Google Gold- Rachel Mead

1) Through out this course, we have been trying to get our blogs out there and show up on the first google search page when entering certain keywords. In order to increase my chances of showing up on the first google page, I have added my first and last name to the end of every post title.

2) My keywords are "Rachel Mead", "entrepreneurship", and "ENT". The most consistent key words were "Rachel Mead" and the others were used for various posts. My keywords have stayed the same the entire semester, each were just used different amounts of times.

3) The only social media I used to enhance SEO was Youtube. I think that using this one platform kept things constant and helped me overall. I believe it was fairly receptive, as at least one video shows up on the first page.

4) My most viral post was the "Top 5 World Problems- Rachel Mead" post. I think the reason was that this was such a controversial and opinionated post. Not everyone agreed with each other's posts because we all have things that are more important to us than other things. I had a lot of defensive comments on this particular post and people didn't agree with what I thought were the five biggest issues.

5) When you type in "Rachel Mead ENT" or "Rachel Mead entrepreneurship" I come up on the first page. When typing in "Rachel Mead" alone, there are other Rachel Meads out there that showed up. I also saw a lot about "Richelle Mead" who is apparently the author of a famous book series. Overall, I'm pretty content with how my keywords worked out in order to optimize my SEO.

Very Short Interview, Part 2- Rachel Mead

Looking back at my original questions for Linda Benjamin, I asked pretty general questions that I could have asked any entrepreneur. However, miss Linda still gave very detailed and thought out responses. This time, I would like to ask more specific questions pertaining to her particular business. The questions I asked Linda are as follows:
1. If you were to change the location of your business (or add a new location) and place it anywhere in the world, where it would be and why?
2. If you chose to start another business, would it be similar or completely different than Paradise Pops and why? 
3. What businesses have inspired you and what qualities did they have that you've tried incorporating into Paradise Pops?

Here are miss Linda's responses:
1. We would add more location to beach communities that have a massive concentration of tourists. In particular, cruise ship passengers and hotel guests.
2. It would be similar as the food business is my passion. I enjoy sharing good food with people and pops make everyone smile.
3. My friend Amy owns a bakery and she inspired me. Her attention to style and detail are impeccable. She has a created a loyal following and her products are unique and delicious. I also admire Richard Branson. He is the billionaire who started the Virgin Companies. His sound approach to entrepreneurship and business are inspiring. His love for life has allowed him to touch many lives around the world. I hope this is helpful.

I was much more comfortable speaking to Linda Benjamin because I had gotten a response from her before so it made me less nervous waiting to hear back from this time. In the beginning, I wasn't exactly sure what types of questions to ask and I think my questions for the second interview were more thought out. I truly did not feel that she conveyed any sense that I had advanced in my entrepreneurship skills but I appreciate the time she took to answer the questions I had for her with sincere thought and detail.

Week 13 Reading Reflection- Rachel Mead

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

I really liked that in this chapter, the author provided many examples of each topic he was addressing such as "Due Diligence Evaluation", "Checklist for Analyzing a Business", and "Methods for Venture Valuation". This helped make his points clear and organized. 

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I got confused when the author wrote about the discounted earnings method. I understood his explanation about why products lose value and therefore money, but I was unsure what the definition of the discounted earnings method was. 

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

I would ask the author if he believes there were any businesses in the past that have failed that would be more successful now. I'd also ask if he thinks there are current failed businesses that would be more successful in the future?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I may not have understood the author but when he talks about avoiding start up costs, he states that even if you pay a higher price for your start up, it's still lesser than what you should be paying and I found that somewhat contradictory. 

Celebrating Failure- Rachel Mead

1. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of failures this past semester is Calculus 1. I mean I LITERALLY failed and had to drop the course. Despite attending office hours, earning extra credit, seeing a tutor every week, and using MANY online resources, I still could not pass this class.

2. I've learned that somehow, it will be okay. Although I have some pressure to complete my critical tracking requirements, my adviser gave me guidance and I have a plan.

3. In general, failure is hard. However, it's a part of life and a reality we all face. And if you're willing to accept that fact, it isn't the hardest thing we have to deal with. It can in fact, be one of the most beneficial things that happens. Not only am I better prepared to retake this course, but it's also helped me realize I really need to bring my game for other classes as well. As for this class, I think my risk taking skills are about the same, but I have definitely become more confident interviewing people and asking questions.

My Exit Strategy- Rachel Mead

1. In the next five years, ideally I would like to sell my business.
2. Because I have other businesses I would like to run, my goal would be to create this business and make sure all the details are worked out so that I can ensure it will be successful under the supervision of someone else.
3. This decision has made fine tuning the program a priority so that it will stay in business. I know as a start up, it won't be perfect and there's a lot of planning and adjustments to be made but as soon as those are perfected, I think everything will flow smoothly for the future owners. I believe new management can be a good thing when the right choices are made so this program will under constant development. However, I will leave it stable so that we can continue to use the same resources and simply add more.

What's Next- Rachel Mead

Existing Market

What I believe is next: I think the customers would like to have the option of at home tutors who monitor their progress in the comfort of their own home. Tutors who offer to participate will get paid extra.

Here are the interviews:

Reflection:
       In the future, I plan to add security to my system, make sure that students are getting paid enough so that it is beneficial to them, and include a log where students can set goals they would like to accomplish. These responses are exactly the type of feedback needed in order to grow and make this company successful. I think that if this service were available to everyone, after some adjustments with how we would obtain the money, students would have no reason not to be a part of this amazing opportunity.
       I truly believe that every student will benefit from this system and other businesses will receive more educated, time managed, and motivated workers. This system is a game changer and would affect the population on a large scale. I look forward to see what this business has in store for the future and what else we can accomplish.



New Market

I would try to sell my services to another business such as current tutoring businesses instead of just students.

I believe selling my service to another business will benefit both of parties and draw in more people. I also think that we would be able to build ideas off of each other and see what works and what doesn't in each company. For the most part, we would be able to exchange supplies for customers and referrals. We'd also give our students the option of working with some of these businesses.

Interviews:

Reflection:
       I think that this networking will help spread the word about my business as well as the others and it's great to have these connections. We will all be able to feed off of each other's customers, thus creating more revenue for both businesses. I think my program would give these people some great workers that will be more driven than some of the workers they obtain who do not use our program.
       Partnering with these businesses will ultimately help our students. They are our first priority so we want them to have the best opportunities possible. Our students will be set up for success by using our program as well as being involved with these other businesses. The businesses can also help by referring their customers to us. I believe that no one will disappointed whether they are a business owner or customer.

Week 12 Reading Reflection- Mead

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

I think that the SWOT analysis is a great way to look at your venture from all angles and allows us to be objective when trying to create a successful business. I also can sympathize when he writes about lack of strategic planning. Planning is essential in every business but some factors do make it more difficult. 

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I found the first diagram of this chapter confusing. It wasn't very organized and didn't flow well. I wasn't able to follow what the author was trying to get across with this picture. 

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

I would ask the author if anyone has studied which states have the best demographics for technological demand and also how many people you should share your idea with and are necessary to every business. 

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

There was not anything I thought the author was wrong about.