29A Venture Concept No. 2

Venture Concept No. 1:

Opportunity

On May 14^th, 2018, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state of New Jersey in a landmark case that struck down a 1992 law banning sports betting in most states. The ruling will forever alter the landscape of sports gambling in the U.S. as avid bettors will no longer be forced to look to shady offshore operations or bookies in order to place their bets but will instead allow them to become a part of the future of the business. As it currently stands just months after the ruling, there are a handful of sites and services out there competent enough to cater to the needs of the market.

Today’s bettors are a lot like today’s fantasy sports fans, probably because they are mostly comprised of the same people but no matter, they share similar interests and needs. Most importantly, everyone wants to be a winner. Sites like DraftKings and FanDuel do a good job of making their customers feel like winners by offering competitions that create hundreds, or even thousands of winners. However small their payout may be, they’re winning money (quite easily as well), and it’s what keeps them coming back. Meanwhile, betting sites like Bovada offer reward programs to their visitors alongside welcome bonuses to get new customers started quickly. All of this is great, but these sites have their flaws. Right now Bovada is simply a space to go and place bets. They seem to be working on becoming something more, but as it stands they are little more than a way to quickly put down a wager and not much else. Even if you wanted to place a bet on-the-go you’d have to access their full site as their app doesn’t allow you to do so. DraftKings and FanDuel are the titans of the daily fantasy sports industry, so they’re a little less flawed. However, one would expect with how large their customer base has become that they’d expand into new arenas of the sports betting world, yet they seem content to sit tight with daily fantasy. The one thing that none of these sites offer is expert insight or analysis. Like I said before, winning is the most important thing to every bettor who finds themselves on a given site, and when they have “experts” telling them to bet one way or the other, it makes them feel better about their picks. Fantasy sites have been including this feature for years, and just like fantasy, it all comes back to winning.

Essentially, the opportunity is this: the U.S. sports betting market is valued at about $60-70 billion dollars with a current growth rate of about $10 billion per year (a growth rate we can only expect to rise with the new SC ruling). Despite this massive amount of value there are only a select number of sites currently capable of offering quality service to the market, and they aren’t without their flaws. There is an opportunity for someone to step in and create a betting service that combines the best of what everyone else has to offer and then some, and in doing so take control of the behemoth that is the sports betting market in the USA.

Innovation

My idea is to introduce a site that can offer betting, daily fantasy, and the like all in one place, while also improving upon the current model for these kinds of sites. A service that could serve as a one-stop shop for all of one’s betting needs. Like current sites it would offer a welcome bonus (i.e. matching one’s first deposit 50% up to $250) and would include rewards for things like wagering a certain amount or playing for a certain number of days in a row. Additionally, I’d like to draw an idea from the website Bleacher Report, which provides links to articles from other sites in addition to their own articles, as well as Twitter feeds geared to the specific team, league, or sport one is reading about. Basically, a hub of information gathered from across the web related to whatever one could want to know about. Essentially, I’d like to do the same thing but betting related. You enter the site, click on whichever sport or event you would like, and all your options appear: betting, daily fantasy, the latest news and updates from all over, you name it. Everything you would need to gamble away a small fortune, which brings me to how I would make money. Like any sportsbook, there are two sides to every bet with only one winner, so if I collect a total of $100,000 in bets (we’ll say $50,000 from each side) and winners’ payouts end up totaling $75,000 then I can just give them their $50,000 back plus $25,000 out of the money collected from the losers, and keep the remaining $25,000 as profit. It’s how almost any sportsbook turns a profit. Additionally, the site could include ads should it gain enough traffic to warrant them, which would provide an additional source of revenue.

Venture Concept

The idea here is to help lead the way into a new age of sports betting. To move away from quiet and simple betting sites and toward a new model wherein these sites are hubs for information and gambling. Fantasy sports have experienced this kind of evolution in the last ten years or so, from basic “Play Here!” websites to articles, TV shows, and a myriad of new ways to play. It’s a full-on movement. Sports betting is ready to follow a similar path, and it might have an even higher ceiling, but what’s available right now just won’t cut it in 5-10 years. No one currently offers anything outside of the bare minimum with a few handsome rewards here and there for spending a lot of money. Were I to launch my site, by then I’d like it to be the leader in online sports betting and expanding with perhaps my own to staff of journalists to write articles and create videos. Additionally, I’d hope to have an app that is a must have for sports fans in order to bet and cash in, and perhaps begin giving the option to trade earnings in for prizes (ranging from small things like giftcards or sweepstakes entries to more luxurious prizes like a vacation) rather than cash. Bettors care about winning so why not help them win and win big? No matter what, the important thing would be to continue to set my service apart from the basic click-and-bet sites that currently rule.

