Assignment 30A – Final Reflection

1.  During this class, I learned so much about the different aspects of being an entrepreneur. I thought the bug list assignment was an excellent way to begin the course because it allowed me to have a greater connection with the world around me. I also enjoyed coming up with a business idea and developing it throughout this semester, as it allowed me to apply the knowledge I learned into a real-world setting.

2.  My most formative experience was when I completed my elevator pitches. They allowed me to think from the perspective of an entrepreneur and come up with creative ways to market my product. Although I have previous public speaking experience, they helped me come out of my shell and not feel nervous about being videotaped. By the third elevator pitch, I felt more confident!

3.  I definitely see myself as an entrepreneur! I feel I enhanced my entrepreneurial mindset during this class.

4.  A recommendation I would make to future students is to stay organized. This course is different from others at UF because of its format where blog assignments and declarations are due Friday at noon, and peer reviews are due Monday at noon. As a result, it is essential to have excellent time-management skills. I recommend using a paper planner and/or phone calendar to keep track of the due dates for this class.

Assignment 29A – Venture Concept No. 2

Feedback incorporated is indicated in yellow.

Part 1

Opportunity
The group of people who require the need for my product is pet owners who have one or more dogs. This product would also be beneficial for people who live in neighborhoods, homeowners’ associations (HOA), or apartment complexes. The primary nature of the need is a reduction in the amount of dog waste in local areas. The forces and changes in creating this opportunity are increasing dog waste in these areas. As a result, people recognize this need because their neighbors may not regularly pick up after their dogs, and this is frustrating to them. This market is extensive demographically and geographically, as there is a wide range of neighborhoods that experience this problem. Specifically to my venture, this market is defined demographically and geographically as people 30 to 60 years old who live in Palm City, Florida. Customers currently satisfy this need by using products like pet waste bags. They purchase them through their local pet stores or a subscription service like Chewy. While they are loyal to the products they currently use, they wish there was a long-term solution to reduce pet waste in their communities. This opportunity is significant because the reduction of dog waste leads to cleaner communities. I believe the window of opportunity is open for a more extended period because unclaimed dog waste is a continuous (and messy) problem. 

Innovation
My innovation is the Doggie Dooty Station, which is a receptacle that enables dog owners to properly and safely dispose of their pet’s waste. This goal is accomplished through a designated slot that accommodates soiled pet waste bags. If a dog owner forgot to bring a bag, they could obtain one for free at each station. Or, they can also get a pair of gloves if they don’t like the thought of solely using a pet waste bag to pick up after their dog(s). Each receptacle also has signage that informs dog owners about the harmful effects of unclaimed dog waste and the importance of using Doggie Dooty Stations. Lastly, treats will be available for dog owners to give to their furry friends each time they use the receptacles. Not only is this incentive-based and a simple method of positive reinforcement, but it is also a measurable way to determine how many people use the stations over a certain period, such as per month. There are numerous ways I will make money through this venture. The installation fee for each Doggie Dooty Station is $200. The user cost of the station is included in monthly HOA dues of apartment rental fees. Also, for each instance of a dog owner not picking up after their dog(s) and their neighbor(s) seeing/reporting the situation, they will be fined $25 per incident.

Venture concept
I think customers will switch to this new product because of the convenience it offers dog owners where they can obtain both pet waste bags and gloves at each station. With this being said, I think it will be easy for them to switch because having these features removes any excuses for dog owners on why they aren’t using the receptacles. There are no competitors within my business location (the Treasure Coast, which includes Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties), which I think is another unique aspect of my venture. Packaging, distribution, customer support, and business location are crucial aspects in defining my business concept because these elements work together to generate customer interest, which leads to their use of the receptacles and loyalty towards the Doggie Dooty Station brand. To organize a business, I would first obtain a warehouse so the stations can be produced in a safe and centralized location. Next, I would build a team of employees to help scale the company. These employees would include a Supply Chains Manager, Customer Service Representative, and HR Manager.

The three minor elements

My most valuable resource would be branding my product. My objective is to create a strong brand that makes people want to use the Doggie Dooty Stations. My next venture would be creating a small pet waste bag dispenser that clips onto a dog’s leash with a slot like the one on the receptacles to dispose of soiled bags, and it would be called the “Doggie Dooty Dispenser.” This product would be useful if the dog owner is not near a Doggie Dooty Station but needs to dispose of their pet waste bags properly. Before I launch my product, I will develop a prototype of the Doggie Dooty Station. Afterward, I plan to reach out to local HOAs to determine if they would be interested in purchasing or loaning a station for testing. After the prototype is developed and there are no flaws, I plan to reach out to local veterinarians and pet groomers to see if they want to advertise their businesses on the receptacles. If so, their logos can be wrapped on one or more stations. In five years, I would have successfully launched my product in neighborhoods throughout Palm City, Stuart, and Downtown Stuart. Then, I would begin to look at additional areas in the Treasure Coast to install stations. 

Part 2

Overall, I received positive feedback on both my first venture concept and "what's next" assignments. In regards to my first venture concept, the majority of the feedback was that my next venture idea to include additional accessory products was smart. Also, Rachel's feedback was that no competitors in the area are excellent, and she liked the features offering gloves and treats. For the "what's next" assignment, the main feedback I received was that moving onto apartment complexes as a new market is a great path to take. David agreed that my venture's current step is to develop a prototype of the Doggie Dootie Station, and Rachel and Isabella liked my idea of partnering with local veterinarians and pet groomers to advertise their businesses on the stations.

The main piece of feedback I received was from David, stating that it would be advantageous to reach out to local HOAs to see if they would be interested in purchasing or loaning a Doggie Dootie Station for testing.

Part 3

I adapted my feedback based on the information in Part 2. Furthermore, I incorporated this feedback into my three minor elements because it helps illustrate the long-term objectives for my venture.

Assignment 28A – Your Exit Strategy

1)  My ideal exit strategy is to stay with the business for several decades and retire. I plan to retire in my late fifties or early sixties.

2)  I selected this particular exit strategy because, during this time, I can help my venture grow to its full potential. I can also oversee the development of additional features/accessories for the Doggie Dootie Station and make sure this product is at the highest standards and quality. Once I am ready to retire, I will make sure to leave my business with someone who shares the same values as me. 

3)  One of the most valuable lessons I learned from this course is there are many aspects to starting a business. I tried to complete each of the course assignments with an open mind while being realistic about my business idea. I don't think my approach towards this assignment was different from the others because I thought about the various components involved, including financial and social capital. I think my exit strategy influenced the other decisions I made in my concept because it will give me more time to enhance the Doggie Dootie Station. As a whole, this decision will provide me with the ability to grow my venture before I retire. If I stay with it for an extended period, then I want to utilize my venture's resources to make sure the Doggie Dootie Station is the best product in this market. In regards to my social capital, I want to continue maintaining the professional relationships I cultivated in my local community because these connections are valuable to my business. 

