M Davis Blog for UF

The most formative experience to me was working through the assignment on testing the hypothesis. I knew I wanted to come up with something that would give my daughter opportunities as she aged but I also wanted to provide a service that would help others as well.   The most joyous experience was when I interviewed families who could see value in my solution and provided good quality feedback to enhance the vision.   I am most proud of completing the assignments of this course.   I was not sure at the beginning if I would be able to come up with enough content for each blog post or to complete the assignments but I pushed through. Many years from now I will remember how to observe opportunities and assess the problems to be solved.   I believe I have developed somewhat of an entrepreneur mindset by making these observations in my daily life.   I have been thinking of other needs and possibilities and working through the steps which I suppos...

Opportunity ·        The special needs population has grown immensely.  Either from population growth or due to other forces not explained, the current statistics indicate that 1 out of every 7 children has some form of developmental disability.  With this increase comes the need for additional therapies that take time away from the child, parent or sibling from doing other activities.    ·        This affects the entire family ranging in ages from 2-99, but most specifically the special needs child who does not have additional opportunities to participate in interesting programs that are adapted to their abilities.  Specifically for the northwestern Hillsborough County area. ·        The need is to have a center that provides services and additional activities for the special needs individual from 5 years of age through adulthood where the siblings and...

1)     Identify the exit strategy you plan to make. Do you intend to sell your business in the next 5 years for a large return? Do you intend to stay with the business for several decades and retire? Do you intend to protect the venture as a family business, and pass it down to your children? The business is very personal to me.   My intention is to stay with the business and retire as well as pass it down to my children to continue on the good work of the organization.   The center would give purpose to my youngest daughter when she is an adult with little opportunity and I would want her sisters to help her carry on with helping others. 2)     Why have you selected this particular exit strategy? I have selected this exit strategy because it was basically the reason for selecting this opportunity and pursuing it.   Helping my daughter and leaving her a business she can continue to help the community like her.   This would ...

1)     What was the general theme or argument of the book? “How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big” by Scott Adams is the book I read for this assignment.   The theme of this book is how to capitalize on failure and to have systems in place rather than focusing on specific goals.   Adams life lessons give a different outlook and stress self-care and how to take risks where you are most comfortable.   With any risk comes chance for failure which you can use to adapt and eventually succeed. 2)     How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003? The book describes creating systems rather than goals which I feel goes along with this course as we are working each week on building an opportunity one step at a time.   This system process helps you make adjustments along the way, regardless of timing because you are working on each specific task at a time. 3)     ...

1.          Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed -- whether in this class, or outside of this class. Don't spare any details! It'd be even better if there was something you tried several times this semester, and failed each time. This semester has been a struggle for me as I chose to take 3 summer courses along with working full time and being a single mom.   Although, I am certain my daughter would have preferred to have more of my attention, I would not say that is a fail.   What I did fail at was in completing tasks at my job.   I took unplanned days off to study and take tests which put my work behind.   It is difficult especially with this class as assignments are due on Friday by midnight.   2.        Tell us what you learned from it. I am aware that my job should be the top priority.   I addressed my absence and delay with the partner at the of...

Existing Market In developing my concept I have already touched on additional products or services, however once the core services are successful I think the next steps would be to include a café in the center and possibly organize meetups and support groups for parents to discuss concerns of raising special needs children.   Offering refreshments, light snacks, specialty coffee’s and teas in this café would employee those with special needs who have taken the life enrichment courses and vocational training.   Organizing parent group discussions we would also be able to provide a safe place for the child to hang out while the parents are meeting. Existing Market Interviews 1 – My first interview was with a mom while we were both waiting for two hours during a special summer camp.   There is no option to leave while the children are in the camp for safety reasons, however there are no offerings for the parents while we are waiting.   She explained how hard i...

Opportunity ·        The special needs population has grown immensely.   Rather from population growth or due to other forces not explained, the current statistics indicate that 1 out of every 7 children has some form of developmental disability.   With this increase comes the need for additional therapies that take time away from the child, parent or sibling from doing other activities.     ·        This affects the entire family ranging in ages but most specifically the special needs child who does not have additional opportunities to participate in interesting programs that are adapted to their abilities.   Specifically for the northwestern Hillsborough County area ·        The need is to have a center that provides services and additional activities for the special needs individual from 5 years of age through adulthood where the siblings and parents are able to...

1.        Experience – Personal experience with daughter who has special needs. Valuable: This is very valuable as I have the understanding of those with special needs as well as the drive to want to improve their life Rare:      It is not necessarily rare as there are many parents of special needs children who could have the same understanding. Inimitable: This could not be imitated as each person with special needs has their own behaviors and limitations.   No two are alike, however most have some of the same tendencies which could give others the same understanding of some characteristics Non-Substitutable:   This is hard to answer – most parents try to give their special needs child skills to be more “typical” 2.        Knowledge – Accounting and Human Resource work experience.   I have over 20 years of experience in keeping financials and implementing HR policies. Valuable...

Feedback Reflection I did not receive any feedback on my second elevator pitch, and after self examination I chose to put a more conversational tone in my speech to hopefully show my enthusiasm and encourage the same in my audience.

The Art of Social Media, Power Tips for Power Users by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick 1.        What was the general theme or argument of the book? The theme of the book is how to create and effectively use social media to promote your business.   The book gives 123 tips on what steps to take, tools to use and how to structure your content to make lasting impressions on your audience. 2.        How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003? For this class we have to submit blog assignments, I have never written a blog post prior to taking this class.   The book combines how blogging and social media posts garner attention to your brand and expose the content you want to share.   Every week I have thought that creating 3 blog posts was excessive as it is definitely time consuming, however if you are trying to promote your business the recommendation is...

Domain Expert 1.        Who they are and what their background is. Sharri Cagle is the Founder and President of Keys to Kindness 2.        How this person is a domain expert – Sharri founded Keys to Kindless a non-profit organization that encourages and empowers others to practice kindness in the community.   Keys to Kindness holds events and programs supporting many causes and including all members of society.   They hold a summer kindness program that is inclusive of the special needs children as well as children with medical issues. 3.        How I found and contacted this person – My niece was a volunteer who worked with the organization through her high school service club and told Sharri about my daughter.   They reached out to me for her to join their camp for two weeks and this sparked conversation regarding my chosen business idea. 4.     ...

I only had one peer comment regarding self-sufficient special needs individuals which I will address in who I am offering services to.   I have edited other sections of my previous blog to remove fluff and focus on intent of the questions. Who you are : For the past 25 years I have worked in financial and management positions including sitting on the board of a local organization where I have culminated skillsets to start a new business concept. If I were to start this business concept it would definitely have a fulfilling impact on my life and that of my daughter. Her special needs journey is what brought this problem to the forefront in our life. I feel strongly about the issues surrounding families that support those with disabilities and would love to include my daughter and give her something she could be a part of that is helping her and helping others. What are you offering to customers? I would be offering a service to individuals and families with disabilities that...

The service I would offer can be targeted towards individuals, families or service organizations.   Considering the limitations of the special needs community I will focus on the parent of the special needs individual who would most likely be the one to choose services.   Most of the time it is the mother who is responsible for obtaining therapies, doctors and investigating options.                  The mother is in her mid 30’s -40’s and lives in or around Tampa, Florida with 2-3 children ranging in ages from 0-18.   Depending on if she is a single mom or married, she either is a stay at home mom or has a flexible job that allows her to navigate the therapies, doctor’s appointments and routines for her special needs child that can range in severity.   If she is a single mom, the amount of time required to provide all necessities for her special needs child limits her ability to ...