Growing My Social Capital

Domain Expert In The Industry

• Name- Lissette
• Expert in construction/construction management 
• Bachelor's Degree from Florida International University 
• From Miami, FL
• Family friend 
• Exchange: I contacted Lissette and asked her to look over/watch my Elevator Pitch No.3 and Idea Napkin No.2 and provide feedback. By looking at the campus map and diameters, then being told the university's population, she agreed that there is an incredible lack of parking on campus. She stated that there is sufficient area for additions parking garages to be built, however, they would not be central to main buildings of campus. She advised that UF expand already existing parking garages. It would be cheaper than building a new one because there is an already existing structure. However, the university may run into trouble on expanding upward depending on what the City of Gainesville permits according to regulations on the height of buildings. 
• Including this person in my network can enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity because I now know the best and most efficient way the garage should be built in order to make the process smooth

Expert In The Market (market customers)

• Name- Gabriella 
• Expert in college student buying habits
• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Economics from Florida State University
• From Tallahassee, FL
• Contacted students who conducted research on student buying habits 
• Exchange: I contacted Gabriella and asked her to look over/watch my Elevator Pitch No.3 and Idea Napkin No.2 and provide feedback. Gabriella told me that students would be more likely to pay the parking decal fee of $160 if it guaranteed them a parking spot the majority of the time they drive to campus. However, to pay $160 to never find parking anywhere is silly. She agrees that students would pay the price if UF were to expand parking option because the price would be worth the cost. 
• Including this person in my network can enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity because it gives me a better understanding of my target customers and at what prices they would be willing to pay for what goods/services. 

Important Supplier

• Name- Gerald 
• Supplier of building material 
• Bachelor's Degree from University of Miami 
• From Miami, FL 
• Family friend 
• Exchange: I contacted Gerald and asked him to look over/watch my Elevator Pitch No.3 and Idea Napkin No. 2 and provide feedback. The feedback Gerald gave me was that an already existing structure (the already existing garages) could either be an advantage of disadvantage for the project. It could work in the university's favor because the project would turn out to be cheaper and quicker; but, it could turn out to be a disadvantage if regulations since the original building of the garages has changed to something that would no longer be compatible in terms of material. 
• Including this person in my network can enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity because I would not myself have thought to make sure regulations have not changed drastically that would prevent building plans. Gerald is valuable and offers great advice and expertise. 

Reflection 

This exercise impacted how I plan on participating in future networking events because it taught me that even though not every person you speak to will be actually involved in your entrepreneurship idea, their knowledge can still be valuable and can help you to see flaws in your plan. This experience did differ from my networking experiences of the past because my previous ones have been in a more social setting, where as these were over the phone and through email.  

*Due to privacy reasons, I have only included the first name of all participants*