Elevator Pitch No. 1 -10A

Elevator pitch (link: https://youtu.be/J3-rAx982sk)

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2 - 9A

Who: People who do not like or have the desire to exercise in a gym environment. Although they do workout, they prefer outdoor settings, such as walking around the park/lake/neighboorhood, bike riding, swimming, etc. Others simply like exercising in the comfort and privacy of their home.

What: People find other activities that require no discipline and sometimes viewed as more fun. Examples would be lounging on the couch catching up on their shows, hanging out with friends or going out to eat. Others just don't like working out at a gym.

Why: People inside the boundary are serious about improving their health will make eating healthy and going to the gym their main priority because they are not happy with the way they look and feel. People who are outside the boundary do not feel the desire to work out regularly at the gym, whether for lack of motivation or they have an alternative exercise regimen.

Inside The Boundary	Outside The Boundary
Who Is In: People who prefer to workout in a gym environment and want to improve their health.	Who Is Not: People who do not want to workout or workout at a gym.
What The Need Is: Incentive and Motivation to workout consistently and stay committed to their routine.	What The Need Is Not: People are becoming overweight and do not take the proper steps in improving their health.
Why The Need Exists: Americans are becoming overweight and aren't doing anything to improve their health.	Alternative Explanations: People make up excuses on why they do not go to the gym regularly and then complain they do not like the way they look or feel.

Solving The Problem - 8A

The Opportunity: More and more Americans are becoming overweight and aren't doing anything to improve their health. From my research, it comes down to making exercise your top priority in order to see results.

The Solution: People need to have accountability for setting their exercise goals and following through with them.  Discipline is hard to build-up, but if there was a gym that could help you achieve your fitness goal by incentivizing and rewarding their members, then I firmly believe more people would find the motivation and desire to workout.

The Service: Some gyms charge you a penalty of $25 if you don't show up to your scheduled fitness class, which I think is a great start. But I'd like to take it a step further. I think gyms should reward their members and make them feel appreciated and motivated. For example, if you check in a certain amount of times per month you can win a prize. Prizes would need to be worth it though. Perhaps 3-month free memberships, money, tickets to sporting events or concerts, exclusive experiences, or reduction of monthly dues based on your consistency and progress. Also, the gym should provide instructions on what exercises to do in each station, with mini instructional videos. I think this would also motivate people to not feel lost and want to exercise.

Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1 - 7A

Opportunity: Americans want to be fit but are not putting in the work.

Many Americans think they're out of shape and want to look better, but unfortunately, they are not moving their bodies and being active in order to achieve it. Some people are members at their local gyms but are just throwing their money away since they never go.

The Who: People wanting to be physically fit.
The What: There is no motivation to exercise.
The Why: Exercise is not a priority, and excuses are made.

Testing The Who: People who are not happy with their appearance or health
Testing The What: The difficult part of exercising is finding the motivation to get to the gym
Testing The Why: There is something holding people back from putting in the work needed.

I will be interviewing five individuals who would like to improve their physical health, and that vary in age, race, and athletic abilities.


Interview #1: Claudia

Are you happy with the way you look?

I like the shape of my body but would like to lose 15 lbs.

What are the things you'd like to improve on?

I'd love to tone up and improve my endurance. I get out of breath just going up a flight of stairs. It's sad.

Do you go to the gym?

No, I'm currently not a member at any gym.

How do you stay active?

I walk around my neighborhood with my dog, not every day though. I used to do Zumba but haven't done it in years.

Do you enjoy working out?

Just the thought of working out stresses me out. I did enjoy Zumba though because I had fun doing it and felt like I got in a good workout.

What prevents you from exercising?

I get home tired from work and just want to lay on my couch and catch up with my shows. Plus around the time I can actually go, the gym is extremely packed.

Do you prefer working out alone or with someone else?

I prefer group classes since I don't know what I'm doing.

What would motivate you to exercise?

That's a good question. Maybe trying to fit into the old clothes that I still keep in my closet, for when I finally lose the weight.



Interview #2: Ryan

Are you happy with the way you look?

Yes, I find myself attractive.

What are the things you'd like to improve on?

Maybe improve my strength and get a six-pack.

Do you go to the gym?

When I have time I like to go. I haven't lately though.

How do you stay active?

I play basketball with my friends but that's probably like once a month or so.

Do you enjoy working out?

I do. I take my headphones with me to the gym and zone out.

