Assignment 4- "Forming an Opportunity Belief"

1. Beginning point:
-I believe that regardless of an individual's current work/school/life balance, they should be able to find the time to pursue a study/hobby outside of work and/or school.

2. Describe the belief:
First off, what is the unmet need? It is a need that deep down, every human has, whether they want to admit it or not. It is the need to learn and grow as an individual, based off of your personal interests.
Second, who has the need? The answer to this is simple: yourself. You're the only person who knows what's best for yourself based on these circumstances.
Third, where did this need come from? Is it new or has it always existed? I feel that the answer to this question will vary from person to person. For some people, they know that there's something they've always been interested in from the surface, but never gathered the courage to truly pursue it. For others, a recent life experience may have triggered the drive to pursue something, based off of the newly formed belief from this life experience. Again, this is something that only the individual can answer.
Finally, the Fourth question: What are people doing to meet this need now? Based off of what the individual wants to pursue and why, people who are successfully meeting this need are getting past any issues that hindered them from starting in the first place(legitimate problems, confidence issues, etc...) and are "pedal-to-the-metal" trying their best at a new study/hobby. The end goal is to become proficient enough at whatever this may be to where you can truly say to yourself "I really learned and grew as a person from this experience."
How sure am I that this opportunity exists?(In a percentage estimate) I am 100% certain that this opportunity exists. It's a form of "potential energy" inside of every human. It's just a matter of taking the right steps to activate it.

3. Identify the prototypical customer:
Now I will give three examples of three prototypical "customers" who would benefit from pursuing a new hobby/study of interest.
1. A mother/wife named Kelly who works full-time, has a nanny to watch her kids during the day, and is grateful when she has enough time to watch an episode of a TV show with her husband at night before bed. She's always had an interest in art and did paint for a little bit as a child. Recently, she's developed an interest in pottery, but hasn't yet pursued it for a multitude of reasons(we'll get to those later).
2. A single man named Ron who also works full time. Ron is interested in sports and cars, but has also always had an interest in electric guitar. Ron never pursued learning how to play because his parents couldn't afford to get him one as a kid. He feels that he is in a "rut" from doing the same thing every days for the past few years, and is eager to finally pursue a long-time interest of his...
3. A college student named Michael. Michael is fortunate enough to where he hasn't had to work to support himself through college. Michael went through some tough times during his childhood, with his father passing away at the age of 7 and his mom always gone at work. Michael has always been interested in the Sciences(Biology, Chemistry, etc...) but never really immersed himself in them during high school. Currently, he is an Economics major, in which he has moderate interest in. If Michael can get past his confidence issues, he would love to change his major and pursue what he really wants in life...

4.  Iteration #1(Customer 1):
Me(the Interviewer): Hello all! I hope everyone has had a fantastic day thus far! Welcome to the TV Show "Pursue Now," where we analyze an individuals interests and discover which new hobby/study they should take on in order to lead a happier and healthier life! Kelly from California is our guest today. Kelly, I have a few questions to ask you about your want, or should I say need to pursue art as a hobby. How long have you been interested in art for?
Kelly: Honestly, since I was a little girl. I've painted for a little bit as a child and into my preteen years. However, I began to draw after that and eventually after high school just stopped altogether. I guess college happened after that, and then life! I watched a show with my husband about pottery recently, and it kind of rekindled my passion for art, but specifically pottery.
Me: That's okay! It's good to hear that you've realized a newfound passion. Now, let's get into the root of the problem here. What is the exact nature of your need to pursue pottery? Do you experience the desire all the time or only sometimes?
Kelly: Well I've been at my current job for over 10 years now, and it's something I do enjoy for the most part. It's good pay and has benefits such as health insurance so I don't think I want to change my career anytime soon. Being 38 and having two kids as a full time employee, I would love it if I could retire but my husband and I simply can't afford that right now. In other words, I definitely don't think about pottery all the time. So it isn't something that I want to change my whole life over.
Me: That's good to hear though because you're being honest with yourself. So, how long have you had this need? You said you watched the TV show with your husband recently, correct?
Kelly: Yes, I'd say about 3 months ago.
Me: Oh, wow. So very recently! Were you aware of your interest in pottery before you watched the TV show?
Kelly: To be honest with you, no. I've just been so busy during my adult life with work, kids, their needs, etc...
Me: Well that worked out perfectly, as I was just about to ask you why you weren't aware of your interest prior to the TV Show! Have you done anything to pursue your interest in pottery yet?
Kelly: Unfortunately, no. I've been meaning to sign up for one of my local classes, but just haven't gotten around to it.
Me: No worries at all! Let me ask you one more question before you leave. Will you be more satisfied than you were when you walked in if we sign you up for your local class right now? Obviously, we'll work around your work/family schedule as well as pay for the first three sessions!
Kelly: Oh, absolutely! I would really appreciate that! Does the expression on my face answer your question?(picture a super happy facial expression)
Me: (chuckles) Yes Kelly, I think it does. Thanks again for joining us on "Pursue Now." We'll see you next week!
(End Interview)

