Top 5 World Problems

Top 5 Problems:

1. Global warming 
2. Racism 
3. Obesity 
4. Animal Cruelty 
5. Overfishing/overhunting 

To me, global warming is the biggest issue. This is because if we do not solve the problem of global warming, then the next four problems will eventually no longer be issues.

Rank Order Solutions:

1. (Overfishing/overhunting) Creating specific hunting seasons and only allowing a person to take so many fish of specific sizes is helping stop this issue.
2. (Animal Cruelty) In order to prevent this I think there should be a stronger punishment for those who torture and beat animals.
3. (Obesity) Obesity is a problem because it is not good for the person's well-being. It's important that we make obesity, especially childhood obesity, a priority and express the importance of being healthy and fit.
4. (Global warming) In order to attempt to fix this, everyone needs to participate in recycling and stop polluting our environments.
5. (Racism) I think all aspects of racism need to end and we need to learn to see each and every person as our equal.

I chose overfishing/overhunting as the most implementable solution because although this is still an issue, it is something that has been solved before and has already proven that the solution works. I chose animal cruelty second because I feel as though if there is a bigger punishment for this crime then those who find "enjoyment" out of this would feel less inclined to do this. For my third solution I chose obesity. Society is starting to make people more aware of this issue by placing the amount of calories next items on menus. However, in childhood obesity specifically, I think the issue lies more with the parents as young children are less aware of what they are putting into their bodies. Therefore, until parents pay more attention to what they feed their kids then this isn't going to end. I put global warming fourth, because although recycling and taking care of the environment can help prevent this, I think that this is something that will eventually happen, no matter what. I think all we can do it prolong global warming from happening. Lastly, as much as I hate to say it, I feel as though racism will always be an issue. We need to see everyone as equals, however some people have the idea that they are more important than others and are entitled to certain things. Some people automatically think this way and it is hard to change that, which is why I think the issue will never end.

Identifying Local Opportunities

1) Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful tackles cigarette butt Receptacle installation targets problem at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve 

• http://www.tbo.com/south-shore/keep-tampa-bay-beautiful-tackles-cigarette-butt-litter-receptacle-installation-targets-problem-at-apollo-beach-nature-preserve-20160120/
• Apollo Beach has a nature preserve on the eastern side of Tampa Bay. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (a national program), has decided to put ash receptacles along this nature preserve in hopes of eliminating cigar tips and cigarette butt litter. 
• The problem is the litter that is being created from cigars and cigarettes. According to research, tobacco products are the most littered item in America.
• Although those in Apollo Beach were the ones who decided to take action on this issue, this is a problem that occurs across the entire country.

2) It's time for tax filing, beware the scams

• http://www.tbo.com/south-shore/its-time-for-tax-filing-beware-the-scams-20160120/
• It is now tax season and local officials are worried about people trying to defraud others when they go to file their taxes. 
• The problem is that people use common names and give out fake badge or ID numbers. Many people are also victims of telephone impersonation fraud.
• Not every person will be a victim of this, but many people are. Because of this the local officials want everyone to be prepared and know what to look out for.

3) Neighbor's rally after New Year's Day house fire

• http://www.tbo.com/pasco-county/neighbors-rally-after-new-years-day-house-fire-20160108/
• On January 1, a house in Wesley Chapel caught fire. The family who lived there was not injured, but was renting the home which is now mostly burned in the front.
• The problem is that the family was left with almost nothing and had just moved here from California and do not know many people. However, neighbors are collecting items for them in attempts to help.
• The problem lies with Kriston Farley, a single mother of four children, as she now has to find a new place for her family to live while they reconstruct their burnt home.

4) Financial cutback needed at Hacienda

• http://www.tbo.com/Local/CommunityNews/financial-cutback-needed-at-hacienda-20151228/
• New Port Richey is attempting to restore an old Hacienda hotel but they greatly underestimated their budget when new bid packages were prepared.
• Certain construction companies have been afraid to attempt to fix parts of the building, such as the roof and have backed out the reconstruction all together. The city is saying that they are not going to rehabilitate doors and windows as part of the first phase of the reconstruction.
• The problem lies with the city because they don't seem to have enough money to finish this and they must complete their obligation before they turn the building over to investors.

