Now or Never

 

It’s crunch time ladies and gentlemen.

We are counting the days here as I warily watch all these impending deadlines creep up. As long as we stay true to our four-week plan, all will be will.

I’d love to take this opportunity to thank the people saving my life right now. My team is made up of such an awesome and varied group of people, and all our skills come together to balance and work together. There is no way I could be organized enough to make these details come together by myself. Their help and patience with me has been legendary!

Joanna, Huixian, and Sam, if y’all are reading this, you all rock and I owe you the world! Y’all are incredible and I’ve had so much fun working with you this semester! 

The 3-year plan has been occupying our days and nights. So. Much. Research. Every number needs to be justified. Every rate and ratio must be explained. The nice part is that the more details that come together, the more faith I have in our venture. I understand why this plan is so essential for investors now, as the research really solidifies so many of our suppositions.

I have reached out to a marketing company to get some rates for advertisement design. I know nothing about design or marketing, but I know I am in the minority regarding this on my team. It makes perfect sense to add an ad design service to our service, since our team is so knowledgeable on the topic! Once the marketing team gets back to me regarding design rates, we will have a ballpark on what to charge our patrons.

Between Huixian’s experience with social media creation, Joanna’s awesome knowledge on accounting and her stellar organization, Sam’s excellent technological prowess, I could have not been luckier to have a team like this. These past few weeks have cemented my theory that the most successful startups come from varied teams. The vaster the skill spread, the better chance some of those skills will come in handy. Lean startups are all about what you start with, and we are so lucky to have been dealt a pretty good hand.

 

Lets take it home!
… and as always, thanks for reading!

 -Will VI

From nothing to an enterprise

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing.” 

–George Bernard Shaw

Pic by Federico Babina

How hard is it to be an entrepreneur? It’s not hard at all. Finding/creating the customer demand, and provide the production which meets the demand, and being innovative in the process. It’s extremely hard, from value proposition until weekly conversations testing your potential customers and partners. During the progress, the team has faced agreements, disagreements, encouragement, and as many possibilities trying as we can.

Our Minimum Viable Product is a website providing the connection for buyers and artists, in other words, curating opportunities for artists. From my former blog posts, you might see my personality pattern from my words. I trust the traditional way in art market, especially in visual art market, such as the art dealer, commercial gallery, and agency.

During last week’s class, we had a discussion about our job in establishing the website, we contributed our personal strengths and passion into the product. Then, we had a meeting in today’s morning with all the preparations and works that we had. During the group meeting, I think back about our former classes in the beginning of the semester, I feel proud of what we are today, and what we are doing. Moreover, I can feel the changes of my former understanding of art market. Looking at our unfinished product, I feel a sense of recognition, and deep connection artists we serve.

It seems like a final evaluation? No, this is far from the end. For now, we are handling the branding and tech thing, which represent to our MVP (Minimum Viable Products). We will test the web with our potential customers after this week’s class. Even though, there are lots of work to do still, but I feel super positive about the progress.

The thing is, I go to the same cafe shop everyday, drink the same type of coffee everyday, drive the same route to my home everyday, think the art in the same way. Doing the project and talking with others every week pulled me out of my comfort zone both physically and mentally. Moreover, I am not only finding possibilities in the project but also finding possibilities on myself.

Keep trying,

Dong

what if we can meet all of your fantasies as your sweet partner

“When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property. “

—-Thomas Jefferson.

Photo from Internet

Zhou Xun, a Chinese film star, once was questioned why did she marry to a guy who was not as famous as she was, she replied that “he could meet all of my fantasies”. That is the sweetest quote that I have ever heard about a relationship.

From my understanding, fantasy is based on demands but more insightful than demands, which we talk about every day in our production. In our business section, we talk about how to satisfy artists’ demands everyday.  But, what about we can satisfy to artists’ fantasies?

Do you want to find your peers who share the same idea with you? Do you want to show your works to your audiences? Do you want to seek money to support your dreams? We can satisfy to all of your fantasies!

Photo from Artists-Gigs Group

Transparency policy:

We have a debate about benefit model since the website needs the financial support to provide a better service. Most of the commercial galleries hide their percentage of their collection selling process as possible as they can to protect their information. I think whether nonprofit concept will be the mainstream awareness in the global art market, I want to be loyal to the good features of nonprofit world. Being transparent, telling artists how much percentage that we may take from the service.

So, I questioned a visual artist “what if a website can provide you a working opportunity, however, the website will take a certain percentage of profit from your work”. After a deep conversation, we have an agreement. Which inspires me that the point of this website is building a partnership/relationship with artists. Being totally transparent can build the customer trust. We are partners, so that the website will help artists to get best opportunities because we take the risks together, and we benefit together. After all, the core value in running a business is building a relationship with your customers.