Iteration #2(Customer 2):
Me(The Interviewer): Hello all! I hope everyone has had a fantastic day thus far! Welcome to the TV Show "Pursue Now," where we analyze an individuals interests and discover which new hobby/study they should take on in order to lead a happier and healthier life! Ron from Ohio is our guest today. Ron, I have a few questions to ask you about your want, or should I say need to pursue electric guitar as a hobby. How long have you been interested in it for?
Ron: Well, I've been a NASCAR fan my whole life and the music associated with that culture is heavily influenced by the electric guitar. So I've definitely always had an interest in it. However about 2 months ago, I saw Dead and Company in concert. As sad as it may sound, this was my first concert ever! Anyways, the way John Mayer played the guitar truly inspired me to pick it up myself.
Me: That's awesome! I'm personally a big fan of John Mayer and the Dead myself. What is the exact nature of your need to pursue electric guitar? Do you experience the desire all the time or only sometimes?
Ron: Well, considering the fact that I work as a mortgage broker full time, it's definitely not a constant thing I think about. I truly do like my job, but sticking to the same schedule for awhile gets old. After that concert, I realized I needed to "spice up my life" a bit.
Me: Ron, it seems that you already know what you're doing! So you have started playing at this point?
Ron: Yes! I picked up a Fender Telecaster two days after the concert and have been practicing since. I'm still a novice though!
Me: That is truly amazing to hear Ron. Let me ask you one more question before the show ends. Are you more satisfied now that you've started to pursue your passion of playing electric guitar versus when you were solely thinking about it?
Ron: Oh, absolutely! It feels like a huge weight off my shoulders. Yet, the weight has been replaced with the desire to learn!
Me: Ron, best of luck on your journey as a guitarist. We are going to sign you up for three complimentary lessons at your local Guitar Center before you leave. Thanks again to everyone for tuning in to another episode of "Pursue Now!" We'll see y'all again next week!
(End Interview)

