Matching Items (22)
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- All Subjects: Entrepreneurship
- Creators: Department of Supply Chain Management
- Member of: Theses and Dissertations
Description
This study explores the best known practices of small businesses from different entrepreneurs' perspectives and attempts to address the question: are there consistencies between different entrepreneurs' approaches to establishing and growing a business? Ten entrepreneurs from a variety of business types (product and service) were interviewed using a consistent question template that asked questions regarding financing, business strategy (and scalability), interpersonal forces, innate qualities, partnerships, and resources. The primary overlaps between these businesses are with regard to the confluence between personal risk and business strategy, the risk of working with friends and family, the capacity to scale relative to special content knowledge or process knowledge, and partnerships
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ContributorsCole, Chandler William (Author) / Kellso, James (Thesis director) / Gilmore, Bruce (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
This thesis discusses our path toward creating Cookies 4 Change (C4C), a student organization at Arizona State University. This organization works in tandem with the Community School's Initiative (CSI) at Children's First Leadership Academy (CFLA), a school for housing insecure K-8 students in the valley. This mission of Cookies 4 Change is to mentor 7th and 8th grade students of the CSI program at Children's First Leadership Academy in life, in entrepreneurial endeavors, in academic pursuits, and in fundraising to illuminate future potential in both education and careers beyond. To fulfill this mission, we researched three main fields: volunteer motivation, self-esteem in the classroom, and curriculum. This research helped us to first determine the best way to structure our organization to keep ASU students engaged, second to build the self-esteem of the middle school students, and third to create sustainable curriculum on the topic of entrepreneurship. In addition, to ensure the sustainability of Cookies 4 Change, we are developing strong and committed members to take the reigns of the organization when we graduate. We have created detailed pass along documents to complement this thesis and assist them in running C4C. Lastly, we discuss the potential scalability of Cookies 4 Change as a concept to different underprivileged schools in the valley and other cities with a similar socioeconomic makeup. By delving further into our story, the research, the organization, the curriculum, our future, and the scalability, we hope to detail the work we have done to help these students and how the organization will continue helping after we are gone.
ContributorsMiller, Jenna Marie (Co-author) / Lefever, Ian (Co-author) / Feeney, Mary (Thesis director) / Clausen, Tom (Committee member) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-12
Description
The goal of this project is to gain market research insight into the handcrafted goods industry and apply this knowledge towards a business plan for a small crafts business: Creations by Songbird. We accomplish this goal by conducting primary and secondary research on the crafts selling industry to see who the target customer is and what their habits are. First, we conduct a literature review looking into the background of some known crafts sales platforms. We discover several consistent trends in product differentiation, retail price calculation, and search engine optimization that we will apply to our business plan. Next, we conduct primary market research in the form of observations, customer and business owner interviews, and surveys. We learn that Instagram is a widely used marketing tool and that Etsy and crafts shows are popular sales channels. Using the results of our research we conclude that the our target customers are women ages 18-24 and 50-59 who attend crafts shows several times per year and occasionally browse Etsy. Many of these women enjoy objects that are vintage style and on average they spend less than $50 per item. Applying the industry and market knowledge gleaned from our research we create a business plan that outlines a price/cost breakdown, marketing plan, and sales plan for Creations by Songbird. We plan to utilize Instagram as our main marketing tool and will sell records via crafts shows and Etsy. Based on our estimates, we conclude that Creations by Songbird will be a profitable business.
ContributorsWood, Sara (Co-author) / Ehmann, Victoria (Co-author) / Gray, Nancy (Thesis director) / Trujillo, Rhett (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
A fun, interactive, and practical motivational speaking package designed to inspire and encourage high school and college students, as well as young adults, to achieve success and discover their leadership potential. Using secrets learned from starting my own business, Board Blazers LED Underglow Skateboard Lighting, and performing as Drum Major of the 400+ member ASU Sun Devil Marching Band, I share tips and tricks that can be applied in everyday life. Topics include surviving in difficult leadership situations unique to young leaders, celebrity confidence secrets, and creating infectious enthusiasm while working on a team.
ContributorsRudolph, Gregory James (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Desch, Timothy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2014-05
DescriptionThe following contains the reasons why one would want to start and own their own business, a brief analysis of the author's experience with his own business, and an eight step guide that will lead an individual through the preliminary work that is necessary when starting a small business.
ContributorsGriffen, Jack Henry (Author) / Peck, Sidnee (Thesis director) / Vanasek, James (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This paper takes a look at developing a technological start up revolving around the world of health and fitness. The entire process is documented, starting from the ideation phase, and continuing on to product testing and market research. The research done focuses on identifying a target market for a 24/7 fitness service that connects clients with personal trainers. It is a good study on the steps needed in creating a business, and serves as a learning tool for how to bring a product to market.
