Friday, September 27, 2019
Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2
Who:
There are people who share very similar qualities to people who are in the opportunity. However, they don't have the need. Some of them don't wear fake lashes.
After interviewing five people who enjoys wearing makeup, they said they don't wear false lashes. They used to wear fake eyelashes, but they stopped after they noticed that constantly wearing fake eyelashes was making their natural lashes come off. So they have been using eyelash serum to help their natural lashes grow, and they only use mascara.
What:
My solution for the need will solve the removal of the glue, but some people are wary about it because they are concerned about their natural lashes. Therefore, they don't wear fake eyelashes to avoid the problem.
Why:
The need is different for both the outsiders and the insiders. The outsiders are more concerned with the health of their lashes. The insiders are concerned about the health too, but their biggest need is to get the glue removed.
Inside the boundary
There are people who share very similar qualities to people who are in the opportunity. However, they don't have the need. Some of them don't wear fake lashes.
After interviewing five people who enjoys wearing makeup, they said they don't wear false lashes. They used to wear fake eyelashes, but they stopped after they noticed that constantly wearing fake eyelashes was making their natural lashes come off. So they have been using eyelash serum to help their natural lashes grow, and they only use mascara.
What:
My solution for the need will solve the removal of the glue, but some people are wary about it because they are concerned about their natural lashes. Therefore, they don't wear fake eyelashes to avoid the problem.
Why:
The need is different for both the outsiders and the insiders. The outsiders are more concerned with the health of their lashes. The insiders are concerned about the health too, but their biggest need is to get the glue removed.
Inside the boundary
- Who is in:
- Makeup enthusiasts who are concerned with eyelash glue
- What the need is:
- To remove stubborn eyelash glue
- Why the need exists:
- The eyelash glue is waterproof or it has other ingredients to make the fake eyelash stay in place
Outside the boundary
- Who:
- Makeup enthusiasts who don't wear false eyelashes
- What:
- To maintain the health of the natural eyelashes
- Why:
- Wearing false eyelashes can damage the natural eyelashes
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Solving the Problem
Selected opportunity: The opportunity that I would like to explore is removing stubborn eyelash glue. Many makeup enthusiasts or false eyelash users have the problem of stubborn eyelash glue that stick on the lashes after removing the false lashes.
Product or service: I would want to provide a product and a service. The product that I would want to sell to customers is an eyelash adhesive remover solution. It will help break down glue build up, and it will help remove eyelash glue that is advertised to be waterproof. The service that I would want to sell is a treatment. The treatment would include a removal of the eyelash glue by using the product that I stated before and an application of a serum to help the natural lashes' health.
Product or service: I would want to provide a product and a service. The product that I would want to sell to customers is an eyelash adhesive remover solution. It will help break down glue build up, and it will help remove eyelash glue that is advertised to be waterproof. The service that I would want to sell is a treatment. The treatment would include a removal of the eyelash glue by using the product that I stated before and an application of a serum to help the natural lashes' health.
Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1
- Opportunity: Removing stubborn eyelash glue
- The who: Makeup enthusiasts
- The what: They are unable to remove the stubborn eyelash glue after removing their false eyelashes
- The why: The glue is made to hold the lashes well
- Testing the who: Anyone who wear false eyelashes have the need. People who wear false eyelashes will have experienced the need at least one time.
- Testing the what: Maybe some people who wear false eyelashes don't experience the need every time they wear false eyelashes. They probably know how to remove the stubborn eyelash glue very well.
- Testing the why: There are different reasons why the eyelash glue can be hard to remove. It can range from the type of makeup remover to the type of eyelash glue or facial cleanser they are using.
- Interview 1: The girl I interviewed is a beginner with makeup. She said that she doesn't have a problem with removing eyelash glue. When I asked her what kind of eyelash glue she uses, she responded that she uses the glue that comes included with the eyelashes. She uses a cleansing balm to remove her makeup. She told me that she was surprised that people have problem with removing eyelash glue from their eyes.
- Interview 2: The girl I interviewed is a makeup enthusiast. She has done some freelance makeup work for other people. She said that she always have a problem with trying to remove eyelash glue from her eyes after removing her false eyelashes. She uses facial cleansing wipes as well as a facial cleanser to remove her makeup. She thinks that the eyelash glue is probably hard to remove because her glue is advertised to be waterproof, so it must be harder to remove just like other waterproof makeup products.
- Interview 3: The girl I interviewed is an amateur makeup user. She wears makeup about four days a week. She said she always experiences the eyelash glue sticking to her lash line. When I asked her how she tries to remove the eyelash glue, she said uses micellar water but it doesn't take off all the glue. She thinks the reason why the eyelash glue sticks to her lashes is due to the way she applies the lashes.