Assignment 27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

For this assignment, I chose to read "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big" by Scott Adams.

1) The book is primarily about Adams' life and how he learned from the failures he experienced. Moreover, Adams details them and explains how specific techniques, like understanding psychology, can help increase the probability of a person becoming successful. He also discusses how these failures led to his big win, which is his Dilbert cartoon. The general theme I took away from reading this book is that this book gives insightful yet light-hearted advice on how to succeed in life.

2) This book connected with what I am learning in ENT 3003 because our last assignment pertained to embracing failure. It emphasized that failure is a normal part of life, and it can also be viewed as a learning experience. In my post for that assignment, I mentioned how I am working on improving how I handle failure. When I began reading Adams' book, I was intrigued by learning about specific techniques I can utilize when I experience failure. 

3) If I had to design an exercise for this class based on this book, I would create one similar to the bug list we completed earlier this semester. But, instead of "bugs," I would have students write down five times they experienced failure. The list would include the failure, why it happened/why they failed, and what they learned from that experience. My objective for this exercise would be to help students see that it is okay to fail and that failure leads to success.

4) A part of this book I found to be surprising was when Adams discussed the importance of implementing systems rather than goals. Furthermore, he said a system is equivalent to when a person continuously searches for something better, like a job. In contrast, he explained that a goal is specific and always in the future. I was surprised when I read about this because before this class, I never perceived systems and goals in these ways. I think goals are a valuable asset in keeping a person motivated, but I think a system keeps them on a steady progress where they can achieve their goals.

Assignment 26A – Celebrating Failure

1.  One of the courses I am enrolled in this semester is Employee Communications. Earlier this semester, I had a case study project due in that class, where I was assigned to work with two other students and complete a case study presentation on an internal communications case in public relations. We had to submit our final assignment as a PowerPoint with audio included. One of my groupmates agreed to send in the project, and she submitted it the minute before it was due (the project was due at 11 p.m.). Right after, she noticed that the audio for the PowerPoint did not go through. I immediately went to my computer and noticed she was right. She emailed our professor the next morning explaining she made a mistake submitting the project, and our professor allowed us to resubmit it! I spent an hour on the phone with my groupmate that day trying to fix the sound on the PowerPoint, and my solution worked! The long story short is that our professor advised me to submit the PowerPoint because all of the audio ended up working on my computer, and she could hear the second version of the presentation. The second best part is that my group got an 87 on the project!

2.  Although this experience did not directly happen to me, it would have affected my group as a whole if my professor was not as understanding as she was due to the nature of it being a group project. From this experience, I learned two key lessons. First (on a general perspective), it is always a good idea to submit assignments early and make sure all the required components are included. Second (from a personal aspect), I learned that I am a good problem solver. A valuable lesson my father taught me is that cool heads prevail. While I was upset that night, I had a cool head the next morning and quickly identified the issue my group had with the presentation. 

3.  In general, I do not handle failure well. When I fail, I become upset because I feel like I did not do the best I could. After I process it for a little while, then I feel better. However, I am working on accepting failure. One of the things this class taught me that failure is okay because it is a part of life. When upsetting things happen, I tell myself that if we do not fail, then we will not learn from our mistakes.

Assignment 25A- What's Next?

Existing Market

Step 1: The next step in furthering my venture would be to develop a prototype of a Doggie Dooty Station. After the Doggie Duty Station prototype is created and there are no flaws, the next step would be to reach out to local pet groomers and veterinarians to see if they want to advertise their businesses on the receptacles. If so, they can have their logo wrapped on one or multiple stations. 

Step 2: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the interview component of this assignment was suspended. But, based on my knowledge of my existing market, I can conclude that this is a reasonable path for my venture. From the production aspect, it is beneficial to design a prototype to test out the features and grasp which ones need to be improved. If there is a feature that does not work, then this can hurt customer loyalty. From the advertising perspective, I came to this conclusion for two reasons. First, advertising could be an additional revenue driver for my venture. Second, advertising with like-minded professionals such as local groomers and veterinarians is an excellent way to build credibility and establish community partnerships. Due to these endorsements, people would be more likely to learn about and eventually support this venture.

Step 3: I first hope to install Doggie Dooty Stations throughout neighborhoods in my town of Palm City, and then throughout Stuart and Downtown Stuart. For the future, I believe Doggie Duty Stations can be installed in communities throughout the Treasure Coast within the first three to five years of my product's launch. On a broader scope, I think this product can be installed throughout neighborhoods in South Florida within ten years. As long as this expansion is done strategically and successfully, I feel this goal is possible because it will slowly expand my venture's customer base while promoting the Doggie Duty Station brand on a larger scale.  

New Market

Step 1: Since I have been mainly targeting homeowners, a radically different market would be people who live in apartment complexes. This is because this group of people is more likely to live in urban areas.

Step 2: This venture would create value because it would enhance the apartment complex like they have an extra amenity. In other words, it would make them seem more accommodating to allow pet owners to have their furry friends because there is a pet waste receptacle within walking distance of the building.

Step 3: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the interview component of this assignment was suspended. However, I can conclude that my business would help these customers because it reinforces tenants' responsibilities to help keep the apartment complex clean. If there is a pet waste policy incorporated in their lease, then it will be easier for them to enforce this behavior modification. It is less expensive for the apartment complex to have a Doggie Duty Station installed than to lose revenue from unhappy tenants. The main adaptation I would make to the Doggie Duty Station for it to be successful in this market is promoting participating apartment complexes (if they have logos) in addition to local pet groomers and veterinarians. It is positive PR for the apartment complexes and a way for the Doggie Duty Station to acknowledge them for their support towards the product. I would also recognize them on my business's social media pages and website to drive interest from online consumers.

Step 4: Overall, this market is a good backup plan if there are any obstacles with getting Doggie Duty Stations installed in local neighborhoods, especially if they have stricter HOAs. Geographically, this is a quick way to reach a large customer base in a short amount of time due to the number of people who rent apartments (more people coming in and out of the building per month).

Assignment 24A – Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity

The group of people who requires the need for my product is pet owners who have one or more dogs. This product would also be beneficial for people who live in neighborhoods, homeowners’ associations (HOA), or apartment complexes. The primary nature of the need is a reduction in the amount of dog waste in local areas. The forces and changes in creating this opportunity are increasing dog waste in these areas. As a result, people recognize this need because their neighbors may not regularly pick up after their dogs, and this is frustrating to them. This market is extensive demographically and geographically, as there is a wide range of neighborhoods that experience this problem. Specifically to my venture, this market is defined demographically and geographically as people 30 to 60 years old who live in Palm City, Florida. Customers currently satisfy this need by using products like pet waste bags. They purchase them through their local pet stores or a subscription service like Chewy. While they are loyal to the products they currently use, they wish there was a long-term solution to reduce pet waste in their communities. This opportunity is significant because the reduction of dog waste leads to cleaner communities. I believe the window of opportunity is open for a more extended period because unclaimed dog waste is a continuous (and messy) problem. 