What prevents you from exercising?

I sometimes have to work late or something comes up, like a happy hour with clients or friends.

Do you prefer working out alone or with someone else?

Alone. I'll occasionally go with my buddy Matt since he's all about fitness, but for the most part, it's just me.

What would motivate you to exercise?

Having the energy to go after work. Once I get home, it's hard for me to go back out.



Interview #3: Sivan

Are you happy with the way you look?

Sometimes. Although I'd like to lose weight though.

What are the things you'd like to improve on?

I'd love to tone my butt, arms, and legs. And have a flat stomach- that would be a dream.

Do you go to the gym?

I can't remember the last time I went. I might have been trying to lose weight for something.

How do you stay active?

Does shopping count??

Do you enjoy working out?

I hate working out but when I'm done I always feel proud that I went. I think I just don't like getting super sweaty.

What prevents you from exercising?

Like I mentioned, getting super sweaty. But to be honest, hanging out with my friends or sleeping sounds more appealing to me.

Do you prefer working out alone or with someone else?

I love going with my friends. None of us know what we're doing but it's always fun when we go together.

What would motivate you to exercise?

If I could burn 1000 calories in 15 mins that would be great! Or maybe find an exercise routine I can stick to and like.


Interview #4: Gio

Are you happy with the way you look?

I think there is always room to improve.

What are the things you'd like to improve on?

I'd like to get rid of my beer belly and get back to my 34 size pants.

Do you go to the gym?

I'd love to say that I do but I rarely go. Not enough to say yes.

How do you stay active?

On the weekends I'm always out doing stuff. During the week I'm hardly ever active at all.

Do you enjoy working out?

I actually do. For me, it's a stress reliever. Just put on some good music and I'm good.

What prevents you from exercising?

I don't really know. It's not part of my routine so I just forget to go.

Do you prefer working out alone or with someone else?

Alone.

What would motivate you to exercise?

Getting myself organized the day before with my gym bag ready. I think that would motivate me to start working out again.



Interview #5: Daniella

Are you happy with the way you look?

I'd love to go back to how I looked like in 2013. I was so fit and skinny.

What are the things you'd like to improve on?

I need to lose the 35 lbs I gained from having a baby.

Do you go to the gym?

No, it's hard when I have to take care of my seven-month-old.

How do you stay active?

When it's not so hot, I like to take the stroller out and walk a few blocks with my son. But it's been so hot or raining lately, that I haven't done that.

Do you enjoy working out?

Before I had my son, I loved it! I lost 50lbs a few years ago because I was consistently working out and I loved feeling like I was getting stronger every time I went. Miss those days.

What prevents you from exercising?

Work. My son. Feeling tired and unmotivated. Plus I'm not a member at my gym anymore.

Do you prefer working out alone or with someone else?

I loved the group classes that my gym offered.

What would motivate you to exercise?

Finding someone to take care of my baby and the energy to want to go.


Overall, based on my interviews, people seem to have the same reasoning on why they don't workout. Time and energy. But I think it just comes down to being disciplined and having the will power to get up and do it. I can't judge because I'm in the same boat. My motivation is there but when it comes down to actually going to the gym, I get lazy. Which seems to be the overall "excuse" people were providing. If losing weight were easy, everyone would be fit and healthy. No one mentioned a lack of transportation, funds, or medical condition.

Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends - 6A

Economic Trend Opportunity

Opportunity #1

"Andrew Yang $1,000 a month universal basic income."

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/19/how-americans-would-spend-andrew-yangs-1000-universal-basic-income.html

There is evidence that the average American lives paycheck to paycheck and has accrued $28,900 in personal debt, excluding mortgages. I believe the majority of citizens would greatly benefit from receiving a $1,000 a month to help with monthly living costs or pay down their debt.

The prototypical customer would be the American who is in debt. The extra income would help out our economy in the long run because people will have more money to invest or spend if they're basic needs and bills are paid.

This opportunity would be easy to exploit because people are in desperate need of financial assistance. Candidate Andrew Yang's Freedom Dividends program is a possible solution to the financial crisis that is going on, and there is substantial data to back up his proposal.

Some people might argue that giving out $1,000 would increase debt, but I disagree. People sometimes dig themselves into a hole without realizing it. With the extra income, most people will likely pay off their debt or spend it wisely because they do not want to fall into the same situation they're in. Families would be able to afford daycare for their children, students would be able to pay down their student loans, and most Americans would pay off their credit card debt. For the financially stable people, they can use the extra money to save or invest.


