Brandon Hunter Blog: January 2019

Friday, January 25, 2019

Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

Economic trend: Millennial's and the Myopia Epidemic

https://www.ihireoptometry.com/careeradvice/pages/optometry-industry-trends-2018

· This opportunity exists because the new generations are using tablets, computers, and getting less exposure to the sun which according to the article are all related to having a higher chance of myopia(nearsightedness). In the article they say that more than 2 billion dollars a year are spent on medical costs for the eye. This will only continue with the rate of tablet usage and the transition to technology.

· The opportunity lies with the optical, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and insurance companies.

· The opportunity is easy to exploit because everyone needs glasses and their eyes checked. It is one of the seven senses, probably the most used.

· I found this opportunity because I am very passionate about optometry and vision care. I want to work in this field so I believe it is my responsibility to be up to date with the trends.

Economic Trend: Climate Change is causing more disasters, specifically fires

https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666

· With climate change affecting the globe many towns are affected by random fires. This has caused damage to many homes and businesses. Many people do not have enough money to build their houses back up and are forced to relocate. What I propose is to start buying their land for cheap, and renovating the land.

· The opportunity lies with people who lost their homes to fires, real estate investors, investors, building companies, contractors

· This opportunity seems easy to exploit considering families would ought to be desperate in getting something back from the fires.

· This opportunity was brought to light when I saw major fires on social media and how people were rebuilding. I wondered if everyone was rebuilding.

Regulatory Trend: Elon Musk’s Tunnel system

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/19/tech/boring-company-tunnel-elon-musk/index.html

· The future is transportation underground. Elon musk believes he can solve major traffic if he builds tunnels underground that take cars individually to another destination without the person having to drive. It is still in its developing stages, but I believe an opportunity to invest early because it will become the future of transportation.

· The opportunity lies with investors, companies, contractors, government

· This opportunity is not easy to exploit because one must have a lot of money to invest. But I do believe new ideas can be sprouted once it is functional. Perhaps, underground cities?

· This opportunity was brought to my attention because I like Elon musk and Tesla.

Regulatory trend: Ex-Felons in Florida can vote

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/6/18052374/florida-amendment-4-felon-voting-rights-results

· If ex-felons can vote than there exists an opportunity for candidates that want to run for governor, mayor, senator, etc. in Florida have a larger pool of people. A different demographic, they have to appeal to them and may campaign to provide better and more jobs for ex-felons. This can open up opportunity for businesses to get funding to open up their businesses to felons for additional funding.

· The opportunity lies with ex-felons, political parties, businesses

· This opportunity is a bit hard to take advantage of because it requires steps to achieve. Initially not many businesses are going to hire without some sort of incentive. Which is where the future is heading with the new candidates that will be running for office in Florida.

· I found this opportunity because many people have been politically involved on social media and it shows up all over my feed.

Identifying Local Opportunities

Local Opportunities

“If we have to have Mass Shooting Officals need to treat them the same” Miami times

https://search-proquest-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/docview/2169604161/1A0DE86A11E34FD6PQ/4?accountid=10920

· Description - The author points out the difference in how the media reacts to shooting’s in high income areas compared to low income areas. The author explains how a mass shooting is when four or more individuals are shot in the same area. The author explains how the inner cities of Miami has had what equates to mass shootings but does not get any if at all media attention. They, the author, wants change in regards to how shootings are handled. “Not when-God forbid- a child dies” they use this point to say that shootings are only brought to light when a child is part of it. They do not want one week of policing after a shooting, they want constant patrolling in areas of high risk, to keep people safe.

· Problem - Low income areas do not get the same media attention and policing as higher income areas, therefore crime is more abundant.

· Who has the Problem? - People at low income areas, parents of children, bystanders, legislators, students, police.

