This semester as been a true learning experience that goes far beyond the classroom. While our original goal was to create a smartphone app, sell advertising on it, have all of Harrisonburg download it, and make 200 dollars, we learned that a vision which can seem foolproof in the creators eyes, is clouded by visions of grandeur. We expected all this to happen during the semester, and it didn't. We did create the smartphone app, and I am truly proud of it. It did exceed what I thought we were capable of, however we utterly failed at all our other objectives. We were unable to nail down any advertising in the short time period, and since the app has only been on the market for a day, we have little response. Because we we unable to sell ad space, we were also unable to make $200. Fortunately for my thanksgiving break yard work, we were able to provide a small bit of revenue. I think our venture didn't meet up to our expectations because of our grand visions, and the other priorities of the people working with us. I also believed we thought too long before taking action. Sometimes its better to dive right in and fly by the seat of your pants than to have a good idea and sit on it because of insecurity. Next time, I would start moving forward from the brainstorming phase sooner. I believe we wasted too much time thinking about the viability than jumping in. I recommend that future entrepreneurship groups, find an idea they can take from concept to physical product and take it to market right away. If your group does not have a product in hand be the end of the first month, you will be crunched for time.
While the project was hard for the semester, Chris and I plan on taking the smartphone app further next semester, we believe it to be a really cool and useful tool for jmu students.
I was going to photoshop Dr. Wales in as the whale, but my photo shopping skills are nonexistent
Cheers!
