30A. Final Reflection

This class has become kind of like a part of me over the course of this semester. I would not have thought that I would become so enveloped by it, but it has almost been like an ongoing journal. One of the things that stick out to me remarkably is how much self reflection I've done throughout the class. I have furthered the development of my idea, but above all else, I learned a lot about myself. I firmly enjoyed the Secret Sauce assignment, where I had those close to me tell me why I am unique. It was touching to be honest. I never figured out how to submit that assignment, but I enjoyed doing it nonetheless.

I most definitely see myself as more entrepreneurial today. I have always been entrepreneurial, and that's a fact, but now I can see myself actually making bigger ideas come to fruition. Not just selling shoes and whatnot.

I would give two pieces of advice: Stay organized and manage your days correctly, and don't treat this as a joke. Actually try building out your idea. Maybe it'll pay off!

29A. Venture Concept #2

Opportunity: No apps are around like this app. Trivago for medical necessities and saving money and Insurance. New platform for advertisements and sales.

Innovation: Building this would require innovation. We would need a skilled team of developers, however, selling will also have to be ultra innovative. We aren't charging everyday users, but instead business to business, so how will we get them to pay? I think I can sell it, but the approach would have to be unique.

Get working on really building one of a kind software for this. That's the key for me. 
Venture Concept: Nothing else exist like this, and people don't use anything like this. To find out if your insurance is accepted at a place, you have to find out from your insurance agency or the office. It could be multiple calls leading to inefficient waste of time. This app would save time AND money for people so getting them to use it would happen quickly and naturally.

The most important concept for this idea is that I can sell it. A great product will never make money if the right people aren't selling it. I got this, and I know a lot lays on my shoulders.

Next step for the app is getting a team of developers working.

Next step for me is to graduate from UF and do my internship.


I didn't receive much feedback, but of the feedback I did get, I'm taking very seriously. That is why I added the lines, "Get working on really building one of a kind software for this. That's the key for me."

Picture of a software developer developing the software.

28A. Exit Strategy

I plan on selling the company within 5 years most definitely. I hope to make as much money as fast as I can so I can retire for the longest amount of time. If you know me, you know I'm just tryna chill and kick it with the homies.

It has increased the rate at which I want to get this software developed, and sold.

27A. Reading Reflection #3

The Art of Social Media taught me a lot. It was a lot about using it to your advantage, instead of reflecting negatively upon it as it often is looked upon as.

It furthered my skills in marketing myself and selling myself. Social media outlets are the first place many people will see you nowadays, and if you want to win them over, it starts there.

My exercise would be to make everyone create a LinkedIn profile or have everyone clean up their Facebook pages, Instagram's, and Twitter's.

I loved looking upon social media as positive instead of negative.

26A. Celebrating Failure

This semester I failed at uploading my interviews to this class. I got very frustrated and quite trying to make it work in frustration. The next day, my buddy in the class taught me how to do it. Failure opens the door for learning. 

I used to think failure was for the weak. Now I realize everyone fails, it just matters how you react to it.

25A. What's Next?

Next for the app and company is to actually build it. We need software developers to come in and make it happen.

Interview 1: Next is to gauge interest in the field by seeing if it could be sold.

Interview 2: Build a beta of of the app so people can see it and steps can be. made towards turning a profit.

Interview 3: Build the software available not only as an app, but also as a website and build it first as a website as they are easier to build.

The path begins now in terms of building a product. I plan on building the website which will work and is easier to build.

24A. Venture Concept

Opportunity: No apps are around like this app. Trivago for medical necessities and saving money and Insurance. New platform for advertisements and sales.

Innovation: Building this would require innovation. We would need a skilled team of developers, however, selling will also have to be ultra innovative. We aren't charging everyday users, but instead business to business, so how will we get them to pay? I think I can sell it, but the approach would have to be unique.

Venture Concept: Nothing else exist like this, and people don't use anything like this. To find out if your insurance is accepted at a place, you have to find out from your insurance agency or the office. It could be multiple calls leading to inefficient waste of time. This app would save time AND money for people so getting them to use it would happen quickly and naturally.

The most important concept for this idea is that I can sell it. A great product will never make money if the right people aren't selling it. I got this, and I know a lot lays on my shoulders.

Next step for the app is getting a team of developers working.

Next step for me is tp graduate from UF and do my internship.