Opportunity #2

"Forever 21 Plans to File for Bankruptcy"

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/forever-21-plans-to-file-for-bankruptcy-as-early-as-sunday-11568227638

There is evidence that once-popular retailer, Forever 21 is struggling to keep up with the changing consumer habits, such as online shopping. The failure to adapt is what's leading them to file for bankruptcy.

The prototypical customer would be the up and comping stores wanting to get into the fashion retail market.  They can learn from Forever 21's mistakes and quickly adapt to the changes going on in the retail business. About 7,000 stores closed this year from January to June, more than all of 2018. People are not spending their time or money inside stores anymore.

The opportunity would be easy to exploit because other stores can see what's happening to big retailers and focus more on transitioning to online shopping and new stores can sell directly through a website instead of a physical store.

I've been noticing a decline in Forever 21's popularity. In the past two years, I've stopped shopping from them because their fashion hasn't been something I'm inclined to buy anymore. Instead of opening up so many new stores, they should've focused on getting back to what they used to be and focus their money and resources to their website. Competitors such as Fashion Nova and SheIn are gaining the popularity that Forever 21 once had because they focused on their customers' needs.


Regulatory Trend Opportunity

Opportunity #1

"Lawmakers want to give student borrowers more protections from the for-profit companies in charge of servicing the student loan industry."

Source https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/11/loan-servicers-preying-upon-students-lawmakers-look-to-change-that.html

There is evidence that student loan borrowers don't have the same protections that all consumers are entitled to in this country. There is a $1.5 trillion student loan crisis going on in this country, and under-regulated loan servicing companies are preying students.

The prototypical customers are the 45 million students who are drowning in student loans debt and have no protection.

The opportunity will easy to exploit because it's getting the much-needed attention it deserves. Democrats recently unveiled eight draft bills that would establish a student borrowers’ bill of rights, among other things. Even comedian Hasan Minhaj urged the committee to take action to protect borrowers. The process has started, and hopefully, lawmakers will see it through.

I have many friends who unfortunately have student loans in the thousands. One of them has over $250,000 (she went to law school). I agree with Hasan Minhaj; Americans should not have to go bankrupt to pursue higher education. I believe that students loans should be interest-free or at least offer better terms and protection to the borrower.


Opportunity #2

"Legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida"

Source: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/marijuana/fl-bz-adult-use-marijuana-bid-20190830-gfsium5xufcgpdsoj2uthfklg4-story.html

There is evidence that legalizing adult-use marijuana would encourage more people to buy it legally instead of on the black market, plus it would provide safe regulation.

The prototypical customer would be people over the age of 21 who wants to enjoy the benefits of marijuana without having to register for a medical marijuana card. The medical marijuana companies in Florida would benefit as well because their clientele would significantly increase, meaning more profit for them.

The opportunity will be difficult to exploit because first, it needs to qualify to be included in the ballot. Then the bill needs to be approved by 60 percent of Florida voters. There are a lot of people who still have their reservations regarding recreational marijuana use, so the odds of it passing seems low.

Although I do not smoke or consume marijuana, I am open-minded and support the legalization of recreational marijuana. I see the benefits, not only as an economic standpoint but also a safety issue as well.

Identifying Local Opportunities - 5A

Opportunity #1

Title: Central Florida student bullied for homemade University of Tennessee T-shirt, so UT Volunteers made it their official shirt.

Link: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/gone-viral/os-ne-florida-student-bullied-homemade-tennessee-t-shirt-20190909-h4isqfqzvve3va2bpdil4ncfyi-story.html

Description of Story: An elementary Florida student was bullied for making a homemade University of Tennessee shirt for Spirit Day at his school. UT was moved by his story that they starting selling T-shirts inspired by his original design. The t-shirts were such a hit that it caused the school's shop website to crash and over 50,000 shirts have already been preordered.

Description of Problem:  Bullying present in our school's today.

Description of Who Has The Problem: A student was bullied because he didn't wear a real University of Tennesee T-shirt.