28A Your Exit Strategy

If my site were to see continuous growth and I felt like I could handle it all, then I would probably keep it in the family and continue to watch it grow as it is passed down. More likely however, is that some bigger company would come along and buy it from me. Then they could incorporate it in with the rest of their services and find ways to improve it themselves. I'm just the guy with the idea right now and not much of the know-how so I'd probably have to sell it to someone who could handle all of that.
My exit strategy hasn't really influenced my concept because my goal has always been for it to be the best it can be, regardless of whether I plan to sell it or keep it. I can't sell it if it isn't worth anything, and I can't keep it either, so I still want it to be the best on the market.

27A Reading Reflection No. 3

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
I decided to read Scott Adams's book How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big which details a number of useful tips Adams has picked up in his life of continuous failure and unexpected success. The general theme is that anyone can experience success and happiness if they develop the right mindset, and constantly work to learn and improve themselves. I think it makes for a good read for a lot of young entrepreneurs, especially since the author has his own stories of entrepreneurial failure, but mostly because it is simply good advice for anyone. It's a great guide for taking control of one's life and finding true happiness.
A good activity relating to the book might be to have students write down three to five goals that they have and think of how they can either turn them into a system, or use a system to achieve them (i.e. Get an A on the next test could become spend more time studying at night). Adams talks about how goals can wear on us since they often have a decisive end wherein they are either achieved or not achieved, whereas systems are things we can do regularly that allow us to succeed every time we do them, allowing us to feel better about ourselves in the process.
I think my biggest surprise when reading was that it wasn't all about failure and learning from mistakes, a lot of the book was about little changes we can make in our mindsets and daily lives that can lead to more happiness in the future. Things like developing skills and overcoming shyness. They were all useful tips that I plan on applying to my own life.

26A Celebrating Failure

Earlier this semester I applied for a job at a local gym. It was a simple front desk job, and after reviewing my application I was called in for an interview by the gym. It was my first job interview ever so needless to say I was nervous, and unsure of what to expect or how to prepare. Thus, when the interview began I stuttered my way through a few questions and found myself blanking on others. A few days later I got the call that I didn't get the job. I half-expected it as I walked out after the interview, but it still hurt. I had failed, and I had done it while applying for one of the simplest jobs out there, it should have been a cakewalk and I felt like if I could screw that up then what other hope could there be for me?
I basically handled it the same way I usually handle failure, I was angry about it for a few days until I was finally able to sit back and reflect on how I could use this as a learning experience. What should I do differently next time? I thought about it and soon went out and applied for another job, this time with UF RecSports. I'll save you the gory details, and just tell you that this interview went much better and I was offered the job. I think failure is frustrating at first, and often embarrassing, but without it there can be no success. Not only can we learn from our mistakes and get better, but finding success after failing just makes it that much sweeter.

25A What's Next?

Existing Market:
Based on my interviews with customers in my existing market, I've been able to come up with some ideas for what might be next for my venture. First, I explained my service and what it brings to the table and how my plan is for the website to revolutionize online sports betting. They all liked the idea with a few suggestions here and there such as offering new ways to play daily fantasy and things like that.

When asking what my next move could, or should be, I got back a couple of good ideas. One possibility was to find ways to connect with the four major American pro sports leagues, as they are all looking for ways to incorporate betting and all that it entails now that it is legal. Another suggestion was to create an app, which would be expensive, but if I were doing well enough to the point where it made no sense not to have one then it could be in the cards. I think what makes the most sense for my venture going forward is to continue to look for ways to expand and grow. Also to continue to find ways to set myself apart from the competition be it with a great app, new ways to play, or a partnership with a major league if I were lucky enough.

New Market:
My current target market is people with money to blow on things like betting and daily fantasy sports, but my service could also provide value to people who don't have as much money. Granted, it's a double-edged sword but if you don't have much money a quick way to double or triple it would be to gamble. Maybe not the smartest way, but definitely quick and definitely effective if you're successful.

