5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

5 Local Opportunities that could be the basis of a lucrative business

Opportunity 1

"Legalize marijuana supporters fire back at Florida AG Ashley Moody's objections"

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/marijuana/os-ne-recreational-marijuana-supporters-fire-back-20200121-5ej32l5cqzbufdvef65qjcho54-story.html

In this article, it discusses the conflict between those who support the legalization of marijuana and Florida AG Ashley Moody's office. This could present an opportunity as the legalization of marijuana would allow businesses to profit off of the use of marijuana. Many people illegally use marijuana so converting those customers into legal ones by selling and taxing marijuana could be beneficial for many parties

Opportunity 2

"Hardball: Rays threaten to block redevelopment of Tropicana Field"

https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2020/01/30/hardball-rays-threaten-to-block-redevelopment-of-tropicana-field/

In this article, the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team are conflicting with the city of St. Petersburg over the use of the land where their home stadium, Tropicana Field, is currently located. Recently, there has been much speculation of whether the Rays will move to Tampa or will split half of their season in Montreal. The opportunity in this case is for what the 86 acres could potentially be used. If the Rays were to relocate to Tampa, it would not only help the organization by boosting ticket sales, but also allow the development of downtown St. Petersburg to continue.

Opportunity 3

"After abrupt Lucky's market exit, what happens to its Tampa Bay stores?"

https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/01/29/after-abrupt-luckys-market-exit-what-happens-to-its-tampa-bay-stores/

This article discusses the closing of Lucky's market locations in the Tampa Bay area and what is to follow in those locations. The opportunity for business in this case to purchase their vacated locations to add a new business. This could be a substitute for Lucky's in which it could bring in previous Lucky's customers or add something completely new that appeals to many people.

Opportunity 4

"Gasparilla and your cell phone: 5 ways to make sure you stay connected"

https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/01/24/gasparilla-and-your-cell-phone-5-ways-to-make-sure-you-stay-connected/

This article discusses issues with cell service during Tampa's annual Gasparilla Parade how to potentially alleviate these issues. Given the massive amounts of people all clustered in one area of the city, cell service suffers each year which makes it difficult to get in touch with those in which you attended with. This presents the opportunity for a business to implement a solution for this annual issue which would not only improve safety for those visiting the city during this time who might be lost or solely for convenience of everyone there.

Opportunity 5

"St.Pete's Kerouac house to become a writer's retreat

https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/01/30/st-petes-kerouac-house-to-become-a-writers-retreat/

This article talks of how author Jack Kerouac's estate is being sold to a non-profit organization in order to convert it to a writer's retreat. This has been an issue because negotiations of this estate have stalled for many years and there's finally the opportunity being seized in order to utilize this as a writer's retreat to promote that industry while using the famous Kerouac name. Another issue in this case is the conflicting interest of the surrounding neighborhood as many would not want it to become a museum or anything of the sort. This presents the opportunity to implement a writer's retreat and honor the late Jack Kerouac.

4A - Forming an Opportunity Belief

In the previous assignment, "Bug" List, one major issue I touched upon was the lack of car parking near fraternity row following the implementation of the new scooter hubs. The unmet need in this case is parking availability near fraternity row which affects not only all those who live in fraternity houses,  but also those students who live in Springs Complex and Keys Complex dorms. Parking has always been scarce in that area, but that issue has been exacerbated by the new implementation of scooter hubs that erased nearly 40 parking spots. I am about 90% sure there is an opportunity to improve this situation by converting previous scooter parking to car parking and convert some of the law library parking lot to red decal because it is empty majority of the time.

I interviewed 3 different anonymous individuals regarding this parking situation near fraternity row.

The first individual in which I interviewed was a freshman living in Springs Complex who had a car on campus. She agreed that the parking in this area of campus was an issue since she has moved into her dorm in the beginning of fall, but said that the recent addition of the scooter hub across has only made it harder to find parking. I asked if she felt it needed to be addressed and whether she thought it could be improved and she responded by saying she thought it needed to be addressed and hoped it would be improved, but did not how it could. Upon hearing my suggestion on a possibility how to improve the situation, she was excited and said she hopes that could be done so she does not have to drive around for over 10 minutes to find a parking spot.

The next individual I interviewed was a housing director of a fraternity house located on fraternity row. When asked whether she thought it was an issue, she responded that it did not apply to her because she has a 24/7 reserved parking space, but that she has noticed that more spots have been filled all down fraternity row since the addition of the scooter hub. She did not necessarily care if the issue was addressed, but did say she would like it if her boys (in the fraternity in which she works) wanted it. Upon telling her my potential solution to this situation, she told me she thinks that is a good idea, but doubts the feasibility of UF actually going through with it.

The third individual I interviewed was a resident of a fraternity house who was getting out of his car on fraternity row. Early in the interview, it became apparent that he was as invested in this issue as I was. He called the scooter hubs "an outright stupid decision" and that parking has been much worse since. He then told me he has reached out to UF TAPS to complain and urge them to undo their scooter hub. He liked my idea of adding parking by converting previous scooter parking into car parking and dedicating a portion of the law school parking lot to red decals.

