Tyler_Opportunity Belief

1. Beginning Point:
The opportunity belief I have is from the problem of having too many things in your hand and not being able to get your keys to open the front door. I believe this is an opportunity because many people struggle with this problem and find there are many solutions out there that are already used, that could be applied to this area of life.

2. The unmet need is opening the door more efficiently, or while having many things in your hand. Everyone who is able-bodied and has a house or private place to live, preferably those that do a lot of work independently. Independently, because they will have less help to open the door for themselves. It has existed as long as homes with doors have existed, especially doors that are locked for security reasons. People are currently having to put their groceries or items on the ground or bench to then reach for their keys to open the door. Or they are balancing their items enough to open the door with it in their hands. I am 80% sure this opportunity exists.

3. The prototypical customer is any adult who owns a home, big or small, and can afford to pay to implement a device that allows them to enter into their house using technology and not searching for their keys.

4.
Customer 1:
My job requires me to carry books and materials back and forth. Carrying bags to school.
Everyday when I’m leaving and entering the house I have to struggle with the key. Sometimes I experience this need when I go grocery shopping and when you come to and from work. I currently address this need by trying to get the key into my hand before I pick up everything I need to get into the house. Putting things on different shoulders to balance the weight. I’m somewhat satisfied with this solution but I wish there was an easier way. I’ve had this need as long as I’ve been a teacher and a mother buying groceries.

Customer 2:
I don't have this need because I already have the equipment to get in without keys. My wife and I bought it and then used it to get into our house. We became aware of this when we did research for what we needed for our new place. I use a keypad that you can type in with a code, and it is equipped with wifi so we can unlock the door with our phones. If I am carrying something then I don't use my phone I use the code. I am 100% satisfied with this solution. Although they should make technology for me to do it with my watch.

Customer 3:
This need is something I could have, but is not a need a relate to a lot. The nature of this need is one that is not inherent, but it can be helpful to have a solution to it. When I have my hands full with groceries - I have to put water cases down to open the door, and then pick them back up again. I can see it with people who have kids as well. Most times you have to put the kids down and then open the door. I’ve had this need for as long as I can remember, ever since I’ve been out on my own. No solution I have right now really works, I’m not addressing it. Finding my keys is also a problem I have that relates to this. I’ve learned to accept the problem and need, although I am not satisfied. Accepting my fate, but I’m waiting for someone else to solve the problem.

5. I learned this opportunity is present in certain communities in the US but not in others. The person who said they already had a solution to this need using their phones, is from another part of the US outside of Florida. That was very surprising. I may have to re-think the scope of this need and assess whether it is worth pursuing.

6. Reflection included in step 5

7. The original opportunity is partially still there. There exists an unmet need for people around Gainesville, or people in homes that are older and are not equipped with key pads. I may extend the solution to voice activation, depending on the feasibility. It is not as accurate than when I started because apparently people in Washington have used other companies' services that can automatically unlock doors with face ID, such as Xfinity. Entrepreneurs should adapt their opportunities based on feedback, because customers are the ones ultimately with the user experience, and the ones who are going to be buying the solution that comes out of the opportunity.