Keep going, no feeling is final.

Dong

Spotting Potential

When working on testing audience segmentation by interviewing college students under 21 years old, I started to consider what activities they happen to have available to them on a weekly basis. They listed off activities they do currently such as playing pool, going bowling, or attending a concert, but there was not much variety past that. This prompted me to do a simple Google search of nightlife activities for people 18 and up, and there was not very much to see. I found a handful of hookah lounges, a few clubs that allowed people in ages 18 and up after 2am, and a few bars with bad Yelp ratings. I was then reminded of when I was 18 looking for a place to go out and dance. I used to go to Afterlife in old town Scottsdale. It was an 18+ club that served no alcohol and hosted themed costume parties often.

I decided to see if it was still in business. A quick Google search revealed an article from the New Times a few years ago[1]. It announced the closure of the club and recapped how it had evolved over time. It ended up being a great story about the owner’s entrepreneurialism and how he overcame some unexpected surprises that would have sent other’s walking away. Afterlife used to be a club that served alcohol, but they lost their liquor license. The owner closed down for a few weeks before opening up to serve a new market: 18-21 year olds. They charged a fee to enter and served waters, soft drinks, energy drinks, and hookahs. They hosted themed costume parties and provided an atmosphere in which I personally felt safe. Contrary to people’s expectations (according to the article), Afterlife stayed open for 4 more years; longer than most clubs in the area tended to last. I find it a shame that no one else followed suit following this closure (as far as I could find). I believe serving this market has some real potential. Hopefully we will create a good enough business model that serve this population for someone to develop into the real deal in the afterlife of this class.

~Jennifer

 

 

[1] http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/afterlife-in-scottsdale-now-closed-6561457

A Successful Failure

“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.”

——Joseph Campbell

Photo from internet

Well, if you can see your customers value in your notebook written by your, after spending days and nights sitting in the library alone. Unfortunately, it’s not your customers’ value. The reason of this failure is neither you are not smart enough nor you don’t think hard enough. Your customers’ value only exists after you raise your hypotheses, and test them with your real customers.

I withdrew 3 value propositions that we, as a group, thought would be applied to artists. What if a platform can provide: 1) design/ branding/ marketing services; 2) physical spaces for artists’ presentation; 3) collect data/informations for artists, such as other artists’ work. Are you willing to pay for it?

“Talk less, smile more, don’t let them know what you’re against and what you’re for”

In order to get fair feedbacks, we’d better not influence interviewees’ natural thoughts. Don’t influence them with our subjective opinions, encourage them to speak for themselves.

Photo by: Yago Partal” Zoo Portraits”

A visual designer,

1. I am a branding designer. (With lots of “?????” and a big “NO”).
2. Yes. Both for my financial need and exposure need.
3. Yes. If I can get the data, I can learn more. More importantly, I can show the report to my clients, asking for a more fair payment.

Photo by: Yago Partal” Zoo Portraits”

A young public/installation artist, who is not active in art market.

1. Yes. I think it will be super helpful for both pure artists and commercial artists. (I didn’t ask for his definitions of “pure” and “commercial” artists. Cause it might lead this conversation to another topic, and also, disagreements.)
2. Yes. For me, I think more exhibition opportunities will help me to reach out more audiences.
3. No. I already have many accesses to get informations. I don’t need more from chaos.

Photo by: Yago Partal” Zoo Portraits”

An easel painting artist, who is active in both international and national art markets.

1. No. The only thing I trust is my painting, which can represent me. That is my brand.
2. No. I have more than enough opportunities. I don’t need more ways to promote myself.
3. No. I already have my art circle. I need time to paint alone, but not wasting time in other things.

Those are only 3 artists’ feedbacks that I have interviewed about the value propositions. I appreciate their honesty, even though, those reactions are far away from my prediction. However, it is the reality…

Cheers

Dong

Lesson3, 4, 5 from Udacity. https://www.udacity.com/

Ideas vs. Reality

I have noticed that people are generally more outwardly polite to people they do not know very well. When asking acquaintances and classmates questions about our value propositions we developed in class, their responses were overall positive, though occasionally unenthusiastic. It was only with close friends that I achieved the closest thing to an honest response when being asked about what they thought about our class venture ideas.