Innovation

My innovation is the Doggie Dooty Station, which is a receptacle that enables dog owners to properly and safely dispose of their pet’s waste. This goal is accomplished through a designated slot that accommodates soiled pet waste bags. If a dog owner forgot to bring a bag, they could obtain one for free at each station. Or, they can also get a pair of gloves if they don’t like the thought of solely using a pet waste bag to pick up after their dog(s). Each receptacle also has signage that informs dog owners about the harmful effects of unclaimed dog waste and the importance of using Doggie Dooty Stations. Lastly, treats will be available for dog owners to give to their furry friends each time they use the receptacles. Not only is this incentive-based and a simple method of positive reinforcement, but it is also a measurable way to determine how many people use the stations over a certain period, such as per month. There are numerous ways I will make money through this venture. The installation fee for each Doggie Dooty Station is $200. The user cost of the station is included in monthly HOA dues of apartment rental fees. Also, for each instance of a dog owner not picking up after their dog(s) and their neighbor(s) seeing/reporting the situation, they will be fined $25 per incident.

Venture concept

I think customers will switch to this new product because of the convenience it offers dog owners where they can obtain both pet waste bags and gloves at each station. With this being said, I think it will be easy for them to switch because having these features removes any excuses for dog owners on why they aren’t using the receptacles. There are no competitors within my business location (the Treasure Coast, which includes Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties), which I think is another unique aspect of my venture. Packaging, distribution, customer support, and business location are crucial aspects in defining my business concept because these elements work together to generate customer interest, which leads to their use of the receptacles and loyalty towards the Doggie Dooty Station brand. To organize a business, I would first obtain a warehouse so the stations can be produced in a safe and centralized location. Next, I would build a team of employees to help scale the company. These employees would include a Supply Chains Manager, Customer Service Representative, and HR Manager.

The three minor elements

My most valuable resource would be branding my product. My objective is to create a strong brand that makes people want to use the Doggie Dooty Stations. My next venture would be creating a small pet waste bag dispenser that clips onto a dog’s leash with a slot like the one on the receptacles to dispose of soiled bags, and it would be called the “Doggie Dooty Dispenser.” This product would be useful if the dog owner is not near a Doggie Dooty Station but needs to dispose of their pet waste bags properly. In five years, I would have successfully launched my product in neighborhoods throughout Palm City, Stuart, and Downtown Stuart. Then, I would begin to look at additional areas in the Treasure Coast to install stations. 

Assignment 23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

My venture's resources:

1.  Human capital

• Valuable? Yes.
• Rare? I founded a non-profit organization, so I had a basic knowledge of entrepreneurship before taking this course. 
• Imitable? People can share the same personality traits/skills.
• Non-substitutable? Human capital goes beyond a person's education, as it is all about the qualities that make them unique (i.e., compassion). 

2.  Social capital

• Valuable? Yes- just like human capital, the value of social capital is significant. In this scenario, I have an extensive network of people in my community, such as City leaders, veterinarians, and pet owners who are valuable to my venture. 
• Rare? Yes
• Imitable? Social capital cannot easily be copied by others.
• Non-substitutable? There is no substitute for building/maintaining a strong network in your community. 

3.  My knowledge/experience in fundraising

• Valuable? Yes- fundraising is a useful aspect of creating any business.
• Rare? Yes- I have fundraised over $70,000 to help end the global water crisis since I was 11 years old. This experience is rare, especially for someone my age.
• Imitable? While other people may have knowledge in this area, my specific fundraising abilities and experiences cannot be copied by others.
• Non-substitutable? There is no substitute for my knowledge. But, in regards to other resources, there are programs like Kickstarter that can assist organizations in fundraising to start their businesses.  

4.  Branding

• Valuable? Yes- building a brand is extremely valuable.
• Rare? Not necessarily- other dog waste receptacle companies have a similar mission/purpose.
• Imitable? Not as long as you create your own branded materials like a logo.
• Non-substitutable? There is no substitute for a strong brand. There are PR agencies and graphic designers that can assist businesses in developing their brands. 

5.  Location

• Valuable? My venture's location is valuable because it is within the Treasure Coast, which includes Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties.
• Rare? There are no dog waste receptacle companies located in the Treasure Coast. 
• Imitable? Dog waste receptacles can be duplicated. 
• Non-substitutable? Dog waste receptacles can be substituted.

6.  Product features

• Valuable? Yes- the Doggie Dootie Station's features are valuable because they result in cleaner communities and convenience for dog owners. (i.e., if they forget a dog waste bag, then they can obtain one at their nearest Doggie Dootie Station.)
• Rare? Yes- there isn't a dog waste receptacle that has my product's specific features where dog owners can obtain BOTH waste bags and/or gloves.
• Imitable? Product features can be duplicated.
• Non-substitutable? Product features can be developed (include new features, remove certain features, or enhance them) throughout the existence of the venture. 

7.  Experience as a dog owner

• Valuable? Yes- this adds a level of credibility to my venture. 
• Rare? No- there are millions of dog owners in the United States.
• Imitable? Although others cannot have the same experiences as me, this is somewhat easy for others to copy because they can own one or multiple dogs.
• Non-substitutable? Breeds of dogs can be substituted, but not the overall experiences dog owners have where they can relate to the venture. 

8.  Knowledge of social media/SEO

• Valuable? Yes- I already have extensive knowledge of social media management from my UF courses, and reading Inbound Marketing reinforced the importance of utilizing SEO practices.
• Rare? During my experience at UF, I obtained numerous certifications in digital marketing programs, including Google Analytics. Therefore, I believe this skill set is somewhat rare.
• Imitable? Many individuals have knowledge in this area.
• Non-substitutable? There is no substitute for having a captivating and professional online presence to connect with customers. 

9.  Public Relations major

• Valuable? Yes- a public relations education is beneficial and can be applied in numerous disciplines.
• Rare? No- public relations degree programs are becoming more in demand.
• Imitable? Many colleges teach public relations at both undergraduate and graduate levels. 
• Non-substitutable? Yes- the professors at UF are reputable in this field and have extensive industry knowledge. 

10. ENT3003 course

• Valuable? Yes- learning how to become a successful entrepreneur is invaluable.
• Rare? Yes- not all students at UF take this course.
• Imitable? This course is offered at many universities.
• Non-substitutable? Yes- Prof. Pryor is an excellent professor and very knowledgable about this topic. 

Top resource: Based on my VRIN analysis, I determined that my venture's top resource is branding. This resource is more important than the others because it is essential to establish a strong brand that will make the Doggie Dootie Station stand out. My venture's brand would not only tell a story about my product but also about who I am and what my company does. If I can successfully do so, then this will generate community support and make dog owners want to use the Doggie Dootie Station.

