Forming an Opportunity Belief

I have a belief that an opportunity exists. I find it very difficult to trim my cat’s claws at home. They vet gave me the same nail trimmer that they use but it still doesn’t work. Every 2 months, I have to take my cats to the vet and have their nails trimmed. It is $16 per cat. I have 2 cats, so I am spending almost $200 per year on having my cats claws trimmed. Not only is it an inconvenience for me to take them to the vet, but it stresses them out going to the vet. I think that most cat owners have this trouble. I think that since cat owners have started keeping cats inside (last 100 years or so), they have always had this problem. I think most cat owners are keeping the cat’s claws trimmed on their own, or they are taking them to the vet. It would be nice if there was an “in-home” cat nail trimming person.

I went to my vet's office and talked to a few of the customers and asked them about what they do to keep their cats claws trimmed. I talked to 3 people and included are their answers to these questions.
1. Why are you bringing your cat into the vet office today?
2. How do you keep your cats nails trimmed?
3. Do you bring them bring them in and have the vet do it or do you do it yourself?
4. You have obviously had this need of needing your cats nails trimmed since you had your cat but how long have you been doing what you have been doing?
5. How satisfied are with what you are doing now?
6. Would you use an in-home cat claw trimming service?

The first lady was bringing her cat in for a yearly checkup. She said that she experiences the need that her cats’ claws need trimming about every 6 weeks. Since she has had her cat, Simon, she has noticed his nails need trimming right around every 6 weeks. Simon is a very calm cat, so she is able to trim his nails at home. She says it works out just fine with her trimming Simon’s nails so she does not need an in-home service.

The second lady was also bringing her cat, Randy, for a checkup. She currently trims Randy’s nails and has been for about 2 years now. She said that she used to bring Randy in to have his nails trimmed but stopped. She said that she got some medicine from the vet that calms him down so she can trim his nails. She is happy with this because she does not have to make a trip to the vet every 2 months to have his nails trimmed. She said depending on the cost, she may pay for an in-home service just so she doesn't have to do it.

The third gentleman I talked to was bringing in his cat for the yearly checkup. He doesn’t have to have his cats’ claws trimmed because his cat is an outdoor cat. He has the claws trimmed once a year during the checkup but doesn't do it besides that because his cat doesn't need it. He said his cats’ nails just stay relatively dull since it climbs trees and such. He doesn’t have that need for an in-home service.

Reflect for all 3 people: After interviewing these couple of people, I don’t think there is a huge opportunity still there. Two of the three people I talked to didn't have a need for an “in-home” cat nail trimming person The second lady may use the service if it wasn't too expensive. I thought the most surprising thing was that the majority of the people weren't having the same problem that I was having. The first 2 ladies were able to trim their cats claws but the second may use an in-home cat claw trimming service if it wasn't too expensive. The 3rd person didn't have that issue since his cat was an outdoor cats.

Summarize: I do believe that there is some of my original opportunity left. One lady said that she may use an in-home cat claw trimming service depending on the cost. I do not think that my new opportunity is more accurate than when I started. I would say its less but still there. I think entrepreneurs should adapt their opportunities based on customer feedback to the point that it doesn’t change their business model. If they have been successful with their original business model, I think they should make minor changes but stay relatively firm. If they change too much, that could cause them to possibly go out of business.