Assignment 20A- Growing Social Capital

Domain Expert:

1. Who they are, what their background is: Mike Dees, Chief of Everything at New Scooters for Less
2. How this person is a “domain expert”: He sells scooters on a college campus and frequently deals with customers who have experienced scooter theft. He also sells various locks at his store. 
3. How I found and contacted this person: I bought my scooter from NS4L and found his email on the website.
4. Nature of Exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: I reached out to him through email asking for help. On their website, it said they were closed due to COVID, but I received an email that said emails would be answered when they reopened. I do not think there is a return expectation because I recently purchased a scooter from them.
5. How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: I think having someone who works in the industry and also sells scooter-related things will be a great contact to have in the future. Having someone who already knows about the local problems in Gainesville could help me later on. 

Market Expert:

1. Who they are, what their background is: Cat Liska, scooter owner who has gotten their scooter stolen
2. How this person is a “market expert”: I could not find anyone who knew the market for scooter locks well, so I chose someone within the market. She is aware that there is a need for scooter theft prevention because her own scooter got stolen. She knows any other people who have gotten their scooter stolen and also represents a lot of the scooter market in college towns because she is a sorority girl. 
3. How I found and contacted this person: She is in my sorority and I work under her as an assistant to her VP2 position. 
4. Nature of Exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: It was very casual. We talked over the phone and she answered a few questions. Since I already assist her in my sorority, there is not really an expectation of returning the favor other than doing my job. 
5. How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: She is a person who understands the large need for my product. She also represents a large portion of my market and I could use her testimony in the future. 

Industry Supplier:

1. Who they are, what their background is: Bruce Le, Manager of Locking Systems International, Inc.
2. How this person is a “market expert”: The company he manages makes and distributes various locks. He would have information on what types of locks would work and how they would be manufactured. 
3. How I found and contacted this person: I looked up lock suppliers in Florida and found his title and email on their website. 
4. Nature of Exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: I emailed him and also did not receive a reply. I wanted to learn more information on the costs of manufacturing and how to make an effective lock design. 
5. How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: If I include them, I would have a potential manufacturer and a lot of knowledge on the supplying aspect. 

Reflect:

• I will say that targeted marketing is very hard. It was definitely out of my comfort zone to reach out to strangers and hope that they would give a random college student their time and information. Another aspect that made it challenging is that we are amidst a worldwide pandemic. Most businesses are closed, so I had to get creative or send out emails knowing that I will not get a response any time soon. In the future, I will pay more attention to the people I meet, because it will be easier to find people or people that know other people that can help me with my goal. I was more intimidated to talk to the adults and professionals than the people that I actually knew. Overall, this assignment was out of my comfort zone and required me to get creative.