Week 3: World's Biggest Problems

1). World hunger and poverty- Obviously food is a need essential to live. Even if the food quantity is available, one also must consider than quality of the food supply and take into account the nutritious value. Many fall below the poverty line if they live on less than $1.25 a day. With such little money, this also leads to hunger because one probably does not have the money or access to the foods necessary to sustain life. Tackling world hunger has been at the top of the list for decades, and there is no simple solution. A large majority of financial aid does go toward feeding the hungry and I think it is important to do all we can to help. On a similar note, when donating money, be sure to find programs and charities where every penny goes toward the cause. You don’t want to be funding a program where the relief efforts hardly impact those you are trying to reach, so just be sure to do your research and send your money will it will make the most difference.

2). Women’s rights- This is something I am very passionate about. It is another area that we as Americans are very lucky to enjoy the many freedoms we were born with. In some countries, women still can’t own land, vote, and are entirely dependent on men to provide for their family. I personally can’t imagine not being able to be self-reliant, and my heart breaks that some women have to fight for these freedoms each and every day when I was just born in a country that recognizes the equality of all people. The best solution here is to help in any way we can in my opinion. Especially with countries that are our allies, I do believe it is our duty to stick up for these women and give them a voice.

3). War and terrorism- The threat of violence and the many terrorist attacks has instilled a sense of fear across the world. It is scary to be on alert and have to take safety measures in certain places where you used to feel safe. From the attacks in Paris to 9/11, ISIS is a large part of this fear. Any act of terrorism is scary, but repeated attacks from the same group are when it becomes a reality that they are a major threat. The best way to go about being safe is just to trust that our government and security know what they’re doing, and to never put yourself in a compromising situation if possible. Doing your own part as an individual to stay safe and trust your own instincts is important as well.

4). Education- Although not a dangerous issue or imminent threat, I feel that this is important to include for the future of the world. Access to education is something I know I can take for granted, but I am extremely thankful to have been born in a country that focuses so much on quality education. As with each of these issues, there is no one simple solution, but I think using grant money to fund schooling is something that can help continue to give and come full circle because increasing education can help people become more self-sufficient and potentially decrease some of the other issues.

5). Overpopulation and high birth rates- So many people puts a strain on the availability of food, housing, resources, etc. With high birth rates in many countries, the issue may continue to get worse if not addressed. In addition, a large percentage of the world’s population is concentrated in areas that can hardly take the strain of overpopulation. The most practical solution here would just be to not take on more than you can handle if possible. Try to live in an affordable area and not have more children than you can afford to clothe, house, and feed. Obviously that is easier in theory and it’s not always practical to move or control how large your family is, but if every individual did their part, it would certainly help.

6). Energy and available resources- We all know the difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy. Our reliance on oil and coal is a serious issue moving forward because those resources won’t be available forever. Investing money and research into other technologies such as solar, wind, and hydropower is essential to find other sources of power. We never want to reach a point where there is a crisis when we run out of resources we are so dependent on, so the best solution is trying to find other sources of energy that can be used in mass quantities so we can lessen reliance on nonrenewable resources.

7). The economy- With unstable economic conditions, it can often be an endless loop to come out of them. If the economy takes a downturn, people are scared to spend money, and with no money circulating, it just gets worse. When countries reach a point such as Greece, the public perception puts a stress on the community and people begin to lose their jobs and their homes. The best solution here in my opinion is continuing to spend money so that commerce continues to circulate. There is never a time that you can be sure, so also saving is extremely important so that in case of an emergency, you have a back up fund that your family can live off of.

8). Drug abuse- This is one that many people may not have on their lists, but I believe that drug abuse is a serious issue. Not only is it illegal, but the trade itself can be extremely dangerous and hard to get out of. Addiction is a terrifying cycle to get caught up in, and I believe that it is only getting worse. Drugs can tear families apart and overdoses can lead to death. Cracking down on drug trade, free help and addiction centers, and rehabilitation facilities are among many implementable solutions.

9). Environmental degradation- Living in the moment and not caring out the damage we are doing for future generations is taking a toll on our planet. Landfills are piling up, lakes and other fresh water sources are extremely polluted, and the air we’re breathing is contaminated with many chemicals. Solutions to help reverse some of this damage are the simple reduce, reuse, recycle that we have learned since elementary school. In that order, it is best to reduce the amount you use, reuse the items you can, and recycle any other items for other purposes.

