Venture Concept No. 2

Here goes nothing!!

Opportunity

It feels as time goes on, the amount of pressure and stress college students suffer from increases more and more.  According to an Associated Press survey taken in 2008, 80% of college students from some type of stress at any given time.  Unfortunately, not many students have an outlet for this stress and too much stress can possibly lead to anxiety and other serious health issues. This is where I saw that I have an opportunity to help college students find a positive and fun way to alleviate their stress.  I think the reason so many young students are so stressed is because as the world keeps evolving, the real world gets more competitive; it is not enough to be okay, but we have to strive to stand out and be the best in our area of expertise.  Geographically/demographically the main issues are on or near college campuses and wherever students are really.  I think the current way that students try to de-stress is by exercising, picking up a craft, reading, etc.; the only problem with this is that each method is not as applicable to a wide variety of people or many students still don’t feel relaxed after it, so there’s not much loyalty there.  I think this window opportunity will only continue to open if society and college keeps running the way they does.

Innovation

So my innovation isn’t really new in terms of idea, but it is new in that it has never really been introduced to Western society yet: a dog café.  Dog cafés are a big part Asian culture and society, ESPECIALLY in South Korea (I spent 5 months studying abroad there).  So I thought it would be great to introduce this concept to the U.S: like Starbucks but more fun.  So at this café, people will get a chance to order from a diverse menu (coffees, teas, smoothies, specialty drinks, cakes, cookies, sandwiches, etc) that all have a sort of dog theme to them, all while being able to play and pet loving puppy friends.  The price range, for reference, is similar to what Starbucks offers.

Venture Concept

So with my innovation of the dog café, I really think I can make a positive impact on college campuses and their students.  By locating these dog cafes near the edges of college campuses, I want to be able to give students where they can retreat from their daily school struggles and unwind with a good bite to eat and some happy furry friends that will give them lots of slobbery kisses until they smile.  Research studies have shown that dogs have the ability to lower blood pressure, stress, and anxiety in people; UF has brought dogs onto campus during exam weeks in order to help students unwind.  My concept would be more of a permanent solution.  I think that many students would enjoy my service because the café environment is relaxing and a social area where they can openly play with dogs whenever they want; I don’t think the switch will be hard because many students I have interviewed and talked to have mentioned that they would like to have dogs but their living situations or schedules won’t allow them, so this is a less risky solution.  Currently there are no competitors in my field! This is the most advantageous aspect of my venture.  My possible vulnerabilities would be late competitors or copy cats.  My business concept is defined primarily on the customer experience; I want everyone walking into the café to feel great once they leave.

Final 3 Elements

My most important resources is of course the actual dogs.  I want to be able to work alongside the Alachua Humane Society and other animal shelters in Gainesville to be able to use the dogs; that way we support adoption and give these dogs a better chance at new lives and more human interaction. I think the dogs, alongside with my dog themed menu and design, will make it hard for competitors to surpass me once I hit the ground running.
As for what’s next for the venture, I am not necessarily sure.  I think the next opportunity would be maybe create a cat café? Haha
As for what’s next for me, I am also not sure.  I want to pour my all into this business and make it the best it can be before I move on to bigger and better things.  Whatever I end up doing I hope that it will have a positive impact on at least one person; if I can do that then I feel like I have already won.

**Bau House: top cafe in Seoul, South Korea**