Opportunity Belief
My Belief: There is an opportunity in creating an environmentally friendly straw that is completely decomposable and good for the planet, but isn't made out of paper.
Description: There is an unmet need for a straw that is good for the environment and won't end up as litter, but one that isn't made out of paper. Paper straws, although great for the environment, disintegrate quickly and can become unusable very fast. Anyone who uses straws has this need, especially in cities like Gainesville where plastic straws have been banned completely. This need is fairly new, because up until more recent years everyone still used and supported plastic straws and were less aware of the negative effects they had on the environment/ecosystems. This need comes from the rise in popularity of paper straws, which answers the fourth question of what are people doing to meet this need now? Paper straws are a great first step, but I have heard so many complaints from people whose straws become unusable. I got a smoothie the other day and the paper straw was so flimsy that it was practically useless and it unravelled within five minutes.
Customer #1: Typically young adults who dislike paper straws and think they are impractical.
Iteration #1: The first person I spoke to had actually had the exact same experience that I did at this smoothie place, so they agreed that there is a need for a durable straw that isn't made of plastic. They said they become aware of the need whenever they are using a paper straw and it breaks or unravels because they generally aren't made to withstand much liquid. They said that they have only had this need in Gainesville because they didn't use paper straws before, and they first became aware of their need at Nekter Juice Bar (where the straw broke). They aren't doing anything to currently address the need because they don't want to buy a metal straw and have to carry it around with them, so they are generally satisfied with my solution if it's a possibility.
Customer #2: Young people who want to help the environment and ban plastic straws nationwide.
Iteration #2: The second person I talked to is extremely involved in fighting climate change and actively works to find environmentally friendly solutions. They have been aware of this need for years now, because they are well educated on things that harm the environment and knew how wasteful and harmful towards animals plastic straws could be. Because they hope for plastic straws to ultimately be banned nationwide, they agree there is a need for a good alternative that is better than paper straws because many places still don't think they are the best option to use. This person has also experienced paper straws disintegrating before. They did make the point that they solve this problem sometimes by just not using a straw, but with certain drinks a straw is needed.
Customer #3: Business owners or employees who have had to make the switch to paper straws, but want to find a straw that will still be able to withstand thicker drinks (i.e., smoothie store).
Iteration #3: I actually went to talk to an employee at a smoothie place that I know switched to paper straws. They agreed that the paper straws they use now have two problems. They become soggy really quickly from the smoothie, and they also bend and crease in the middle when they are poked through the plastic lids (making them work even worse). They started realizing this problem every time they would put a straw in the lid and it would break from the plastic hole, and said that people have even asked if they have different ones. Until they worked there, they didn't notice or care very much but says it can be really annoying now. Also, smoothies are not something people want to drink without a straw usually. This solution would definitely benefit the store.
Reflection: All three ideal customers generally had the same kind of opinions. No one was necessarily that upset about the issue, but it is more of an overall annoyance and they wished there was a better option. I was surprised that it was an issue from an employee perspective, too, and not just a consumer perspective.
Summary: I do think my original opportunity belief exists, and it hasn't changed much in accuracy after talking to the 'customers' I did. Based on what they said, they were generally agreeing with me in wishing there was a stronger and more durable alternative to the paper straw that still wouldn't harm the environment. However, I have realized that it is more of an annoyance than a real problem. I am not sure if there is a desperate or dire need for this product to exist. Although it would be nice in certain situations and it would be helpful, I am not sure if the product would be widely successful very quickly--I say this because it took a long time (and is still taking time) for people to even switch to paper straws in the first place.
I think they entrepreneurs should definitely take customer feedback in mind, and truly listen to it and work to understand the customer's point of view. However, I don't think they need to always adapt to it. Entrepreneurs should, at the end of the day, focus on their original vision and what will be the most profitable in the end.
Description: There is an unmet need for a straw that is good for the environment and won't end up as litter, but one that isn't made out of paper. Paper straws, although great for the environment, disintegrate quickly and can become unusable very fast. Anyone who uses straws has this need, especially in cities like Gainesville where plastic straws have been banned completely. This need is fairly new, because up until more recent years everyone still used and supported plastic straws and were less aware of the negative effects they had on the environment/ecosystems. This need comes from the rise in popularity of paper straws, which answers the fourth question of what are people doing to meet this need now? Paper straws are a great first step, but I have heard so many complaints from people whose straws become unusable. I got a smoothie the other day and the paper straw was so flimsy that it was practically useless and it unravelled within five minutes.