23A. Unfair Advantage

1. My smile. My smile is soft and charming. Something all salesman should have so it's valuable and can't be replicated.

2. My street smarts. People over look street smarts but it's actually a big part of common sense and understanding people. Can't purchase it.

3. The need. The need for hospitals and doctors will never cease to exist. It is a stable industry that will be around forever. Not many industries like that.

4. The internet. We will be so widely accessible in the developed country of the U.S. and then in other developed countries. High accessibility as we are a free app.

5. My team. I would have to build a big team, but luckily I go to a great school where I could build a strong, motivated team.

6. Design. We're gonna design this jawn like it's the cover of a NY Times Bestseller. Good vibes.

7. Positivity. We will have Jason Mraz sing the theme song about how everything is gonna work out. Maybe he'll do a cover of Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.

8. Vast network. I got friends in colleges around the nation. They can be used to my advantage and it's hard to have as vast a network as I do.

9. Jargon. We speaking English, but we ain't speaking Doctor or Insurance guy. Everyone will understand.

10. Me. I'm Dylan Stavitsky, otherwise known as Stav. I can do the unthinkable. I can make money out of dirt. I can make Medigo, yes I just named it Medigo, a success.

Positivity is the most important resource. Who doesn't want to hear Jason Mraz sing Three Little Birds when you're nervous for the doctors?

22A. Elevator Pitch #3

Took some of the feedback like being low-key finesse straight chillin'. Stood still and spoke smooth like a doctor.

Threw on my Sunday shoes and brushed my hair.

21A. Reading Reflection #2

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

General theme was to keep your mindset positive. What you think is what becomes your vibe and aura. It's important to believe in yourself no matter what.

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

It showed again to use the power of your mind. Keep thinking and make your thoughts reality.

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

I would have people have documented thinking hours. Make thought maps and think and reflect.

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

It all comes down to the power of "You." That resonated with me greatly.

20A. Growing Your Social Capital

My dad's partner in his medical practice; Mike Fernandez, founder of an uber for rides to the hospital app; Hospital equipment salesman

Domain expert: My dad's partner in his medical practice
Expert in my market: Mike Fernandez, founder of an uber for rides to the hospital app
Supplier to the industry: Hospital equipment salesman

I found my dad's partner through asking him for his contact info. and if my dad thought he would be a good contact. He said yes as his partner has always been on the more business side of the practice.

I found Mike Fernandez through one of my friend's brothers. I remember my friend telling me about how his brother's friend started some app like 2 years ago, so I asked my friend to ask his friend for his info.

I found the hospital equipment salesman online.

My dad's partner told me how he would use this service, but it would be hard to get some old school, very established practices to comply with being listed on the app. He advised me work hard and go for it, and he would even contact some friends in the field for me.

Mike told me that it was a lot of hard work, but it paid off when he sold the company. He advised me to keep my end goal in mind throughout the whole thing, and before you got to bed each night, ask yourself what have I done to reach that goal.

The equipment salesman explained to me how hard it is to penetrate the medical market. There are so many regulations, and after that, it's hard to sell something to non-business minded people.

Having each of these people in my social network will prove helpful. My dad's partner in getting started and having a foot in on the inside, Mike will help me in selling my company, and the equipment salesman helped me realize this will be no walk in the park.

I will continue to network heavily. This taught me to target people at events and maybe do a little research before.

19A. Idea Napkin #2

1. The name is Stavitsky, Dylan Stavitsky. I'm a fun loving, easy going, chill bro's bro. I love playing basketball, hanging out, and making and saving money. I'm good at making people feel comfortable and loved, and I will use that in my business life to my advantage. I want to be very rich when I'm very young. I hope this company can help me achieve that goal by me selling it when I'm young.

2. I am offering your one stop shop for everything you need to know before you got to the doctor's or a hospital. I am creating transparency in the medical field for patients to find out where there insurance is covered, cost for the physician at hand, reviews, and distance.

3. My ideal customers are mothers. Mothers are proactive and always trying to help their children and wanting to save money. This app is perfect for them because it will create many customers and loyal ones at that.

4. It will be free, but we will sell ads or charge offices for priority listing on the app. People will find much value in the product after they use it for the first time and they save money and are happy with their visit. 

5. What sets me apart is my finesse ability, and my like-ability. I make people feel happy, and they love me for it. I will use this to my advantage. 

