Growing your social capital...

Industry Expert. 

Who they are...

Mia is an ambassador and market grower for Rent The Runway; a clothing exchange company for high end clothing at almost 75% of the original costs. 

How are they an expert...

She evaluates, distributes, and advertises for the company to create a larger consumer market. She must have the awareness and knowledge of the companies insides and outs in order to correctly market to people what they will be dealign with when using the company as a stylist. 

How you found the person... 

Mia is a close friend of mine and is already in my network of contacts, she is currently a student at the University of Florida and works for this community as an industry expert, expanding the companies reach. 

Nature of the exchange...

She granted me knowledge about the industries concerns with the younger audience, as well as giving me useful advice as to what may not work and what would work in this type of recycled fashion business. 

Including in your network...

Having someone who is already so familiar to the industry will grant me even greater contacts with people within the industry. Thus, our businesses could work side by side in some way to grow both of our businesses. 

Market Expert. 

Who they are...

Jessica is a buyer and market assistant for Home Depot's headquarters; she gets to decide what is sold in the store within each different department based on data analytics of past consumer purchases and what is happening outside the store - seasonal, pandemics, outbreaks, etc.

How are they an expert...

Jessica is an expert because she is aware of how consumer interests fluctuate and influence how they spend their money. She is well aware that as the seasons change, people may not purchase some items or they may purchase more items. Thus, it helps having her in my network because she knows consumer behavior well. 

How you found the person... 

This person is a close family friend who recently graduated from the University of Florida and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. I admire her and have kept in contact with her since she has graduated for advice on my future endeavors. 

Nature of the exchange...

She granted me sufficient knowledge on what to expect from the market as the economy changes and what t do i an unexpected chance of change. She also gave my very helpful insight on how higher up employees understand the market and that employees may but heads from time to time but we must keep goof communication in order to work through misunderstandings. 

Including in your network...

By including her in my network, I have professional insight on buyer behavior; even though home depot does not have the same consumers as my business, it is still good to be aware of when people are buying more or buying less. It helps having someone to talk to about issues within the market because I am not a marketing major, I do not hold the same business ideals as she does. 

Industry Supplier.

Who they are...

Jose owns a designer and artistic store in the Miami Design District known as Wynwood. He sells arts clothes and material items, as well as some designer items he buys on wholesale. 

How are they an expert...

Jose is an expert in buyer behavior because he must be aware of what the consumers are looking for in order to buy items with consumer interest in mind. His store buys piece by piece rather than in bulk, which means he buys items for customers specific wants and needs. The artistic items sold within his store express his expertise in sustainable well-made items that consumers actually will buy. 

How you found the person...

I contacted this person through their store website, he is actually the father of a friend of mine from high school and we connected via the phone.  

Nature of the exchange...

He explained to me that some artists will try to pass their copyrighted work as original even though it is not, which lowers it in value. This is helpful because customers of my business will be able to create whatever they want from their old unwanted clothes. I also asked hi questions about how long it took for his business to gain credibility and he gave me good insight on how to gain credibility in the long run. 

Including in your network...

Before meeting with Jose I was unaware of many of the copyright issues there is when artists sell their work from a seller, therefore it is helpful to have someone in my contact who would know what to do if I were to get into a pickle. 

Reflect. 

Target marketing is generally pretty easy because as a public relations major I am aware of how to understand different groups of people and different cultures. My business idea does target a pretty narrow audience, but there are chances for the sector to grow beyond its narrowness. Therefore, talking to these individuals has aided my understanding of what to do in many different situations, like the industry itself, the market, and where the old clothes literally may have come from versus where the old clothes could possibly go. Having this expanded network allows me to have connects for advice and further reach for my business.