“2018 crimes and extreme punishment” by Bilali, K Barrett of the Miami Times

https://search-proquest-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/docview/2169615284/1A0DE86A11E34FD6PQ/12?accountid=10920

· Description – Bilali writes a summary of multiple accounts of unfair treatment of certain communities. The first is the Biscayne Park Police scandal, where three black men were framed for burglary crimes by the former police chief officer and his men. All three men had their records expunged, unfortunately one of the men got deported. But the Police chief officer had been working for about 2,000 cases. Currently, all cases are going to be reviewed. The second is Judge Milan resides over racist comments, evidence shown that he had used racist comments to describe one of the defendants of a case of his. Upon further review, they found that when the same crimes were to occur, black people got harsher sentences than white people. The third is Cops gone wild in Miami Beach, a black homeless man got knocked out and arrested by a police officer. A fellow officer witnessed what was happening and defended the homeless man. A body cam shows that the homeless man was not aggressive nor did he have his hands up. The fourth False arrest of two black boys in Liberty Cities, tells the story of two young men who were charged with first degree murder and first degree attempted murder. They had alibis that were not looked at by the officers and were brought to trial to be convicted of murder. Later they were found innocent but not until their mugshots were broadcast around media. The fifth Mass shootings in Miami, describes the disparities of media coverage and gun control in low income areas compared to high income areas.

· Problem – The abuse of people in low income areas compared to those of high income areas. And the abuse that minority groups deal with compared to that of white people.

· Who has the Problem? – Minorities, homeless, low income areas, police, legislators, attorneys, children

“DeSantis vows to expand private school scholarship program” by John Kennedy of the Gainesville Sun

https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AGSGB%21Gainesville%2BSun%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0121%21January%2B21&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/17122C9182DD4AA8

· Description – DeSantis wants to bring more funding into private schools to help parents put their children in private schools. He says it is a priority for him. In many minority communities, private schools are seen as better than public schools. Although minority communities are mainly democrats, Democratic legislators find the scholarship issue difficult to fight. Democratic legislators believe that funding takes away from the public schools.

· Problem – DeSantis wants to find funding for the families who cannot afford the schools. Democratic legislators believe that finding funding for this will take a way funding from public schools.

· Who has the Problem? – Democrats, Republicans, minority communities, children, tax payers, public schools, private schools, teachers

“Ex-Furloughed Fed worker and wife thrive in new career” by Clayton Park of the Gainesville Sun

· Description - Alex Kratochwill was a government employee until the 2013 government shutdown which lasted 16 days. During that shutdown, Alex as well as 800,000 employees were put on furlough. In that Furlough Alex and his wife decided to turn their hobby of creating custom painted corn hole boards into a business. Through that business they were able to self-sustain. Clayton Park brings to light that many stories are unlike Alex’s, in fact many people do not have the same privilege as Alex. They may be older, have children, etc. Currently the longest government shutdown in history is happening, and many people are without pay. Rent is due and there are mouths to feed.

· Problem – Longest government shutdown in history, people are unsure of when their paycheck will come. Rent is due and there are mouths to feed.

· Who has the Problem? – Government employees, Government, Legislators, food stamps, Homeless, Government employees families, School funding, Government run facilities.

“Police officer runs over Fla. Pair laying down in roadway to watch the eclipse” by Eliot Kleinberg of the Gainesville Sun

· Description - Police officer ran over a couple who were photographing the eclipse. The police officer was going 5 miles per hour when he ran over the man and women who had a camera with them. The injuries were non-life threatening, the police officer was placed on administrative leave.

· Problem- Getting run over by cops not looking at the road.

· Who has the Problem? – Citizens, Police officers, Police departments, Courts

Friday, January 18, 2019

Forming an Opportunity Belief

Forming An Opportunity Belief

Growing up I experienced the second hand effects of opening a business. When I was young my parents opened an optical which affected our home life. We stopped going out to eat, we had very little snacks, and most of our stuff was off brand. But as the years went by that business began to show profit. And now it is a very strong local business in the Miami, Kendall area.

I worked alongside my parents when I became of age to do so. I learned how to make glasses, fix them, sell them, talk to clients, and all the other in's and out's of the business. As I learned I also noticed the inefficiencies and problems of the optical. One of the main problems was the doctor. Because of the doctor we could not accept certain insurances which forced us to turn down potential clients. What I propose is that I become, not only the optometrist for the optical, but an ophthalmologist. This would allow the business to target potential customers with all kinds of insurances, but also those patients who have serious afflictions that are recommended to an ophthalmologist.

Becoming an ophthalmologist/optometrist for an optical would help customers who have insurances that are usually turned down and provide convenience for patients with serious problems. Because of our current doctor, customers have to go to big business companies that do not provide the same care and selection. And because our doctor is just an optometrist, he refers them to other ophthalmologists which is untapped potential for the optical. I am seventy percent sure that this opportunity is valid and would be successful.

