4A- Forming An Opportunity

4A- Forming an Opportunity Belief:

I believe there is an unmet need for kidnapping and sex trafficking in college towns. Many females who go out to bars or just are walking around campus at night have a need for this. Being in a sorority all of us girls look after each other and I have heard many stories of people who come up with stories for you to help them or drive them somewhere and they end up kidnapping these girls for sex trafficking. Since there is such a high need I feel that I could come up with a effective alert system for someone who is being kidnapped such as a small stylish ring. This need is not new right now there is currently a product called NIMB this is also a ring with an alert button but the ring is very big and is not stylish. NIMB also requires you to get a subscription plan which makes fewer people want to buy the ring. I think that if we created a smaller more stylish ring that more females would wear them. Although people tell you to be alert and aware of your surroundings it is still difficult to prevent this from happening depending on the situation. The alert button would be the most efficient way to let people know when you are in danger. I’m about 75% sure this opportunity exists.

#1 Early twenties single Female:

·             Have you ever walked alone on campus at night?

-               Yes, but only when I had night exams and I had my scooter to get me home.

·             Have you ever felt scared or like you were being watched while walking alone?

-               Yes, sometimes I get creeped out when its dark and you can.t see who’s there

·             Have you ever been approached by a stranger asking you uncomfortable questions?

-               Yes, one time at the gym a man approached me trying to teach me how to squat and I was very uncomfortable because he was trying to spot me.

·             Are you aware of the increase in kidnapping/ sex trafficking on college campuses?

-               Yes

·             Did you know that 75% of the people sex trafficked are women and girls?

-               Yes, I originally thought it would be a higher percentage.

·             Did you know 1 out of 7 missing people reported were likely missing sex trafficking victims?

-               No, I did not.

Reflection:

It is clear that women are aware of this problem. This female says that there have been times where she has been scared and uncomfortable whether alone on campus or in a gym. Females look out for each other and are spreading awareness on this topic.

#2 Early twenties female in long term relationship:

·             Have you ever walked alone on campus at night?

-Yes, sometimes I have late classes.

·             Have you ever felt scared or like you were being watched while walking alone?

-               Yes, when walking home from class I have felt like I was being followed by an older guy with a hoodie.

·             Have you ever been approached by a stranger asking you uncomfortable questions?

-               Yes, a women came up to me one time asking me to drive her to the bus station because she was in the wrong town. I was very uncomfortable and felt something was not right.

·             Are you aware of the increase in kidnapping/ sex trafficking on college campuses?

-               Yes, in my sorority other girls have talked about it.

·             Did you know that 75% of the people sex trafficked are women and girls?

-No, but it makes sense.

·             Did you know 1 out of 7 missing people reported were likely missing sex trafficking victims?

-               No.

Reflection:

This interview shows that females in college are sometimes targeted because they walk home alone. Also, sex traffickers know that our parents are not here and that not every college student has someone that would notice if they went missing.

#3 Early twenties single male:

·             Have you ever walked alone on campus at night?

-               Yes

·             Have you ever felt scared or like you were being watched while walking alone?

-               No, I have been scared but never because I felt someone was watching me

·             Have you ever been approached by a stranger asking you uncomfortable questions?

-               Yes

·             Are you aware of the increase in kidnapping/ sex trafficking on college campuses?

-               No

·             Did you know that 75% of the people sex trafficked are women and girls?

-               No

·             Did you know 1 out of 7 missing people reported were likely missing sex trafficking victims?

-               No

Reflection:

Males don’t seem to have a lot of knowledge on this topic and are not aware of the prevalence. I primarily think this is because women are targeted more often the men. Just because they are not targeted as much doesn’t mean that It wont happen. They should definitely be more aware.

Summary:
I think the opportunity is definitely there. After asking these questions I can tell that the opportunity is there, many females feel very scared and are aware of the increase in kidnapping/sex trafficking. I now think this opportunity is more accurate then what I was originally thinking. I think entrepreneurs should focus on their opportunities based on what consumers say. If entrepreneurs were to remake the NIMB ring, I think that customer feedback would be helpful because I personally think the ring is too big and ugly. Customers could also recommend other products that could send out alerts in dangerous situations. If entrepreneurs don’t know what consumers want, how could they fulfill there needs?