I believe my core competencies work perfectly in accordance with this app in a couple ways. I could definitely raise capital for the initial development of the app, especially because my father is a doctor. I also could definitely sell it as I am a great salesman. 

The main feedback I took into play was how difficult it would be to launch the product and make it profitable. I say game on, and look to face it head on. All other feedback I got was positive so I will continue my same trends!

17A. Elevator Pitch #2

This is my elevator pitch #2. I took the feedback of being stationary in order for it to be easier to follow to heart. It made sense, so in this pitch, I stood stationary and had someone film it for me. I believe it made the pitch easier to follow, and even easier for me to deliver.

18A. Customer Avatar

When I picture the perfect, most prototypical customer for the app, I picture a woman in her early 30's. College educated but does not work anymore, and she has short hair. She is a mother of more than one child. She is a young mother, but entering the years of being an experienced momma. She is a middle class woman who uses the app to identify locations that accept her husband's company's insurance, and she is happily married. Using the app to identify the locations that accept the insurance is why she uses the app, but she widens her usage to finding the cheapest places too because she is middle class and with more than one child, costs add up and she knows it.

I really have nothing in common with my avatar, however, my mom does. I guess why I see a mother of more than one child using the app is because I picture my mom using it. With new mothers being slightly more technologically advanced than my mom, it will be even easier for mothers to use the app on a normal basis.

15A. Figuring Out Buyer Behavior #2

The three people I interviewed are:
A single mother of one 3 year old child, a 31 year old mother with 2 children ages 4 and 2, and a 39 year old mother with a 12 year old daughter

Price matters in when people decide to use my product. The other two major driving factors are severity of the issue and distance to the hospital/doctor's office. Our biggest competitor would be Google Maps, and people just knowing where the hospitals and doctor's offices are. People who have lived in a place for a long time will be harder to get to use the product.

They would download the app on the App Store for Apple and the Android Market Place. I'm not sure on whether we would charge a download fee, or if we would sell premiere locations on the app for certain offices/hospitals, or if we would charge advertisements.

If we sell B2B, if new customers are found, it has been successful. Also, if the consumers save money and find reliable places that accept their insurance, we have also been successful.

The interviews led me to believe again that this has a viable market. However, the more established family that has been living in their town for 18 years has all of their doctor's and hospitals already figured out.

I think the best way to make money would be to charge doctor's offices for best placement on the app. Advertisements would make the app look cheap, and it should be free to consumers as the point is to save money.

14A. Halfway Reflection

I have furthered my organization skills to keep up with this class. I follow my schedule more closely and I dedicate enough time for all my work. Organization has definitely been a huge skill this class has helped me develop better. I also have had to stay motivated. Sometimes, I would think my idea is unrealistic. Well so has every great idea in history been. Before the internet, the internet was unrealistic. Now it is a thing in every day life.

I have wanted to give up when I thought I realized my idea was not viable, not good and not realistic to create. I had to remember that most great ideas seem very far away at first, but one just has to stay motivated and persevere and anything can be achieved. Tenacity has definitely help me stay on track because it will give me that one moment where it all turns around for me.

I would give the advice of being organized. Being organized and knowing all deadlines is important as it will make your life much easier. I would also say don't let people tell you your idea is no good. Stay devoted to your idea and remember, if it does not seem challenging to accomplish, it probably isn't worth accomplishing.

13A. Reading Reflection #1

1.

The most surprising thing I learned while reading Shoe Dog, was that Nike isn't actually as American as I always thought. The licensing deal with the Japanese shoe company was something I had no idea existed.

I admire Phil Knight in his will to gamble on this company. Nike came from nothing more than his brain, and now it is a huge company with many tangible products and intangible feelings it gives off, and that all came from him. Now people when they wear Nike feel ready to dominate.

I least admire the fact that Nike started pretty much overseas, but once they finally got their feet under them, it never switched into a primarily American company. They still have most of their labor overseas and in very poor conditions.

2.

The trait that sticks out to me when I think of Phil Knight now is his skills in sales. He not only sold a shoe, he sold a culture. He sold a culture and mindset that a lot of people in this world have bought and it's quite remarkable. He did it by not selling, but believing.

3.

What confused me while reading was how Phil Knight acted in so many situations. He doesn't come off like the most prepared person. Yet here he is with one of the leaders in the sportswear world. He comes off kind of how I would expect, despite not think would be true. He comes off like an athlete who sold his idea. 

4. 