Customer #1: Typically young adults who dislike paper straws and think they are impractical.
Iteration #1: The first person I spoke to had actually had the exact same experience that I did at this smoothie place, so they agreed that there is a need for a durable straw that isn't made of plastic. They said they become aware of the need whenever they are using a paper straw and it breaks or unravels because they generally aren't made to withstand much liquid. They said that they have only had this need in Gainesville because they didn't use paper straws before, and they first became aware of their need at Nekter Juice Bar (where the straw broke). They aren't doing anything to currently address the need because they don't want to buy a metal straw and have to carry it around with them, so they are generally satisfied with my solution if it's a possibility.
Customer #2: Young people who want to help the environment and ban plastic straws nationwide.
Iteration #2: The second person I talked to is extremely involved in fighting climate change and actively works to find environmentally friendly solutions. They have been aware of this need for years now, because they are well educated on things that harm the environment and knew how wasteful and harmful towards animals plastic straws could be. Because they hope for plastic straws to ultimately be banned nationwide, they agree there is a need for a good alternative that is better than paper straws because many places still don't think they are the best option to use. This person has also experienced paper straws disintegrating before. They did make the point that they solve this problem sometimes by just not using a straw, but with certain drinks a straw is needed.
Customer #3: Business owners or employees who have had to make the switch to paper straws, but want to find a straw that will still be able to withstand thicker drinks (i.e., smoothie store).
Iteration #3: I actually went to talk to an employee at a smoothie place that I know switched to paper straws. They agreed that the paper straws they use now have two problems. They become soggy really quickly from the smoothie, and they also bend and crease in the middle when they are poked through the plastic lids (making them work even worse). They started realizing this problem every time they would put a straw in the lid and it would break from the plastic hole, and said that people have even asked if they have different ones. Until they worked there, they didn't notice or care very much but says it can be really annoying now. Also, smoothies are not something people want to drink without a straw usually. This solution would definitely benefit the store.
Reflection: All three ideal customers generally had the same kind of opinions. No one was necessarily that upset about the issue, but it is more of an overall annoyance and they wished there was a better option. I was surprised that it was an issue from an employee perspective, too, and not just a consumer perspective.
Summary: I do think my original opportunity belief exists, and it hasn't changed much in accuracy after talking to the 'customers' I did. Based on what they said, they were generally agreeing with me in wishing there was a stronger and more durable alternative to the paper straw that still wouldn't harm the environment. However, I have realized that it is more of an annoyance than a real problem. I am not sure if there is a desperate or dire need for this product to exist. Although it would be nice in certain situations and it would be helpful, I am not sure if the product would be widely successful very quickly--I say this because it took a long time (and is still taking time) for people to even switch to paper straws in the first place.
I think they entrepreneurs should definitely take customer feedback in mind, and truly listen to it and work to understand the customer's point of view. However, I don't think they need to always adapt to it. Entrepreneurs should, at the end of the day, focus on their original vision and what will be the most profitable in the end.
Hey Linnea,
ReplyDeleteI was actually talking with my friend about this problem yesterday! We were at Starbucks, and she ordered a frappe, and she grabbed a paper straw because she is conscious of her actions. She complained about how the straw melted while she was drinking her frappe. I do think that this is a problem, but I also understand why the straws are paper, to make it better for the environment. Great job on this assignment Linnea!
Deborah Lee
Hey Linnea,
ReplyDeleteIn both Gainesville and Pompano Beach (where I am from), they have banned plastic straws so needless to say I can't get away from paper straws. I understand the concern about plastic straws and the environment, but I feel that there are larger issues out there. Living 5 minutes from the ocean, I can tell you first hand that I see way more plastic Publix bags than plastic straws!
Linnea,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the honesty that you presented at the end of your post. In my own post, I had to come to the realization that my idea was not the most feasible nor did it do justice to the real problem the people I interviewed were facing. I must say that while I do enjoy the premise of your post, I have heard of personal reusable straws that are made of silicone or metal. I also believe I have seen these items for sale in establishments in and around Gainesville. I actually try to carry one with me to save from those awful paper straw melt downs.
All in all, your post is very well constructed, and you did well to capture the essence of this assignment.
Respectfully, Maeghan Solanki
Linnea,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your belief. I’ve only ever encountered a paper straw once. I can say that upon contact I absolutely didn’t like the feeling. It was extremely weird and I found myself not wanting to use it. In my personal opinion I believe they are unrealistic, paper is still bad for our environment, and it doesn’t hold up to the liquids like it needs to. The need for an alternative is very great. Thank you for sharing.