5) Plant city church needs help to feed the needy

• http://www.tbo.com/plant-city/plant-city-church-needs-help-to-feed-the-needy-20151211/
• Around Christmas time, a church in Plant City was reaching out to those in the community to help them with giving the needy a good holiday season.
• The problem with the church was not having enough people to help them make this idea a success and give back to the less fortunate within the community.
• The real problem however, lies with those who are less fortunate than we are. The fact that there are those who needed donations of food, etc. to have a good holiday season is very sad.

Very Short Interview No. 1

For my "Very Short Interview No. 1" I decided to interview Vincent Nuccio. Vincent owns his own law firm in Tampa, FL. He practices real estate, land use and local government law.

1) What should my expectations be in this course?

• "Expect to get criticism from your peers, you should want to get that. But don't take any of it personally because in the long run it's going to help you more than you ever thought it would. Some of your ideas will get shut down but it's only going to force you to think harder, to think of something even better than your original idea."

2) What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

• "To me, being an entrepreneur means that I'm someone who isn't afraid to go out into the world and make business choices that most people are usually afraid of making. It's someone who owns their own business and doesn't mind taking risks."

3) What do you think I should learn in an entrepreneur course?

• "You should learn how to think outside the box. Learn to think differently than you normally do, and through that different way of thinking that's where you'll get your best ideas. But also learn to be open minded. I think that's the most important."

I really enjoyed speaking to Vincent. I was mostly surprised by his advice to welcome criticism. I don't always take criticism very well, depending on what it's about. He made me realize that the criticism isn't for people to tear you down but to make you better and I want nothing more than to be the best entrepreneur that I possibly can be.

World's Biggest Problems

1. The Earth's climate is changing rapidly. Global warming is causing ice to melt and the areas of lower elevation are issues with rising sea levels. This could eventually cause some parts of the Earth to be completely underwater. In order to attempt to fix this, everyone needs to participate in recycling and stop polluting our environments.
2. Driving home on the interstate I have realized how big of an issue deforestation is. Every time I go home there is a new patch of land where trees used to be. This is causing carbon dioxide to be released into the environment. I'm not quite sure how to fix this because our population is constantly growing. However, I think it is important to limit the land used for commercial purposes.
3. Littering is another major issue. Most people don't realize that when we liter, a lot of it ends up in our oceans and is killing many of our marine animals. We need to stop being lazy and place trash in its proper place.
4. Obesity is a problem, especially in America. Yes, it is sometimes a disease but I also think we have let it get out of hand and don't take any responsibility for it. Obesity is a problem because it is not good for the person's well-being. It's important that we make obesity, especially childhood obesity, a priority and express the importance of being healthy and fit.
5. Although some may think it has ended, I still believe that racism is an issue around the world. People continue to blame certain events on racism, when it isn't intended to be seen in that way. Either way, I think all aspects of racism need to end and we need to learn to see each and every person as our equal.
6. Animal cruelty is an issue that I will never understand. I don't get how people can beat and injure innocent, defenseless animals. In order to prevent this I think there should be a stronger punishment for those who torture and beat animals.
7. The world is experiencing an issue with water because of the rapid population growth. People are always being born, and in some areas the population is so dense that water is starting to become scarce. I'm not exactly sure how to fix this, but I'm thinking something along the lines of spreading people out so the population is more balanced.
8. There has been a problem with overfishing and overhunting wildlife. Some kill in order to provide food/get food for themselves, but others kill for enjoyment. Those who kill for fun and do not use the entire animal are greatly impacting our fish and wildlife population. Creating specific hunting season and only allowing a person to take so many fish of specific sizes is helping stop this issue.
9. High rates of unemployment are causing issues and making it difficult for us to have global prosperity. In an economy like this, it is important for everyone to do their part and help make our economy grow.
10. I think the biggest issue around the world is natural disaster, solely because there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop them. Tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc., destroy constantly destroy homes and businesses and there isn't anything we can do to prevent them from happening. However, it is important that when tragedies like this occur, we work as a community to help those in need.

