Joel Gonzalez Blog: May 2019

Friday, May 31, 2019

Opportunities in Gainesville

https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173C04C03483B9C0

Rental measure would funnel poor people into poor housing

In this article, the author basically emphasizes Gainesville's desire to renovate the housing community by destroying poor housing, not physically, but through meeting current codes and regulations that need to be met by each house, such as being green or energy efficient. This is putting landlords out of business throughout the city because of not being able to meet these needs. This problem can be solved by establishing a company that is geared towards helping landlords meet these requirements to be able to rent or sell their houses on their property.

City commissioner files for bankruptcy

This city commissioner filed for bankruptcy because of bad spending habits and inability to foresee further problems down the road because of student loans and credit card debts. Almost all of their earnings goes towards paying these expenses yet it is still not enough. This is an opportunity to open a business that is tailored towards helping families with their personal finances and advising them towards better financial decisions.

Bubba Raceway Park north of Ocala faces foreclosure

This park went out of business because of its inability to stay on top of its property taxes and maintenance fees. There were also lawsuits against this park that forced it to close because of not being able to pay the fees imposed on it.

Bed Bath & Beyond, Pier 1 latest retailers to announce store closures

Bed Bath & Beyond is one of the many chain stores that is facing trouble when it comes to keeping many of its stores and franchises open. This is ultimately because of poor store performance that is driving financial gains and resources down.

Credit card vs. debit card: Wow Air's recent shutdown highlights why one is better than the other.

This airline ceased all of its operations out of nowhere because of financial and managerial instability within the company. But the problem this article highlights is the inability of those who used debit cards for purchasing their tickets on this airline of getting a refund. People need to be educated on how to correctly use debit cards/credit cards because of the ability to dispute transactions in case of an emergency such as this one.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Forming an Opportunity Belief

The Opportunity and the Belief:
People in America have become accustomed and inclined to lean on the government for aid and assistance. They have the idea that the government will support them in times of need and when they cannot afford and try things. This idea sprouted through the installation of social security and medicare, which offered to use a chunk of others hard earned income to supply for those who can't afford the retirement life and the insurance life. However, almost 70 years after the beginning of social security, the money is running out. With 10,000 people retiring every 24 hours, there is not enough money to supplement every individual with these needs. The opportunity I see here is to start the push of helping those who are at risk financially, not just now but for the future. Everyone is in denial of their mortality and don't tend to look into the future. I believe insurance is going to be the next big boomer because of the needs they have. Everyone wants to manage assets and invest money, but nobody wants to prepare for the unexpected. Sooner or later people will realize that without the same government aid, they must prepare for the future on their own.

Prototypical Customer 1:
Nancy Baker, Age: 64, Was a government worker in Child Services for over 35 years

Iteration #1:
What is the exact nature of the need?
- Nancy described the nature of the need as one which is not recognized fully right now, but will be in a couple of years.

Who would have the need?
- Nancy believes that every person has the need. Except for those who are already close to the end of their lifespan. Especially those beginning to work now, who can start very young and be better prepared.

When did you become aware of the need?
- Most people think of getting financial insurance when its too late. Once they realize the government can not fund them for the remainder of their life they will try and get insurance, but its too late.

How long have you had the need?
- Nancy believes that people don't have the need for long time, once they have it they try to do it as soon as possible. It is the only safe haven they have of keeping their finances secure for the remainder of their life.

How satisfied would you be with the solution?
- Nancy thinks that no one is seriously satisfied with paying a premium, but the security of having your life and your money safe is one of satisfaction. She believes that if they ever do have to use it, the feeling of satisfaction will be the least to describe it.

How are you currently addressing the need?
- As of right now Nancy is 3 years away from retirement and ready to start leaning on the aid of social security. However, with this opinion brought to mind, she is thinking of getting insurance to back herself and her future.

Prototypical Customer 2:
Trey Snyder, Age 22, Graduating from College and ready to head into the workforce

Iteration #1:
What is the exact nature of the need?
- Trey believes the nature of this need is yet to be found. He believes coming out of college people should be smart enough to realize that they are going to retire and not stay 22 for the rest of their lives.

Who would have the need?
- Trey believes those who did not save from young and plan ahead, will obviously have the need to insure their finances and their life. He also believes this can spread even farther. What does one do with all the hard earned money they made, if they ever just happened to get extremely hurt or die?

When did you become aware of the need?
- Trey was never aware of it, just because of the fact that he was prepared and believes he has his own style of preparation and saving. He doesn't need someone else to help protect him.

How long have you had the need?
- Trey has never had it

How satisfied would you be with the solution?
- trey thinks people don't focus on problems that are to current, but if its another thing they can get out of their chest for the future.

How are you currently addressing the need?
- He is starting the work force and is ready to take on this challenge for the rest of their lives.

Reflection:
After discussing the opportunity with these two people, I have realized we need it more than we thought. To get better results I was able to take the opinions of someone getting ready to eave the workforce and start retirement and the other doing the exact opposite. It was a good way to get a very general but somewhat accurate representation of the population were dealing with. I realized my opportunity is in more need than i realized, but to the older population. The new kids haven't been able to realize the dilemma they are facing with lack of social security. The most surprising thing I found was that people are still in denial about social security. I was able to branch off into what their two friends thought and believed.

Summarize:

How Much of the original need is still there?
None of the original need has left, because its vital for all age ranges and needed with changing economic conditions. People may not see it now, but those who are focused in protecting their future will definitely see this through.