Opportunity #2

Title: Tropical Storm Humberto close to forming as storm targets Florida

Link: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/weather/hurricane/os-ne-tropical-storm-humbeto-hitting-bahamas-florida-saturday-20190913-hvnywhptfvdnrc5tisurbdcjba-story.html

Description of Story: Tropical Storm Humberto projected to hit Florida by this weekend. Even though it's not a hurricane, caution should be taken. The storm is expected to make landfall in the Fort Pierce area around 8am Saturday morning with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts up to 55 mph, before moving along the east coast and bringing heavy rainfall for most of eastern Florida. Central and Eastern Florida is expected to receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain Saturday and Sunday, which could produce flash flooding.

Description of Problem:  Florida is preparing for another storm.

Description of Who Has The Problem: Florida residents, especially those living on the east coast.

Opportunity #3

Title: Nursing home mogul Philip Esformes sentenced to 20 years for $1.3 billion Medicaid fraud

Link: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-philip-esformes-sentenced-nursing-home-fraud-20190913-wh4aoeirenfghkd446wnpnhdri-story.html

Description of Story: Phillip Esformes garnered $1.3 billion Medicaid revenues by bribing medical professionals who referred patients to his Florida healthcare facilities then paid off government regulators. He housed elderly patients alongside younger adults who suffered from mental illness and drug addiction, sometimes with fatal results. In one of his facilities, an elderly patient was attacked and beaten to death by a younger mental health patient who never should have been at a nursing facility in the first place. His fraud involved thousands of patients, 16 nursing homes, bribery payments, a complex web of bank accounts, and brazen obstruction of justice in trying to prevent it all from coming to light. He was just sentenced to 20 years in prison for what the U.S. Justice Department called the largest single health care bribery and kickback scheme in American history.

Description of Problem:  Healthcare fraud going in our country that puts people's lives at risk.

Description of Who Has The Problem: Elderly patients who suffered injury or even death from the negligence of Philip Esformes' facilities.

Opportunity #4

Title: Florida public schools may require ‘panic buttons’ if new bill is passed

Link: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-florida-public-schools-panic-button-alyssas-law-20190913-6jj7z36e4rgtrgsmfxdhxuulxm-story.html

Description of Story: The plan, known as House Bill 23, would require elementary, middle, and high schools to install panic buttons in all of their buildings. If Florida lawmakers pass the law, it could be named “Alyssa’s Law" and would take effect on July 1, 2020. The name honors Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who was killed in the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The button would help keep students safe and would be used for evacuations, lockdowns, and active shooters.

Description of Problem:  Keeping students safe on campus

Description of Who Has The Problem: Elementary, middle and high schools who have to worry about potential shooters in their schools.

Opportunity #5

Title: Florida sea turtle found with spear lodged through its neck

Link: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/environment/os-ne-florida-sea-turtle-found-with-spear-through-its-neck-20190911-vfvjx22ju5bg3jprs2ac5lulhe-story.html

Description of Story: A boater spotted a 150-pound sea turtle near Key Largo, Florida with a spear lodged through its neck. The spear went deep into the reptile’s frame. Veterinarians at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida found in an X-Ray that the spear spanned more than half the turtle’s body. Whoever is responsible for spearing the turtle could face civil penalties or criminal charges resulting in fines and prison time. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Description of Problem: Animals being harmed by irresponsible humans.

Description of Who Has The Problem: Florida sea turtle who was found with a spear in its neck.

Forming An Opportunity Belief - 4A

I believe there is a need for financial literacy in our country, especially for young adults. The lack of knowledge is getting millennials into economic hardship that if not taken care of, will set them up with a lifetime of debt. 


I am in the early 30s, and so are the majority of my friends. From past conversations, most of them have acquired debt in the thousands throughout the past ten years. This high number is primarily due to their poor spending choices and lack of proper financial education. "The greatest sources of millennial debt (35 and under) are credit cards (20%) and student loans (21%), according to a 2018 Northwestern Mutual survey. About 40% of monthly income is spent on discretionary costs – clothes, entertainment, and other non-essential items." (source) These numbers are staggering, and it makes me sad that a large number of millennials, including my friends, are in so much debt. I think the debt in this country has risen from previous years because financial education is not taught in our school system, which blows my mind! How can something that we use every day and that dramatically impacts our future, not be considered an important topic to cover in both high school and college? People like Dave Ramsey, who is a money management expert, promote a debt-free lifestyle. I've noticed that millennials are paying attention to his message, but unfortunately, it's still not a high percentage because the temptation of using their credit card is higher.


