Lessons Learned: Activities and Costs

During our activities and costs week, we did a number of different things. Our team went to SF State to try and get more signups and refining our revenue model by setting up a table. We realized pretty quickly that it wasn’t the best day to do it, because it was the weekend, it was the week before Thanksgiving, and it was very, very cold. The majority of signups we did get were high schoolers who happened to be there for a campus tour, although the only reason they were attracted to our table was the “Free Snacks” sign. There seemed to be a few students who were genuinely interested in what we were doing, but it was so hectic that we weren’t able to talk more in-depth with them.

We also started to fill out the left side of the BMC. After drawing out the sections we had to fill in, our team started using post-it notes to figure out the costs for each activity, partner, and resource we would have to use. We tried to figure out how much basic food and gas prices would cost per month, as well as an office space. Eventually, after discussions of renting out a studio together to renting out a house in the South Bay, we decided that working remotely would be the best way for us to cut down on some of the costs. When it came to revenue, we had a lot of debate as to how much each shadowing session should cost within our service. While the majority of our group thought $30–50 was pushing it, another was confident that at least $100 was reasonable. She went out to talk to others and did her best to convince us. While I was still a little doubtful, I talked to other students as well and realized she was right.

I don’t know why we were so doubtful of the pricing, but I realize for next time that it saves everyone a lot of time if we get up and talk to someone other than our own team.