10). Availability of clean drinking water- Clean drinking water is another basic necessity of life. Filtration systems and clean water is something many people take for granted, but not everyone is so privileged to have access to clean water. Foreign aid to build water pumps and wells is the best solution to set up permanent sites where people can have access to this basic need.

Week 2: Reading Reflection (Chapter 1)

1). The biggest surprise for me was the myth that entrepreneurs were extreme risk-takers. Although many of the other myths seemed obvious, public perception had swayed my judgment on this particular concept. This is most different from my expectations because the textbook mentions that entrepreneurs often take “a moderate or calculated risk”. I, like many others, always thought of entrepreneurs as taking a major risk when deciding to go out on their own.

2). The most confusing part of the chapter would have to be the Displacement School of Thought. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that people would pursue their own goals after being beaten down or feeling out of place. I think that this would lead to a lower self-esteem, so I think that this concept is somewhat of a stretch. I understand how it works in theory, I just think it would be confusing in the real world because it would be much more complicated.

3). My first question would be why did you arrange the chapters in the order you did? I think understanding the process behind ones method would give the reader a unique perspective of what he wanted the audience to learn. My second question would be who is your entrepreneurial hero and why? Finding out who he admires within his own field would help to see the types of things he aspires to be. I think it would be a fun question to get more of a sense of the author’s personality.

4). As I mentioned before, I slightly disagree with putting the theories into practice. I think they can be sources of motivation, but I do not think that any one person’s road to becoming an entrepreneur follows a set path. I think they are a unique way to look at it and are based in some truth for some people, but I do not thnk all theories are applicable even in the contexts described. These schools of thought are simply a way to emphasize different parts in the process.

Week 2: Bug List

1). On campus parking- I have both a scooter and a car, and finding parking for both is horrendous. UF sold about 41,600 decals last fiscal year, yet there are only approximately 19,000 spots available. It is very frustrating and a major waste of time to circle parking lots when you pay for decals. Obviously there are many students and little undeveloped land, but the lack of parking spaces in the convenient locations where students need it most is the real problem. Creating more parking spots and garages would cost money, and I understand we are there to fun academics, but as the school expands its student body, we need to expand our parking areas as well.

2). Smoking in Europe- Since I am currently studying abroad and have only been here for about a week, this is one thing I have not adjusted to. Although it is a major cultural difference, smoking cigarettes is much more common abroad. Americans seem to be more health conscious about it and at least do it in private if they are smokers, but here it is more of a social thing that you can’t walk 10 feet on the street without breathing in another cloud of smoke. It is a cultural norm and often a shared activity with friends, so the health risks are sort of overlooked.

3). When others criticize you for not trying new foods- I am a relatively picky eater, but I enjoy food too much to ruin it by eating exotic things that I don’t find appetizing. For example, I hate all seafood. There are certain types of cuisines where I like to be adventurous, but if I know seafood makes me feel sick and I really dislike the taste, there is no reason to criticize others preferences just because they don’t parallel your own. I think this exists because others want you to enjoy the same sensation they are experiencing, however everyone’s tastes are too different to make this assumption.

4). People who walk slow- I am 6 feet tall and have very long legs, but there is a pace that is expected to keep up with the flow of traffic. When you’re stuck behind someone slow on the sidewalk, it irritates me more than it should. I am usually running about 2 minutes late, so I am possibly more in a hurry than most others, but it is a common courteously to walk at an acceptable pace. This occurs because some people like to take their time and soak in their surroundings, so there is a mismatch in the overall purpose we may see when walking.

5). When people park motorcycles or leave shopping carts in the best parking spots- When you’re driving through a crowded parking lot, you think you see a spot, go to turn and pull in, and there’s actually some smaller object taking up ¼ of the spot. (Bonus point for this one if it’s raining outside and you have to park all the way at the end of the row and walk in the pouring rain). Often people are in a rush or too lazy to return their shopping carts, so they just leave it in the empty space next to them. It is a matter of convenience more than an act of spite.

6). People who talk down to younger people- Just because I’m 20 doesn’t mean I’m stupid. I am by no means saying I am the smartest person in the world, and I definitely still have a lot to learn, but I hate being talked to like a 5 year old. Your tone of voice should not change when talking to me or the 45 year old man behind me. I was depositing a large check into my savings account that was an inheritance from my great-grandmother, and the banker decided it was the perfect time to assert her opinion. She told me that it was irresponsible to give a “child” so much money because I was surely going to blow it, and that I couldn’t have even had a great relationship with her anyway because I was too young to understand. Needless to say, I no longer use that bank. Although her previous experience with young adults may be that they are irresponsible, it is extremely unfair to project that on everyone she meets from then on. All I am asking for is to give people a chance to prove who they really are before making any judgments.