I would ask him what his favorite item Nike has ever produced is. Then I would ask him what is the first color that comes to mind when you think of Nike. I think these would be fun questions. To know his favorite item would be satisfying. Then regarding the question color, I would ask because when I think of Nike I think of orange. I want to know what he thinks.

5.

Any runner or athlete knows you must work hard to achieve your goals. Phil Knight is definitely a proponent of hard work, and so am I.

12A. Figuring Out Buyer Behavior #1

The segment I have picked to interview and focus on are mothers between the ages of 20 and 40. Typically this age group is not where they would like to be financially yet and they have many people they have to take care of which includes hospital and doctor visits.

20 year old with a 6 month old child:
I interviewed my friend who got pregnant recently and had the child with her boyfriend. She said that she never knew how big of a part of her life going to the hospital and pediatrician's office would become. That will be true with any newborn, and she plans on having more children. She also said that having a child has been insanely expensive for her and her boyfriend and her mother has had to help her out a lot. She doesn't want to rely on her mother so this app is perfect for her. She loved the idea and wished it was already available.

31 year old with 2 children ages 5 and 3:
This woman is a little further along in life than the first person I interviewed, but she had the need as well. She is a stay at home mother so she is busy taking care of her kids all the time, which results in her bringing them to the doctors and such. She also has the time to use the app as she does not work. The app is ideal for someone like her as her husband works so she has time, and she is always with her children. She has 3 people she is directly responsible for, and 4 if you count the husband who she probably is responsible for to an extent. She speaks with other mothers around her age with children in similar age groups, and they would spread this app liken wildfire with word of mouth.

38 year old single mother:
This woman is a little older and her daughter is 16. She is a hard worker who works very hard to save up to send her daughter to school and provide for the two of them as best as she can. She would love this app as it would help her save money for her and her daughter. Not only that, but her daughter could probably use it too. They typically go to the closest doctors office/hospital just out of convenience and because they're around, but this app will help them go to the best place, not just the closest.

The segment I have focused on is one that is very well connected through social media and being in the same communities and classes with kids. They can help spread awareness quickly through word of mouth and Facebook posts, as silly as it sounds. They all for the most part are technologically literate, and this will help them find the appropriate information to determine the best place for them to go for all medical needs.

11A. Idea Napkin #1

Well right off the bat I want to say I'm a super normal, down to earth guy with a lot of common sense. I'm not the most outgoing, but I develop strong relationships with people and have a great understanding of them. I'm funny and generous and know how to make people feel comfortable in any situation. I would like to be a millionaire by age 25, and I think this idea is what can help me achieve that.

I will be offering the service of knowing the best Hospital, ER, or doctors office to go to. Many people have varying insurance companies and policies, and once you input yours into the app, give a brief description of what you need done, and share your location, you will know the place that is best for you in regards to saving money and reviews based on customer satisfaction.

The one thing all my customers will have in common is a desire to save money. They will either be poor, or they will be facing serious health concerns that will amount to an immense amount of money being owed at the end of it. I truly think of mothers when thinking of this app.

This app will save money for every person who uses it. That right there could be incentive enough. Another positive note is that it will provide customer feedback and reviews so you can gauge which place you should go to for your medical needs.

What sets me apart is how sensitive I am. People may see it as weakness, and it could be, but it can also be a strength. It creates burning desires that motivate me to overcome adversity, and I am learning how to further that strength every day.

I think that these elements all definitely add up to create a viable endeavor. The idea is unique and strong, and I think I have the resources and traits to exploit the greatness this app could live up to.

10A. Elevator Pitch #1

https://youtu.be/blgE3ZyfdoM

9A. Testing the Hypothesis Part 2

Interview #1, My Father:
My dad is a doctor which aligns quite well with my idea. He said he has first hand seen people get in financial troubles due to hospital visits. He thinks this idea is great for the lower middle class and lower class of Americans who don't have the best healthcare and don't have the most money in the world.

Interview #2, My Grandfather:
My grandfather is of the older population that is more often going to the hospital than younger, healthier people. He stated that at this point in his life, he would not use this service as money really isn't an issue and he has gotten this far without using it. He could see people younger and with families using it more though. The need is there, but the technology is a little too new for his age group to really utilize.

Interview #3, Mother of Four Children:
This mother I interviewed loved the idea. Having four children, she said, leads to more hospital and doctors office visits that the average person. Using this app to identify the cheapest places are very important because each savings could potentially be multiplied by 5, including herself.