- Interview 4: The girl I interviewed is another makeup enthusiast. She enjoys wearing makeup about five days a week. She said that she also has problems removing stubborn eyelash glue from her eyes. Her technique to remove the eyelash glue from her eyes is by using a makeup wipe and a facial cleanser. She said that she usually pulls the eyelash glue from her lashes when it becomes soft enough to remove. When I asked her why does she think the glue will become soft, she thinks the properties from the eyelash glue breaks down the glue little by little. Also, she expressed that she notices more glue build up if she glued on her lashes, removed it and glued it back on to fix the position of the lashes.
- Interview 5: The girl I interviewed just started wearing false lashes about six months ago, but she has been wearing other makeup products for about a year. She likes to wear makeup about four days a week. She said that she does have a problem removing eyelash glue because it is stubborn and sticks to her lash line. She tries to remove it by simply using facial cleanser. When I asked her why she thinks the glue is hard to take off, she said that her glue has ingredients to help the lashes stay well on the eyes.
- After the interviews, I learned that there are different reasons why the lash glue is hard to remove. A couple of the girls said that it might be due to the way they put on their lashes so there could be a build up of glue, which makes it harder to remove.
Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends
Economic Trends:
- Source of opportunity: The Balance
- Information suggesting an opportunity: Baby Boomers aren't retiring because of the recession. They are spending less and making more money. It is causing Millennials to find different outlets to have an income. They are turning to technology and their hobbies to create jobs that didn't exist before, or some of them go on to earning higher degrees. Some of them have temporary jobs to fund their lifestyle like traveling.
- Prototypical customer: Millennials, who are looking for something to do
- Relatively easy or relatively difficult: I think the opportunity is relatively easy to exploit because Millennials are going to spend money on what they like, and they are easily influenced by others like influencers. So there is an opportunity pertaining to their lifestyle and interests.
- Why did you see the opportunity?: I see the opportunity because I see a lot of Millennials spend a big amount of money on technology or travels.
- Source of opportunity: The Balance
- Information suggesting an opportunity: Climate change is affecting the economy. Food prices are increasing due to more extremely hot days. Climate change is creating more disastrous storms, floods, droughts and wildfires.
- Prototypical customer: Homeowners
- Relatively easy or relatively difficult: I think the opportunity is relatively easy to exploit because homeowners are willing to protect their homes and properties from the storms.
- Why did you see the opportunity?: I see the opportunity because I have lived in Florida for most of my life, and we face the storms and floods almost once every year.
- Source of opportunity: Pritchard Communications
- Information suggesting an opportunity: In San Francisco, there was a convention that was organized by the Communications Network, the association for social change communicators. There was a strike at the event hotel, so the association changed its location to support the hotel workers that were on strike. As a result, they got kudos for moving the convention, and the hotel workers got an increase in pay and benefits.
- Prototypical customer: Tourists
- Relatively easy or relatively difficult: I think the opportunity is relatively easy to exploit because there are always tourists that need a place to stay.
- Why did you see the opportunity?: I see the opportunity because the hotel probably had some bad publicity, so the tourists would want to go somewhere else.
- Source of opportunity: Pritchard Communications
- Information suggesting an opportunity: The Fairness Project and other local organizers are running campaigns to approve the expansion of Medicaid by going straight to the voters instead of Congress in D.C.
- Prototypical customer: Doctors
- Relatively easy or relatively difficult: I think it is relatively difficult to exploit because doctors don't like to accept Medicaid because of the low payment rates.
- Why did you see the opportunity?: I see the opportunity because doctors would want to make more money.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Identifying Local Opportunities
Title: City Commission repeals plastic ban, raises GRU rates
Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/city-commission-repeals-plastic-ban-raises-gru-rates/article_cbb76770-d5e3-11e9-9a5e-2fe54a48b3cd.html
Description of story: The city commission repealed plastic and styrofoam ban in Gainesville, and there is an increase in GRU bills. Citizens spoke on the issues.
Description of problem: The city commission repealed the ban because there are Florida statues that prevent it. There is a 2.3 percent increase to monthly bills from GRU starting Oct 1.
Description of who has the problem: The environment has the problem with the ban, and Gainesville residents have the problem with the GRU bill.
Description of story: The city commission repealed plastic and styrofoam ban in Gainesville, and there is an increase in GRU bills. Citizens spoke on the issues.
Description of problem: The city commission repealed the ban because there are Florida statues that prevent it. There is a 2.3 percent increase to monthly bills from GRU starting Oct 1.
Description of who has the problem: The environment has the problem with the ban, and Gainesville residents have the problem with the GRU bill.
Title: Biker caught stealing plants from Satchel’s Pizza
Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/biker-caught-stealing-plants-from-satchel-s-pizza/article_f8110938-d5c1-11e9-b240-63c79cc54825.html
Description of story: There is someone who is stealing plants from Satchel's Pizza.
