29A - Venture Concept No. 2

***Feel free to skip to part two, the first part is lengthy and redundant***

Part 1:

Opportunity:
As it is now, students at UF are riding their scooters almost every day to get to campus or get around campus. Some days of the year have cold mornings (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit) and many of the winter months are cold throughout the day. In those instances students are forced to endure extremely uncomfortable (and even dangerous conditions) while riding near and on campus. The cold and windchill combine together, keeping students cold. But while the cold is uncomfortable while walking, operating vehicle while cold can be extremely dangerous. Being unfocused due to the cold, having cold and unresponsive hands, shivering, even dealing with a runny nose and cold face, can add up to create a situation that is no longer simply uncomfortable, but one that is a hazard to the rider and those around them. Most people don’t realize this though, especially because many scooter riders simply don’t think they can be in a serious accident (because they are “too good,” scooters are too slow, etc. – all from scooter riders that I spoke with). So while I will market my product as a something that prevents cold hands (which is a safety feature), I think the main idea to capitalize on is the comfort of people, especially since we (students at UF) live fairly plush lives and rarely deal with discomfort beyond the stress of school. After hearing a few students complain about their cold morning “scoots,” I spoke with a few others and almost of them agreed that they would be interested in a product that keep them warm.

Innovation:
To be honest, there actually isn’t much that I’m actually innovating on. I’m sure many students have already figured out a method to keep warm, but with over 6,000 scooter decals purchased for the past academic year (and that’s been an increasing number), I’m sure there is a large enough group of students that warrants the product I’m offering. I intend to sell a package product – one that is a jacket, pair of gloves, and face gaiter. Ideally, the jacket and gloves would be attachable, and the gaiter would be integrated into the jacket. But until I can afford the development of a non-standard product, the MVP would be a bundle of apparel that is wind resistant and has a thermal lining. Perhaps a zip-out thermal liner and a thin windbreak jacket. The gloves be extremely lightweight, ideally using a motorcycle gloves insulation, but a thick weave would be suitable for minor hand warmth – and at low speeds, there wouldn’t be much need for heavy insulation. The neck gaiter would be a Velcro piece that wraps around the head, sitting at or below the nose (ideally going over the ears) and would provide a small amount of insulation for the face and neck. The entire bundle would sell for approximately $45 (need to break down cost of production further), but each item would be purchasable as a single item. The jacket costing $35, the gloves costing $15, and the neck gaiter costing $5. There would be UF specific colors, as well as possible logos, emblems, letters, etc. for fraternities, clubs, organizations, etc. All of which would be available at a higher price.

Venture Concept:
The main goal is to make scooter riders comfortable. By providing a set of clothes that limits how cold students are – and is specifically marketed towards scooter riders – I think (and others have claimed) that they would purchase something that is specifically designed for the discomfort people currently feel. While there may be other ways for students to stay warm, this product would be stylish enough to be worn off a scooter, but would provide warmth while also stopping the wind, and is a bundle to do so. From the people I have asked, the convenience of being able to purchase all those items together would be a huge factor in purchasing them. Also, once a few people are riding around wearing said items, they would serve as free advertising and help convince other students to purchase the set.

I think my experience riding a motorcycle will give me a major advantage. But the other advantage I would have is the students wearing said apparel around campus. If one Frat or Sorority started wearing those products, they would serve as great free marketing. I have “access” to social groups on campus through my product.

I’d like to streamline the product and make it better. Integrate pieces together. Make a waterproof liner. Essentially mirror motorcycle gear.

Once the product is made and selling well, I don’t see why I shouldn’t just monitor it remotely and use profits to think of a better (more expensive) business venture. I could expand this business to other colleges that use scooters if it proves successful. Otherwise it would keep growing at UF while students are still arriving every year and using scooters on campus.


Part 2:

All of the responses were pretty positive, though that seems to be a theme throughout this entire semester. I’m not sure if that’s because people don’t really want to take the time to deconstruct the concept and come up with constructive criticism, or if the product has been over-developed to the point that there aren’t any realistic improvements (and the actual product is unrealistic as it is). A few people have mentioned that the market is a bit sparse (college students don’t have a lot of money), but that’s part of why I’m making my product an affordable option. It’s intentionally not as high quality as motorcycle riding gear, but it doesn’t need to be the same quality and therefore can be a reduced price in lieu of that.

Part 3:

I intend to make sure the price is more affordable than before by creating a bundled option, as well as selling pieces of the outfit separately. This would allow students to purchase exactly what they need (or what they can afford), while also giving them another option to mix and match with other products or use/combine methods they already have.

Part4:

This is me, fully outfitted for the track (blowing a corner wide). While no person on a scooter will be this geared up (Even I don’t wear full leathers unless I’m planning on going to the track) -- people should always wear gear appropriate to the situation – which should always be at least a helmet.