Interview #4, Clerk at a Gas Station:
I asked the clerk at a gas station if they would answer a couple questions for me and she was more than glad to do so. She said she would most definitely use the app as she is not in the highest paying field, and every dollar counts. There is clearly a huge market for low wage workers who still need to go to the hospital.

Interview #5, Graduate Student:
This person LOVED the idea. He said he recently started paying for his own health insurance, and still has co-pays. As he is trying to get his master's degree and save money, this is an easy way to maximize savings. He mentioned that in a state of emergency he would not use the app, but in the case where he has time, he would definitely try to save some money.

Who is in? Anyone who is trying to save money. This includes people with low wages, people just starting careers or still in school with a lot of student loan debt, large families.	Who is not? People who make a lot of money, or people who have terrific health care packages.
What the need is? The need is to save money. Hospital expenses can be immense, and can really hurt a person financially. This app will help.	What the need is not? The need is not for the well off or for emergencies. Often times people who visit emergency rooms need immediate attention and driving to save money is not an option as life and health is valued more.
Why the need exists? The need exists because the United States does not have universal healthcare. In some European countries, healthcare is universal and there would be no need for this, but in the U.S. people have different levels of healthcare and different income levels.	Alternative explanations Some people are conscious about saving money in most places, and others are more oblivious and keep it on the backburner. If that culture could be switched into a more frugal approach, even with hospital and doctor’s visits, this could be immense.

8A – Solving The Problem

·     The product that I have come up with is a website, similar to Trivago, that would compare hospital prices and services similar to how someone would compare flight or hotel prices.

·     People will have access to this website and will be able to locate the hospitals, the prices for their services, and write or read reviews about the hospital staff and service.

·     There is no website currently available to the public with this information so easily comparable.

·      I think that hospitals will want to have their prices and services compared, especially the higher quality hospitals, so that they will get more patients.

·      I think that people should have access to this information because they are the ones being hospitalized and unsure of how much their bill will be at the end of their visits.

7A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Trivago For Healthcare

·     Opportunity: 

o  Hospitals are now required to list their prices online, which will create competition between healthcare facilities. People should be able to easily compare prices and quality of healthcare.

§ The who: Americans who visit hospitals and healthcare facilities

§ The what: They should not pay for overpriced healthcare if quality of facility is not excellent

§ The why: Just like you could compare car prices, hotel prices, and flight prices, people should be able to compare healthcare facility prices before spending their money

·     Testing the who: The “who” does not necessarily refer to only people in America. There are millions of people throughout the world who need healthcare attention and spend way too much money to get it. The majority of the “who” would be people who frequently get sick, are prone to injury, or are older in age.

·     Testing the what: People pay an absurd amount of money at hospitals without knowing the type of care they are going to receive. 

·     Testing the why: Since hospitals need to list their prices online, a website should be created that can easily compare prices and quality of service of those facilities.

·     Interview #1: This interview was with a 22 year old female that attends college. She mentioned that she had an experience with a hospital and overpriced charges for healthcare that was not excellent. She said that a Trivago type of website for healthcare facilities would be a great idea. She mentioned she was use this when she needed to visit hospitals.

·     Interview #2: This interview was with an older female who throughout her lifetime has had many visits to the hospital. Although she is older and not as tech savvy, she believed that comparing hospital prices and their quality of service is necessary. She thinks that healthcare facilities charge too much for their services.

·     Interview #3: This interview was with a 20-year-old male. He never had thought of comparing hospital prices because he believes the bills from the hospitals would not change much from facility to facility. After presenting him with more information, he changed his mind about going through the effort of comparing prices online like he would do for flights.

·     Interview #4: This interview was with a professor at the University of Florida. She has recognized the problem with hospital prices long before it was required that they be on the hospitals websites. She believes that being able to compare hospital prices would have many positives, but certain healthcare facilities would see fewer patients.

·     Interview #5: This interview was with a 21-year-old female. She had not given much thought to the prices at hospitals because she has never been to the hospital for an injury or illness.

·     Given your interview, what do you know about the opportunity that you didn’t know before?

o  The interviewees made me realize that a Trivago for healthcare would be essential and helpful for people who frequently visit the hospital. 

o  The interviews also made me realize that people do not think about hospital charges or comparing hospital services as they would do flight prices as frequently as I had thought.