Being a college student, I happen to know a few people who are often short on money so I asked them about the idea. Both of my interviewees were sports fans which is what I would be going for here (my target market is also sports fans, just the wealthier ones), and they were excited at the idea. They already use their few extra dollars to bet on lines and play daily fantasy to try and make a couple extra bucks, so they liked the idea of a better site/service. They made similar suggestions about creating an app for greater accessibility, and making connections in the business, which surprised me a bit at first because it was essentially the same as my target market, but I guess at their core they're all still bettors no matter how much they are wagering.

24A Venture Concept No. 1

Venture Concept No. 1:

Opportunity

On May 14^th, 2018, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state of New Jersey in a landmark case that struck down a 1992 law banning sports betting in most states. The ruling will forever alter the landscape of sports gambling in the U.S. as avid bettors will no longer be forced to look to shady offshore operations or bookies in order to place their bets but will instead allow them to become a part of the future of the business. As it currently stands just months after the ruling, there are a handful of sites and services out there competent enough to cater to the needs of the market.

Today’s bettors are a lot like today’s fantasy sports fans, probably because they are mostly comprised of the same people but no matter, they share similar interests and needs. Most importantly, everyone wants to be a winner. Sites like DraftKings and FanDuel do a good job of making their customers feel like winners by offering competitions that create hundreds, or even thousands of winners. However small their payout may be, they’re winning money (quite easily as well), and it’s what keeps them coming back. Meanwhile, betting sites like Bovada offer reward programs to their visitors alongside welcome bonuses to get new customers started quickly. All of this is great, but these sites have their flaws. Right now Bovada is simply a space to go and place bets. They seem to be working on becoming something more, but as it stands they are little more than a way to quickly put down a wager and not much else. Even if you wanted to place a bet on-the-go you’d have to access their full site as their app doesn’t allow you to do so. DraftKings and FanDuel are the titans of the daily fantasy sports industry, so they’re a little less flawed. However, one would expect with how large their customer base has become that they’d expand into new arenas of the sports betting world, yet they seem content to sit tight with daily fantasy. The one thing that none of these sites offer is expert insight or analysis. Like I said before, winning is the most important thing to every bettor who finds themselves on a given site, and when they have “experts” telling them to bet one way or the other, it makes them feel better about their picks. Fantasy sites have been including this feature for years, and just like fantasy, it all comes back to winning.

Essentially, the opportunity is this: the U.S. sports betting market is valued at about $60-70 billion dollars with a current growth rate of about $10 billion per year (a growth rate we can only expect to rise with the new SC ruling). Despite this massive amount of value there are only a select number of sites currently capable of offering quality service to the market, and they aren’t without their flaws. There is an opportunity for someone to step in and create a betting service that combines the best of what everyone else has to offer and then some, and in doing so take control of the behemoth that is the sports betting market in the USA.

Innovation

My idea is to introduce a site that can offer betting, daily fantasy, and the like all in one place, while also improving upon the current model for these kinds of sites. A service that could serve as a one-stop shop for all of one’s betting needs. Like current sites it would offer a welcome bonus (i.e. matching one’s first deposit 50% up to $250) and would include rewards for things like wagering a certain amount or playing for a certain number of days in a row. Additionally, I’d like to draw an idea from the website Bleacher Report, which provides links to articles from other sites in addition to their own articles, as well as Twitter feeds geared to the specific team, league, or sport one is reading about. Basically, a hub of information gathered from across the web related to whatever one could want to know about. Essentially, I’d like to do the same thing but betting related. You enter the site, click on whichever sport or event you would like, and all your options appear: betting, daily fantasy, the latest news and updates from all over, you name it. Everything you would need to gamble away a small fortune, which brings me to how I would make money. Like any sportsbook, there are two sides to every bet with only one winner, so if I collect a total of $100,000 in bets (we’ll say $50,000 from each side) and winners’ payouts end up totaling $75,000 then I can just give them their $50,000 back plus $25,000 out of the money collected from the losers, and keep the remaining $25,000 as profit. It’s how almost any sportsbook turns a profit. Additionally, the site could include ads should it gain enough traffic to warrant them, which would provide an additional source of revenue.

