Beginning point:
I feel as though there is a need for an establishment that gives multiple acai bowl options and even a customizable bowl.
Describing the need:
I came to Gainesville about three years ago, and since then I have noticed a craze over acai bowls. This is a frozen fruit bowl that is topped with other fruits and granola and peanut butter. It was so relevant, especially last year that I had to go try this contraption out for myself. The demand has been so steadily rising that the owner of the establishment on University ave. bought out her contract from the franchise she was operating under and opened her own franchise. However, there is not enough to choose from at this establishment, as an acai bowl is just an option on an extensive menu. Unfortunately, the place is the only place in walking distance from the university. There is a need for another establishment that is totally devoted to selling customizable acai bowls. The need is by everyone who attends the University of Florida and would like options when coming to their healthier snack choices. This need has existed in the surrounding are of the University since acai was introduced as an option as a snack. There is an attempt to meet this need, but unfortunately the establishment is focused on too many things and not just on the money maker: the acai. I would say at this point I am 80% sure an opportunity exists.
Prototypical customer:
I believe a prototypical customer to be any person from the age of 15- 35. So I would say, teenagers to young adults. I do not believe this establishment will be a all female niche, however I do think it will be predominantly female. Although, I do feel as though males will come through the door and also catch up on the hype around these things.
Iteration 1:
The first prototypical customer I decided to interview was a college freshman girl who was 18 years old. She frequented multiple acai establishments back in her home town, and has been going to the establishment on University ave. at least twice a week since she has been to Gainesville. I first asked her if she believed that the acai bowl option at this establishment satisfied her needs and she responded "no, but it is the best I have." She followed this up by saying that she only experiences this need for a better alternative when she is in the mood for customizing an acai bowl to her specifications. She first experienced this need when she came to Gainesville and couldn't customize a bowl to her liking, she had to settle. She is currently satisfying her needs by just dealing with it and accepting the current climate for what it is. She is not very satisfied with this current situation.
Iteration 2:
The second prototypical customer I spoke too was a woman who graduated from the university of Florida and she is currently working in the Gainesville area. She is 28 years old. She was introduced to the acai craze recently at the same establishment we have spoke about on University ave. She told me that she was not aware that there were opportunities out there for her to customize an acai bowl, she has never experienced a place like that. However, once I brought it up she said she believed it to be a good idea. So she was not aware of any of the criteria that I have established as to prove the need in the market. This crosses off all of those questions I asked to customer 1. She said that she is currently satisfying her need for acai by going to the establishment we have spoken of and is very satisfied with it.
Iteration 3:
The third prototypical customer I spoke too was a younger college guy who is at the University of Florida. He is 19 years old. He was introduced to acai when he was in high school, similar to the first person that I interviewed. I asked him if this establishment was as good as an option as his numerous options back at home. He responded by telling me that it was not as good as at home in boca because in boca there is a place that lets you customize your own acai bowl with plenty of different fruits. He said he has experienced this need since he came to UF. He is currently addressing this need by just dealing with it and enjoying the acai bowls at the university ave. establishment. He said overall it satisfies his craving, however he would like more.
Reflection:
I have learned, through my interview process, that there is definitely a market in the local UF region for us to open an establishment to meet the growing needs of acai customers that wish to be able to have nearly endless options. I also learned something that was very surprising, and that is the absolute control that the current establishment located on University ave. has over the current market.
Conclusion:
1) I feel as though much of my original opportunity is still there, if not more. Now, at this point I am about 90% sure there is an opportunity out there for us to open a new establishment and take over control of the market.
2) I believe my opportunity to take over control of this market, introducing a establishment that focuses only on acai is more than when I first started.
3) I feel as though successful entrepreneurs adapt their establishments and markets based on the needs and feelings of the customers. Just ask retail company owners how they feel about that when they didn't want to digitalize to compete with Amazon.
I feel as though there is a need for an establishment that gives multiple acai bowl options and even a customizable bowl.
Describing the need:
I came to Gainesville about three years ago, and since then I have noticed a craze over acai bowls. This is a frozen fruit bowl that is topped with other fruits and granola and peanut butter. It was so relevant, especially last year that I had to go try this contraption out for myself. The demand has been so steadily rising that the owner of the establishment on University ave. bought out her contract from the franchise she was operating under and opened her own franchise. However, there is not enough to choose from at this establishment, as an acai bowl is just an option on an extensive menu. Unfortunately, the place is the only place in walking distance from the university. There is a need for another establishment that is totally devoted to selling customizable acai bowls. The need is by everyone who attends the University of Florida and would like options when coming to their healthier snack choices. This need has existed in the surrounding are of the University since acai was introduced as an option as a snack. There is an attempt to meet this need, but unfortunately the establishment is focused on too many things and not just on the money maker: the acai. I would say at this point I am 80% sure an opportunity exists.
Prototypical customer:
I believe a prototypical customer to be any person from the age of 15- 35. So I would say, teenagers to young adults. I do not believe this establishment will be a all female niche, however I do think it will be predominantly female. Although, I do feel as though males will come through the door and also catch up on the hype around these things.
Iteration 1:
The first prototypical customer I decided to interview was a college freshman girl who was 18 years old. She frequented multiple acai establishments back in her home town, and has been going to the establishment on University ave. at least twice a week since she has been to Gainesville. I first asked her if she believed that the acai bowl option at this establishment satisfied her needs and she responded "no, but it is the best I have." She followed this up by saying that she only experiences this need for a better alternative when she is in the mood for customizing an acai bowl to her specifications. She first experienced this need when she came to Gainesville and couldn't customize a bowl to her liking, she had to settle. She is currently satisfying her needs by just dealing with it and accepting the current climate for what it is. She is not very satisfied with this current situation.
Iteration 2:
The second prototypical customer I spoke too was a woman who graduated from the university of Florida and she is currently working in the Gainesville area. She is 28 years old. She was introduced to the acai craze recently at the same establishment we have spoke about on University ave. She told me that she was not aware that there were opportunities out there for her to customize an acai bowl, she has never experienced a place like that. However, once I brought it up she said she believed it to be a good idea. So she was not aware of any of the criteria that I have established as to prove the need in the market. This crosses off all of those questions I asked to customer 1. She said that she is currently satisfying her need for acai by going to the establishment we have spoken of and is very satisfied with it.
Iteration 3:
The third prototypical customer I spoke too was a younger college guy who is at the University of Florida. He is 19 years old. He was introduced to acai when he was in high school, similar to the first person that I interviewed. I asked him if this establishment was as good as an option as his numerous options back at home. He responded by telling me that it was not as good as at home in boca because in boca there is a place that lets you customize your own acai bowl with plenty of different fruits. He said he has experienced this need since he came to UF. He is currently addressing this need by just dealing with it and enjoying the acai bowls at the university ave. establishment. He said overall it satisfies his craving, however he would like more.
Reflection:
I have learned, through my interview process, that there is definitely a market in the local UF region for us to open an establishment to meet the growing needs of acai customers that wish to be able to have nearly endless options. I also learned something that was very surprising, and that is the absolute control that the current establishment located on University ave. has over the current market.
Conclusion:
1) I feel as though much of my original opportunity is still there, if not more. Now, at this point I am about 90% sure there is an opportunity out there for us to open a new establishment and take over control of the market.
2) I believe my opportunity to take over control of this market, introducing a establishment that focuses only on acai is more than when I first started.
3) I feel as though successful entrepreneurs adapt their establishments and markets based on the needs and feelings of the customers. Just ask retail company owners how they feel about that when they didn't want to digitalize to compete with Amazon.
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