7). Spam email- Opening your inbox to over 100 emails everyday is annoying, especially when the majority of it is junk. They pile up over time and one email list seems to lead to another. Whether it’s a sales promotion or invite for a new dating site, it clutters your inbox. I understand email promotions and viral marketing are good sales tactics for many companies, but so many of them are too overwhelming. It becomes annoying and I delete all of them so they are extremely ineffective on me.

8). When people check out with an obnoxious number of items in the express checkout lane- We all know that these lines are supposed to be 10 items or less, some are 15 depending in the store, and it is often acceptable to squeeze in a couple extra items. However, some people take advantage of these short lines and bring their full shopping cart to the express lane and decide that that is okay. These lanes were invented for people who just came in for those few items on their list to get in and out of the store. The convenience and timesaving is gone if someone cuts in front with their full cart of groceries. This can occur sometimes when there aren’t enough cashiers open, aren’t enough managers on the floor to enforce the 10 items or less policy, or lack of self-checkout lanes available so customers can check themselves out.

9). People who talk during movies- I find it extremely irritating to pay $10 to see a movie in theaters and then have it ruined because the teenage girls in front of me were giggling and chatting throughout the entire film. If you want to talk, pick another activity. This exists because people are social and want to be engaged at all times. Friends may be catching up after a while away or couples may go on a date, but if you really want to have a conversation, pick another activity instead of ruining it for the others around you.

10). When the weather forecast is wrong- When the forecast predicts cold weather and you bundle up only to find it ridiculously hot outside, it can definitely be annoying. Or if you think it will be warm and wear shorts, and then you are surprised with colder temperatures and look unprepared. The worst in my opinion is when they predict 0% chance of rain and it pours all day (but of course you left your umbrella at home because the forecast said it wasn’t supposed to rain). Obviously meteorology is not perfect and technology is continuously improving, but knowing what type of weather to anticipate is something we have come to expect as a society.

11). People who are rude to anyone in the service industry- Whether it is a cashier or waitress, it drives me insane to see people disrespect anyone who is trying to help them. We all make mistakes and sometimes your order won’t be perfect, but there is no reason to attack another human being for a minor error. Yes, they are paid a salary for their work, just as you are for yours, but they are not paid to wait on you hand and foot. I think a few generations ago, it was more acceptable to put those in the service industry down, but our society has evolved and it’s time we move past it.

12). When there are dryers for your hands in a bathroom instead of paper towels- Although a simple annoyance, the blow dryers do not work as well and they take much longer. This is another easy answer as to why this is occurring more often. The shift toward environmental-consciousness is important, and I do believe we need to help out our planet, but I like my hands to be dry after I wash them.

13). People who are loud early in the morning- I am not much of a morning person, so I like to sleep in later than most people. I try not to be loud later at night when I am awake, so I appreciate the same courtesy from others. It is a pet peeve of mine to be woken up by loud and obnoxious people in the hallway because it is something that can be prevented and is just rude. I’m not sure what is so great about screaming in the hallway at 8:00 am, but you would be surprised how many people just assume the whole world is awake because they are.

14). People who are on their phone at the table- Eating meals are a time for spending quality time with the ones you love. If everyone is playing on their phones, you are not enjoying the company surrounding you. Whether it is a restaurant or at home, you should want to talk and catch up with those you are privileged enough to share a meal with. This bothers me especially when you glance around a restaurant and no one is talking to each other; everyone is so caught up in the glare of their tiny screen that they are in a trance-like state.

15). When you go to the store and they are out of the item you came for- Going to the grocery store can be a sort of production sometimes, but it is definitely not worth it when you get all the way there and they are out of stock of your favorite items. I am extremely brand loyal with certain products, so it is such a dilemma whether to go all the way to another store or try another brand that I will probably not like as much. We live in a society of convenience and any interruption in this pattern can throw my entire routine off.

16). People who are late- If you schedule to meet with someone at a certain time, just show up on time. Also, if you are stuck in traffic or something comes up, just send the a quick text or give them some sort of notice that you are running late so they don’t cancel all other plans to be on time when you won’t be. This is another simple courtesy thing to just arrive on time for scheduled dinners, appointments, etc. One of the reasons this bothers people so much is because if I canceled or turned down other plans to meet with someone, the least they can do is show up on time.