Iteration #3(Customer 3):
Me(The Interviewer):  Hello all! I hope everyone has had a fantastic day thus far! Welcome to the TV Show "Pursue Now," where we analyze an individuals interests and discover which new hobby/study they should take on in order to lead a happier and healthier life! Michael from South Carolina is our guest today. Michael, I have a few questions to ask you about your want, or should I say need to pursue a study in Biochemistry. How long have you been interested in it for?
Michael: To be honest with you, I think I've been interested in it for longer than I'd thought. It was one of those things where I'm two years into my major in Economics but realized about two months ago that in hindsight I wished I would've majored in Biochemistry instead.
Me: Michael, it's good that you're being honest with yourself. It's not too late to change your major... However let me ask you another set of questions. What is the exact nature of your need to pursue a major in Biochemistry? Do you experience the desire all the time or only sometimes?
Michael: Definitely all the time. Basically, every time I open up my computer to work on my current courses for Economics, I think "Man, is this what I really want to be studying?"
Me: Well Michael, I'm not going to lie to you. It's evident that you're not doing what you really want to do. You said you realized "in hindsight" that you should've majored in Biochemistry. What specifically would you have done differently in the past to be in this position today?
Michael: It's simple really. I should've taken the sciences more seriously in high school. Instead of taking AP Human Geography and Psychology, I should've taken AP Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and probably Calculus since that obviously applies to some aspects of these studies as a whole.
Me: Wow, it's clear you've put some thought to this. Why weren't you aware of this in high school? It seems that you knew what to do all along?...
Michael: Well, I guess it all comes down to having confidence in yourself to achieve something. First off, I was not a long-term oriented thinker in high school. This has definitely changed in college. In other words, I simply never thought about it. I always said I was going to do something business related because that's what my parents do. Again, I only wrote myself off as such because of my lack of confidence in myself. This is what caused me to limit myself to eventually Economics and then... well I think I summed it up pretty good there...(nervous tone and complexion).
Me: It's okay Michael. No need to be nervous. The fact that you were able to explain to me that self-confidence is the root to why you didn't do anything about it in the past proves that you know why you didn't pursue it, which is huge. Now, Michael. You know that it's not too late for you to change your major. How would you like it if we paid for your first semester of Biochemistry courses at... which college do yo go to again?
Michael: The University of Florida, sir.
Me: Oh wow. I've heard a lot of great things about the Gators down there in Gainesville.
Michael: Yes sir. It's truly a special place. Wait- I have to actually get into the program though.
Me: Yes Michael. This is under the assumption that you get in.
Michael: Well, in that case- (takes a moment to think, obviously very emotional) YES! I would love to!!! Thank you so much!(Bursts out tears of joy, simultaneously goes to give the Interviewer a hug)
Me: Oh! It's our pleasure Michael! It's truly our pleasure! Thanks again to everyone for tuning in to another episode of "Pursue Now!" We'll see y'all again next week!
(End Interview)
5. Reflection:
As you can see, each one of these individuals came from and had a very different set of circumstances. Kelly, a full-time employee with two children and a husband, was an example of a very typical case as to why she hadn't pursued her hobby: time. She's always on the go, either worrying about work-related matters or her kids. She's happy to be able to spend time with her husband at night. However, she came to the conclusion that she needs to do something else in her life, something she has a passion for. Even though she's only doing her pottery class for an hour a week twice a week, it's something she can escape too. An outlet for her creativity. She now knows that no matter how hard the week will be, she has that personal time to look forward to.

Ron, on the other hand, was an example of an individual who knew what he wanted all along, but just didn't have the financial means to begin electric guitar as a kid. Because of this, he had to work extra hard growing up, eventually paying his way through college and landing a job as a Mortgage Broker. He must've forgotten about his childhood passion through those years, until something rekindled those deep desires: John Mayer's insane guitar solos. From here, Ron realized his old desire, and went out and purchased an electric guitar. He is now well on his way to excelling at his new hobby. Ron definitely had the most "straightforward" case of the three.

Finally, we get to Michael. Michael without a doubt had the most complex case of the three. Mainly for one reason: confidence issues. Based off of Michael's past, he was never able to have someone in his life (a consistent father-figure) to instill this in him during his formative years. Therefore, he kind of just "went with the flow" and did what most people expected from him, but not what he truly wanted. Fortunately, he was able to realize that he's at an age where he can do whatever he wants and that regardless of what he didn't learn growing up, it's never too late to change. The only thing that can give an individual confidence is the individual. More specifically, the actions the individual takes. It's truly inspiring to see Michael "get out of his own way" and pursue the major he always wanted.

6. Refer to #'s 3-5 above^^^
7. Summarize:
1. How much of your original opportunity is still there?
- 100 percent of it still exists no doubt. I will say that there are some things that hinder an individual from pursuing new hobbies/passions such as financial constraints, location, etc... However, at it's core purpose, any and every person still has the ability to do this if they are determined.
2. Do you believe that your new opportunity is more accurate than when you started?
-Seeing that I haven't deviated from the thought process of my original opportunity, I honestly cannot answer this question.
3. How much do you think Entrepreneurs should 'adapt' their opportunities based on customer feedback?(In other words, is there a trade off between adapting and staying firm?)
-There is no doubt a trade off between adapting and staying firm to your ideas based off an opportunity. If you stay too firm, you'll never be able to capture the true needs of the customer. Conversely, if you adapt too much, you'll never capture the true needs of yourself. There is an exact balance between these two elements that allows for Entrepreneurial harmony.