My Opportunity Belief

Some opportunities come from things that constantly occur and are always on your mind. Other opportunities present themselves when something goes wrong, which is what happened to me. My laptop recently stopped being able to be charged for no apparent reason. I took it to the UF Bookstore and turned it into the Apple service center. My computer was thankfully still covered under Apple Care so there was no out of pocket expense, but it was a major inconvenience to be without my computer. I asked the bookstore if they had loaner computers, which they do, but they were broken which is ironic coming from the only computer repair store on campus. I believe there is an opportunity to give students a credit towards the bookstore if they turn in their old, but working laptops when they get an upgrade, allowing students like myself to not be inconvenienced when things like this happen. Unfortunately, I have two other friends that have gone through a similar experience and would be prototypical customers for this opportunity and I asked my roommate how me not having a laptop affected her as well. 

Interview 1: Jakob H. 

When did this become a need and why? 

I needed to bring my laptop in to get fixed when a friend spilled water on it and damaged the motherboard. Obviously, that’s a lot of damage and took the bookstore a while to fix so I was without a computer for like two and a half weeks which was really annoying. 

How do you currently address this need? 

I had to go the library or ask a friend to use their computer which was very annoying, and I had to do all of my assignments later than I normally would have and I just wanted my own computer. 

Are you satisfied with this solution? 

I’m definitely not, it was the worst two weeks of my life. 

Interview 2: Jack T:

When did this become a need and why?

My computer just randomly stopped working like yours but I don’t have an apple so it took the bookstore even longer to fix and it was annoying to not have a computer for that long with school and stuff. 

How do you currently address this need?

I just had to spend a lot of time at the library and try to make sure to get there at a time where they all wouldn’t be taken. It was not convenient to do any of my work. 

Are you satisfied with this solution?

No, I like to do my work when I want to do it and not have to go somewhere else to do it. I got really frustrated with the bookstore for taking so long fixing mine. 

Interview 2: Kalee T:

When did this become a need and why?

Well, when your computer broke you obviously needed to use someone’s which I was happy to let you do but it was a little tricky coordinating our schedules so we could both get our stuff done. I also had less time to use my computer in my free time. 

How do you currently address this need? 

I didn’t really do anything to address this need I just used my computer less than I normally would have, but I’m glad you have your computer to use again. 

Are you satisfied with this solution?

I mean I’d do anything to help you out but it would’ve been nice if we didn’t have to share a computer and I also got to see you less when you were at the library for longer doing work on those computers so I guess I’m not satisfied. If I were to ever upgrade my laptop, I’d be happy to give it to the bookstore to make a loaner for other people. 

My opportunity belief is still there as much as I’d expected at first. There is a need for students whose computers break at unfortunate times and it even inconveniences their friends and roommates. I think students would turn in their old laptops especially if they got an incentive from the bookstore. 

I think entrepreneurs should be cognizant of customers’ needs because at the end of the day, if there isn’t a need, the business won’t succeed. I also believe that entrepreneurs should be passionate about their business so if they are passionate about an opportunity, they should go for it, just keep the need aspect in mind.