19A – Idea Napkin No. 2

1) You. Who you are. What your talents are. What your skills and experiences are. Also: what are your aspirations? Specifically, regarding your business concept, how do you see this business (if you were to start it) playing a role in your life?

The experience I have that is unique is my experience working in a small business. The small business is a semi-truck accessory retailer. My experience working there has enabled me to see a successful company culture that is more than just a few beanbags, a tennis table, and a snack cabinet. Culture is cultivated through going to dinner outside of work with your coworkers and talking about real life - not about what listings need to be updated. I am able to talk to whoever I wish to talk to because there is an open-door policy, allowing me to communicate my ideas or concerns with even the CEO whenever I wish. Because of this, experience, I believe I would have a better idea of what company culture truly needs and why it is important.

2) What are you offering to customers? Describe the product or service (in other words, how you'll solve customers' unmet needs). 

This company would offer unique dog products to consumers, leaning towards the walking parts of what dog ownership requires. This would include matching leashes, collars/harnesses, and poop bag holders. There would also be matching bandanas, accessories and shirts for the human to show off the bond they hold together. This solves the need of consumers who wish to treat their dog to a nice new collar and leash and themself with a matching accessory. Additionally, the set of items would make a great present for any dog owner.

3) Who are you offering it to? Describe, in as much detail as possible, the demographic and psychographic characteristics of your customers. Think especially of this question: what do your customers all have in common?

All the customers have dogs in common - whether they know a dog owner or are a dog owner.

4) Why do they care? Your solution is only valuable insofar as customers believe its valuable to them. Here, explain why customers will actually pay you money to use your product or service. 

Consumers care because they want to have better pet products because they love their dogs and wish to show that through their treats.

5) What are your core competencies? What sets you apart from everyone else? Also: what do you have that nobody else has?

My core competencies include my decent credit score, investment in real estate, and ownership of a very cute dog who will model all products at no cost.

All these elements fit together and do not contradict.

From the feedback from Paula about how I shouldn't describe myself as replaceable, I realized I should put more effort into considering what makes me different. I used the feedback to consider my experiences, relate them to our lessons, then I realized I had worked in an environment that the lessons strive to describe.