Making It Real

My Resume:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oQVNm1e5OmpvKtdhWgFBDwfzKYiQPzRKD7AvVZcfReU/edit?usp=sharing

My Exit Strategy

1

  .     This business venture that I have come up with is exactly what I envision for myself. Not only am I helping people in-need, but I am also maintaining a conservative income. I hope to continue with this business for many years to come and grow it to its fullest potential. When I am no longer able to manage the business, I hope to pass it along to my children. When the inherit the business they can do what they want with it whether that be sell it, franchise it, or just continue to run it.

2.     I have selected this because I know that once this business is up and running it is going to be some of my best work. I would not be ready to sell it after just a couple of years nor give the CEO position to anyone else besides my family. I think there is so much more passion and motivation to run a family business and I think this will contribute to the overall success of the company.

3.     Yes, for sure. Since I want to be running the company, I want to ensure that what I am doing is always helping others. I have always had a passion for giving back and helping those in need, so by building my business on the idea of helping those in wheelchairs makes me never what to give that up. I am in absolutely no hurry to retire and hope that this business will maintain the family name. Not only am I helping people, but I am calling in resources that are within my family and my family’s network. My rent-a-wheelchair van already has the family name behind it. I know that my resources have the same passion for the growth of the business as I do, which excites me for the future of the company.

Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity

·      There is not easy access to proper transportation for disabled persons or people that are confined to a wheelchair, specifically from airports.

·      The potential customers are those who are traveling in wheelchairs, children or adults, and are not aimed at those who are temporarily in wheelchairs.

·      Orlando is the vacation capital of the world and each year millions of people fly into Orlando International airport eager to visit Disney and all of the attractions Orlando has to offer. All attractions and rides at Disney are REQUIRED to accommodate those that are in wheelchairs. New York just passed a law that by 2020, half of all yellow cab taxis have to be wheelchair accessible.

·      Geographically there are people in wheelchairs all over the world, almost 3 million to be exact.  Demographically, as the baby boomer population continues to get older, this need will only become more relevant.

·      Currently, my potential customers are using average cars and taxis to and from the airport, which is inconvenient. They are also using wheel chair van companies where you are able to reserve in advance, but their location is not convenient to the airport. There are also additional fees involved.

·      Potential customers are currently giving up and not even trying to call Enterprise or Hertz to see if wheel chairs vans are available because they know how much of a hassle it is and how little wheel chair vans are generally available.

·      Since the current businesses that are attempting to satisfy this need are still not executing the opportunity fully, I think this opportunity is there and the widow will only continue to get larger as long as people get older.

Innovation

I am beginning to solve this unmet need by providing a rent-a-wheel chair van at the convenient location of Orlando International Airport, the vacation capital of the world. My goal is to provide the same quick and easy service that everyone receives when it comes to renting a car, and mirror that with a rent a wheel chair van company.

How will this business make money?

Product/Service Mix:

Rental Cars

•       Side-entry

•       Rear-entry

•       Full-sized (van)

•       Standard-height vs extra tall height

Each rental van will have a set price. Some are more expensive than others and this will be reflected in the price as a side-entry van is less expensive than an extra tall height van. On average a wheelchair van costs $55,00 to buy.

  Accessories 

•       lifts for wheelchair/motorized wheelchair

•       hand-controls

•       ramps

Each person is unique and each disability requires a specific accommodation whether that be hand controls or ramps. We provide them all with no additional add on fee, although, you are able to purchase these accessories directly from our store.

  Packages

•       daily

•       weekly

•       monthly

Depending on how long the van is needed, we provide the best prices to accommodate your needs.  On average, again it depends what van is rented, we charge $100 per day $90 per day a week and $80 per day a month.

Venture Concept

·      . Traveling when you are in a wheel chair makes everything that much more difficult. Providing a wheel chair van makes it easy and convenient for the customer in the wheelchair to travel around the town and makes them feel that much more at home.

·      What sets me apart from everyone else is there is no wheel chair rent a van services at an airport. They are scattered around a handful of cities in the US and most of them require a lot of prep before hand. By being at the airport, it saves people the extra hassle and wasted time that they would be spending at a competitors.

·      The location of the business is what defines my business concept. Yes, there are others out there, but there is not one universal rent a wheel chair van business, like a Hertz, at an airport.

·      Having the best prices also set my business apart from the competition that much more.

·      Since I am not producing my product, rather buying it from wheel chair van dealers, I would just have to make many connections in the car business, which fortunately I already have because of my father.

o   I would have to create a “buying” team that goes and buys the business inventory and sells our inventory when it needs to be sold.

o   I would put a head buyer and 3 sub-buyers under him in order to keep production always coming in.

Secret Sauce

            Connections with people in various division in the car business is my top resource. Not only are these connection useful for start up, but throughout my entire time of running the business.  This will come in handy when I am needing all the outside help that is required when having a business like this. This is rare because while a lot of people have a “car guy” in their network they  don't have the “mechanic” or “tire guy” or “key guy” in their circle.  This is hard to copy being that these connections have developed over the years, and besides being in the business, I do not think one could make these connections.