Adriana Mancini ENT3003 22A Elevator Pitch 3

The feedback I received on my elevator pitches was positive. The general feedback I received is that including my dogs made my video more engaging, I seemed confident, and I did a good job including the main information on my product.

Based on this feedback, I did not change the content from my last elevator pitch.

Thank you, everyone, for your feedback! I truly appreciate it.

Assignment 21A – Reading Reflection No. 2

For my second reading reflection, I read Inbound Marketing by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah. 

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

The general theme of this book is that search engines like Google drastically changed how people obtain products and services. When they need to learn how to do something or make a purchase, they instantly turn to Google. As a result, businesses do not need large marketing budgets to reach their target audiences. Instead, companies that have great online content can utilize search engines to strengthen their relationships with their potential and existing customers.  

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

A few weeks ago, Prof. Pryor did a brief exercise on how SEO works and why it is crucial to consider the keywords you use when conducting searches on Google. Inbound Marketing similarly analyzed this theme by exploring "how Google's brain works." In other words, the book explains how Google's software obtains results about a specific search term and then filters them, so higher-quality results are displayed first. The book also states how to pick the perfect keywords, which connected with my knowledge from ENT 3003 because Dr. Pryor explained how choosing the right keywords leads to improving SEO rankings.

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

If I had to design an exercise for this class based on the book, I would create an exercise on improving SEO rankings. During this exercise, I would have students brainstorm keywords about their business idea and conduct various searches with the keywords they chose to see how the results they obtain from Google changes. This exercise would help teach Inbound Marketing's concept emphasizing the importance of picking keywords relevant to your business. 

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 this book, my "aha" moment was during chapter 5, "Get Found in the Blogosphere." Specifically, a point in this chapter that I thought was profound is the importance of creating "remarkable content." I learned in my previous classes that blogs are a useful tool for sharing industry knowledge. But, when I read this book, I was surprised to learn that blogs help search engine results because other bloggers are more likely to link to a "remarkable" article than products on a website. This leads to more traffic on that site, which makes Google consider that website authoritative. As a public relations major, I already knew that blogs are useful from this perspective and thought the book would elaborate upon this information. (who should have a blog, how to set it up, etc.) I never knew the technological perspective of how blogs are linked with improving SEO, and I was interested to learn more about this.  

Assignment 20A – Growing Your Social Capital

Domain expert

1) I reached out to Anne Ellig, Program Manager for the City of Stuart's Public Works Department.

2) Ms. Ellig fills the domain expert slot because she helps oversee programs that beautify the City of Stuart. She informed me that the City noticed a significant amount of unclaimed dog waste in common areas of Downtown Stuart. As a result, the City recently installed these receptacles around Downtown Stuart.

3) I reached out to Ms. Ellig via email.

4) In my email, I explained my fictitious business idea for this course, included the URLs to my idea napkin and elevator pitch assignments, and asked for her feedback. Ms. Ellig promptly responded with her feedback. There was no return expectation. 

5) Including Ms. Ellig in my network will enhance my ability to exploit this opportunity because she is knowledgeable about the type of product I hope to produce.

This experience shaped how I participate in networking events by encouraging me to reach out to professionals in my local community for feedback on this project. This networking experience was different because Ms. Ellig is the only person I reached out to who works for a municipality.

Market expert

1) I reached out to Dr. Christina Maldonado, who is a Veterinarian at Monterey Animal Clinic. 

2) Dr. Maldonado fills the slot of the market expert because a significant portion of her patient base is dogs and interacts with their owners daily. As a result, she is knowledgeable about the market I am trying to reach.

3) I reached out to Dr. Maldonado via email.

4) Like I did with Ms. Ellig, I sent Dr. Maldonado an email where I explained my project to her and asked for her feedback. There was no return expectation. 

5) As I previously mentioned, including Dr. Maldonado in my network will enhance my ability to exploit this opportunity because, as a Veterinarian, she has extensive knowledge of dogs and what their owners can do to properly care for them.

This experience shaped how I participate in networking events by validating that email can be an effective method of communication. This networking experience was somewhat similar to my first one because I asked for feedback through email. 

Supplier

1) I reached out to Jessica Gray, the Manager of my local Petco store. 

2) Ms. Gray fills the slot of the supplier because Petco sells a large variety of pet supplies, including dog waste bags.

3) I called and asked to speak with the Manager. 

4) I had a brief conversation with Ms. Gray, where I explained my project to her and asked for her feedback. She thought the "Doggie Dooty Station" is an interesting product. There was no return expectation.

5) Including Ms. Gray in my network will enhance my ability to exploit this opportunity because she manages a store that primarily sells pet products.

This experience shaped how I participate in networking events by "thinking outside of the box" of who would be a good supplier to reach out to for this assignment. This networking experience differs because I reached out to Ms. Gray via phone call. 

Assignment 19A – Idea Napkin No. 2

Feedback incorporated is indicated in yellow.

1.  I am a senior at the University of Florida through their UF Online program majoring in public relations with an outside concentration in business administration. My work experience is mainly in the non-profit sector. As I previously mentioned, I am the Founder and President of Students4H2O, which is a non-profit organization advocating for environmental education and youth leadership. On a personal level, I am also a dog owner of two German Shepherds. Walking my dogs led me to notice the problem of increasing dog waste within my neighborhood and focus my business concept for this class around this problem so I can find a solution. The skills/talents I have that pertain to my product include budgeting, critical thinking skills, and project management. Through my public relations education at UF, I have knowledge in social media management and creative programs like Adobe Creative Cloud. Lastly, I also have excellent public speaking and interpersonal communication skills. My aspirations are to develop a financially viable product that also makes a difference. I would apply my skills and aspirations to my business. Hypothetically, if I were to start this business, I would see it as a "side hustle" where it would act as an additional project that I would work on in my free time. I would most likely work this way until I can adequately sustain myself from this business.

2.  My product is a dog waste receptacle, which is also known as the Doggie Dooty Station, which gives dog owners the ability to dispose of their soiled pet waste bags through a designated slot. Or, they can also obtain a clean pet waste bag at any Doggie Dooty Station so that they can pick up after their dogs. A new feature of my product is that in addition to pet waste bags, gloves will be available at each Doggie Dooty Station for those who are "grossed out" by picking up their dog's waste. Also, each receptacle has signage to inform dog owners about the receptacles and encourage them to pick up after their dogs.

3.  I believe most of my potential customers will be people who own at least one dog. Based on my previous customer interviews, I also think that good target markets to reach are homeowners who live in neighborhoods, homeowner associations, and apartment complexes. The primary characteristic these customers would have in common is that they have a need to keep their communities clean and sanitary.