Venture Concept

The idea here is to help lead the way into a new age of sports betting. To move away from quiet and simple betting sites and toward a new model wherein these sites are hubs for information and gambling. Fantasy sports have experienced this kind of evolution in the last ten years or so, from basic “Play Here!” websites to articles, TV shows, and a myriad of new ways to play. It’s a full-on movement. Sports betting is ready to follow a similar path, and it might have an even higher ceiling, but what’s available right now just won’t cut it in 5-10 years. No one currently offers anything outside of the bare minimum with a few handsome rewards here and there for spending a lot of money. Were I to launch my site, by then I’d like it to be the leader in online sports betting and expanding with perhaps my own to staff of journalists to write articles and create videos. Additionally, I’d hope to have an app that is a must have for sports fans in order to bet and cash in, and perhaps begin giving the option to trade earnings in for prizes (ranging from small things like giftcards or sweepstakes entries to more luxurious prizes like a vacation) rather than cash. Bettors care about winning so why not help them win and win big? No matter what, the important thing would be to continue to set my service apart from the basic click-and-bet sites that currently rule.

22A Elevator Pitch No. 3

Listening to my feedback, I recorded at a quieter time to reduce background noise, and I tried to show a little more emotion. I did find that I felt more comfortable this time compared to the last two times when I felt much more awkward in front of the camera, and I think the pitch has come a long way since the beginning.

21A Reading Reflection No. 2

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success:
This self-help book by Carol Dweck argues that success in life is often determined by one's mindset. Expanding on that, she argues that there are two mindsets, a fixed mindset in which one believes that certain attributes such as their skills and intelligence are fixed, or cannot be changed, and a gorwth mindset in which one believes that their basic abilities can be developed.

People with a growth mindset see challenges and set backs as opportunities, much like successful entrepreneurs see their own challenges not as roadblocks, but as opportunities as well. I think if I had to put together an activity related to this book I'd have everyone come up five setbacks or challenges they've faced recently and explain how they can use them as an opportunity to grow and get better.

Going in, I kind of expected the book to explain how highly successful people think a certain way and the rest of us think another way, and to some extent it did. However, it also explained the way one's mindset can affect aspects of everyday life like parenthood, relationships, etc. and that anyone can change their mindset as long as they are able to catch themselves thinking in a fixed mindset. Those things differed from what I expected, as I didn't know how much I would connect with the book before I read it.

19A Idea Napkin No. 2

I'm just a guy in college, who is a huge sports fan and wants to offer other sports fans and bettors a better alternative to today's betting sites. I've been following sports for years, and have been betting for the last couple of years, so I'm familiar with both worlds and understand what consumers want because I am a consumer. What I want to offer is a comprehensive, one-stop betting service for sports fans and bettors across the U.S., a site that will finally bring everything together as far as sports gambling goes by offering both wagering and daily fantasy, while also providing expert analysis and insight. Most sites and services today only offer one of these things, so to bring them all together would instantly create a hub for betting that no other site could rival.

What sets me apart however, is my ability to connect with my consumers. Like I said before, I am a consumer, so I get it. I know that most of my customers are people looking for their best shot to turn $5 into $25 for this weekend. I know what makes gambling fun and addicting. I know what they want. That's what sets me apart.

I think a lot of this fits together on paper, but obviously there's some holes in my plan. Most importantly, I have no idea how to build a website like this, so I'd have to find someone who could actually do that. Additionally, I don't have the money to run an online casino, so as soon as people start winning I don't really have anyway to pay them. And finally, I'm new to this, so inevitably there will be people who understand the ins-and-outs of this business much better than I do.

As far as feedback, people mentioned the popularity of fantasy sports so I've tried to think of ways to make my service more like most popular fantasy sites today. This has meant including things like articles from experts, a feature prominent on many popular sites. People also mentioned an app, which would cost more money that I do not have, so maybe if my idea ever took off it would be something that could be considered.

18A Create A Customer Avatar

My prototypical customer is a huge sports fan, probably a guy (could be male or female but sports betting is dominated by men so I'm just going to use a man for these purposes), and is just your everyday middle-class American. He's probably looking to make some extra money by putting a little money on this weekend's games, but he could also just be playing for the fun of it because he enjoys sports and things get a little more exciting when there's cash on the line. He's not a professional gambler looking to put down thousands of dollars in order to win a small fortune. Since he has his own money to spend and is gambling, he's probably a working adult or a college student. Probably doesn't love his job, but at least he has sports as an escape from his hum drum everyday life, and hey, if he can win a few extra bucks tonight, maybe he can go out this weekend.

I'd say my prototypical customer and I both love sports, and while we aren't gambling addicts, we like to put money down on a game here and there. We're also probably about the same age and at similar points in our lives, as my customer is probably in his twenties, still in college or just graduated, and could use some extra money.

17A Elevator Pitch No. 2

I found the feedback I got on my last post helpful, and I used it when recording my second elevator pitch. I decided to include some statistics, and I also decided to clean things up a little bit and sort of set the stage for the sports betting market.

