Interviewing Customers No. 2

1) Fine tune your opportunity.

The opportunity that I have decided to identify is an eco-friendly, inexpensive alternative to shower shoes. I am beginning to find a niche market for people interested in this product.

2) Fine tune the “who."

The people who frequent the gym and also people who shower at the gym, usually before heading to work.

3) Tweaking your interview questions.

I tweaked my questions just a little bit to be more open-ended so the customer does the talking, not me. How often do you frequent this gym? Of those times, how many would you say you go straight home or go somewhere else? Do you use the shower facility at the fitness center? If yes, do you wear shower shoes? What do you do with those shoes after you are finished showering? Have you ever experienced a problem with moisture in your shoes or a stinky gym bag? Tell me about your last experience at the gym and at the shower specifically.

4) Go talk to customers!

My interviews can be found here: https://youtu.be/fMNxmlB4x9o

5) Tell us what you learned about the opportunity.

I learned that the opportunity has a time and a place. There is a need for some new type of shower shoe that I feel like many people will buy.

6) Tell us what you learned about interviewing customers.

I learned that many different people come to the gym and they all have different preferences. I also learned to get over my anxiety of talking to random customers or people I have never met before. Talking to strangers about a potential business idea is empowering and I learned how friendly people can be if you just be nice to them.

Reflection and tips to future students:

Getting up in front of random people in front of a YMCA is a daunting task at first; however, after doing it multiple times and realizing that there is nothing to lose, I found it easy interviewing customers. The key is to not get scared or anxious because these people are the same as you and me and have valuable input given the time to ask them about their viewpoints and how they see the world. This exercise is not only beneficial in learning more about others and their ideas, but it is certainly a way to learn more about yourself as a person. My advice is to speak up, be you, and do not be nervous and the interviews will feel much more natural and personable.