4.  I feel customers will care about the Doggie Dooty Station because it will decrease the amount of dog waste within their communities. This is important because dog waste has bacteria that is harmful when it comes into contact with humans and other dogs. Therefore, there are also health concerns when, for example, children are playing and come into contact with dog waste, or a dog unknowingly steps into another dog's waste (which was unclaimed) while walking with its owner. There is also the raised concern of "common courtesy" where other neighbors or dog owners do not feel like they should be responsible for picking up dog waste from another person's dog. In regards to profitability, I think customers will pay to use the Doggie Dooty Stations because of the convenience it offers dog owners where they can obtain both clean bags and gloves. After conducting further research, I determined that there are no similar pet waste receptacles that have an option where dog owners can get gloves in addition to pet waste bags to pick up after their dogs. I think this feature makes my product unique because there may be a dog owner who feels uncomfortable when thinking about picking up dog waste. In regards to pricing, I did research on similar pet waste receptacles and noticed that their prices range from $129 to $448. Based on this research and the feedback I received, I think a reasonable installation fee for each Doggie Dooty Station is $200. The user cost of the Doggie Dooty Stations is included in monthly HOA dues or apartment rental fees. For each instance of a dog owner not picking up after their dogs and their neighbor(s) seeing it and reporting it, they will be fined $25 per incident. Lastly, a new feature I came up with based on the feedback I received on my first idea napkin and interviews for my 20A assignment is that treats will be available for dog owners to obtain for their furry friends each time they use the receptacles. In addition to being incentive-based, it is a measurable way to determine how many people are using the stations over a certain period (i.e., per month). In summary, the Doggie Dooty Station will assist in solving these problems by positively reinforcing dog owners to pick up after their dogs' waste, resulting in cleaner communities.

5.  I think the primary core competency that separates me from everybody else is that no other dog waste receptacle has a solution like mine where pet waste bags and gloves are available for dog owners who need them. Most dog waste receptacles only have pet waste bags. By having both pet waste bags and gloves at each Doggie Dooty Station, it removes room for excuses from dog owners for not using it. I am also a dog owner who saw this problem in my neighborhood, so my story is also distinctive because it adds a "humanized" perspective behind creating this product.

Overall, I believe that these elements fit together. As I evaluated these elements, it made me realize how simple my product is for dog owners to use and that it is a practical solution for the problem of increasing dog waste in neighborhoods. There are many reasons why dog owners do not pick up after their dogs' waste, and the most common is they forgot to bring pet waste bags with them. With this being said, I believe my product will have a positive impact from both the convenience and environmental standpoints.

Feedback memo: The feedback I received on my first idea napkin was generally positive. The suggestions I received mainly focused on expanding my target markets and conducting further research on the profitability/pricing of my product. I thought this was insightful information and incorporated this feedback in the third and fourth sections of my second idea napkin, so I can be more specific about these aspects of my product.

Adriana Mancini ENT3003 17A Elevator Pitch 2

I generally received positive feedback on my elevator pitch. As a result, I did not change the majority of the content. One of the suggestions I received that I thought was insightful was to remove all excuses for dog owners by offering gloves in addition to pet waste bags. I thought this feedback was useful because if dog owners are uncomfortable about picking up pet waste, they can obtain gloves from the Doggie Duty Stations. It is a win-win situation for the dog owner because they are reassured there is a solution for their problems, and it is also a win-win for their neighborhoods because the dog owners are keeping their communities clean at the same time.

The main change I made to my elevator pitch was including that both pet waste bags and gloves are available at the Doggie Duty Stations. Besides this suggestion, I did not change the majority of the content of my elevator pitch due to the positive feedback I received on my first elevator pitch.

Assignment 18A- Create a Customer Avatar

Trying to imagine what my typical customer/customer avatar would look like was easier than I thought. When I first identified my problem and conducted my interviews, I talked to both dog owners and non-dog owners in my neighborhood (both men and women). As I completed the assignments for this course, I realized that my prototypical customers are people between the ages of 30 to 60 years old who have at least one dog. 

Based on this information, the prototypical customer for my product is a middle-aged woman who is also a dog owner. 

Customer avatar- Meet Sophia!

Tell their story:

Sophia is 42 years old (but feels 30) and lives in Palm City, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida and studied business administration, in which she graduated magna cum laude. Sophia married her high-school sweetheart, and together she and her husband have two twin girls who are now 10 years old. Before her daughters were born, Sophia previously worked as an office manager for a well-known law firm in her local town. While she was on maternity leave, she decided to quit and become a stay-at-home mother so she can be a dedicated parent. In addition to her parents and siblings, Sophia has a large extended family who visits her often. When Sophia isn’t doing housework or taking her daughters to soccer practice in her silver Chevrolet Tahoe, she enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening. She likes to read motivational books like “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis and prides herself on being a republican. When her daughters are asleep, Sophia likes to catch up on her favorite TV shows, which are "Law and Order: SVU," "This Is Us," "Grey's Anatomy," and "The Bachelor." Sophia and her family have a black lab named Ace, and she walks him every morning. Sometimes, when she is about to walk Ace, she can become easily distracted when the phone rings or her daughters try to get her attention. As a result, Sophia forgets her pet waste bags at home. Sophia hopes that a receptacle will be installed so she can obtain a pet waste bag if she forgets one she can pick up after her dog and not leave any pet waste behind. Even though she has an auto-ship setting on her Chewy account for pet waste bags, she always feels bad when she still occasionally forgets to leave without them.

The only things I do not have in common with Sophia are my age and that I do not have any children. Besides these differences, I am very similar to her (especially in regards to living in the same town and owning a large dog). This is not a coincidence because when I completed this assignment, I tried to put myself in the shoes of a stay-at-home mother. Furthermore, I tried to imagine what hobbies and TV shows my prototypical customer would enjoy (i.e., Grey's Anatomy is my favorite show, but I decided to think outside the box into what other TV shows a stay-at-home mother enjoys.) Overall, I enjoyed this assignment because it allowed me to exercise my creative thinking in a new way. 

Assignment 16A –What’s Your Secret Sauce?

Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique.

1. Creative

As a public relations major, I learned that creativity is a valuable skill in any setting. For example, I am creative when brainstorming initiatives and social media posts/campaigns for my non-profit. 

2. Compassionate

I am a compassionate person, and I serve as a mentor to children of all ages. In fact, I have also mentored children with Autism and other disabilities since I was in middle school.

3. Service-oriented

At a young age, my grandparents taught me the mindset of "service over self." Today, I still continue to give back work to inspire the youth in my community about how they can unite to create a sustainable community and planet.

4. Driven

When I set a goal, I put my mind to it. Furthermore, I work towards that goal until I achieve it. An expression I relate to is that it is essential to never give up.

5.  Detail-oriented

When completing assignments or projects for my non-profit, I always make sure that my work is top-quality. I always make sure whatever I am working on is detailed enough and clearly conveys my message. 