15A Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

Based on my interviews, customers are typically looking for the most bang for their buck when it comes to sports gambling services, just as customers usually are. They want the most opportunities to make money, which means more sports to choose from, more ways to play, and more ways to win. Additionally, they want to know which sites have the best loyalty programs/bonuses (a la Bovada, FanDuel, DraftKings) because they provide incentive to keep playing and are essentially free money, which is a big deal in the gambling world, believe it or not.

As far as how and where customers buy, all business is conducted online and payments are made through customers' credit cards, and this is pretty much the same across all services considering they all use online platforms (although some do accept cash through Western Union). Therefore, this doesn't really affect customers' alternative evaluations. I learned that post-purchase evaluations however, are similar to alternative evaluations in that most customers look back and compare how they would have done had they chosen another site and its benefits and bonuses. Would they be better off with that site's bonuses? Worse? Should they have chosen a site that forces them to bet less/more? These are the kinds of questions gamblers ask themselves when evaluating their purchase decisions.

Essentially, this segment is looking for the service that will provide them with the best value, which in this case means the best chance to make as much money as possible.

Halfway Reflection

Halfway through this course my number one tip would be to get ahead. The times I've felt like giving up have been the times that I waited until the last minute and ended up missing an assignment all because I didn't look ahead and plan. If you get ahead from the beginning and stay ahead, you'll already have that tenacious attitude and you won't know an other way. I've been making more of an effort recently because I know I need to and it has really helped.

My second tip would be to find an idea that you know a lot about or that you are passionate about. You can't be tenacious if you're working toward something you don't really care about, so find something that excites you.

My last tip is to not look at these assignments simply as assignments. If you do that you'll end up procrastinating because you don't want to do it because it's work. These are blog posts and most of them are fun and easy to write, especially since they're mostly about stuff that you have a lot of control over and probably at least some interest in.

Reading Reflection No. 1

Elon Musk
Although I knew about some of it going in, the details of Elon Musk's childhood are astounding. Some of it may have helped contribute to the great and resilient leader and entrepreneur he is today, but it is shocking nonetheless. Being tortured constantly whether it be his parents at home or kids at school, it amazes me that he was able to overcome all of that and be the man he is today. Which leads me to what I admire most about him which has to be his determination and belief in himself and his ideas. He moved from South Africa to Canada with next to nothing, worked odd jobs, found a way to put himself through school, sold some of his early start-ups for millions, and then used that money to bet on himself yet again with SpaceX and Tesla even though others thought he was crazy. One of his faults however, may be his view on hard work. I think Elon sees hard work and work as one and the same, which makes him harder on himself and those around him than is probably enjoyable for anyone involved. At the same time though, that simply may be what it takes to do some of the things he is doing.
Finally, if I could ask Mr. Musk two questions I'd ask him how he feels his childhood experiences have shaped who he is today, and I'd also ask him if he expects people will ever live on Mars some day.

12A Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

I interviewed three friends of mine who are all big sports fans and also enjoy their fair share of betting. Here's what I learned:

Most avid bettors are already fairly comfortable using Bovada for placing bets and/or DraftKings/Fanduel for daily fantasy sports. However, my interviewees all said that if there had been a trusted all-in-one site when they first became aware of their need they would have taken advantage. Instead, they all heard of sites through their friends, or through TV ads and decided to get into it. Basically, they took whatever was placed in front of them rather than delving into a google search.

As far as articles, only two of my interviewees consistently read articles for betting and daily fantasy updates. The other said he usually just goes with his gut and his own knowledge most of the time but said that if articles were more readily accessible he'd be more inclined to read them. The one's who do read often use apps like Bleacher Report to gather information since the app is easy to use and provides links to articles as a feed of the latest tweets from experts. If they aren't using an app like B/R, they said they'll probably google something along the lines of "best lines for this weekend" reading whatever articles it returns.

I think my idea would fill the unmet needs of this segment by combining their interests, and providing them with convenient access to information rather than forcing them to use the multitude of apps and websites they are currently using.

11A Idea Napkin No. 1

I'm Jack Moletteire, I'm a sophomore at the University of Florida studying Business with a minor in Statistics, and additionally I'm a huge sports fan. That said, I've gathered a lot of knowledge and experience from both my time in school and in my time following sports, which has made up the better part of my life so far. In that time, I've learned a lot about how to communicate, manage my time, and build relationships, and I have a pretty good understanding of the wants and needs of the everyday sports fan since I've spent most of my life teetering between casual and hardcore fan.