In reflection, I do believe the opportunity still exists, but my confidence of whether it'll get done dwindled a little following my interviews knowing the lack of care and inefficiency that plagues UF TAPS. It was nice to know that other people agree that something needs to be done and that the scooter hub was the driving factor turning a small issue into a big one. In doing this assignment, I do believe that entrepreneurs should adapt their potential opportunities according to customer feedback because customer feedback is a key component of many businesses so knowing their perspective on many different issues can be invaluable for one's business.

3A My Entrepreneurship Story

My closest encounter with entrepreneurship is my best friend's dad as he has started 2 of his own companies. The first in which he created was called Beads & Tees which was a team merchandise company where he would sell merchandise whether it be beads, t-shirts, magnets, cups, etc. outside stadiums across Florida. His second business endeavor is a new business called For Pedro's Sake which is a candied jalapeno business where he goes from market to market across the Tampa Bay area. He is very motivated and loves what he does which has been a positive influence on me in my studies. Knowing how he has worked hard his whole life to provide for his family and now have the opportunity to start another business doing something he loves is very admirable.

The idea of owning my own business one day has been very intriguing for me for many years now. Given it being an interest of mine and a mandatory business elective her at the University of Florida, it made ENT3003 a perfect course for to take. I'm hoping to learn more about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how to maintain your own company. Through this, hopefully, one day I will be able to emulate our good family friend's path to success as an entrepreneur.


  

Andrew Kraemer Bug List

"Bugs"
1.Pedestrians using their phones while crossing the road on UF Campus 
        Why? Cars have to yield to pedestrians by law so they are not mindful of cars at times  and there is no law against using a cell phone while crossing a crosswalk

2. Waiting in any line at any restaurant at any time

Why? People in this country like to eat out and there are a lot of people that like the same restaurants that I do

3. My friends not being polite to my parents when my parents greet them

Why? They do not know proper manners

4. Someone exiting a stall in a bathroom and not proceeding to wash their hands at the sink

Why? Some people don’t want to take the extra 30 seconds out of their day to sanitize obviously dirty hands

5. Holding the door for a stranger in a public area and them not saying thank you

Why? Individuals lack common courtesy occasionally 

6. Parking my car on Fraternity Row at UF when another is parked over the line

Why? The parking spots are narrow and some people don’t care enough to take the time to fix their parking job

7. UF TAPS converting the parking lot near fraternity row to a large scooter lot that is not even 1/4 full when car parking is the much bigger need

Why? The idea of “Scooter Hubs” is being implemented and that is the first one

8. When a friend on Instagram posts about their political beliefs

Why? The First Amendment of the US Constitution is freedom of speech

9. When girls at the sorority in which I am employed do not say hello to me despite knowing them well outside of that setting

Why? In that setting, I work for them so I am not seen as a peer in that setting 

10. When sports media continually covers the New York Knicks at all times of the year despite their horrible recent history

Why? Being in one of the the largest cities in the world and having a storied franchise for many years draws a lot of fans from around the world who watch these programs.

11. When my teammate in a basketball game shoots against 3 defenders while I am wide open

Why? Points are a more revered statistic than assists and everyone loves to score. Also, some people get tunnel vision when driving to the basket and simply don’t see me.

12. My friends with crooked teeth who clearly have the money for braces or Invisalign 

Why? They like their teeth, it could be a signature of theirs, or they would rather spend their money elsewhere

13. Sitting down in a movie theater after paying $15 just to have a neighbor talking throughout the movie

Why? Some movies are hard to follow and require explanations at times. Sometimes people may not consider others around them when engaging in conversation

14. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not fire General Manager Jason Licht despite being the worst GM in the NFL 

Why? The owners of the organization have an established relationship with him and his relationship with Bruce Arians brought him out of retirement to coach the Bucs.

15. When Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper refuses to make in-game adjustments in playoff games where it is obvious he is being out-coached 

Why? He has a little too much faith in his players’ skills and trusts his gameplay going into the game more than what is happening on the ice

16. My friends not cleaning up after themselves following dinner at my house

Why? There is no reason why an 18-22 year kid should not clean up themselves, but the best assumption is simple laziness and a sense of entitlement 

17. When the Zaxby’s on Archer charges 25 cents for an extra Zax Sauce

Why? They own a business and Zax Sauce is so tasty that customers are willing to pay an extra 25 cents to have it

18. When my friends try to argue with me that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball of all time

Why? Michael Jordan was a phenomenal player who led his team to multiple NBA championships in the 1990’s

19. When Tampa residents claim the best steakhouse in the Greater Tampa Bay Area is not Bern’s Steakhouse

Why? Every individual has unique tastebuds and may think food at one restaurant is better than food at another

20. When the world renowned R&B Singer Akon has not toured in the United States in multiple years 

Why? Akon has focused more on his philanthropic events of late in the continent of Africa which has not allotted him time to perform in the states

Reflection

As I embarked on this assignment, it became evident only a few minutes into it that this was going to be difficult. On a day to day basis, I see plenty of things, people, mannerisms, etc. that bother them, but I rarely ever take time to look and reflect upon them. This made it difficult to generate 20 on the spot despite it being relatively easy to spot a “bug” in my daily life. Taking a step back and thinking about the things that bother me analytically required a mindset shift as well which also made it difficult. I could confidently say putting myself in the point of view of what bothers me opened up my mind.

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