Assignment 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?

   As I mentioned in my last idea napkin I am from Fort Lauderdale and have spent most of my childhood on or near the oceangoing various water sports, diving, snorkeling, and hanging with friends at the beach. Over the years one of my favorite activities to do is go kayaking and kayak fishing so I have become very knowledgeable about different kayaks and their accessories. I think if I were to start this business it would be more of a hobby rather than a career because although I am passionate about kayaking, I think that there are other business ventures that I would enjoy more. 

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

  The product I have come up with solves the unmet need of additional space while kayaking or paddle boarding. Since I am very familiar with kayaking I have always noticed that I have never had enough space on board for all the fishing equipment or recreational items such as a cooler or speaker. My invention has many capabilities such as the extra wet and dry storage as well as waterproof speakers, rod holders, a cooler, and a live bait well.

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?

  My customers include everyone who kayaks or paddle boards as well as people who canoe. The age range is very wide since the sport is not too difficult to get into and can be done in both fresh and saltwater so the only necessity is that you need to live near water. All my customers love the outdoors and being in nature. 

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. 

   Everybody I have taken out on the water or have met while kayaking has had a need for more space since these boats are made to be light and do not fit too many things on them. Along with the need for more space, my product offers additional conveniences that would be of value while fishing or just on the water for fun. 

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

   I think the main thing that sets me apart from a lot of people is my desire for adventure and pride that I take in my work. If I have a goal in mind, I will always try my hardest to reach it and don't let anything stop me from getting to that goal. 

   I think that all of the elements fit together perfectly because the list of accessories that my product offers has been in my mind since I got my first kayak when I was 14. I have spent a great deal of time out on the water and know what kayaks typically lack and what other people would need in a product. 

   The first aspect of feedback that I got was that I should include a little bit more detail about my customers and who they are. I tried to incorporate that a little more into this idea napkin because I do think it is an important aspect of owning a business. If you don't understand your customer base, you won't be able to sell your product as well as if you did.

   The second aspect of feedback I thought was important was how I have a personal connection to my product. I think if you have a connection to your invention in the sense that you would regularly use it, you have a better understanding of what you need to fix, what works, and what doesn't. I would be able to perfect my invention because I have the firsthand knowledge of how it needs to work in order for it to be a successful product.