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What’s Next?

Existing Market

Step 1:

The next step for my product is to schedule additional interviews with potential users of my product to refine the product to meet their needs.

Step 2:

Interviewee 1 – The first interviewee loved the concept but needed a delicate cycle. She informed me that she washes her delicates in the machine and hangs them to dry so if the machine did not have this option, as much as she liked the idea, she would not purchase it

Interviewee 2 – The second interviewee liked the space saving idea in her laundry room. She believed that stacking the machines one on top of the other enabled her to have more space to use for other things in her laundry room.

Interviewee 3 – The third interview was a college girl who never did her laundry until she had nothing to wear. She greatly needed a rapid wash cycle. From a technical standpoint I don’t think that should be a problem.

Step 3:

After my interviews, I sat down and digested what the interviewees said about my product. I was encouraged by their overall positive response but concerned about adding too many features to the machines which might drive up their price point. I will need to partner with an existing company or find mechanical engineers to help create the machine. I will begin to create a team of individuals who not only understand the mechanical aspects of the product, but who value the product and believe in its viability. Once the prototype is completed, as a team, we can test the product and continue to make improvements.

New Market:

Step 1:

I think a new market that I have not previously thought of is men and their needs for laundry. When I thought of this product I automatically assumed females needed this, but as the interviews continued, I realized that men also need laundry solutions and special settings for work clothing. Single men who do their own laundry should definitely be included in my target market.

Step 2:

I think hearing what men desire for laundry needs is important. There are some stay at home fathers and bachelors.

Step 3:

Interviewee 1: The first interviewee advised he needed a permanent press setting for the dryer for his work pants and work shirts. He is just starting his career, so he is not able to afford the dry cleaner.

Interviewee 2: The second interviewee does not enjoy doing laundry. He was happy about this product making his laundry chore simpler. However, when I asked him his needs for a machine, he wanted a heavy duty wash cycle for when he stained his clothing.

Step 4:

I have learned from the new market interviews that both men and women have a need for this product. It was foolish of me to think only women did laundry. What surprised me most is that men do have specific setting needs in a washing machine. The existing market and the new market are equal markets since everyone needs clean clothing. However, I still believe in family situations the person who does the laundry, has the final say on what machine will be purchased.