17). Headaches- I have had chronic migraines for about 10 years now and no doctor has ever been able to figure out exactly what causes them. I have amazing neurologists that have helped me manage them extremely well, but sometimes when they get bad enough, they take away enjoyment of certain activities. I think this would bother just about anyone to have severe headaches so frequently, but since I don’t know what causes them, I try not to get too worked up about them.

18). When Siri misunderstands what you say- We have all asked Siri for directions and been extremely frustrated when she wants to take you to another continent because she has no idea what you’re saying. Obviously Siri is a computer system so she doesn’t have the vocabulary of a human, but sometimes when you really need her, she does fail. She has only a limited database, so it is impossible for her to be able to comprehend every command.

19). People who are overly critical- “Oh you joined a sorority, you paid for your friends. Oh you go to UF, FSU is better. Oh you cut your hair, I liked it better short.” There are sometimes with close friends and family that you want their input and opinions, but there are certain people that will interject their opinion on everything just to disagree with every choice you make, even if they have made similar ones.

20). Airport security- Getting to the airport at least an hour early is a pain, but having to follow all of the strict procedures on liquids, taking off your shoes, metal detectors, etc. is even more of a hassle. This “bug” can be easiest explained because each is simply a safety precaution for heightened security since 9/11. We all may complain and it is still often annoying when standing in such long lines, but knowing that safety is such a priority is also very important to me.

Reflection: I did find this exercise more challenging than I expected. It is hard to pinpoint what bothers me and the root cause as to why it is annoying. Although some things on this list are unique to me, I would say many of them also irritate other people as well. In the heat of the moment, some things bug you, but making a list and detailing why was a bit more thought-provoking.

Week 2: My Entrepreneurship Story

While working for one of my bosses, the CEO of the company was also an entrepreneur of another product. Although I won’t go into specifics because the product is still being launched, he picked a team of me and three other colleagues and we went through the process of copyrighting the name, patenting the design, 3D-printing the mold, etc. This bedside beverage holder now has a utility patent in the US and Canada, and I got to have a front row seat as the President and CEO brought his idea to life. We have even talked with QVC, Bed Bath & Beyond, and many other manufacturers to get it on the shelf. I have learned how to be bold and believe in quality from him. For example, he has always promised to continue production in the United States and firmly believes in American made products. He has also taught me the importance passion and persistence in all areas of life. I am thankful to be part of the process and can’t wait to see where HoldZie takes us in the future. On of my favorite quotes from my boss is, “I didn’t climb the ladder, I built it”. This perfectly sums up his bold character.  

The picture to the left is me with the President and CEO of HoldZie, Brian Webb, and a couple of other members of the team. We have really worked hard on the product and become a family, truly believing in Brian's vision. 

I personally enrolled in entrepreneurship to see what types of things I can learn about myself through this course. Being abroad, I am learning the importance of self-sufficiency and putting many principles into action every day. I am also considering declaring a minor in entrepreneurship. I am ahead of schedule and have room in my schedule to declare another minor, so I feel like this might be the perfect course of action for me. Depending on this class, this could lead to a minor in the subject as well, so I look forward to exploring the subject on an even deeper level. One of my favorite lines in the mantra is using negative feedback to strengthen who we are. That is one of my personal goals to really use failure as a learning experience. 

Week 2: Introduction

My name is Michelle Kelley and I am a Marketing major with a minor in Communications. I am also a member of Alpha Chi Omega at UF. I am an only child so I am very close with my parents. Family and friends are very important to me and I believe in surrounding yourself with the people that bring you the most joy.

I enjoy playing indoor and beach volleyball, being on the water (especially surfing), and traveling. Michael Kors is my favorite brand because my initials and nickname is also MK. I am originally from Tallahassee, but I am currently studying abroad in Rome for the semester. I also have two precious puppies at home named Abby and Tuxie.

As I mentioned, I love to travel. I have been on about 12 cruises with my family, but my favorite experience abroad was my time spent playing Team USA volleyball a few years ago. During this time, I had the opportunity to travel to nine different counties throughout Europe in three weeks.

I hope to continue to work with people and use my degree as a tool to further public relations, marketing, advertising, and communications. I have been an intern at an urgent care and family practice medical clinic for two years designing their magazine advertisements and improving patient relations, and I hope to continue my work there upon graduation.