Interview the five people who know you the best.

1. The first person that I interviewed was my cousin Joey. The primary quality Joey emphasized was my compassion for others. He said that he admired my philanthropic work to provide clean drinking water to people in developing nations and that my selflessness makes him want to be a better person.
https://soundcloud.com/user-862891199-190148612/adriana-ent3003-16a-uf

2. The second person that I interviewed was my first and second-grade teacher and Board Member of my non-profit, Mrs. Brown. One of the things Mrs. Brown explained was how she is in awe of my confidence, especially at Board meetings. 
https://soundcloud.com/user-862891199-190148612/adriana-ent3003-16a-interview

3. The third person I interviewed was my cousin Jaclyn. Jaclyn noted many qualities that make up my human capital. To note a few, she mentioned my organizational skills and sense of style.

https://soundcloud.com/user-862891199-190148612/adriana-ent3003-16a-1

4. The fourth person I interviewed was my Aunt Lisa, who is also the ESE Coordinator of the Martin County School District and a Board Member of my non-profit. She mainly emphasized was how I always have empathy towards others. 
https://soundcloud.com/user-862891199-190148612/adriana-ent3003-uf-16a

5. Last, but certainly not least, I interviewed my dad. My father noted many qualities about myself that make up my human capital. To summarize, these include my leadership skills, kindness, and dedication to being a positive role model for the students in my community.
https://soundcloud.com/user-862891199-190148612/new-recording-7

Reflect on the differences. 

There are no differences between the ways I see myself and how others see me. I also think my interviewees are correct about me because the notes I saw are similar to my list in part 1 besides the qualities that my cousin Jaclyn mentioned, but she was also very detailed in her interview about me in comparison to the others. I would not change my list in part 1 because the qualities I described helped mold me into the student and leader I am today.

Assignment 15A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

I decided to build upon my analysis of last time, so the segment I will be focusing on is adults within the age range of 30 to 60 years old who live in my neighborhood and have at least one dog.

For my first interview, I interviewed a 41-year-old woman who is a mother and owns a medium-sized dog.

For my second interview, I interviewed a 58-year-old woman who owns two small dogs.

For my last interview, I interviewed a 45-year-old man who owns a large dog and a small dog. 

Alternative evaluation

All three of my interviewees said that quality and price are the most significant factors that they consider when evaluating alternatives. In regards to cost, they also said they would be willing to consider purchasing pet waste bags in bulk because it is less expensive and allows them to have more bags on hand for their dogs. One of my interviewees, who has two dogs, said this would be a better option for him because he walks his dogs twice a day and purchases pet waste bags for them once or twice a month.

How/where do they buy

The places my interviewees usually look to purchase pet waste bags are online through services like Chewy. One of my interviewees said that she likes to shop online rather than physically at a store due to the convenience it offers her. Another interviewee said that he prefers to go to a pet store to purchase pet waste bags for his dogs because he thinks the customer service is better in-store than online. All of the people I interviewed said they are more likely to use cash/credit cards for their purchases.

Post-purchase evaluation

The people I interviewed said that the most significant factor influencing their post-purchase decision is how often they use their pet waste bags. Two of the interviewees said that if they remember to bring the pet waste bags with them, then they feel it is a significant influence because this means it would become a part of their lifestyles. One interviewee also noted that an important factor in their post-purchase evaluation is how durable the pet waste bag is. When thinking about this, durability correlates to the quality of the pet waste bags because if the pet waste bag is thin or it breaks apart easily, it can be perceived as a poor quality bag.

Report the findings

When I told my interviewees about the "Doggie Dootie Station," they were thrilled about my new product. Two of my interviewees asked when the stations would be installed in their neighborhood, as they would use the stations to pick up after their dogs during walks as soon as they are installed. All of my interviewees explained that they felt frustrated about seeing unclaimed dog waste within their neighborhood for the past few months. When I told them about how they can obtain bags and gloves from the station, one person said that it is so convenient because sometimes they forget to bring a bag with them, which makes him feel disappointed. All of my interviewees are happy at the thought of this product being in their community.

Draw conclusions

Based on the interviews I conducted, I determined that my segment is trying to make purchase decisions that are useful and durable. In regards to alternative evaluation, purchase decision, and post-purchase evaluation, I would say that my segment strongly considers high-quality and price-effective products, prefers to look for products online, and decides to keep or return products based on how it would adapt to their lifestyles.

Assignment 14A – Halfway Reflection

Time flies! I can't believe I am already halfway done with this semester!

1.  Tenaciousness is a competency.

There are a few behaviors, new and existing, that I utilized to keep up with the requirements of this course. The primary new behavior I have used is keeping up with the online lectures this semester. Every Monday and Wednesday at 1:55, I would treat these times like "class times" and watch the online lectures on my laptop. If I couldn't watch the lectures that day due to a meeting, I would make an effort to watch them later that afternoon or the next day. There was never a time I got behind in class material. I also used existing behaviors, like putting due dates into a paper planner and syncing the Canvas calendar for this class to my phone's calendar.

2.  Tenaciousness is also about attitude.

In reviewing the definition provided for "tenacious," it made me reflect on my experiences not just in this course, but also throughout my educational career. I always feel like I've had a tenacious attitude. However, there was one time I felt like "giving up" this semester when I was working on one of my assignments for this class. I was working in Blogger and was almost finished with my assignment. When I went to insert a link into my assignment, I suddenly saw that all of my hard work was gone. I instantly panicked and researched the problem I was encountering. It turned out that Blogger does not have a version history of posts, so I lost not only my assignment but also the hard work I put in all week. While I felt upset and frustrated, I persevered. I stayed up until almost midnight and re-wrote my post, and I ended up submitting my assignment on time. Now, I always press "save" every 30 seconds when I am working in Blogger.

3.  Three tips.

1. Make sure you regularly watch the lectures and take the cupcakes as soon as early as you can.
2. Get assignments done early so that you are not overwhelmed on Friday mornings when they are due. 
3. Use a paper planner! It will help you stay organized with the multiple deadlines for this class (part A/blog assignment due Friday at noon, part B/declare due Friday at noon, part C/two peer reviews due Monday at noon)

Assignment 13A – Reading Reflection No. 1

1) You read about an entrepreneur: Coco Chanel by Lisa Chaney.

What surprised you the most? What surprised me the most was the obstacles that Gabriella "Coco" Chanel overcame during her early life. I learned that Chanel's mother passed away when she was young, and her father abandoned her afterward. I was surprised when I read this because I thought she lived a "glamorous" lifestyle. I can only imagine the struggles Chanel faced as a result of this and how devastated she felt. 

