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22A – Elevator Pitch No. 3 https://youtu.be/XIWp-nk-BD4 I did not get many comments or critiques of my second pitch on the blog, but once again got a lot of good feedback from Dr. Pryor. He didn't like how the avatar images I used paused the pitch, wanted me to focus on location and one of my three groups, and come up with a way to actively target that group. I thought this was good feedback, but that I would have to change a lot. To respond to that feedback I changed my script and started by focusing on the Fan demographic. I explained that I had tried to contact several UF employees who are in charge of the branding and selling of UF merchandise in the Social Capital post, and hoped to start the ZipStrip by selling to gators in the UF Bookstore for $8-10. I hope to use the money from that partnership to expand the ZipStrip into a website to market to my other two customer groups that want a ZipStrip to add style or deal with weight gain. I think my delivery might act...

21A – Reading Reflection No. 2 I read the Makers book by Chris Anderson for this Assignment. Overall I thought it was an interesting read and that the philosophy behind the Maker Movement described in this book, but that Anderson placed far too much stock in this movement to solve our economic issues. 1) What was the general theme or argument of the book? Anderson is very enthusiastic about how technology is opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses that operate in new ways. He discusses the maker movement and where it came from, and then the technology and trends he sees changing it today as well as where he thinks it will go in the future. 2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003? I think this book did a great job combining things I have learned in this class with the Creativity in Context class I am also taking for the Innovation Academy. In that class we learn and use many of the design program...

20A – Growing Your Social Capital For this assignment I emailed three people who could help me understand how to sell my ZipStrip. Because I have three different groups of customers I want to market to for this assignment I focused on only  the "Fan" group.  Supply Expert: Pamela Braseth Dragon Sports founder Pam is an family friend and gave me my two first jobs, so I have a lot of experience asking her for favors. She also was the owner of a triathlon store and sold the team caps, suits, jackets, and shirts to all the local swim teams in my area which makes her the only person I know with experience acting as a supplier for sports teams. My favor to her was a list of questions about how, when, and who buys these team merch items. Is it just for the swimmers? Do the parents and family members want their own shirts?  How were the items branded to the teams (team colors, logos, mascots, slogans...)? In asking for this information I promised to make a set ...

19A – Idea Napkin No. 2 1. My special skills have stayed the same since last Idea Napkin, but I will try to write them down into a short list instead of a block of text like last time.  2 years of teaching experience as a Volunteer in AmeriCorps Public Speaking and communication Problem Solving Working in a team 6 months as Education Technician at the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Leadership Designed lesson plans and trained new AmeriCorps members Sociology Major, Innovation Minor Human centered thinking Creative solutions starting from empathy I plan to use these skills to create an educational board game, and hope working on the ZipStip will let me gain experience for turning an idea into a physical product.  2. I am making the ZipStrip. This is a strip of fabric with zippers on both sides that you could zip up into a normal jacket. This will work to ad extra width to the torso and help people who don't fit into standard jacket sizes, and all...

17A – Elevator Pitch No. 2 My first video was well received and I got a lot of useful feedback, especially from our teacher in his video review. Because of this feedback I changed how I described the target for the size restrictions to those who had experienced weight transition as well as unusual proportions like I had stated originally. I also added the "Fan" customer from his sports merch idea which I really liked. I estimated a price based on research of bulk order materials and the low complexity of the ZipStrip (I could make one quickly with just the fabric, zippers, and a sewing machine) and found a Price that would let me fund the materials and costs while still staying far cheaper than a whole jacket. This was actually the first take I did of my pitch and I just went with it because I thought that I would get in my head and mess up if I tried to go back and change things. I enjoyed making the pitch video again and think it is better than my first video...

#18A – Create a Customer Avatar For the ZipStrip I have been exploring several types of people who would be interested. I originally only started with one, but through my interviews and the responses to my previous work I have found better ways to picture who would be interested in my ZipStrip. Customer #1: The Tough Fit This group is using the ZipStrip to make jackets fit better for a variety of reasons such as: weight transition pregnancy proportions that don't fit normal sizes (original use for Jeff who's arm length would not fit jackets if he went up a size) They are probably interested in a ZipStrip that fits into a jacket (black or neutral color) to not draw attention since the purpose is utility and not cosmetics This group is mostly middle aged adults  Consumer #2: The Fan This customer has a loyalty to a brand or team that they want to display in a colorful ZipStrip (UF would be the ideal first brand to reach out for this) They have l...

16A –What’s Your Secret Sauce? 1. What makes me special: Attitude- I have a really calm and steady personality. I think most people think of me as hard to shake and easygoing. Most of the time this is a really good thing, but deciding that something is not worth thinking about it if it bothers you has caused problems for me before. This is the hardest skill on this list to make sound unique, but I am fairly sure that if you knew me you would point this out as one of my key features and not something most people have.  Communication Skills- I have well practiced communication skills and have always enjoyed speaking to people whether it is in front of a group/crowd or a single person. I think the thing about my communication skills that is special is that I wouldn't call myself outgoing but that I am comfortable speaking with almost anyone and can find a way to have a good conversation or make an impression. I have enjoyed the interviews for this class and keep being sur...

15A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2 Interview #1: Jenny Liked to customize clothes and usually adjusts clothes herself. She changes the fit and length, cuts off collars, and adds embroidery Instead of looking for something like the ZipStrip she would be more likely to just go but supplies and change her clothes herself She said that the changes don't take many supplies and its usually inexpensive. She shops for her clothes and tailoring stuff in person but would be fine using online shopping for small pieces and accessories. She grades her purchases on durability and looks, but most;y on functionality Interview #2: Sarah Was willing to accessorize but was not as thrifty as Jenny Needs to try on clothes in person and doesn't do much online shopping Price, durability, and style were her things she looked for decided what was a good purchase by how often she wore something Interview #3: Helen (my sister and also in the next assignment) Customize...