I interviewed my father, who has been in and exposed to the business since he was eight years old. He says that his father owned opticals in Nicaragua and was very successful. But they never quite got into the market of ophthalmology. In his time of owning his own optical, he is always asked by people where they should go to have their problem (concerning their eye) checked. He always refers them to an ophthalmologist. He says that if I were an ophthalmologist working at the optical it would not be profitable. Although convenient for customers an optical setting and an ophthalmologist office are two completely different things. Because an optical is focused on retail it wants customers to move in and out. But a ophthalmologist office requires wait time which opticals do not have. He added that no opticals in the area, local or big business, are providing this type of service. He says he is unsure that it would be very profitable.

After that I interviewed the doctor of the optical, Dr. Beauchamp. Similar to my father he said that an ophthalmologist in an optical setting is more limited on the scope of his profession. An ophthalmologist that has an optical in his practice to funnel customers from is more profitable. He liked the idea of having all phases of eye care met in one place but could not see it work.

I finally interviewed a friend that frequently visits the optical because of his poor eye sight. He said that due to his ever decreasing vision he at some point in his life is going to have to get surgery. He said it would be much easier to have the optometrist that he has seen for years conduct surgery on him than someone he has never met. Because of this he inferred that other people would probably feel the same way.

Although I did not get the reactions I expected, I did gain insight as too what the underlying problem is. I learned that there is a potential market but the environment for the two specialties are entirely different. If I could somehow merge the two businesses as well as be the doctor for both, I believe I could create a successful business.

The original opportunity is still here, however I have to make adjustments on how I can fit the two together in the same environment. I believe that the opportunity is less accurate because I am not sure on how to fit the two specialties together. I believe entrepreneurs should be open to feedback whether negative or positive because they provide different perspectives and viewpoints on your idea. Although I did not receive positive feedback i still learned that there is opportunity I just need to build upon my idea.

My Entrepreneurship Story

My entrepreneurship story

My first exposure to entrepreneurship was when I was around seven to eight years old. Completely oblivious, my parents started a brand new optical. This was around the time of the 2008 stock market crash. From what I can remember during that time was the off brand foods and the stress my parents were in. It has been around ten to eleven years since and business has been booming. The optical is successful, has employees and regular customers who refer the optical to other potential customers.

As I got older I came to understand the hardships my parents had to endure. Opening the optical was a huge calculated risk. Besides taking care of me, my dad was supporting two other kids. He had two jobs at the same time and both were far. My mom also had two jobs; a desk job as well as taking care of me. My dad told me the conversation he had with my mom. That all his life he wanted to own an optical, and if he wasn’t going to do it now, he never would. And they both agreed to put everything they had into it. My mom quit her job and worked full time on the optical; my dad kept his jobs to keep the optical afloat because the first few years of a business do not make a profit. Eventually as time when on my dad took another leap and left both his jobs to fully invest his time into the optical. He willed it and it came true.

Enrollment in this course was not much of a decision. It was the next step for my minor, innovation. Expecting the same kind of course that I had previously taken, I came to view this class as just another obstacle. But upon looking at the first few lectures I came to understand that I can take away valuable knowledge from this class that I can use to grow a business. That is my goal.

Bug List

My Bugssss

1. At the end of every week my trash collects to the point where I can no longer put anything on top. This results in me having to lug the trash over to the dump.
Why? This is the result of poor management on my part as well as the cold weather that has been afflicting Gainesville.

2. Every night I have to sleep in 2 blankets because it gets very cold. The blankets do a poor job of keeping me hot because i wake up at night due to the cold.
Why? It is cold because my bed is next to the window and the air vent is right on top of me. My blankets are also worn down and thin.

3. The parking spots where I reside are extremely small. Because of this I have seen small chips on my car paint that are probably caused by people opening doors and hitting my car.
Why? Management is probably aware of this problem, but they choose to ignore it. They allow the parking spots to be small because it attracts people to want to rent an apartment at the complex.

4. When going to the bathroom in a urinal, I get some splashes that come my way. I believe this to be unsanitary, which is why I dislike urinating in urinals.
Why? Urinals are in bathrooms for space management rather than comfort. You can fit a lot more urinals in a bathroom than stalls.

