Angie LaPlaca

1) Experience with running a business . This is human capital that is valuable because you cannot help someone launch their own entrepreneurial concept without having this experience. It's rare because I think while a lot of people may have a business idea, or see an opportunity, they might not act on it. There are certainly others who have experience with entrepreneurship. But are they willing to share and help other entrepreneurs grow? There is no substitute for entrepreneurship experience. 2) Bringing innovative ideas to my own business . Innovation is a very valuable part of entrepreneurship, because the best ideas are recognizing an opportunity to meet a need. My businesses have gone through rebranding and refocused core values to fall in line with what is evolving as a need. I think innovation is rare. So many small businesses fail to thrive and instead just survive because they never innovate or change their practices. (Even though we know owning a small business and ...

I did not get any feedback on my last elevator pitch. I think the second one was probably better than the third one as far as being clear and getting my message across. However, the second pitch was about 45 seconds too long which also made it harder to memorize. I tried not to look at the camera and pretend like I was looking at a crowd, but I didn't really accomplish that. It definitely looks fake to me. I was more dynamic this time because I guess I was more comfortable, but I cringe watching it! While this assignment did get easier over the course of the three times I completed it, I am still not completely comfortable in front of the camera. I think that is just my personality. When I took speech class, even after five speeches in front of my peers, my voice still shook and I was incredibly uncomfortable.

1)  I chose to read The Art of Social Media by Guy Kawasaki. Kawasaki is a social media influencer and brand evangelist for Canva, an easy-to-use graphic design program. The overall theme of the book is social media best practices, tips and hacks for people that are trying to use social media to either promote themselves or their brand. Tips range from the more technical, like embedding social posts within your blog to very basic, like picking a neutral screen name or take a good profile picture. 2)  Social media is one of the most powerful tools a business/brand can use to promote themselves. It can be free, though Kawasaki says that, "paying to promote posts on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter can work"(63). The book connects with ENT3003 because it adds a toolbox that entrepreneurs can use to promote and grown their business.   3)  Since this class already uses a blog, I might add a social media component to it. Maybe the students could create a professional...

1)  I didn't receive any feedback on my first idea napkin post, so I'll do my best to scrutinize it myself. I think the first time I focused too much on why I would be more successful if I had an incubator to use for my own business. So first, I would describe myself as an entrepreneur. I have started several endeavors (the one I am focusing on now is my fourth business). I have experience with the foundation of a small business, and I am not afraid to try a new concept because I also have experience with things not working out. I am used to the constant feeling of stress and uncertainty. I have strong determination, and I have learned over the years to do something even if I am afraid. My aspirations are not only to provide service to my clients (like a space to work, or business consultations), but to be there to create an environment that is encouraging and supportive. 2)  On my first napkin, I focused on the tangible components of what I will be offering my customers. ...

1) The domain expert in my industry is Katie. She runs a social media management and marketing business in my area. I admit that I have met her before at other local events, but I have never talked to her about entrepreneurship or a business idea. She has her own co-working space, a healthy roster of clients, and a steady income. I contacted her through social media because she is always on it and I thought it was the easiest way. I sent her my idea napkin to look at and offer suggestions. She liked the idea but suggested that I market it differently than an incubator (which I had already been thinking about). She suggested a more holistic feel and does not think housing professionals for consultations is realistic. She said it would be easier to have good relationships with these professionals and either set appointments to bring them in on as-needed basis or send the entrepreneur to their office to meet. Her job is to grow businesses, which is what my goal is. Her clients are gene...

Unfortunately, I did not receive any feedback from peers on my first elevator pitch. However, I can pick myself apart pretty well. I admit I get really nervous and I forgot a lot of what I was going to say. I didn't even introduce myself, I spoke too quickly, and my question at the end wasn't really a question that is easily answered. This time, I had the camera set up better as well and tried to look more professional and presentable. I also included statistics which I had neglected to do on the first go. I remembered to introduce myself this time. I tried to be more dynamic and appear as if I was speaking to a room of people by scanning the audience and "making eye contact". I included statistics about the growth and tourism in Volusia County to build the foundation of available opportunities in our community. Once people get excited about opportunities, they start to get better at recognizing them and will ultimately need a place to follow through with ...

My customer avatar is young person (probably female) between the ages of 20 and 25 or so. They are kind of new-age in the sense that they are into spirituality, yoga, juicing, fitness, etc. but they also like to go to brunch and drink mimosas. They would probably drive a newer small car or SUV, maybe a hybrid or energy efficient one. They probably use social media a lot more than watch television. Some may watch Netflix or Hulu, but probably very few use traditional cable for television viewing. They don't have children. Young people are increasingly deciding to not have children or have them later in life, and entrepreneurs would definitely not want to have children that young. They would be more likely to adopt children than previous generations. Their favorite books might include self-improvement or habit-forming books like  Better Than Before , or  You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life . They are liberals and probably like ...

1)  Tenaciousness is a competency.  What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course? This course will require you to approach people and talk to them. If that's not something you're comfortable with already, you will be when you're done. I personally am very timid when it comes to talking to people, so I have had to work on developing that behavior throughout this course.     2)  Tenaciousness is also about attitude.  Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this? I admit that there were times I did give up. I waited too long to look at the assignment requirements a couple different weeks and just didn't have time to get them done. Read ahead and work ahead would be my biggest tip. One assignment required reading an en...