23A - Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

23A - Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

1. Social Capital: Connections in Key West- Valuable: Living in Key West my whole life has allowed me to personally know many important business/government people in the town. Rare: The resource is rare in comparison to UF. Inimitable: This is repeatable by other people fro Key West but that's about it. Non-substitutable: It is substitutable depending on the city. 
2. Charity/Philanthropic Venture-Valuable: Being placed under this type of business gives me an advantage when gathering investments, and seeking public acceptance. Rare: This type of philanthropic venture is rare in Key West and needed. Inimitable: This can be replicated but it's unique to Key West. Rare: Again, this hasn't happened in Key West. Non-substitutable: It would be substitutable if someone was willing to put the time in.
3. Lobbying- Valuable: An extremely valuable political tool, and very exploitable. This idea could catch some popularity in Key West. Rare: A very common way to have legislative action be done. Inimitable: Not necessarily? Non-substitutable: This form of political action is just one of many possible scenarios.
4. Fundraising/Volunteering Experience- Valuable: Having been a part of many volunteering clubs in high school and college, I have spent a great deal of time in this sector and know more than most. Rare: This isn't rare among driven college students by any means. Inimitable: This comes with hours of volunteering and you can't really just box it up and sell it. Non-substitutable: This would be substitutable if someone else had the experience. 
5. Intellectual Property of Key West- Valuable: My parents have been Real Estate Appraisers for 20+ years in Key West, so I'm very lucky to have access to intellectual property about the commercial/residential Real Estate market. Rare: This is a rare tool to have as many people do not know about Real Estate in Key West, Florida. Inimitable: This is a skill/amount of memory that takes years to develop and grow. Non-substitutable: This is not very easy to replicate as few know a lot about Key West.
6. Leadership Experience- Valuable: Having been the president for a high school club, I have some experience being the leader of a volunteer club. Rare: Again, many driven students at UF were the leaders of clubs at their own high schools. Inimitable: Another aspect that comes from experience and is hard to build. Non-substitutable: Also hard to replicate as it comes with experience.
7. Social Capital: Architecture and Engineering friends- Valuable: Having friends who are studying architecture and engineering can help me with R&D with this project. Rare: Many students choose to major in these difficult fields. Inimitable: These degrees are very hard to receive and take hours of hard work studying to obtain. Non-Substitutable: They're are many talented people who know these topics that can help.
8. Finance Major- Valuable: A degree in Finance means I am taking classes that can help me develop intellectual property that would be relevant to this opportunity, including taking ENT3003. Rare: There are many finance majors at UF. Inimitable: Finance is a tough major as it requires very good grades in many of the core courses. Non-substitutable: Again, many students choose to enter the field of Finance every year. 
9. University of Florida Education- Valuable: A renowned university around the country with many alumni connections, a UF degree is incredibly valuable for the price. Rare: The university is competitive to get into, and a degree from UF is considered an academic feat by most. Inimitable: The University is rigorous and few get degrees from it. Non-substitutable: An education is available in most places, however the academic prestige and connections UF brings is priceless. 
10. Single House Design- Valuable: This is a unique design and makes the property feel more at-home for the residents, this is a key selling point for the opportunity. Rare: Again, a unique design. Inimitable: Easy to replicate. Non-substitutable: Again, something better can replace it.

After doing the VRIN analysis of my opportunity, I realized there are a handful of flaws and weaknesses in the firm. However, I'd say the fact that the firm being a philanthropic venture, and my access to intellectual property/ social capital of Key West gives me a huge advantage in the grand scheme of things. Being a philanthropic venture allows for legislative action to be taken, or for investments from many to be accepted. Furthermore, access to a network of important people, as well as knowledge of the area, will help me succeed in Key West.