Do You believe the new opportunity is more accurate than when you started?
No

How much do you think entrepreneurs should 'adapt' their opportunities based on customer feedback?
I believe entrepreneurs must value and pay very close attention to their opportunities based on customer feedback. Entrepreneurs thrive off their customers and if they purchase their products or their services. Without consumers and their needs, there is no place for entrepreneurs in this world.

My Entrepreneurial Story

Ive always struggled figuring out my purpose and what I wanted to do in life. I always knew I wanted to be the boss of myself and manage my time and my life. I also wanted to make a lot of money to reach this financial freedom, but I did not know what career would offer me that.

Exactly one year ago today, a close friend of mine introduced me to a network marketing company that gave the skills to trade in the foreign exchange market. This was my first taste in building my own team, giving myself self discipline and truly learning the concept of hard work and determination that it takes to reach success in the entrepreneurship lifestyle. I spent countless nights learning, reading and talking to people to build my team and network to do the most. I was able to get 6 people on my team while learning how to trade in the foreign exchange market. However, after a couple months I realized that my passion was for financial freedom before it was to recruit people. I changed my focus from building, to just sole trading. As of right now, my progress has been intense and I have been able to create friendships that I know will last me a lifetime. I am using my trading platform to gain substantial capital to venture off into other entrepreneurial projects with my partners.

With my mindset already being set in stone, I wanted to take an unorthodox class that branches out farther from standard education and allows me to take a deeper look at what I'm doing with my life and what I want out of it. I want to create a deeper understanding of my everyday life and what more I need to do to reach my end goal, which is to be my own, financially free boss. Taking this class, every assignment has a purpose and I fully intend to learn from each and every one.

Bug List

1) During the weekend, while I try and study all my friends come over after going out and end up disturbing me for the entire night.

This happens because my house is located 2 minutes away from mid town and seen as after party location.

2) During the school year to get to work, I have to drive down Museum Road and the traffic is extremely horrible.

This happens because Museum Road is in the main area through campus and they have a high volume of cars and people walking through.

3) Customers at my job in Outback, create complex orders and decide to be difficult in asking for extra sauce and to completely alter the order.

This happens because people like to get things off the menu to satisfy their taste needs.

4) During my closing shifts, after I cleanup and prepare to head out, people will call and place an order and force me to stay later than usual.

This happens because people may be getting out late from their own job and might be too tired to cook, so picking up decent quality food is better than fast food.

5) During the school year, whatever classes give a large amount of homework numerous times a week it makes my schedule harder than it really should be.

This happens because I work two jobs and my days get extremely hectic especially with a fitness routine I keep up with.

6) When I have to go to the gym during the busy hours, all the machines and workout areas are taken and people love to take their sweet time on stuff.

This happens because after the day people who are leaving from work and done with classes for the days tend to go to the gym. As well, a lot of people who don't really take working out serious like to go for pictures and status.

7) During my workouts, I use airpods to listen to music, and my left ear for some reason is not stable and always falls out mid workout.

This happens because my right ear has stitches and is a little more out, so the airpod stays in better.

8) When my roommates eat food and then leave the dishes piled up in the sink without being washed.

This happens because they're lazy and don't feel like washing their dishes

9) When I work on fridays and saturdays and I decide to go out to JJs Tavern after, and then Im forced to wait the long lines to get into the bar.

This happens because its late and the bar is already filled up so the lines get extra long.

10) During the weekends everyone bothers me to go out with them, with no regard to caring that I have homework or other things to do.

This happen because I am usually the fun one of the group or a very fun person to go out with.

11) During the summer, Outback Steakhouse on Archer Road, is very slow and I barely make money to do the things I usually do.

This happens because half the population of Gainesville is composed of University of Florida students, and most of them leave home or somewhere else for summer.

12) In the morning, the sunlight hits my room directly, so I am forced to wake up early to a room that is much hotter than the rest of my house.

This is because I have the corner room and it is the one directly in front of the house.

13) When my computer doesn't want to turn on after not being used for a couple hours.

This happens because my laptop is over 8 years old and I have dropped it numerous times, so i think the monitor might be broken.

14) I am not able to listen to noise or play videos on my current laptop, I must use headphones to listen to things.

This happens because I believe Its connected to airplay but i cannot figure to how to disconnect it.

15) Whenever I walk to class, there is a huge amount of traffic and people love to take their time and have no sense of time.

This happens because of the different type of culture here. As a child from an urbanized area and hispanic household, I have always lived life in a rush and with an urgency to do things.

16) In my Principles of Marketing class I cannot understand my teacher during lectures.

This happens because he goes very fast, due to his big range of area to cover.

17) When my mother double texts me to see what Im doing and is not able to trust me to do as I please.

This happens because of her hispanic background and being a protective mother over her first born son.

18) Walking down the sidewalk, I encounter large groups of people walking against me and they never move over to let me walk.

This happens because people are selfish and do not acknowledge normal things.

19) At work, I have a coworker who consistently smells bad. I can never work in close proximity with her, without getting a headache.

This happens because of poor hygienic levels that she has and poor body odor.

20) Doing lots of homework on my laptop, and it crashes especially while working on safari to keep my things saved.

This happens again because my computer is 8 years old and I have not been able to get it fixed.

Reflection:

Coming up with these bugs, was extremely difficult to think of. I know a lot of things that bother me on a daily basis, but truly being able to figure it out why it happened and what they are, was the difficult part of the whole project. It made me dig deeper as to the things that truly bother me and how I could fix them by finding the true root of the problem. However, it was also stress relieving as I was able to put it down on a piece of paper and really be able to express myself in detail. It was like a journal where I got to log in my day to day frustrations and think more about them.

Friday, May 17, 2019

Test New Blog UF

Testing for my first ever blog post