The three people I will be interviewing are young professionals (both male and female) ages 26-35 who fall into the millennial demographic. 



Andrea, age 35.

Do you currently have debt?

Yes, I have debt in the form of credit cards, student loans, car payment, mortgage, and medical bills. 

What age did you start accumulating debt?

When I started UCF, I was approved for student loans to help pay for school. When I graduated, I got my first credit card and a new car. 

Did your parents teach you about financial responsibility?

My parents weren't the best at saving. We lived a nice life growing up and probably should've saved a lot more than what we did. 

Do you know your credit score?

I haven't checked in a while, but I think it's average. 

Do you follow a budget?

I like to think I do, but if I'm honest, I really don't. If I need something and the money is in my bank account, I'll go ahead and purchase it. I try not to splurge too much though.

Do you know exactly how much your monthly financial obligations are?

I know the amount of money I need each month, but I haven't sat down to look at each expense. Most bills are withdrawn from my checking account automatically, so I don't know the exact number. That's actually something I should check because I could probably cut some expenses on things I don't really use. 

Do you regularly use your check card or credit card?

I try to use my check card as much as possible, but some months I need the help of my credit cards, especially for unexpected expenses. 

Do you have a savings or retirement account?

I have about $500 in savings right now. I'd like to get that number higher, but right now I'm focusing on paying down my debt.

Do you have a financial plan to get out of debt?

I used to do the Dave Ramsey 7 Baby Steps, which helped me pay down some bills but then I got laid off from my previous job. It made it difficult to continue. Right now, I've been focusing on raising my baby, and my husband is the only person bringing in income, but I plan to return to work next year and contribute to our bills and debt. 


I think Andrea was heading in the right direction with following Dave Ramsey's program, but unfortunately, she couldn't continue making progress. Sometimes life sends you an unexpected curveball that makes it difficult to get out of the hole you're in. I think having a budget that she can stick to will help her tremendously. 



David, age 26.

Do you currently have debt?

I only have car and house payments. Nothing else. I paid both my bachelors and master's degree without student loans. This is something I'm proud of. I use my credit cards for my monthly bills because I get points but pay them off completely each month.  

What age did you start accumulating debt?

I purchased my car three years ago and my house two years ago. I gave a 20% downpayment for my house, so I don't have to pay a PMI for my mortgage, and I traded in my old car when I purchased my new car, so that helped lower the payments. 

Did your parents teach you about financial responsibility?

Not really. I know they were smart with their money but never really sat down to educate me. Everything I know is self-taught. 

Do you know your credit score?

Yes, I have an 802. I have Credit Karma that monitors my credit for me. 

Do you follow a budget?

Yes! I breakdown my paychecks and allocate them to each of my bills and for my future. I save between 10-25% of my income to my savings/investments. I want to retire with a nice amount of money in my portfolio. 

Do you know exactly how much your monthly financial obligations are?

Of course. I am conservative with my spending and know exactly how much I can spend each month on my bills and disposable income. 

Do you regularly use your check card or credit card?

I mostly use my credit cards but only to take advantage of the card benefits. I earn points that I can redeem for cash back or travel. Credit cards are great if you're responsible and use them wisely.  

Do you have a savings or retirement account?

Yes to both. Been saving up since I was a teenager and have a nice cushion for my future. I also have a Roth IRA and stocks. 

Do you have a financial plan to get out of debt?

In two years I will pay off my car, and I'm working hard to pay to send additional principal payments to my house. I have a 30-year loan, but hopefully, it will be paid off sooner than that. Right now I don't have a financial advisor but am looking into hiring one soon. But so far I think I've done pretty well for myself so far. 

David is on the right track. We didn't discuss numbers, but from the responses he gave, it seems he's done his homework and is proactive in assuring he remains debt-free and has enough for his retirement. What helped him be where he is now was starting early in making financial freedom a priority. People should start getting serious about their finances in their 20's if possible. 



Christine, age 33.

Do you currently have debt?

I own my house, recently got a new car, some credit card debt and a lot of attorney fees (I'm going through a nasty divorce right now).  

What age did you start accumulating debt?

I never had any debt until I attended UF for my bachelor's degree. Thankfully all my student loans are paid off now. 

Did your parents teach you about financial responsibility?

They just told me to be smart with my money, but we never had a money talk. Wish they did, I probably would've made smarter choices regarding credit cards.

Do you know your credit score?

