Assignment 20A

Growing Your Social Capital

1.) Domain Expert

• Who they are and their background: I interviewed an individual that owns a medical equipment business. Wheelchair ramps are categorized as an accommodations for those who must travel in wheelchairs. This business owner has a family member that is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair. This inspired them to create their own medical equipment business that provides these supplies to those in need for a cheaper price. 
• What makes them an expert: This person has opened multiple stores and dedicated a great deal of their time to researching possible equipment that would benefit those with disabilities. 
• How I found this person: I searched medical equipment communities on google and chose one with significantly lower prices than the others. 
• Nature of exchange: I emailed the owner and we talked on the phone. I asked this person if they could describe the inspiration behind their business venture and if they could listen to my pitch for my own business. In return, I was able to provide a different point of view towards her business. I also gave her a few suggestions for products for her store. 
• How this person will enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: She will help me network and meet new people with a similar vision for their present and future businesses. 

2.) Market Expert

• Who they are and their background: I interviewed an individual who sells colostomy products for individuals with wheelchairs. Many people confined to wheelchairs because of paralysis use colostomy bags to help themselves use the bathroom. This individual decided to specialize in colostomy products with the aim of enhancing the lives of those in wheelchairs. Their goal of helping others is the link between their business idea and my own.
• What makes them an expert: The man that I interviewed is extremely well-versed in multiple kinds of products designed for those with physical disabilities. 
• How I found this person: They sell medical supplies locally. I visited their small store in my hometown.  
• Nature of exchange: While visiting their store, I explained my vision for my business venture and received feedback. I also suggested how he could expand his business or partner with a business like mine to better help individuals with wheelchairs. 
• How this person will enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: Through meeting this market expert, I established a contact that could potentially help me establish more in the future.

3.) Industry Supplier

• Who they are and their background: I interviewed an individual who works in a metal factory. They have worked in this factory for over ten years and know the industries that utilize the metal they produce on a daily basis. 
• What makes them an expert: They make the metal that is often used to build wheelchair ramps and other medical equipment. 
• How I found this person: I contacted a local metal factory and asked if I could interview a worker about their knowledge of the metal they produce. 
• Nature of exchange: I interviewed a worker to get more information and in return, I helped them understand their contribution to helping those with disabilities by producing metal. 
• How this person will enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: The worker and the metal factory are now an important contact and liaison for any future business opportunity. 

4.) Reflection: This experience further pushed me out of my comfort zone and talk to people that I wouldn't normally target. This networking experience was very different from previous ones. Networking experiences in the past were very relaxed but this one had a specific goal and purpose. For future networking experiences, I will have a targeted goal and purpose for every connection that I establish.