Assignment 4A Opportunity Belief

     I believe there is an unmet need that people have when thinking about adopting a pet. In my opinion, there are thousands of people who would love to adopt a new pet and have a companion but are hesitant because of their daily routine or schedule. I believe this need to have a pet companion has been a need for years by both single people who live alone and established families who have children. Right now their need is mostly not met due to their concern about leaving the pet at home while they are away. As a result of their concern, millions of pets sit homeless in animal shelters across the world. I'm 75% confident that this opportunity exists. 
     The prototypical customer would be anyone who loves animals who would adopt a new companion if they could feel more comfortable knowing there are ways to monitor the pet when they can't be at home.

     Prototypical customer 1. The next door neighbor single male in late 20's.

• Do you need a non-human companion to keep you company?

Answer: "Yes, but I work during the week and don't know if leaving the pet alone is safe." 

• How long have you thought of the need for a pet?

Answer: "I honestly think about it every day. Especially when I see people like yourself with a pet."

• How are you addressing your need for a companion pet?

Answer: "Right now I'm just dealing with it, I feel lonely at times and wish I had a pet."

• Are you satisfied with your solution of not having a pet because of concerns about leaving it alone?

Answer: "Do I have a choice?"

• What if I told you there are ways to monitor your pet while you're away and feel at ease?

Answer: "If I could find a way to do that I would go adopt a pet within a few weeks."

     Prototypical customer 2. A family I ran into at PETSMART in Butler Plaza in Gainesville.

• Do you need a non-human companion to keep you company?

Answer: "We would love to have a pet, but we both work and don't feel right about leaving it alone."

• How long have you thought of the need for a pet?

Answer: "We have been coming here and looking for the past few months but just don't know if having a pet would fit our schedules."

• How are you addressing your need for a companion pet?

Answer: "For the time being we just come here on Saturdays and dream about it."

• Are you satisfied with your solution of not having a pet because of concerns about leaving it alone?

Answer: "Definitely not. We just hope someday we be able to feel comfortable getting a pet." 

• What if I told you there are ways to monitor your pet while you're away and feel at ease?

Answer: "How is it possible and is it costly?"

     Prototypical customer 3. A random female I ran into while walking my dog in the neighborhood.

• Do you need a non-human companion to keep you company?

Answer: "I would love a pet, but I'm a full-time student and wouldn't feel right leaving it alone."

• How long have you thought of the need for a pet?

Answer: "I've wanted a pet forever."

• How are you addressing your need for a companion pet?

Answer: "A lot of times I get bored by myself and wish I had a friend to talk to who was there every day, and I think about getting a pet to fill a void in my life."

• Are you satisfied with your solution of not having a pet because of concerns about leaving it alone?

Answer: "No because I still feel lonely thinking about not having one."

• What if I told you there are ways to monitor your pet while you're away and feel at ease?

Answer: "I'm not sure that's possible, but I would be willing to look into it if you know how to do that."

Reflection

     I do believe that just by talking to these people in three different situations that my original assumption about why people are hesitant to adopt a pet is true. The most surprising thing is that in all three situations the people didn't know there was a way around their biggest fear which was leaving the pet alone and to be able to feel comfortable doing it. If people knew there are ways to monitor a pet while they're away chances are greater that these people would satisfy their need and adopt a pet.

Summary

     I believe that all of my original opportunity still exists. It's possible though that the opportunity could drop to around 55% just because people are hesitant to do something from only hearing things without actually seeing something first hand. This would lead to my new opportunity to be less accurate than when I started. I think entrepreneurs must always adapt their opportunities based on customer feedback because if there is no need by the customer, the opportunity can't move forward.