4. Forming an Opportunity Belief

An opportunity that I believe exists is right here at UF! I believe there is a lack of scooter parking at central/popular locations on campus which has lead to many scooters parked illegally or damaged from others trying to squeeze theirs into a spot. When I was a freshman, I relied on the RTS bus to get everywhere since I didnt have a car or scooter. After being stranded in Butler Plaza multiple times or left in the middle of downtown when trying to get back from the airport, I had enough and purchased a scooter. Many of my friends who owned scooters used to complain about parking and I never truly understood until I was faced with the task too.

The unmet need is the lack of scooter parking at central locations on campus such as Library West or Inner Road. Those who have the need are scooter owning students, typically who are trying to get to class at one of the centralized locations on campus. The lack of scooter parking has always existed (as long as scooters have been popular at UF) however, this has gotten incredibly worse as more and more students purchase scooters. Right now to overcome this, students are illegally parking their scooters outside of specified zones, on sidewalks, and on the grass. They are also accidentally knocking over other scooters while attempting to fit theirs in, unscrewing side view mirrors on others scooters, or just scratching up someone's scooter while squeezing theirs into a spot. I'm 100% sure that the opportunity to expand scooter parking exists as there are constantly new car parking spaces being created, so scooter parking can be added too.

The prototypical customers would be scooter owning students at UF. I asked 3 students the following:

1. Do you own a scooter?
2. Have you ever had to make your own scooter spot to get to class on time?
3. Do you feel that there is enough scooter parking at the centralized locations on campus such as Library West and the Turlington area?
4. How often do you struggle to find scooter parking?
5. When did you first become aware of this need? And how long have you had this need?
6. How are you currently addressing the need for scooter parking?
7. How satisfied would you be if more parking was added?

Alexa Rezik, 3rd Year

1. Do you own a scooter?
• Yes
2. Have you ever had to make your own scooter spot to get to class on time?
• Yes
3. Do you feel that there is enough scooter parking at the centralized locations on campus such as Library West and the Turlington area?
• No, especially since they recently removed some scooter parking at Library West to allow cars to access it. And there is also a bunch of unutilized space that people make their own spots in anyways.
4. How often do you struggle to find scooter parking?
• Every day
5. When did you first become aware of this need? And how long have you had this need?
• Ever since I got a scooter last year I have struggled to find parking.
6. How are you currently addressing the need for scooter parking?
• I have to go to campus super early to ensure I can find a spot to get to class, sometimes even arriving 45 minutes early.
7. How satisfied would you be if more parking was added?
• Very satisfied because parking has given me so much stress and I could stay at home longer and get work done instead of waiting to find parking.

Rachel Kutcher, 3rd Year

1. Do you own a scooter?
• Yes
2. Have you ever had to make your own scooter spot to get to class on time?
• Yes
3. Do you feel that there is enough scooter parking at the centralized locations on campus such as Library West and the Turlington area?
• No. In the past, I've ended up late to class because I couldn't find parking so I had to park at an inconvenient location a lot farther away since I don't want to make a spot and get a ticket.
4. How often do you struggle to find scooter parking?
• Every day that I go to campus, especially mid-day. Also during exam season, the parking at Library West is always full at night too so I park farther and walk which I don't like because I think it's dangerous to walk alone at night.
5. When did you first become aware of this need? And how long have you had this need?
• Freshman year. I had my car and parking that was such a struggle so I assumed it was the same with scooters, and then I got one and confirmed that.
6. How are you currently addressing the need for scooter parking?
• I circle a bunch of lots near my classes and hope I find a spot
7. How satisfied would you be if more parking was added?
• I'd be really satisfied because I wouldn't have to worry about leaving early to get to class or getting a parking ticket for making my own spot when I'm running late.

Nicole Cruz, 4th Year

1. Do you own a scooter?
• Yes
2. Have you ever had to make your own scooter spot to get to class on time?
• Yes
3. Do you feel that there is enough scooter parking at the centralized locations on campus such as Library West and the Turlington area?
• No, and after living on campus for 4 years, I am pretty sure UF has actually taken away scooter parking spots. My scooter is actually damaged from the parking situation.
4. How often do you struggle to find scooter parking?
• Every day since I live on campus.
5. When did you first become aware of this need? And how long have you had this need?
• I got my scooter about 2 years ago so I would say then. I thought I just didn't understand the right time of day to find parking but it is really all day every day that there is no parking.
6. How are you currently addressing the need for scooter parking?
• I sometimes have to park outside of the lines and risk getting a ticket if I'm in a hurry, or I have to try multiple lots until I can find a spot
7. How satisfied would you be if more parking was added?
• I would be satisfied if it was added now since I am graduating soon. But speaking for those who are going to still have this issue in the years to come I would think they would all appreciate a change too.

Reflecting on the Interviews

After conducting these interviews I learned that my opportunity is definitely valid and a need seen by many students. What was most surprising to me was that people are so willing to make their own spots and get a ticket because parking is so limited. I know I can't really afford to be getting parking tickets so their willingness was definitely surprising to me.  

7. Summarize

I think all of my original opportunity is still relevant. The lack of scooter parking I mentioned back in assignment 1 on my bug list is clearly a relevant issue and creating more scooter parking is the feasible solution. I think my opportunity is definitely more accurate and solidified than when I first started the assignment because I saw it wasn't just me experiencing the issue. I think entrepreneurs should try and shape their opportunities based on customer feedback since the customers will be the ones benefitting, but they should also try to keep the same structure of their original idea.