Idea Napkin #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?

My name is Linnea Lindeman. After talking to people that were close to me and going over feedback, my strengths are definitely my communication skills with others, my love for teamwork and collaboration, and my empathy. I think that based on my experiences through family troubles and my friendships, I have learned how to be empathetic and compassionate towards all other people. I feel emotions strong and heavily, which can be difficult sometimes but also helps me gain a strong sense of passion for things and gain motivation. Even if this business did not become the focal point of my life, I would still feel happy knowing that I am bettering the lives of others and making it easier. I still do want to go to law school but being able to ultimately start a project and small business like this would be great. 

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

I am still offering the same product-- a biodegradable and eco-friendly straw that is made out of sea weed or sea kelp and will work better than a paper straw while not hurting the environment! Because plastic straws are now banned, there is a need for a functional and eco-friendly straw. It will make customers happy and also help the environment. Based on my feedback, I want to focus more on making the straw have visual appeal to customers so they do not worry about the fact it is constructed from seaweed. Once manufactured and shaped into the straw, it would not dissolve or taste like seaweed whatsoever--but this could be hard to get in a customer's head if the straw looks strange. I want to focus on making it still look appealing and simple, like a normal straw would. 

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?

All of my customers want a straw that works. Simple. They also are interested in a straw that is not bad for the environment like plastic straws were, but mainly just want a straw that works. Although my customer based definitely includes mainly people who want to combat climate change and those who have psychographic characteristics of caring about the environment, the customer based is still wide. Restaurants and businesses in the food industry will definitely be target customers as well, because they can distribute this straw in their stores instead of paper ones.

4) Why do they care? 

Customers care because paper straws are currently the "solution" we have been presented with, and they do not work well. As I mentioned in my pitch, I have had more experiences lately with paper straws and they have confirmed to me each time that they are not sufficient in acting like a plastic straw! I couldn't even finish my drink. Yes, customers do care because they don't want to hurt the environment and animals with straws anymore, but I think that they mainly care because paper straws are a pain and we are in search for a better solution. 

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

I know such a large market just here on campus alone that would be interested in a great straw alternative. I am social, driven, adaptable, and have the customer's best interest at heart. Because I am also a young college student, I do not want to create a product that is expensive or not something that I myself would actually buy. I can use my opinions and perspectives to make sure I am creating a fair and smart product. Because I'm excited about this product, it also helps me successfully market it and promote it to other people. My excitement can get them excited. I care about both the customers and the environment, and can use that to fuel this.

Evaluation:

I do think all of these elements fit together. The aspect of my business concept that is the weakest is the scientific side of things, because I am not very knowledgable at all in biology and the scientific mechanisms behind constructing the sea straw. I do know it would be possible because I have seen other products made of similar bio materials before, but I need to learn more about how the straw would be constructed so that I can better alternate the color of it and make sure it's visually appealing.