What about the entrepreneur did you most admire? What I most admired about Chanel was her ingenuity and confidence. Chanel had a bold style, which was not common among women at that time. She went outside of the box as she established her career in the fashion industry and defined her brand. Most importantly, Chanel did this without caring about what other women thought. She ultimately created pieces like little black dresses and pantsuits that are timeless yet embody her bold style. 

What about the entrepreneur did you least admire? There wasn't anything about Chanel that I least admired, as I felt inspired after reading her life story. 

Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it? Chanel faced a significant amount of adversity and failure throughout her life. After being abandoned by her father, she lived in poverty and was raised by nuns who taught her how to sew. This skill eventually became valuable in Chanel's career when she made a dress out of an old jersey material on a cold day.


2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? I would say that Chanel's competencies are her passion for fashion, creativity, and perseverance. She was also very dedicated in her career and never took "no" for an answer. Lastly, she was clear in defining her brand, and this is evident when looking at her products today.

3) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you. The biography itself had a lot of facts, so at times it was hard for me to keep up with the information. I was also confused by the relationships she had with Etienne and Arthur, as the timeline in the book was not clear.

4) If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

• If she had to pick a favorite perfume that she made, which one would she choose? I would ask her this question because one of the things Chanel is known for today is her fragrances. I also think they are nice-smelling fragrances, and it would be interesting to obtain her perspective on which one was her favorite and why. 

Assignment 12A – Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

The segment I will be focusing on is adults within the age range of 30 to 60 years old who live in my neighborhood and have at least one dog.

Interview 1: For my first interview, I interviewed a 48-year-old woman who owns a small dog.

Need awareness: She is diligent with picking up after her dog, but she notices this problem when she goes to walk her dog and sees unclaimed dog waste on her driveway. She has noticed this every morning for the past year and suspects it's her new neighbor's dog. She mentioned that her neighbor walks her dog early because she likes to exercise first thing in the morning.

Information search: She picks up the dog waste with a pet waste bag because she wants to keep her property clean. When I asked her about the pet waste bags she uses for her dog, she told me that she mainly purchases them online. When she searches on Google, she enters the search terms "best pet waste bags for small dogs." But, she told me that if her shipment runs behind schedule or if she needs extra pet waste bags before her next order, she will go to her local pet store and purchase more. She expresses her frustrations about this problem to her sister, who is also a dog owner. She hopes that a long-term solution will be implemented within our neighborhood.

Interview 2: For my second interview, I interviewed a 39-year-old woman who is a mother of two children and owns a large dog.

Need awareness: She notices this need when she occasionally forgets to bring pet waste bags to pick up after her dog during her walks. She has two young children, so she becomes easily distracted when she is completing a task (for example, getting ready to go on a walk with her family's dog), and they want to show her something or play with her.

Information search: She goes online to find affordable yet convenient ways to solve this problem. For now, she has a subscription service through Chewy where she has items like pet waste bags delivered to her house every month. She discovered Chewy when she entered the search terms "pet waste bags for large dogs." She talks to her husband about this problem because even though she gets the pet waste bags delivered to her house, she still occasionally forgets them before she goes on walks and this makes her feel frustrated because of all the money they spend per month on pet waste bags.

Interview 3: For my last interview, I interviewed a 56-year-old man who owns a large dog. 

Need awareness: He notices this need when he walks his dog every day and notices that his neighbor does not pick up after his dog's waste. This frustrates him because he is aware of the negative environmental effects dog waste has, and he doesn't understand how his neighbor could just leave his dog's waste behind. He thinks his neighbor is irresponsible because he doesn't pick up his dog's waste. He told me he brings pet waste bags with him every time he walks his dog and is responsible when picking up and disposing of his dog's waste.

Information search: He ties pet waste bags onto his dog's leash before walks. When I asked him about the brand of pet waste bags he has and how he found them, he said he doesn't remember the name but that he saw them when going to PetSmart for dog food. He usually re-purchases pet waste bags every month and does not buy them online.

Report findings

I learned from my interviews that there is no current long-term solution to the problem of increasing dog waste in my neighborhood. This problem is one that occurs often because people in my neighborhood who own dogs walk their dogs every day. As a result, my product is a valid solution because it provides a long-term solution for decreasing, if not eliminating, dog waste. It is also simple and convenient, so dog owners won't feel burdened at the thought of using it.

Draw conclusions

Based on the information above, I believe this segment primarily searches for information online. They also find information through recommendations from family and friends and finding products in their local pet stores. They become aware of this need when they see unclaimed dog waste in their neighborhood or if they forget to bring pet waste bags with them during their walks with their dogs.

Assignment 11A – Idea Napkin No. 1

1.  I am a senior at the University of Florida through their UF Online program majoring in public relations with an outside concentration in business administration. My work experience is mainly in the non-profit sector. As I previously mentioned, I am the Founder and President of Students4H2O, which is a non-profit organization advocating for environmental education and youth leadership. On a personal level, I am also a dog owner of two German Shepherds. Walking my dogs led me to notice the problem of increasing dog waste within my neighborhood and focus my business concept for this class around this problem so I can find a solution. The skills/talents I have that pertain to my product include budgeting, critical thinking skills, and project management. Through my public relations education at UF, I have knowledge in social media management and creative programs like Adobe Creative Cloud. Lastly, I also have excellent public speaking and interpersonal communication skills. My aspirations are to develop a financially viable product that also makes a difference. I would apply my skills and aspirations to my business. Hypothetically, if I were to start this business, I would see it as a "side hustle" where it would act as an additional project that I would work on in my free time. I would most likely work this way until I can adequately sustain myself from this business.

2.  My product is a dog waste receptacle, which is also known as the Doggie Dooty Station, which gives dog owners the ability to dispose of their soiled pet waste bags through a designated slot. Or, they can also obtain a clean pet waste bag at any Doggie Dooty Station so that they can pick up after their dogs. A new feature of my product is that in addition to pet waste bags, gloves will be available at each Doggie Dooty Station for those who are "grossed out" by picking up their dog's waste. Also, each receptacle has signage to inform dog owners about the receptacles and encourage them to pick up after their dogs.

3.  I believe most of my potential customers will be people who own at least one dog. Based on my previous customer interviews, I also think that these customers would be homeowners who live in neighborhoods. The primary characteristic these customers would have in common is that they have a need to keep their communities clean and sanitary.

4.  I feel customers will care about the Doggie Dooty Station because it will decrease the amount of dog waste within their communities. This is important because dog waste has bacteria that is harmful when it comes into contact with humans and other dogs. Therefore, there are also health concerns when, for example, children are playing and come into contact with dog waste, or a dog unknowingly steps into another dog's waste (which was unclaimed) while walking with its owner. There is also the raised concern of "common courtesy" where other neighbors or dog owners do not feel like they should be responsible for picking up dog waste from another person's dog. In summary, the Doggie Dooty Station will assist in solving these problems by positively reinforcing dog owners to pick up after their dogs' waste, resulting in cleaner communities.

