Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

Summary of the Interviews


From my interviews, I gathered information based on the questions from the assignment. The way interviewees bought things varied on a few principles and values. For example, Amanda, a college student I interviewed, buys things based on necessity. My old coworker, Saul buys things based on his hobbies, but rarely anything for pleasure or want. A lot of the students I interviewed agreed price and quality matter the most. A lot of students buy online, as it is easy and efficient. Students dont need to waste gas money, and shipping is usually free at certain price points. A lot of students have credit cards, and most of the people I interviewed hold jobs, so their deposits go to their banking accounts. I interviewed my friend Tina, who rewards herself with purchases whenever she gets a good grade, or achieves something. I think a mindset like that is healthy. Other people I interviewed are much more frugal, and save buying things for later dates, after rent is paid.

I think these interviews were important, because it sets the mindset in how people would participate in our entrepreneurial endeavors in this class. So, not everyone would need a food truck to bring them food, because we all have our own ways to buy food, or spend our money.

Halfway Reflection

1) To keep up with this class, you have to set certain hours in your week to focus on this class. It is almost all busy work, so, be prepared to set aside  three or four hours a week for this class.
2) I dont believe I have developed a tenacious attitude in this class alone, because the Innovation Academy has put many students through classes like this previously.  Be prepared to need to take a breath from doing work in this class.
3) Stay on top of things. Work hard, and efficiently. Find ideas you would love to pursue. 

Reading Reflection No. 1

I chose Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance.

1. Elon Musk's childhood surprised me. You dont always know how your childhood life can change your future. I admire Musk's tenacity, and power. I least admire the amount of wealth he has. Surely it can be put somewhere else. Musk has witnessed a lot of failure and adversity. In his childhood, in his careers. Its natural.
2. Elon Musk is quite extroverted, so it allowed him to become very successful quite quickly.
3. What I found confusing was how Elon Musk kept finding ways to do more, and to be better. Perhaps thats just a true entrepreneur at heart, because he keeps finding ways to make more money.
4. What's your secret? What's your advice to generations in 100 years? Elon Musk is one of the most powerful entrepreneurs out there. He will impact our economy and our world for a very long time.
5. Elon Musk worked hard. He got a PhD, and worked hard studying sciences and physics. He was in the right mindset for his whole life, and it got him somewhere.

Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

 The segment I believe that matches my "venture market" would be students who live on campus.

My old roommates have the need of needing more food on the occasional night. The need isn't dire, but it is a need that they understand and have. For example, my old RA, who was my roommate, would be very grateful of me bringing home extra paninis from Starbucks at night. If I wasn't there, she would go to the POD and buy 2$ Ramen for dinner, or have some chips instead. My other friend might as her parents for money for dinner, and my other coworker might take extra hours at work so she will have enough money for the next week.

I think college students always love free things, so even small acts of kindness like giving waste to my roommates or floor-mates meant a lot to them. Food is food after all.

Idea Napkin No. 1

1) I am a student who worked for Starbucks on campus, under Aramark. I know how much food we threw out at the end of the night. I know how this food can be put to good use, like giving it to students who need it. Whenever i took home to my roommates, they loved the extra pastry or panini.

2) Im offering food that goes out at the end of the night from stores like Starbucks or Panda to students at little to no cost.

3) To students who need a little extra dinner, or a snack to keep them going.

4) I believe students will not say no to extra food. And with paying at little costs, it shouldn't be an issue for students who are on a budget.

5)  What sets me apart from everyone else is that i am a student in need of food occasionally, so i can relate to the need for people.


I think this idea is flawed, but it could unfurl into something in the future. There are a lot of reasons why this idea cannot be plausible: liabilities, food safety hazards, and Aramark's ever so strict policies. I think i have a lot more to learn and research about this whole idea, so i am unsure how possible this idea can become.

Elevator Pitch No. 1

Here is my pitch. Rough draft at its finest. Give me feedback!

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Who: I talked to some people who work in the food industry, and college students, who fall outside of the boundary. The food places on campus arent all healthy, so some students agreed on not wanting waste from their stores, because its a lot of fast food and a lot of calorie dense meals. I talked to a student who watches his weight and is a wrestler. Waste from food places on campus wont benefit him because he needs to eat certain meals to keep his weight in check. My old roommate is vegan, so there aren't a lot of options for her if she wanted to get food that is thrown away at the end of the day. So in all, this idea is flawed, but could have potential. Students can agree on not ever having enough food, so why not have a backup?

What: This need differs than another need because it is real, and evident amongst students. Food is an important aspect in a lot of our lives. College students cant just live off ramen and pasta their whole college career. Food industries on campus can provide for students.

Why: The underlying cause of the outsiders need different than the people inside the boundary is because everyones lives are different. We have different ways of attaining food. I got my job at Starbucks because it was always a dream of mine to work there. It was a bonus to close at night, because I could take home food for me and my roommates for the next few days. 

Inside the Boundary	Outside the Boundary
Who is In -Homeless Shelters -College Students -Low Income Families	Who is Not -Students with jobs -People with allergies -People with enough income to sustain food for their self and their family
What the Need Is -Giving away food to people who are hungry	What the Need is Not -Some stuff we throw away at Starbucks is not nutritious enough to keep people satiated.
Why the Need Exists -Because there will always be waste. So why not lessen the amount of waste we have?	Alternative Explanations -There are many ways we can receive food. Working 6 hours at an Aramark food service place on campus allows you to get a free meal during your break. There are food stamps. We have a food and supplies "kitchen" on campus.

Solving The Problem

I think the way to solve the problem of food waste is setting a system up to document and send food to those who need it through some sort of delivery system. It can be a sort of food truck, or an organization of students who take food to shelters or students on campus who are in need of food.

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

1)
 I believe Food Service companies (Like Aramark owned Starbucks' on campus) can log waste and can donate excess food to those in need.
 2)
Who: The homeless, College Students, other food industries.
What: They are in need of food, and food waste at the end of a day can help that.
Why: A company like aramark goes through a lot of waste on camps today. Why should it be discarded for good?
3)
Testing the who: Maybe shelters and students have already found ways to get food. But why not give people more options?
Testing the what: Safety hazards in food waste. There can be issues in serving food that is "expired" due to food company standards.
Testing the why: I know there is a million reasons why we cant leave waste to donate. Food safety hazards. Aramark pays for the goods that are in chains like Starbucks or Wendys. Food that isn't healthy or sufficient for mass quantities. But why hasn't the University of Florida's food pantry tried asking Aramark for the waste we throw out every night (unless they have).
4 & 5)
I interviewed people from Starbucks, and from people on campus. I think there can be a way to implement a system to donate food without endangering students or those in need. Students and employees of aramark alike agree this can work out in some fashion. Perhaps i will need to talk to some higher ups in Aramark to find out more on how if this possibility can become true.