My idea is for a sports betting site that also offers daily fantasy sports, as well as links to articles from other sites offering insight, analysis, and tips for upcoming events. Right now, sports gambling just became legal in most U.S. states which means the gambling world is playing a little bit of catch-up as far as convenience, accessibility, and integration. Despite the popularity of both betting and daily fantasy, there's currently no site offering both, and only a handful of sites offering either at all. Additionally, while everyday a plethora of articles are written on the best lines for the weekend, the best daily fantasy plays, etc. no betting or daily fantasy site provides their own analysis or any link to these sort of articles. Basically what I'm offering to potential customers is a one-stop-shop for sports gambling. It'd be a place where sports fans and gamblers from anywhere in the world could come to read up on the latest news before putting some money down.

What sets this apart is that it's something that isn't currently being offered anywhere else. All of these services are currently spread about the internet, with no site putting them all in one place. You can google articles on the best lines for this weekend, then go to Bovada and place your bets, then google this weeks best daily fantasy players, then go to DraftKings/Fanduel and set your lineup, or you can just go to my site and find everything you need all in one place. Not to mention the site would be run by a fan, me, who also enjoys betting and thus would constantly be looking for ways to make the service better.

However, I get that it can all sound really good and still not work out for whatever reason. I think the convenience is a strength but it might not be strong enough to pull customers from their current providers. The articles are also a good idea in my opinion, but if other sites aren't willing to let me provide links to their articles it'd have to be scratched.

10A - Elevator Pitch No. 1

9A - Testing the Hypothesis Pt. 2

Who: From what I've gathered it definitely seems like there will be a group of people who are not into sports, or gambling for that matter, who will be out on the service. Additionally, some people have mentioned bookies which can be really convenient when it's someone you know well, but I think being able to do things yourself, all in one place, while also reading articles related to the money-eating hobby would be more appealing.

What: The need for an all-in-one sports betting and daily fantasy service differs from the need for a new sports betting site. There isn't a need for just another new site, app, etc. there's already a handful that exist. What I'm am proposing would be easier, quicker, and more convenient to use than today's services, as I believe only the surface has been scratched as far as sports gambling goes.

Why: People who don't care for sports and/or don't gamble simply do not have a need for a sports betting service. As far as people with bookies and those who already use sports betting services, these people aren't looking for change because they feel they don't need it. For them, things are as simple as calling up their friend and saying they want to put money down on a game or event. In order to reach them, I'll have to provide something else such as articles to read, videos to watch, and/or other related content as a mentioned above in addition to the convenience of combining betting with daily fantasy sports.

Inside the boundary
Who is in: People who are new to gambling, or are looking for a better service.

What then need is: For a comprehensive sports betting service that offers the convenience of an all-in-one site while also providing related content such as articles, videos, etc.

Why the need exists: Sports gambling just became legal in most states, so a lot of sites are just starting to scratch the surface of what this can be.

Outside the boundary
Who is not: People who aren't into sports or gambling, and those who would prefer just to stick with their local bookie.

What the need is not: It is not for a service that will be fun for everyone, such as those who are not into sports.

Alternative explanations: People are stubborn so it can be hard to get them to change their ways, especially if you consider those who may not be as tech savvy as the rest of us. Additionally, not everyone is going to be into sports betting, as not everyone even cares about sports at all.

The Second-Most Important Part of Entrepreneurship

Like I said in the last post, the solution to the problem is a service that combines both betting and daily fantasy sports. It would make things a lot simpler since it would keep bettors from having to use multiple services, and it would allow them to place and track bets from the app rather than using a web browser. Most betting services don't currently have an app, and the ones that do aren't very good, so it'd provide users with a level of convenience that no other service does.

Testing the Hypothesis

Opportunity: Now that sports betting is legal there should be an easy to use website/app for placing bets and playing daily fantasy sports all in one place.

Who: Sports fans and gamblers
What: There's currently only one or two decent sites available for betting and none of them offer daily fantasy sports.
Why: For most states, sports betting just became legal so while these kinds of sites have existed for a while they've been kind of difficult to use, especially when it comes to things like collecting winnings.

