfport Gabber can turn itself around and even raise money for new journalists. The problem is these past owners were unable to make this newspaper survive and keep paying their journalists, had to give away the newspaper to a new owner. Who has the problem are these past owners now without any source of income, the newspaper which has been declining with no money coming in, the journalists who haven’t been paid or getting decent pay.https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/05/03/gulfport-gabber-will-be-back-with-a-likely-new-owner/

5.     The article “Tampa Bay Times gets federal loan to help with revenue losses caused by pandemic,” details the struggles the newspaper has faced not only to coronavirus but due to the industry, this loan gives an extra life to the newspaper which has had to change so much in these past months, alongside other businesses close by. The problem presented is these nearby businesses effected so badly by the virus that they need to take out a loan, needing to make changes to their business. Who has the problem is the newspaper and Tampa Bay businesses not able to hold themselves up. https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/04/17/tampa-bay-times-gets-federal-loan-to-help-with-revenue-losses-caused-by-pandemic/

Forming an Opportunity Belief

1) My beginning point. My belief is we should expand education and activity to special needs children through apps.
2) Describing my belief. The unmet need is that since schools have closed due to the virus occurring right now, children with special needs might be getting some of their education through online video calls but they’re not getting the same amount of activity as they would be exposed to at their schools. The need has always existed where special education students who can be too old for certain games resort to playing younger children’s games, not learning through it, and now with that these children aren’t receiving the same amount of activities at home as they would in school this new belief would solve more education and activity during this time. Right now parents of special education children are just providing their child with younger children’s games, but the kids aren’t learning through these apps. I’m 55% sure that this opportunity exists.
Prototypical Customer 1: The first customer I talked to was my close friend Elizabeth. Her nephew has autism and resorts to playing with children’s toys and games; his school was moved to online and his parents are trying to work from home while watching their son. The parents notice how easily their son becomes distracted while doing online schooling because he is at home surrounded by all his toys, this happens everyday now. They have had this need ever since his school was moved to online because of the virus. They became aware of this need when he was in an online video lesson but was playing with his toys instead of paying attention. Currently they are taking less work to keep a close eye on and encourage their son. They’re happy that their son is still getting his education, but he becomes upset when he doesn’t get to play, and they still need the work they’ve been cutting back on.
Prototypical Customer 2: The second customer I asked was my other close friend Grace. Her brother has autism as well and plays with all types of children toys and games, especially apps. She became aware of this need when she was working on homework while her brother was in a video lesson and on his tablet playing with apps at the same time, this happens everyday even after the lessons have finished. She has had the need since the virus made schooling online and he hasn’t been involved in the same activities. Currently she’s letting him play games on the tablet, not paying attention to his lessons. She isn’t satisfied with the solution, worried he isn’t treating school the same. Prototypical Customer 3: The last customer I talked to was Grace’s mother, Melissa. Her son has autism and she has always allowed him to play games on his tablet, but now she doesn’t want to upset him by taking away his tablet so he can pay attention to his video lessons. She became aware when her son would try to bring his tablet to school (before the virus, when he first started playing games), she experiences this need daily. She’s had this need for six years now. Currently she’s allowing her son to play the games during school because he is home with his tablet. She is satisfied with this solution, seeing she would have to give him his tablet back if she took it away from him.
Reflection: What I learned is that these family members of the special needs children don’t want to upset and confuse their children by stopping their children from playing games during at home schooling. The most surprising thing I learned was how accessible and distracting these gaming apps are to special needs children.
Summary: More of my original opportunity is still here, knowing how much more these special education children use these gaming apps and how much this change to online schooling has affected them. I believe my new opportunity is more accurate with others who have also experienced this. I think entrepreneurs should ‘adapt’ all of their opportunities based on customer feedback because its those same customers who will or will not be involved with this product.

My Entrepreneurship story

A time I was exposed to entrepreneurship was when I was fourteen, and had just entered high school, I started my own blog page. I designed it to me with pictures, I wrote original poems and short stories, I would give recommendations. I had hopes that more people would view my site, that I’d even create a following, but I don’t know if I did because I never got to see how many viewed my site (I just assumed no one viewed it because no one left feedback). I even tried to expand it by creating a tumblr style Instagram account for it, but both the account and my blog failed. I blogged for four years, more so for my own interest, but grew out of it because I wrote less and less finding so little inspiration so often. It also had to do with moving out and going away to college. Truthfully, I enrolled in this course because it is required for my minor for the Innovation Academy here. But, so far, I think I made the right decision because it fits with my schedule and allows me to express myself. I hope this class inspires me, even if not for entrepreneurship but to be more open writing again, I hope to also expand my knowledge of entrepreneurship (which is little).