5.  I think the primary core competency that separates me from everybody else is that no other dog waste receptacle has a solution like mine where pet waste bags and gloves are available for dog owners who need them. Most dog waste receptacles only have pet waste bags. By having both pet waste bags and gloves at each Doggie Dooty Station, it removes room for excuses from dog owners for not using it. I am also a dog owner who saw this problem in my neighborhood, so my story is also distinctive because it adds a "humanized" perspective behind creating this product.

Overall, I believe that these elements fit together. As I evaluated these elements, it made me realize how simple my product is for dog owners to use and that it is a practical solution for the problem of increasing dog waste in neighborhoods. There are many reasons why dog owners do not pick up after their dogs' waste, and the most common is they forgot to bring pet waste bags with them. With this being said, I believe my product will have a positive impact from both the convenience and environmental standpoints.

Adriana Mancini ENT3003 10A Elevator Pitch 1

Assignment 9A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

The opportunity I chose is installing dog waste receptacles in my neighborhood as a result of increased dog waste. But, I wanted to have a better understanding of the unmet need for my opportunity in other areas. Therefore, the opportunity outside my boundary definition would be the implementation of my program of dog waste receptacles in Downtown Stuart, FL, because it is a geographical area outside of my neighborhood but still within my local area. Downtown Stuart is well-known for its stores, restaurants, and Riverwalk (boardwalk) alongside the St. Lucie River. I know that there are not only citizens that frequently come to Downtown Stuart daily, but there are also many business owners that should be interested in this waste receptacle program to keep the areas surrounding their stores clean and sanitary.

Summary of interviews

  

Interview 1: My first interview was with Diane, an elderly woman who has lived in the Downtown Stuart area for over 30 years and is retired. Diane spends time daily in Downtown Stuart doing things like having coffee with friends, going shopping, and attending functions at the Lyric Theatre. Unfortunately, Diane does not feel that it is her responsibility to pick up after other people’s dogs. Although she loves her hometown, she believes by picking up someone else’s dog waste, dog owners will become even less responsible about picking up after their pets because someone else is willing to do so.

Interview 2: For my second interview, I interviewed a woman named Jaclyn, who frequently goes to Downtown Stuart with her rescue pup. Jaclyn thinks this program would be great for the Downtown area and actually make her life easier by not having to buy dog waste bags for the trips she makes to Downtown Stuart, as well as not having to remember to bring dog bags with her when she heads Downtown to shop or meet friends. She also believes all other dog owners who frequently visit the downtown area would support the program and even spread the word that when downtown, you not only don’t have to worry about bringing dog waste bags and disposing of them because there are receptacle stations for dog waste.

Interview 3: My third interview was with Kai, who is a business owner in Downtown Stuart. She said that if she saw dog waste outside her store, she would likely pick it up and dispose of it in the provided receptacle. What was interesting was that Kai said if she saw dog waste that was in a location not near her store, she likely would not pick it up. She was honest in saying that she would really like to keep her storefront clean and sanitary for her customers and bystanders. She thinks other store owners should be responsible for picking up any dog waste that may occur outside of their storefronts.

Interview 4: My fourth interview was with Patty, who owns two stores in Downtown Stuart- Gumbo Limbo Coastal Chic and Gumbo Limbo Coastal Kids. She said that she is a dog lover at heart. She loves the idea of having receptacles throughout Downtown Stuart. She also noted that her dogs and her daughter’s dog are paper trained, so they never leave the store during the day, especially not to go to the bathroom. While she is interested in keeping Downtown Stuart clean, she said she would likely pick up dog waste outside of her store, but would not be interested in picking up dog waste anywhere else in Downtown Stuart. Patty thinks that dog owners should be more responsible for picking up after their dogs, and she has no interest in assuming that responsibility for them.

Interview 5: For my last interview, I was able to interview a mail carrier named Julie when I was visiting Gumbo Limbo. Julie, who has two rescues herself, felt that receptacles and dog waste bags would be a great idea for Downtown Stuart. She is all for keeping the downtown area clean and sanitary. However, Julie has no interest in picking up other owners’ dog waste. She emphasized that she runs on a tight schedule and has no time to stop and pick up after another dog owner’s pet waste. She likes the idea for herself if she is not working and is downtown with her dogs, but really not for any other scenario.

Who: The who here focused on those that frequent Downtown Stuart as consumers and people who own shops in Downtown Stuart. All of the people involved have the desire to keep Downtown Stuart beautiful and clean. Some fell outside the boundary because they simply didn’t feel it was fair to pick up after less responsible dog owners. That dis-interest outweighed their overall desire to keep Downtown Stuart clean and free from dog waste. They did not want to let irresponsible dog owners “off the hook” by picking up after their dogs. 

What: The need to keep Downtown Stuart free from dog waste and a convenient place to dispose of dog waste sometimes, depending on the type of person being interviewed, was outweighed by their disinterest in doing what they felt was a dog owner’s responsibility. Basically, they would do it if it was right outside their store, but that was the limit and would not pick up dog waste from a stranger’s dog if it wasn’t close to their shop. This really emphasized the “ownership” interest they had in their business, but that is where it ended as they really didn’t seem concerned with another owner’s company. They felt that if they would keep their storefront clean, then another store owner should be willing to pick up outside their own store.

Why: I think the underlying cause of the outsider’s need, while similar from those inside the boundary, the factor that makes the receptacle project more desirable is ownership interest. As a homeowner in a community, your property value is affected by how your neighbors keep and maintain their properties and how the common areas are maintained. This, when compared to Downtown Stuart, didn’t seem to translate with as much interest. There was interest, but it didn’t seem to be as much. The attitude of those interviewed in the Downtown Stuart group seemed to be more self-interested in their businesses, but not downtown as a whole. They would take care of their own property area, at best, but that is really where it ended. Their attitude was everyone should take care of their own property/storefronts in the event a dog owner was irresponsible in not picking up their dog’s waste. I think the project would have some success in Downtown Stuart. But, it may need additional support such as signs or notices posted around this area that would “remind” dog owners of the receptacle and bags and encourage them (kind of shame them) into cleaning up after their pets. This additional support certainly would not hurt the project.

Inside the boundary	Outside the boundary
Who is in Dog-owners Individuals who live in neighborhoods and/or are concerned about the increased amount of dog waste in their communities	Who is not Non-dog owners Individuals who are not concerned about this issue and/or live in more urban areas like Downtown Stuart.
What the need is To keep their communities clean and sanitary.	What the need is not To emphasize accountability among dog owners who do not pick up their dogs' waste.
Why the need exists Dog waste has disease-causing bacteria that are harmful to humans and other dogs.	Alternative explanations People are "grossed out" by the thought of picking up dog waste. Lack of awareness of the negative environmental impacts of unclaimed dog waste. A dog owner thinking someone else will pick up their dog's waste for them.