5. At Southwest Recreational Center, waiting for a squat rack to open up often takes up ten to fifteen minutes. Sometimes people who have just shown up get to the squat rack earlier than me which causes me to wait longer.
Why? Because the limited amount of space in the gym, UF cannot fit anymore squat racks. The time that I go to the gym is another cause, rush hour for the gym. There is no designated line or order on who goes.

6. To get to my chemistry class and find an available seat I usually have to walk with a hurried pace from my biology class. On some days I have to sit on the floor because there is no available seating.
Why? Students at different times prefer to go at my classes scheduled time rather than there own.

7. On the few occasions that I have gone to Starbucks, I get a coffee. This coffee, depending on the specificity of it, is sometimes poured into a plastic cup and given to me with a plastic straw.
Why? Starbucks has not found an cheaper alternative to plastic.

8. Separating clothes and putting them in the washer. After each wash I have to bend down and put it to the dryer. Then I have to re-load the washer with the next set of clothes.
Why? The process of bending down to load then re-load is exasperating. Something that can take away at least one of these steps would be beneficial.

9. My car makes a loud noise whenever I turn the wheel. This is especially prevalent when it is cold at night.
Why? Some internal issue with the car, as well as my ignorance to taking care of my car.

10. The grocery carts outside of Walmart are scattered around because people bring them to their cars and do not bother to put them back in the designated area.
Why? There is no incentive to put the grocery cart back. People want things done quick, fast and easy.

11. When leaving Walmart, the cash register line is always long and takes a long time to get through.
Why? The employees are often new and do not understand the system. Sometimes the elderly like to conversate and hold the line longer. Problems with the machines not registering a food item.

12. When driving, I tend to use Siri to get my way around. However, when there is construction ahead Siri would be oblivious and would tell me make a turn that I could not take, thus making me miss an exit or turn.
Why? The technology has not developed to where Siri can notice every construction site happening.

13. Because my Biology class does require attendance, many students decide not to show up. Instead they pester everyone for codes to answer from home.
Why? Biology does not require attendance because it weeds out those who want to learn versus those who do not. Students may have other responsibilities or problems afflicting them.

14. Dust accumulates in dorms causing people to sneeze frequently. Although it is a very easy problem to solve, many college students do not vacuum or clean it up.
Why? The students are busy with their studies therefore they do not have time to clean at home. Most dorms do not offer vacuums and students do not purchase them because they are big and bulky.

15. I have been attempting to find new music, but to no avail. I have been doing so because I have grown accustomed and bored of the music I have been listening too.
Why? The coding for finding new music based on the persons personal taste is still not up to par.

16. When I cook bacon, I usually cook between one to three pieces. Then I leave the rest in the bag. The problem? The bacon bag does not have a zipper, instead it has a rip though it that I close using a piece of butter placed on top.
Why? It is probably not cost efficient to put zippers on the bacon bag for that specific brand.

17. Driving around UF campus is dangerous. Students cross the street as if they are entitled to the right of way at all times. Sometimes they cross without using the crosswalk.
Why? It is faster to go in a straight line and cross the street without a crosswalk than to use a crosswalk that is out of the way. There are probably a small amount of crosswalks for students to cross which is forcing them to cross the street without using a crosswalk.

18. Waiting in line to get into the gym because people do not know their UF ID's causing a traffic jam of students that know their UF ID.
Why? They are probably Freshmen and have not memorized their UF ID's. The machines that give access to the gym are not updated enough where it can memorize just hands to give access to the gym.

19. The lines in the bookstore are long during the first week of school. I had gone to purchase a lab book for one of my classes and it took me about forty minutes to go through the whole line and pay.
Why? The classes release their syllabus the week of rather than before school starts. The efficiency of the line and cash registers is slow.

20. Every time I am heading back home I use the bus. And every time on the bus it is always crowded in the front which is where I sit. This is caused by people not moving all the way down to give space to those boarding.
Why? People in the back of the bus do not have a signal to tell them to move back.

Reflection

Coming up with twenty bugs was difficult. The first few bugs were easy because I notice them everyday, however when I ran out of those it became more difficult. Usually I do not notice things that "bug" me. I usually forget about it after a few minutes or seconds. I would consider myself to be a very easy going person, so doing this assignment was even more difficult because I had to focus on the little things. This assignment forced me to be aware of my surroundings and to notice the little things.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Brandon's First Post

I am Brandon, I am strong.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.