Bug List

1. Over used songs from the app tiktok played on the radio where more meaningful music has been played. Why: These are more used songs on the app for dancing, and became popular for these creators that the radio caught onto the trend as well. 2. As a non-coffee drinker, the smell of coffee. Why: The drink and grinds have a strong aroma that can keep people awake, ‘caffeinated’ 3. The expensive cost of getting a luxurious manicure and pedicure at a salon. Why: Because its higher quality polish or technique the more expensive the two are, especially together, adding a tip as well. 4. Hand soap that smells like dessert, or something I would eat. Why: Smelling my hands will make me then want that dessert when I know I shouldn’t eat it. 5. Other people who show visible frustration over waiting ‘too long’ in line. Why: Because its disrespectful to the person who is trying their hardest working for them, and still keeping an upbeat attitude. 6. Having something covering my mouth and nose every time I step in a store, even when I need to smell something like soap or flowers. Why: Everyone has to wear masks right now because of the virus to keep themselves and others safe. 7. Needing to sanitize everything I touch the most, like after going to the store and then touching my phone. Why: I haven’t yet washed my hands to decontaminate, but if I touch something I use often then I have to clean it to be precautious. 8. That some stores and restaurants are closed but other stores and restaurants in the region are open. Why: Because of the virus for everyone’s safety some can remain closed but other businesses can reopen based on what the owners decide, not any officials. 9. How even some health offices- like dentists, therapists- are closed even though some patients have other issues occurring. Why: Because of the virus to keep themselves and their patients safe they remain closed indefinitely. 10. Waiting long periods of time to get in contact with some offices through email, rather than phone call. Why: Because of the virus they are closed and answering other people at the moment. 11. Having to constantly cross the street when walking my dog while the other dog owners/walkers don’t. Why: My dog is bigger and tries to attack the other dogs. 12. Always missing the ice cream truck that has started to drive in my neighborhood once a day now. Why: I don’t know what its designated time is and what days it visits, it also drives fast and I’m on foot. 13. Having on and off nights of good sleep throughout the week. Why: It depends on if I’ve napped that day, or eaten meals in bed that day, or was on my phone before I went to sleep. 14. Paying for multiple streaming services, instead of just one. Why: I have to watch all these good shows on all these different services, with streaming services having ‘original’ shows now. 15. Waiting in a line in my car to get on a beach or not finding any good available areas on beaches now. Why: Everyone is going to the beaches now since they’ve reopened, my whole day is changed if I can’t get onto or have to wait to get onto that beach, when I’m on the beach the only available areas are with the loud families. 16. The expensive cost of just one bath suit, unable to buy more than one. Why: A bathing suit top and bottom shouldn’t be expensive and separate if they are going together, all I can afford at the most is two bathing suits. 17. How much longer it takes for a delivery to reach me, even deliveries which are pushed back. Why: Everyone has been ordering with stores closed because of the virus, a package that I can order which would normally take just a few days can now take weeks, a package can be delayed because of all the deliveries being processed currently. 18. Burning in the sun because of tanning oil. Why: After just an hour of laying in the sun wearing tanning oil I burned, I shouldn’t have to reapply tanning oil after just a short amount of time, got a sun burn rather than a tan. 19. Businesses closing early because of the virus, opened for a short amount of time. Why: I don’t understand why stores and restaurants are closing earlier in the day because of the virus, if they’re open for that day they should keep there normal hours, closing one hour early doesn’t prevent anything if they’re already open. 20. Advertisements throughout streaming services I already pay for. Why: If the service is receiving payment already for my subscription then why are they receiving extra payment for these excessive advertisements. The challenges I encountered while writing this bug list were I was unaware it was encouraged to do five a day, even though I still did this assignment early I felt behind. I felt very privileged for the simple things that bugged me, I felt like I shouldn’t write them at all. Some of the things that were listed were funny but also bothered me.

Starting off my blog

This isn't my first time creating/writing a blog, but it is my first time using Google's Blogger (which I didn't know existed before this class).