Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

Here are a few of the opportunities I've noticed!

Opportunity 1 (Economic Trend): The Gaming Industry

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffseiner/2018/08/14/fortnites-1-billion-success-delivers-critical-blow-to-gaming-consoles/#298a223d7515
2. Fortnite, a relatively new game (made popular in late 2017), is a 1 billion dollar industry at the moment.
3. The prototypical customer would be mainly the younger gaming community, however there are no limits; many people jumped into gaming once hearing solely of Fortnite.
4. This is difficult to exploit; it is difficult to make a game successful both with visuals and gameplay.

Why did you see the opportunity?

I was there for the beginning of the game's rise to fame, and I never would have guessed how successful it would be. The key to success was that the game was free, so anyone could play, but you could buy things (like costumes) for pure cosmetic joy. I actually remember when this factor was implemented, and this style of gaming hasn't been in many other games yet. For this reason, I think my idea could flourish.

Opportunity 2 (Economic Trend): Natural Disaster

1. https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666
2. The US Forest Service spent 1.4 billion in 2016, and nearly 2.5 billion more in 2017. Miami has launched a 500 million dollar public works plan to cope with flooding, and these major spending increases indicate the potential for a business opportunity.
3. The prototypical customer would be anyone living in areas prone to natural disasters or effects from climate change.
4. I think this could be easy to exploit, considering assistance is a necessity once a disaster has occurred.

Why did you see the opportunity?

I saw the opportunity first hand through a friend's parent; he owns a disaster relief company, one of the only in our area (on the coast, known to be hit by hurricanes), and his business has picked up substantially. I don't think that this idea is any secret, however. Like I mentioned, I saw the opportunity through a company already in the field. Yet this doesn't mean that I don't think money is there to be made, I think the demand suggests more companies could become successful in the domain.

Opportunity 3 (Regulatory Change): Cigarette Changes

1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/watch-for-these-7-u-s-science-regulations-deregulations-in-2018/
2. The tobacco industry is a profitable domain, but experiences criticism for their addiction and other drawbacks. With a product using extremely low amounts of nicotine that is unlikely to create addiction and uses less of the chemicals and additives, there could be a market to be "re-tapped".
3. The prototypical customer would be those looking to cure their addiction (by using these substitutes), or those 18 and older looking to smoke without addiction.
4. This may be difficult to capitalize on due to already established tobacco companies.

Why did you see the opportunity?

I saw this opportunity while reading online, but I think that this may be a difficult opportunity to capitalize on for the reasons mentioned above.

Opportunity 4 (Regulatory Change): Marijuana Legality

1. https://www.wbur.org/news/2018/03/06/massachusetts-marijuana-regulations-approved
2. Legality has been continuously popping up in various US states and surrounding countries, and the potential to legalize federally and tax the plant could be an extremely intelligent economic decision.
3. The prototypical customer is anyone enjoying the buzz of the marijuana flower. There are few other distinctions, as a huge variety of society dabbles with the product.
4. This could be difficult, but I do not have the experience. If a unique product or service was offered with the product could be offered, than it may be easier to attract clientele.

Why did you see the opportunity?

I've observed the country change regulations firsthand, and I know people who have made successful businesses when moving out west to legal states. I don't think people are unaware of the potential money to be made, but that doesn't deem it unprofitable. Bars are not a new concept, but a new bar can still make money.