Interviews:
I spoke to my three roommates who are huge sports fans and are into betting and they liked the idea. Sports betting hasn't always been very organized in the past, as they know, but now with the Supreme Court's ruling there is an opportunity to bring it all together. There's an opportunity to reach "a combination of two different markets" as one of my interviewees put it, referring to those who bet and those who play daily fantasy sports, respectively. When I spoke to my two other interviewees they agreed that the simplicity of having everything in one place would be enticing because of its convenience. Overall, it seems like most of the market is made up of casual/occasional bettors who would find a one-stop sports casino site appealing because it would be simple and have everything in one place.

Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

Economic Opportunities:
Cryptocurrency
At the end of 2017, the value of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin were as high as they had ever been. Since then however, their prices have experienced a steep decline which I believe has created an opportunity for the everyday investor to buy in. Although the values dropped to new lows, they are bound to bounce back, especially with the way these currencies fluctuate. It may never be worth nearly $20,000 a pop as it was at the end of last year, but I believe it has fallen so far that it can only go up from here, and that's why I saw this opportunity.
Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/07/tom-lee-bitcoin-is-regaining-market-share.html

E-Cigarettes
E-Cigarettes such as the Juul and its related accessories are a booming industry recently estimated to be worth up to $14 billion. The industry has been gaining increasing popularity among America's youth. While it might not be morally correct, I think this market is easily exploitable, much more so than the former smokers these companies market to currently. I think this presents a great opportunity for companies to begin gearing their product and advertising more toward these younger customers.
Link: https://www.journalnow.com/business/juul-expands-e-cig-market-share-gap-with-reynolds-vuse/article_0bb4d442-fc0f-5c00-8b05-29bbf95dc985.html

Regulation Opportunities:
Legalization of Medical/Recreational Marijuana
With the legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes across the United States, an opportunity has been created for entrepreneurs to get in on the booming business of pot. The industry is projected to be worth tens of billions of dollars in a few short years. While larger corporations like tobacco companies may be in better position to benefit (seeing as many can, and are already prepared to, produce marijuana related products in the same mold as their tobacco counterparts) it probably isn't too late for the prototypical investor to get in on the business, as its endless possibilities present a solid opportunity for return on investment.
Link: https://www.kotzinvaluation.com/articles/marijuana-industry

Straws
As straws continue to be banned in cities around the country, as has been documented on social media and the web, I believe an opportunity has been created in the business of straw alternatives. While most people will simply resort to drinking straight from the cup, there are still people out there who need them, such as those with disabilities. Coming up with an environmentally friendly alternative shouldn't prove too difficult, ideas could include straws that are part of the cup, and metallic straws that some people already use with their YETI cups.
Link: https://www.businessinsider.com/plastic-straw-ban-why-are-there-so-many-2018-7

Identifying Local Opportunities

#1) The hunt for comfortable movie seats in Orlando

• This article details the author's search for the perfect movie theater chair. I'm sure we've all experienced an uncomfortable seat on at least one occasion, and although the writer is probably a little more picky than most of us, it's relatable nonetheless.
• Most of the people who experience this issue are those who are either to big or too small for chairs at the theaters. Those who are too large find that their neck and upper back have no support, while also having little to no leg room, and those who are too little find their legs swinging a few inches of the ground while they sink into their chairs.
• https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/os-et-s4-best-movie-seats-orlando-20180827-story.html#

#2) SunRail: Promise or peril? Central Florida's transit crisis

• This story discusses the SunRail that runs parallel to I-4 and connects downtown Orlando to its surrounding areas. More specifically, it discusses the SunRail's lack of riders and the reasons for its underwhelming usage.
• The problem is that while the SunRail would be a great idea if done right, it hasn't been. It doesn't run on weekends or into the evening, and it doesn't connect evenly to nearby bus stops, leaving would-be riders with no incentive to hop on. Those most affected are commuters who will end up stuck in miles of traffic because of the lack of public transportation.
• https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-op-sunrail-and-other-transportation-crises-20180910-story.html

#3) Spectrum cable, internet outage frustrates Central Florida customers

• This article highlights a Spectrum cable and internet outage that caused thousands of customers, including local public schools, to lose internet access and basic cable.  Customers were without these services for nearly 24 hours until they were eventually brought back online the afternoon following the outage.
• https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange/os-central-florida-spectrum-outages-20180910-story.html

#4) Earwax poses risk in long-term care - Buildup occurs more often in elderly patients