I now personally see the reason why the UDACITY[1] lesson says, in a matter of words, to pay more attention to their reaction. People could just be polite when they say, “yeah, that sounds like a pretty good idea. I think I would use that,” whereas you can see real interest when they say something like, “Wow, I would love to see that happen!!” with widened eyes, a sense of excitement in their voice, and a big smile. Those are the value propositions I would like to continue pursuing.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

I always thought of entrepreneurs as people who come up with an idea they are passionate about and stand behind, and they have the guts (and the crazy) to take action with that idea. The process in this class is more about coming up with things we might like to do or may be able to accomplish. I have not yet had any ideas or sparks that make me feel like I could really be passionate about this and stand behind it. This class feels about as entrepreneurial as opening a bakery. Opening a bakery sounds great, and there are many ways you can spin this already used concept to make it your own, but I don’t feel like there is much innovation behind what we are doing. Don’t get me wrong, I love going through the motions and learning about what needs to happen to ensure risk is minimized and increase one’s chances of success. The reason why I believe there is a lack of innovation is that we have a need to appease everyone in the class to some degree. Some classmates came up with some very unique and innovative ideas, but if it was an idea that sounded too crazy to some, even if it genuinely interested a few, then it was crossed off the list. Therefore, only safest of ideas made it through.

~Jennifer

[1] How to Build a Startup. (n.d.). Lecture. Retrieved February 11, 2018, from https://classroom.udacity.com/me

Customer Driven

How do you balance a dream with reality?

This week, our class began watching Steve Blank’s online course How to Build a Start Up. I personally get a lot out of video lectures, so this media is very effective for me. Blank lectures in an informative yet informal style with a spritz of humor to keep it interesting.

If you haven’t checked out this free class through Udacity, please do! All you have to do is sign up!

https://classroom.udacity.com/courses/ep245

One of the main concepts reiterated throughout both lessons we watched was the difference between the traditional start up method and the one prescribed by Blank. Blank is famous for his start up process dubbed customer development, a spin on the classic process product development. This methodology puts the startup’s focus entirely on the end users rather than the product itself. An incorrect product-market fit is a huge start up killer that customer development aims to fix. This goes hand in hand with Alexander Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas, which emphasizes the customer’s role in the firm.

I personally love this customer-based approach, as it couldn’t make more sense to me. From a musician’s perspective, why would I perform a concert for an audience that doesn’t want to hear my music? But it is here where I reach a stumbling block.

An entrepreneur must be a visionary; they must have some sort of a plan or a target, goal or dream. The way Blank talks about startups is almost as though they need to be an amorphous, undefined entity, ready to do backflips for the proposed customer base. I understand that finding your audience’s wants and needs is crucial to your business, but where do you draw the line between what you want to make and what your market wants? How far do we stretch the original dream to meet the consumer? Making a dream come true is where I find the passion of a startup comes from. You have to care deeply about what you’re designing, or else it will fall flat as a malnourished mess.

Finding that balance between something the world needs and something I want to be a part will be an interesting challenge. It sounds silly to me to place such value on whether I’ll like the venture or not, but I have to remember that if I was ok with doing something I didn’t like, I’d just get a 9 to 5 at an office. At least I’d be making guaranteed money.

I must find passion for something there is an audience for.

This is the only way.

 

…and as always, thanks for reading! 

Will VI

 

Anxiety

Fear wouldn’t be the right word, but maybe anxiety is. If there were anything I could say I know well, spreading too thin would definitely be it.

In our effectual ideation exercise this week was a spontaneous brainstorm of combinations, problem solving, and outlandish creativity. Staying true to the principles effectuation, we generated ideas and concepts for our coming startups based loosely off of what we have. Be it contacts, skills, talents, or experience, this proximodistal method insures we are laying groundwork on something (hopefully) concrete: ourselves. The ideas sprawl outward from us.

I’ve observed that those involved in the arts generally have wide and varying skill sets and experience to boot, so the mishmash of concepts was to be expected. I believe we had ideas ranging everywhere from arts integrated parking structures to stilt walking to build self-esteem. This was a joyous and fast-paced exercise that produced much humor and excitement for our ventures to come.

In reflection though, exercises like these make me wonder about how to reign in such a varied and diverse team. This exercise was a testament to just how different our backgrounds, views, goals, and future are. I know this should be a good thing. I should be ecstatic to have so many different viewpoints all coming together to create something. The more heads solving, designing, and perfecting, the better, right? The more varied viewpoints, the more opportunities seen, right?

Yet I can’t shake this feeling that a team this varied will all be pulling in different directions. How thin can you pull and spread an idea before its unusable? Fear is far too great of a term… I am simply anxious to see what comes. This class has too many success stories for the model to be flawed. I am sure my anxieties will be quelled soon enough.

 

I just need to get used to reaching into the third jar.

 

…and as always, thanks for reading! 

Will VI