Last time I checked was when I purchased my car last in March. I had a 785, but I'm sure it's gone down from then. 

Do you follow a budget?

I work in sales and off of commission, which makes it hard to plan ahead and budget since not all months are the same. Plus I have two kids and going through a divorce, so it's sometimes difficult to even pay my bills some months. But overall, I try not to spend recklessly. I can't afford to.

Do you know exactly how much your monthly financial obligations are?

I actually do. I had to send my lawyer my detailed monthly expenses, which helped me see where I could cut back on. I canceled a few subscriptions and memberships I wasn't using thanks to that comprehensive report.  

Do you regularly use your check card or credit card?

I use both, but I lately I've been using my credit card more than I probably should. Not by choice but because out of necessity. 

Do you have a savings or retirement account?

I have a 401K that my company matches and I had to use my savings for my attorney fees. Right now, I only have about $1,000 in my savings just in case of an emergency. 

Do you have a financial plan to get out of debt?

As of right now, I do not. I need to get through this divorce first, which has already set me back over $150K! If I could give one piece of advice to anyone looking to get married... get a prenup! 



Based on my three interviews, I firmly believe financial literacy should be a high priority in people's lives. It should start in your home. Parents have the responsibly to teach their kids the importance of money. If possible, lead by example. Obviously, some circumstances are out of our control, but for the most part, people are in their current financial situation from the choices they've made. Good or bad. At the end of the day, it's not what you make but what you spend that truly matters. The responses from my three prototypical examples supported my belief that the lack of financial literacy is an issue here in the US. Companies can use the same model to test out their hypothesis or products/services and adjust accordingly. 

My Entrepreneurship Story - 3A

2012 was the year I felt the most lost in life. I didn't know what direction I wanted to take with my career and personal life. At the time, I wasn't working and was only going to school part-time. I was also suffering from depression and anxiety that thinking about my future was the last thing on my mind. For months, I secluded myself from my friends, and since I didn't work, I barely had any social interaction. With the help of my then therapist, I set out a goal of getting myself back in a good state of mind. One where I was happy and motivated. During that year, I was reading a lot of self-help books and focusing on bettering myself mentally and physically. One day, while scrolling through Facebook, my cousin shared a blog post about her life in South Africa. Back then, I didn't know what a blog was. All I knew is that I loved how she captivated me with her writing and how fun it was to keep up with all her posts, that included life updates and recipes. She's an extremely healthy person, so reading her tips and advice filled me with the positivity that I so desperately needed.

After several months of therapy and hard work, I was in a functional space in my life. I was still a work in progress, but I remember thinking, wow, I'm not sad anymore. I was doing well in school and was back to being social and surrounding myself with like-minded people, but somehow I felt something missing.

One random morning, I woke up at 6am and thought to myself...I should start a blog. Then I went back to bed.

Two weeks later, I started my blog, Metanoia Living. That was January 6, 2014.

What started out as a hobby turned into an LLC and my business two years later. I remember when I landed my first sponsored post, I couldn't believe a brand wanted to pay me to promote their product. Before then, I received free product in exchange for a post-which to me was good enough. Thanks to blogging, I've been able to share my creativity with thousands of people, travel the world, connect with amazing brands and fellow creatives, win awards for my craft, and maintain a debt-free lifestyle. Although blogging has changed tremendously throughout the years, the opportunity to become your own boss and become an entrepreneur is higher than ever. Digital and influencer marketing is the new normal now. Companies allocate millions of dollars each year for social media marketing and bloggers. You can see proof when you scroll Instagram how influencers dominate that platform while making a nice living for themselves.

Although it may seem an easy or perfect job, it's not. It's a lot more work than people realize. Most bloggers are a one-person business, meaning they do everything themselves. From photography, marketing, social media, photo editing, pubic relations, website design, and networking, to name a few. Plus the countless hours content planning and running a real business, it sometimes feels like there aren't' enough hours in a day. But it's true what they say when you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work.

Blogging and influencer marketing doesn't seem to be going anywhere if you ask me. After five years, I'm still blogging and loving it. Even though it might seem like a saturated field, I believe there is room for everyone. At the end of the day, no one is you, and that's what sells.

I enrolled in ENT 3003 because it's a required course, but I hope to learn as much as I can to further my business since so far I've done things without a blueprint or guidance. Although blogging is still relatively new, the lessons and knowledge that I will acquire from my professor can be applied to any business.