• This article discusses what has become somewhat of an earwax epidemic in the elderly, as it is the most common source of hearing related problems in the age group. Not only can it lead to hearing problems or a ringing in the ears, but it can even cause vertigo. Professionals recommend those with hearing aids get checked regularly to prevent excess build up.
• The elderly and those who care for them are facing this issue, as they try to find ways to not only stop, but prevent, build up that can lead to, or worsen, hearing issues.
• http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/prime-life/sns-earwax-of-all-things-poses-unrecognized-risk-in-long-term-care-20180906-story.html

#5) Theater/bowling combo project in Abacoa dead

• The plan for a movie theater/bowling alley that was set to built and create over 200 jobs has been cancelled. The entertainment companies set to build the 12-screen Cinebowl and Grille filed for bankruptcy leading to the cancellation of the project.
• This means those 200 jobs will not be created, and the owner of the two acre property will have to find a new suitor, but luckily there are already other movie theater operators lined up for the space.
• https://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/local/abacoa-won-getting-screen-theater-bowling-combo-and-here-why/Y9lP6XHTUcQPTsIXD7GCvK/

My Entrepreneurship Story

I've always found entrepreneurship interesting. The idea of working to fulfill the world's needs with creative products and services that they wonder how they ever lived without is amazing. One time one of my friends and I spent time trying to brainstorm a big idea that we could somehow produce, patent, and sell for millions. Might've been crazy to think we could actually do it all with basically no resources or know-how, but we thought we were on to something. The biggest idea we ever came up with was for an app the combined streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, and even the ability to stream DirecTV (as is possible in their app). Basically it was an all-in-one streaming service that sounded really cool.

Until we realized it already exists.

"Reelgood" is a streaming app that conveniently puts all your streaming services in one place. Just download it on the app store, sign into the services you subscribe to, and easily find whatever show or movie you're looking for without having to download a pile of apps. It's pretty sweet. I like to think ours would've been way cooler but probably not.

I don't know if Reelgood will take off, but if it does it'll be nice to know I had the same idea, even if I didn't have the resources to make it happen. So that's pretty much why I'm interested in entrepreneurship, because one day I'd like to be able to follow through on a big idea I have and hopefully turn it into something great.

Bugs

1. Spills (any kind of spill really)
         - People aren't careful and cups fall over too easily
2. My phone doesn't charge quickly or efficiently (i.e. leave it on charger for 20 min and gain 5%)
         - The charger isn't of great quality
3. My feet get dirty walking around the house because of dirt brought in from outside
         - The floor isn't kept clean and if it was it would just get dirty again
4. The posters in my house constantly fall down
         - Need something stronger holding them up
5. It takes me forever to get to campus from my place
         - Need a quicker mode of transportation
6. My sheets always get pushed to the end of my bed
         - They aren't connected to the covers so I don't really hold onto them
7. Lose socks when I wash them
         - They're small and scattered throughout my laundry so they are lost easily
8. My socks get holes in them easily
         - Maybe I'm not careful enough when wearing them or maybe they aren't very strong
9. My athletic shoes get ruined quickly, forcing me to buy new ones
         - Similar to my socks, it's probably a combination of accelerated wear and tear because of how             I use them, and my shoes simply not being very sturdy in the first place
10. Whenever I buy shirts they shrink and become too small
         - Might need to buy a bigger size, or shirts made from different material
11. My speaker doesn't charge sometimes so it dies immediately when I go to use it
         - The charging port might be broken
12. When I get a haircut the hair on the back of my neck grows back faster than the rest of my hair
         - Needs something to keep it from growing back a little longer
13. The door to my bathroom always gets stuck when trying to open it
         - Door handle could be broken
14. My antiperspirant doesn't keep me from sweating
         - Florida is super hot and humid and I might need to choose a different brand
15. Acne (think that speaks for itself)
         - Really annoying and need a good skin care formula/routine for it
16. Lines at midtown are always super backed up on the weekends
         - There's a bazillion college kids and only so many places to go
17. Sometimes I forget my headphones when I go to the gym
         - They aren't always with my wallet and keys so I leave them by accident
18. People chewing loud
         - They don't know how to close their mouth
19. Airport lines take forever but don't seem super effective
         - Millions of people travel everyday and the TSA people don't seem very attentive
20. When people tell a funny story but laugh the whole way through it
         - The story would be a lot funnier if I could just hear it

This list was pretty hard to come up with, which I guess isn't a bad thing since it means I don't have a lot to complain about at the moment. However, it did help me realize that some of these problems have pretty simple solutions which can make my life easier. In short, the list itself probably would've been #21 on here because it was so difficult for me, but I'm glad I did it.

Testing

This is just a test post