Growing My Social Capital

   My entrepreneural business tackles the issue of parking on campus. I have interviewed numerous people in our assignments and have come to the conclusion that there has to be a better way to get students to class and back. I have come up with the idea of "Rent A Scooter". Students will be able to rent a scooter on campus and off to get them to their destination and back with no hassle.
   I understand that to build this business I need to make partners with other business oriented folks. I need to make a friendship with one that is an expert on the business of scooters, one that is an expert on the market of scooters, and one who supplies to this industry.

Expert on this industry: 
The expert I found on this industry is Spiro Katsaras. Mr Katsaras is off greek descent and holds a high level position for Battle Frog. I found Mr Katsaras in my home town of Miami after visiting a Battle Frog event. I contacted him via Facebook and he was more than willing to help me with my business venture. He helped me think of problems that will arise and how to solve them. He discussed with me customer problems and what customers won't like and what they will. He discussed about where to set up locations and if to rent or buy a location for my business. From my conversation with Mr Katsaras, I now have gained valuable information on how to start my business and the best ways at combatting problems that may arise.


Expert on the market: 
For my expert I choose Mr Montesdeoca. Mr Montesdeoca graduated from the University of Florida and is currently a business manager for Siemens industries. I have contacted him through a friend and discussed with him via phone about what the market for scooters looks like. A discussion was made on how the market for scooters will look in Gainesville. He said there will be a high profit of return in this area because I am targeting the right customers. I feel that having Mr Montesdeoca in my network will enhance my market research.


Supplier to the industry: 
I wasn't able to find a supplier in my specific industry but through some contacts I was able to find a supplier in the industry of mass printers and he was able to help me with questions I had. Mr Junco has a high level job in kodak and I contacted him via phone and he was able to discuss with me how he supplies his clients and the traveling that he does to secure the sale. Mr Junco graduated from FIU and worked his way up in Kodak. His discussion on what he does and how he connects with clients gave me a picture of how I should go about finding a supplier.

Feedback: 

This assignment helped me reach out to others whom I know could help me in my business ventures. I tend to be shy with these assignment because I like to conquer things on my own but reaching out to people really helps. Like the popular saying goes "two minds are better than one". Reaching out to these people helped me think of all the effort and work that goes behind opening a business.