Description of problem: The owners want to stop the plant theft because it is part of their restaurant and passions. It is making their garden look depleted.
Description of who has the problem: The owners have the problem.
Description of story: There is someone who is stealing plants from Satchel's Pizza.
Description of problem: The owners want to stop the plant theft because it is part of their restaurant and passions. It is making their garden look depleted.
Description of who has the problem: The owners have the problem.
Title: No more mango? Trump administration to propose ban of e-cigarette flavors
Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/no-more-mango-trump-administration-to-propose-ban-of-e/article_0a061ac4-d4dd-11e9-bcd5-87d4340fabf1.html
Description of story: The Trump administration is trying to ban fruity e-cigarette flavors that are popular. They are trying to prevent new users and underage use.
Description of problem: Vape shop business owners will see a decrease in business because the fruity flavors are the most popular flavors.
Description of who has the problem: The vape shop owners have the problem.
Description of story: The Trump administration is trying to ban fruity e-cigarette flavors that are popular. They are trying to prevent new users and underage use.
Description of problem: Vape shop business owners will see a decrease in business because the fruity flavors are the most popular flavors.
Description of who has the problem: The vape shop owners have the problem.
Title: Students and activists make posters ahead of blue light protest on Fraternity Row
Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/students-and-activists-make-posters-ahead-of-blue-light-protest/article_6c882e9c-d4e9-11e9-a8c9-83afa3c1f69c.html
Description of story: There is an organization that is fighting to put blue lights on Fraternity Row on campus.
Description of problem: There is a lack of blue lights on Fraternity Row, where a lot of sexual assault happens.
Description of who has the problem: College students who feel unsafe in that area have the problem
Description of story: There is an organization that is fighting to put blue lights on Fraternity Row on campus.
Description of problem: There is a lack of blue lights on Fraternity Row, where a lot of sexual assault happens.
Description of who has the problem: College students who feel unsafe in that area have the problem
Title: UF Preview prices broke state law. How are they fixing it?
Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/uf-preview-prices-broke-state-law-how-are-they-fixing/article_2daeae4c-d2b6-11e9-9c0c-9fca1017f082.html
Description of story: Parents and students have been spending a lot of money to attend Preview. There is an investigation to find out if students have been overcharged. There is going to be revisions to the Preview registration process.
Description of problem: Students didn't know that there was a cheaper option for Preview.
Description of who has the problem: Parents and students have the problem because they spend a lot of money to attend Preview.
Description of story: Parents and students have been spending a lot of money to attend Preview. There is an investigation to find out if students have been overcharged. There is going to be revisions to the Preview registration process.
Description of problem: Students didn't know that there was a cheaper option for Preview.
Description of who has the problem: Parents and students have the problem because they spend a lot of money to attend Preview.
An Opportunity
Beginning Point
There is an opportunity that exists in removing eyelash glue.
Belief
The unmet need is to remove stubborn eyelash glue that still remains on the eyelashes. The people who have the need are makeup users like college students at UF, makeup influencers on YouTube, models removing their makeup at the end of the night, or makeup artists when they work with clients. The problem has always existed, but eyelash glue manufacturers are making the eyelash glue more long-lasting so it is harder to remove. People with this need are using eye makeup remover, eyelash adhesive remover solutions , facial cleanser or makeup wipes to remove their makeup along with the eyelash glue. However, it is not enough to remove the remaining of the adhesive. I am 80% sure that this opportunity exists.
Iteration No. 1
The customer is a 20 year old college student who wears very minimal makeup most days, but she wears a full face of makeup once to three times a month. She started wearing makeup when she was 16.
Interview
What problems do you have when you use eyelash glue?
-"It always get stuck on my lashes after I remove my makeup"
How often do you experience it?
-"Every time I put on lashes"
How long has this been a problem for you?
-"Past five years so every since I began wearing false lashes"
Why do you think it is a problem?
Are you satisfied with that method?
There is an opportunity that exists in removing eyelash glue.
Belief
The unmet need is to remove stubborn eyelash glue that still remains on the eyelashes. The people who have the need are makeup users like college students at UF, makeup influencers on YouTube, models removing their makeup at the end of the night, or makeup artists when they work with clients. The problem has always existed, but eyelash glue manufacturers are making the eyelash glue more long-lasting so it is harder to remove. People with this need are using eye makeup remover, eyelash adhesive remover solutions , facial cleanser or makeup wipes to remove their makeup along with the eyelash glue. However, it is not enough to remove the remaining of the adhesive. I am 80% sure that this opportunity exists.
Iteration No. 1
The customer is a 20 year old college student who wears very minimal makeup most days, but she wears a full face of makeup once to three times a month. She started wearing makeup when she was 16.
Interview
What problems do you have when you use eyelash glue?
-"It always get stuck on my lashes after I remove my makeup"
Do you have problems with removing stubborn eyelash glue?
