25A What's Next?

Existing Market

Step 1: In terms of what's next for new growth I need to start taking action with forming connections with activity based companies. I need to promote my business and start creating small events to test out how efficient my business has the potential to be.

Step 2:
#1
I interviewed my friend in PaCE. She believed organizing a discussion forum for anyone interested would be the next move to see what starting activities I could begin with. She thought it would be important to hear what areas are lacking within the University. She also said I should extend the market beyond incoming freshman to all grades in the University.

#2
I interviewed a student transferring into UF from Santa Fe. He said I should reach out to rec sports and see what things they can aid my service with. He also said aside from thinking big, what I can do right now is round up about 20 people who would be interested to just meet each other and just hangout somewhere. He also thought I should try to organize my service into a club here at UF.

#3
I interviewed a senior graduating this fall. She advised me to promote my service on all social media platforms like, instagram, facebook, twitter etc.


Step 3: In terms of growing my venture I think I just need to start forming connections within the University and see what I can get done right now to start my business. Create the survey, website, etc, and promote it on facebook class pages affiliated within UF. Also I thought it was a cool idea to create an instagram page for my business which is something I never thought of doing. Also, I can begin organizing events without the help of larger companies by starting things at my apartment or even at public places like parks. Within growing my existing market I think its important that I promote my business further than just incoming student but extending it to all students here at UF. Even adjusted student may want to meet new people in a new way and extend their connections throughout other peers.


New Market

Step 1: A radically new market would be older people. Instead of targeting UF students for my market I would focus on adults around Gainesville. Stay at home mothers, retired couples, etc. Once you are no longer in a confined environment like work, or school, its hard to meet people so this could benefit my new market.

Step 2: I think this could really benefit my new market because I know it is difficult for adults to meet new people after they have a set day to day life. Adults have families, companions, responsibilities, usually making their social life not one of their biggest priorities. My business gives them flexibility to choose and activity that they are interested in and to meet new people based off of it.

Step 3:
#1
I interviewed my mom for this. She is a stay at home mother who often wants to try new things like dance and art classes but finds it more fun when she has someone to go with. She said my business could greatly benefit her because then she would be able to meet someone new while also trying something new. She said my interest categories should meet the older age group and be personalized for my new market in order to really catch their eyes. Also, instead of promoting through the internet I should put up flyers and physical ads since she doesn't really go on her phone that often.

#2
I interviewed my uncle. He also thought this would be really beneficial to the market. Before my grandma passed his life was focused on taking care of her needs and spending time with her. Now, he has so much free time that he doesn't really know what to do with. Also since he isn't married he said its hard to find someone at his age. He thinks this service could benefit him both socially and romantically.

Step 4: When I originally started this venture, I had considered focusing on this market because my mother has always told me how she wanted someone to come try a ballroom dance class with. After speaking to other people within the market I definitely think there would be success and possibly more for this new market. Younger kids are hesitant to reach out for help especially socially and sometimes there can be a negative stigma around it. For older people, those hesitations are really non existant. I did expect my interviews to go the way the went because I had thought about this new market initially but I definitely think it is something to focus more on. The only thing is the promotional aspect would be harder to voice. Without the internet being the center hub for spreading the word I would have to get more creative with how I promote my service.