ContributorsHeck, Kyle (Co-author) / Mitchell, Jake (Co-author) / Korczynski, Brian (Co-author) / Peck, Sidnee (Thesis director) / Eaton, John (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Management (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
This paper is rooted in the field of business, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship in the fashion industry. The questions we tried to answer were the following: What are factors of success for current fashion brands? What is important to our target market when shopping? How can we deliver these attributes to our target market? How can we use our findings to create a fashion brand? First, we conducted in-depth external analysis about existing retailers including, Forever 21, Zara and Brandy Melville. After doing so, we created brand molecules and learned about other people's perceptions in relation to these existing brands. Next, using our own qualitative and quantitative research, we sought to understand the many gaps in the overall shopping experience for college students and young working professionals. Our research revealed many common themes and trends that we will integrate into our proposed business plan in efforts to fill the gaps. Through our data analysis, common trends included how our demographic learns about new fashion trends, statement pieces versus mix-and-match basics, online shopping versus in-store shopping, price sensitivity of our target market, and lastly, the quality of customer service and the store's return policy. After our extensive research and data analysis, we began to construct our brand. We propose a new business model that targets our fashion-forward consumer with a memorable shopping experience that delivers high-quality and trendiness to their wardrobe. Using the elements and trends we identified, combined with our own vision, we combined them into one brand, The Capsule Collection. ur brand will feature high-quality, reasonably priced basics ranging from everyday casual to business casual. We will have store locations in cities where there are many young working professionals, and target them through social media advertising. Our store will feature an open layout with clean and minimalistic displays, keeping everything in neutral tones and accented with plants. The goal of The Capsule Collection is to make shopping as easy and exciting as possible, and focus entirely on the customer's experience.
ContributorsMeyyappan, Rathna (Co-author) / Aggarwal, Payal (Co-author) / Gray, Nancy (Thesis director) / Samper, Adriana (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
This Creative Project contains a short movie that is comprised of interviews with various business owners and entrepreneurs based in Arizona. The purpose of this project was originally to explore "how businesses finance their initial venture" but quickly evolved into open-ended interviews. Originally, one of the listed goals for the project was to ensure that the movie be entertaining for the viewer. In order to gain the richest experience, it was decided that at least 8-10 entrepreneurs be interviewed for a 25 minute video. Since the creator of the video had no prior videography experience, it was assumed to be feasible \u2014 but in order to maintain the integrity of the interviews, and in order to provide the viewer with a better background, the format was changed to a 44 minute movie with 5 featured businesses, though more than 30 businesses were considered. It became clear that the diversity of available interviewees and the complexity of the businesses and financing methods made it impractical to feature such a technical topic in the movie. Balancing the entertainment value of the film and its functional, educational purpose proved to be one of the challenges for the completion of the project. Each interview stands alone its own right, but it's highly recommended that the viewer watch the entire feature. The businesses are featured in the following order: DryClean U.S., Jeffrey Rivera (sole-proprietor), Arizona Hops and Vines, Rune Wines, and The Duquesne House Inn and Gardens. The viewer will find that the businesses featured include both service-based businesses and product-based businesses. In all, over 300 hours of planning, filming, writing, and video-editing contributed to successful completion of this project.
ContributorsElliott, Spencer William (Author) / Trujillo, Rhett (Thesis director) / Peck, Sidnee (Committee member) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
The restaurant opening process for "Muse & Market" was documented and evaluated. For my creative project, I served as the Director of Business Development for "Muse & Market" and assisted in the carrying out of activities including supplier selection, functional retail assembly and other key decision making. I paralleled this experience by researching best practices in the restaurant industry. I performed research by reviewing academic literature and online sources and by interviewing marketing managers and restauranteurs in New York City and Phoenix, AZ. I compiled a list of best practices based off of the commonalities from my research and interviews. I then compared these findings to what I experienced at Muse & Market to determine which of Muse & Market's launch preparation activities aligned with which best practices. I also identified areas of improvement for Muse & Market based on this comparison. Lastly I offered my key takeaways from my experience as an aspiring entrepreneur in the restaurant industry.
ContributorsHyland, Ashley Lauren (Author) / Manfredo, Mark (Thesis director) / Davila, Eddie (Committee member) / Morrison School of Agribusiness (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
The idea of taking an idea or a plan and turning it into a business is an attractive concept to many, including soon-to-graduate college students. Many graduating young adults are offered a chance to go the corporate route and become a cog in a machine, specializing in one task and working that job for an entire career. The freedom of being one's own boss, choosing when to work and when to vacation, with the ability to handle all aspects of a business, can be extremely appealing. On the surface, entrepreneurship may seem easy and exciting, but it is much more complicated. While most entrepreneurs would state that their work is exciting, it can also be difficult and full of long hours working alone in high stress environments. Entrepreneurs must know everything about their businesses if they hope to survive. It is difficult for many college students to understand or have access to the complete picture of what it means to be an entrepreneur. In this document, I hope to provide potential entrepreneurs with a sample of what is included in the monstrous task of starting a business from nothing. While every startup has different challenges and problems that must be solved, there are many general principles that apply to every business. Through this report, I plan to convey those principles in a qualitative manner, applying classroom principles learned at the W.P. Carey School of Business to a real life example of a business startup. The startup I have chosen to analyze is an online life insurance broker, founded under the name "Insurmi.com" by Arizona State University student Sonny Patel. I currently work at Insurmi.com as a content writer and will receive data for this report directly from Mr. Patel. Sonny Patel is a recently graduated Arizona State student who started his business during his junior year. Thus, he is a great example of a student entrepreneur, and a look into his daily habits and responsibilities with Insurmi.com will provide a glimpse into what is necessary to build a startup out of college. The format of this thesis is broken into two sections. The first will be research into the current and future state of life insurance, while the second part will be a case study of the foundations and current actions of Insurmi.com. The defense will include a slideshow presentation made up of useful Insurmi.com photography by Sam Jagoda.
ContributorsJagoda, Samuel David (Author) / Trujillo, Rhett (Thesis director) / Kobyleski, Kammie (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12