What's next for the venture?

            Having an online store, connected to the business, that allows you to purchase the accessories offered for a cheaper price compared to a retail store.  This is the next thing they want because since convenience is a main factor, they are now able to purchase their needed items from the same company.

What’s next for me?

            I hope to be expanding to other airport locations and not just limited to Orlando International. I want to be an entrepreneur that people can look up to and see that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve it. I think this venture is going to take a couple failures in the beginning, but eventually launch into a successful business and I can show others that being an entrepreneur is not just all about success, it is how you handle failure.

Celebrating Failure

At the beginning of this class, I was skeptical about the whole “grading yourself” policy. I tend to like an assignment to have one specific deadline, rather than many assignments due at the end of the week. I knew this concept would be hard for me to get used to as I am known to procrastinate. I knew that I would be unable to receive an A in this class if I procrastinated, because there was no way I could accurately complete every assignment the day it was due. As the semester continued, I began to adapt to the policy and work on my time management skills. Around the 4^th week I missed 2 points because I forgot to comment on others’ assignments. I got really discouraged because it was already so early in the semester and I  had already missed 2 points that could have easily been completed if I had stayed on top of my work.

Just from missing these two points alone, I learned the value of staying on top of assignments and making sure my priorities were in order. If I had simply checked my assignment list on Monday, the whole thing could have been avoided. Instead, I slipped into my procrastination ways again and did not check the assignment list until Tuesday. I can guarantee I always check the assignment list on Monday’s now and missing an assignment on accident has never happened again. Fortunately, I have already made it up with the extra credit I have received.

I believe that failure is a big part of life. It is something you cannot be afraid of if you want to succeed. Trying new things is always scary simply because we are afraid of failing. Entrepreneurs specifically need to learn to love failure; it can push one to be better and aspire to achieve their goal even more. Emotionally, you cannot let failure beat you, you have to use it to your advantage. One you fail, you have to start up that much stronger and desire that achievement even more. This class has definitely pushed me out of  my comfort zone and made me realize that failure is not all that scary. Every assignment whether it be an elevator pitch or talking about what sets me apart from others, is not something I particularly like to do; it makes me a bit uncomfortable. But in the end, I have learned the value in failure and that you cannot be afraid of it; you have to conquer it and come back that much stronger.

Elevator Pitch No. 3

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gHcQHVfIng&feature=youtu.be

2. When I opened my previous pitch to see my new feedback, I was so surprised! I got such good feedback regarding my eye contact and enthusiasm along with appealing to my listeners emotions. The most important I received was how I got my point across in such a concise amount of time which I believe was the goal, so mission accomplished!! Nothing was silly, every comment was taken seriously and provided me with confidence as I post this one.

3. Because of my positive feedback, I was able to keep my pitch overall the same! I made just to maintain eye contact the whole time and keep using expressions and hand gestures to show my passion for the company. I changed the wording of a few sentences, but other than that I maintained the same structure as the previous one.

Amazon Whisperer

Revenue Drivers:

·      side entry wheel chair vans

·      rear entry wheel chair vans

·      full sized wheel chair vans

·      standard height vs extra tall wheel chair vans

·      renting lifts for wheelchairs/motorized wheel chairs

·      renting hand controls

·      renting ramps

     What’s next?

            Having an online store, connected to the business, that allows you to purchase the accessories offered for a cheaper price compared to a retail store. These accessories would include but not be limited to the lifts, hand controls, and ramps. This is the next thing they want because since convenience is a main factor, they are now able to purchase their needed items from the same company.

How does this enhance my current offering?

            This improves my customer loyalty because they will be able to rent their car from out of state and they will also be able to purchase it in stores and online, for those out-of staters. It provides a competitive price making them want to buy it from me. It also makes their experience that much easier because if they like the accessory the rented, they are then able to return the car but buy the accessory.

Amazon Product:

Wheel Chair Lift 

           

“Best Choice Products presents this brand new wheel carrier. This hitch-mounted and basket-style cargo carrier can be used as a carrier and a ramp, carrying up to 500 lbs. It gives you a hand to load a wheelchair, scooter, lawn mower, snow blower and more! This carrier features an integrated ramp which fold into 3 different positions (closed flat, open L-shape and Open flat). Installation is easy with all included hardware.”

            Customer Reviews:

                        Negative: The ramp drags when you drive even when installed correctly and it does not fold down flat.

                        Positive:  Assembly was easy and installation was a breeze and the service is provided was so much more convenient.

            Changes:

                        Overall I would have to create a product that does not drag no matter the size of the vehicle. No one wants that. I will also have to make sure that the portability is easy, aka folding flat. Keeping the assembly and installation process easy will also be a necessity.

            I believe that this will make a great addition to my company. People in wheelchairs want that convenience factor and once they find a product that will make their lives that much easier, they buy it. So by providing these services first as rental accessories and then, once they try it out and are familiar with the product, they are able to purchase it through my company, either in stores or online, which enhances customer and even brand loyalty.