23A- Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

23A- Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

1.     Environmental Background- So something very important to starting a company in the field of sustainability is having the background knowledge already available at your disposable. This is valuable because it allows my business to know the ins and outs of what we are trying to achieve, and allow myself as the CEO to not need coaching on the science behind the product. It is hard to copy because you would also need to go to school for this specific area of science or do a ton of self-learning which would still not give you the necessary knowledge. No other resources can really provide the same level of expertise as this, studying for months and being self-taught will allow you some of the knowledge but not all.

2.     Marketing Expertise- So a huge part of getting a business off the ground is knowing the proper marketing techniques and exercises in order to show the world what your business does. Over the last couple of years at the University of Florida I have learned the ins and outs from countless positions on campus of how to run social media accounts and how to create a brand. This knowledge will allow me to combine my passion for sustainability and my knowledge of how to convey this passion to the public. This expertise is hard to fake and is very hard to master, it takes lots of trial and error to see what works and what does not. You could go out and hire someone who is a marketing expert however for small businesses no one has the capital to hire people for everything there already having this knowledge on hand is helpful. I also understand the market behind sustainability and all things related which is why it is easier for someone like myself rather than someone you could hire.

3.     Passion- As I sit here watching all of my campers for which I am the counselor sleep during their rest hour, I recognize how passionate I am about not only this class but also making a difference. I have been taking four classes online, while also working at this camp as a counselor and as an environmental consultant, because I want to give back as much as possible. This makes me a threat in any market because I will not stop until my goals are met. This is hard to find or replace because passion is not something you can teach or something that is taught in school it is something you are born with, a fire that is smoldering within, which is why it is irreplaceable.

4.     Communication Skills- Hoping off of my two previous resources, marketing expertise and passion, I have fairly great communication skills which allow me to work while in a team environment but most importantly allow me to show others my passion and why they should care as well. Going into a market like sustainability you have to get other people to care because if not they will not buy it. So I think having this ability to merge my passion and communication skills together is something necessary in the market.

5.     Industry Help- In my family there is a lot of environmentally conscious people but most importantly is that I have several family members who already work in the same market I am hoping to burst into. This is very important to my business succeeding because they will be able to give me inside knowledge that I previously would not have known or been able to find out on Google.

6.     Partners- Another huge thing necessary I believe into actually cracking into a market is having people behind you, like my family mentioned above, but also people willing to dive in head first with you. Throughout my time studying at the University of Florida I have been fortunate to meet a lot of people along the way who have the same beliefs and values I have therefore making great business partners. These connections are irreplaceable and are hard to find, making them so important to my company.

7.     Time-Management Practices- As I mentioned before I am currently working as a Cabin Counselor at a summer camp for children with severe medical illnesses called Camp Boggy Creek. But on top of working here from seven-thirty every morning to around ten at night, I am taking four classes or 13 credits. Therefore, my time management skills have been tested often but I have honestly grown. This is hard to find and hard to replace because I am sorry who will give my all into whatever I am doing but also I will give it the time it needs to make a product that is satisfactory enough to put my name on it.

8.     Business and Agricultural Law- Throughout my time at the University of Florida I have taken a lot of classes none more important than the business and agricultural/sustainable law classes I have taken in the last year or so. These classes have taught me the necessary information to take a product like a reusable straw phone case and how to patent that, how to make sure it is approved by the EPA, and a lot of other steps that people normally hire lawyers to do. This is important and irreplaceable because it will save my company time and money.

9.     Compassion- While sitting here writing this I feel like I am talking a lot about myself, however my motivations behind this company are all selfless, and are all for helping out the greater good. I think the compassion I have for this earth and other people is something you can’t bottle up and sell or teach through a class, its real and it is what drives me to make this product.

10.  Financial Capital- While going to school I have been able to save a lot of money by applying to every scholarship possible, by working a ton of jobs, and by being super frugal. Therefore, I have the financial capital to get this product off the ground and start running. I do not however, have the capital to keep going after like a month or two.

My most important resource is my communication skills for several reasons. Most importantly in the field of sustainability and especially when talking about the market for products that work towards sustainability the most important thing is getting people to care. This is why my communication skills which allow me to show how passionate and caring I am about this product and my other ventures is my most important resource. Being able to work with people and build a company that people actually want to invest in is something that these skills will allow me to do.