11A - Idea Napkin No. 1

1. My name is Matthew Walsh,  I am a first year University of Florida student, and my major is currently General Business, i have yet to decide what in the business field I want to study, but I am currently exploring my options and hope to decide by my sophomore year.  My talents that can help me in a career in business include communication and public speaking skills, and skills in Microsoft Office programs such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. My aspirations include starting my own business or at least becoming a part of a small business and helping to expand it. If i were to pursue my business concept, I would be fully dedicated to its cause, as well as the business side of the operation.  If I could develop this product that had the potential to save thousands of lives,  and have it be a business success, I would consider that the greatest success in a business career, and if I were lucky enough to be in that position, It would be a huge part of  my life and something I can see myself being very passionate about.

2. I am offering to customers a product that can save their lives, the lives of others, and can deter them from making a huge mistake while vulnerable to the poor decision making effects of alcohol.  The product would function as a breathalyzer and it would be an attachment in the car, that would require a successful use to start the vehicle, between the hours of 10 PM and 4 AM, when most drunk driving occurs. Those who feel they are a risk of drunk driving, or parents worried about their kids making this poor decision, would be the most likely target market for a product like this. And, if successful, can prevent thousands of deaths per year and hopefully eradicate drunk driving entirely.

3. I would target two different types of people for this product, specifically, people who feel they are a risk to driving under the influence, such as those who party or go out to bars frequently, and consume a lot of alcohol. This could also mean someone who already has driven drunk before and were charged for it, one of my goals for this product would be for it to be a required purchase in law for someone who already has one DUI offense to their name. My other target market would be concerned parents of young teen drivers or those going off to college and are bringing a car. Parents want to ensure the safety of their children on the road and this would be a helpful product in making sure these teenagers and young adults do not make the mistake of drunk driving. What both of these market segments have in common is their concern for the safety of either themselves or a loved one, and is willing to take action.

4. I would hope that the consumers would care about what this product could mean for themselves and for others.  This has the potential to save thousands of lives and completely solve a huge issue in the United States today.  I am confident that consumers would be willing to  pay for a product that can have such a profound effect on the world. Buying this product not only protects yourself from drunk driving, but others will see it too, and the product will spread and become more popular, and successful, further helping to solve this issue. People want to feel that they are making a difference and this is something they could buy to contribute to that.

5. What sets this apart is that there is not anything like this currently being made that has reached a large market, they have products similar to this, but they do not work on ally types of vehicles, and are widely unknown about. My product would be marketed to the right audience, and through then would spread to other markets. I would personally stress the societal benefit of this product and through careful marketing strategies and advertisement, along with a superior product in terms of accuracy, timing, size, and practicality, my product would be different and more successful than ones currently on the market today.


My product has the potential to be a big success, due to its practical use and how beneficial it can be to society, but there are flaws that I see that can hinder the success of a product like this, from my interviews regarding this product, it is clear to me, that those that feel they are a risk to drunk driving, or those that are a risk and will not admit it, or deny it, may stray from purchasing something like this out of embarrassment or just will not bother. Not everyone will acknowledge the societal benefits to it. But, i have confidence in the market of parents with teenage children, parents will spend money to ensure their child is safe and this is a perfect product to help parents feel they are in control of their child's safety and well being.