-"Yes"
-"Yes"
How often do you experience it?
-"Every time I put on lashes"
How long has this been a problem for you?
-"Past five years so every since I began wearing false lashes"
Why do you think it is a problem?
-"It doesn't remove well with most commercial makeup removers or wipes. Often times, a clump will get caught at the base of my lash line which makes it difficult to remove without also losing some of my natural eyelashes."
What do you do to remove the eyelash glue now?
-"I use my makeup remover, take a hot shower, wash my face, and sometimes only time helps to remove it completely."
What do you do to remove the eyelash glue now?
-"I use my makeup remover, take a hot shower, wash my face, and sometimes only time helps to remove it completely."
Are you satisfied with that method?
"No"
Iteration No. 2
The customer is a 21 year old college student at UF. She loves wearing makeup with bold colors. She believes she's an amateur and uses makeup four days a week.
Interview
What problems do you have when you use eyelash glue?
-"It gets everywhere, kind of messy, hard to remove, leaves sticky sensation on eyelids if I have trouble applying my eyelashes"
How often do you experience it?
-"Almost every time"
How long has this been a problem for you?
-"Every since I started using glue"
Why do you think it is a problem?
Are you satisfied with that method?
What problems do you have when you use eyelash glue?
-"It gets everywhere, kind of messy, hard to remove, leaves sticky sensation on eyelids if I have trouble applying my eyelashes"
Do you have problems with removing stubborn eyelash glue?
-"I do have problems with removing eyelash glue like even two days after wearing lashes I'll find some still on my lash line"
-"I do have problems with removing eyelash glue like even two days after wearing lashes I'll find some still on my lash line"
How often do you experience it?
-"Almost every time"
How long has this been a problem for you?
-"Every since I started using glue"
Why do you think it is a problem?
-"I think it's a problem because of how I apply lashes. I don't really think there's a way around it."
What do you do to remove the eyelash glue now?
-"I wait for it to dry and then use a Q-tip with micellar water to remove it and sometimes it's annoying because it means I take off some of the eyeshadow I put on."
What do you do to remove the eyelash glue now?
-"I wait for it to dry and then use a Q-tip with micellar water to remove it and sometimes it's annoying because it means I take off some of the eyeshadow I put on."
Are you satisfied with that method?
"No"
Iteration No. 3
The customer is a 21 year old college student at UF. She wear makeup about twice a week.
Interview
What problems do you have when you use eyelash glue?
-"Eye irritation because the chemicals cause eye redness"
How often do you experience it?
-"Whenever I use fake lashes at least once a week"
How long has this been a problem for you?
-"it’s been a problem since I started using a different brand that has stronger adhesive properties."
Why do you think it is a problem?
Are you satisfied with that method?
What problems do you have when you use eyelash glue?
-"Eye irritation because the chemicals cause eye redness"
Do you have problems with removing stubborn eyelash glue?
-"Yes because of the residue, it’s hard to take off with some makeup removers "
-"Yes because of the residue, it’s hard to take off with some makeup removers "
How often do you experience it?
-"Whenever I use fake lashes at least once a week"
How long has this been a problem for you?
-"it’s been a problem since I started using a different brand that has stronger adhesive properties."
Why do you think it is a problem?
-"it is a problem because it has stronger chemicals which makes my eyes more irritated."
What do you do to remove the eyelash glue now?
-"Using nail polish remover with a tip"
What do you do to remove the eyelash glue now?
-"Using nail polish remover with a tip"
Are you satisfied with that method?
"No because it makes my eyes more irritated because it’s more chemicals."
Reflection
I found out that this opportunity is a lot more common than I thought. Everyone has problems with how it is hard to remove. The lash glue holds the false lashes well, but it is hard to remove. It will stay on the lashes for some time after trying to remove it. I was really surprised that one of the customers uses nail polish remover to remove the lash glue.
Summary
All of my original opportunity is still there. People do have problems with removing lash glue. I do think that my new opportunity is more accurate than when I first started, but there is some room to adapt based on the last interview I conducted. I think entrepreneurs should adapt their opportunities based on customer feedback. They should listen to what the customers have to say because it provides new insights that the entrepreneur probably didn't think about.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
My Entrepreneurship Story
My entrepreneurship story started when I recorded a video doing my makeup and uploaded it on YouTube. Then, I was contacted by someone who was in a committee for a statewide pageant. She asked me to do makeup for the pageant contestants in 2017. I was able to provide my services for two of the contestants, and one of them won fan favorite and the other won the winning title! In the following year, I was asked to come back to be a makeup artist. In the picture above, she is a client I had for the pageant in 2018. She won third place! I charged to do the makeup services, and I still charged people $50 in between my time with the pageant.
The reason I enrolled in ENT3003 is to learn how to improve my entrepreneurship skills. I would like to develop my skills more to develop a business in the future.
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