Bug List

1. When people interrupt me to ask a question not knowing that I was about to answer it and they wouldn’t have had to ask if they just listened. This happens because people don’t have enough patience to hear what you have to say. 
2. When your upstairs neighbors are really loud and you can hear them through the floor. They don’t realize how loud they are being and forget you’re underneath them.
3. When employee’s at retail stores follow me around the entire time you shop. Although, they are just trying to help you if I need anything.
4. Constantly falling and always having bruises on my body. I’m a clumsy person and simply can’t go a day without running into something.
5. People who obsess over magazine articles. The people who write them most likely made up half of the story. Therefore, it probably isn’t even true.
6. When people text you back every five seconds but right when you try to call them they don’t answer. They’re being lazy and not wanting to talk even though it is much easier to speak on a phone rather than type out every word you want to say.
7. People who are appalled by the actions of young celebrities. These people are being blind to the fact that many adolescent kids do the same things everyday, you just don’t hear about it because they aren’t famous. 
8. When people get mad at siri for not understanding what they are saying. It is a piece of technology, how much can you really expect it to understand.
9. Slow Wi-Fi. This didn’t use to be an issue but we’re so used to things happening instantly that the slightest delay is annoying. 
10. Speaking to automated answering machines. Half the time it doesn’t understand what I’m saying anyway, and it’s much easier to speak to a person.
11. People who chew with their mouth open. It’s disgusting, and not hard to close your mouth when you eat.
12. Girls who wear heels they can’t walk in. There are so many options as to what you can put on your feet. If you can’t move in them you probably shouldn’t wear them.
13. People who are in front of you in line to order food but then don’t know what they want once they get to the counter. It makes more sense to get in line once you know what you want.
14. When people use a movie quote in every other sentence they say. I’d like to hear your own thoughts, not what someone wrote in a script.
15. When you ask someone for advice and they respond by only talking about their own problems. They clearly aren’t listening and I could have gone to someone else.
16. People who sing along to every song on the radio. I like singing too, but sometimes it’s nice to actually listen to the song.
17. When people go through your phone without asking. I’m sure they wouldn’t want me going through their things, and if I wanted them to see everything I would have told them.
18. Parent’s who act younger than they are. It’s uncomfortable when adults try to act the same age as their kids just to seem like the “cool parent.”
19. When people leave dog’s in the car while they go to the store. It’s cruel and hopefully something you wouldn’t want to do to your child.
20. People who mumble when they talk. I can’t understand what you’re saying. At all.

For as much as I complain on a daily basis, I was very surprised at how hard it was for me to come up with this list. It's definitely easier to complain about something when you're in the moment.

My Entrepreneurship Story

When I was in middle school, probably around the age of 9, hurricane Charley struck land and caused severe damage. Charley ruined many homes, schools, and offices, anything you can think of. A few of my friends and I had just started making bracelets which many people seemed to like. We thought of the idea of selling them to children at school and sending the money we raised to the Red Cross in order to help out the victims of hurricane Charley.

I chose to enroll in ENT3003 in order to better understand the concepts and ideas that come with being an entrepreneur. I cannot wait to become familiar with the role and use this knowledge in the real world!

Introduction

Hi I'm Stefanie! I'm from Tampa, Florida and grew up going to the beach regularly, so it is no surprise that the beach is my favorite place to be. My family is Spanish, Cuban, and Italian so I'm naturally a very loud person. Family means the world to me; so being away from them at school isn't always easy for me. When I first started college I went the FSU and after being there for only two months I chose to transfer and become part of Gator Nation. I love living a fast pace life, always having new things to do, so I one day hope to live in New York City!

Entrepreneur's Mantra

Test Post

This is my test post so I can get into the hang of things!