7A - Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Opportunity: “Guys Getaway Camp” and “Girls Getaway Camp”

My opportunity is to have guys-only, and girls-only getaway camps held on weekends and sometimes all week depending on the season.

The who: Adults

The what: New vacation and entertainment choice

The why: Limited and redundant vacation and entertainment choices

 

Interview #1

The who: “This wouldn’t be a need. It is definitely a want. Nobody is forced to go on a vacation or adventure. However, I think we all could use a getaway occasionally. You should call this camp a work retreat so people can leave their families and say they are going to a work retreat. Even better, call it an industry conference.”

The what: “I’d say the boundaries would be how many activities you could do in a weekend or how strenuous are the activities? Not everyone can do extreme sports.”

The why: “Personally I think there are lots of choices for what to do on vacation. Sure, you may do similar things, but in different locations around the country and world.”

 

Interview #2

The who: “I’d say adults aged 20-45 years old that can afford to go.”

The what: “The camp’s boundaries would be your footprint of location. What kind of place will this be at? You might be limited if there is no water activities and things like that.”

The why: “I think why would be because maybe they want to hang out with friends instead of with their wife or family like usual.”

 

Interview #3

The who: “You’re talking about people who probably don’t have kids and have money to spend on this idea.”

The what: “The boundary would be based on if you are serving alcohol or not. That would limit the age group and probably cost a lot more in insurance. People can get hurt when alcohol is involved. One lawsuit and you’re done.”

The why: “I guess the why would be because why not? For people who are interested this might be pretty cool to try. I’m sure if it were nice then word-of-mouth would help sell this idea going forward.”

 

Interview #4

The who: “Probably women aged 18-35 and men aged 18-45. I don’t see women over 35 being into this unless it’s based on wine tasting or something like that”

The what: “If the need is more options for entertainment like you said, the boundary would be how many other forms of entertainment are you providing?”

The why: “I’d say because people need a release. Half of marriages end up in divorce I think so maybe you could have divorced husband or wife weekend. You might as well go ahead and do matchmaker weekends so people can hook up!”

 

Interview #5

The who: “I don’t know. I guess that would depend on the type of activities or how much this would cost to determine who would be the audience.”

The what: “Most people take vacations with a significant other or their family. Your trying to do a vacation with just one person from the family. A boundary would be people not willing to go without their spouse or child.”

The why: “Maybe because they want to get away from their family?

 

Summary of learning:

My interviewees were hung up on the fact that someone who is married might have a tough time going to a camp like this alone. My vision is more positive, and the attendees would go with same sex friends. I am also seeing how I am limiting myself by suggested same-sex events when there are numerous variations of attendees that could be booked for the camps. Some suggestions for themed events at the camp were alcoholics anonymous, wedding counseling, renewal of vows, class reunions, different hobby enthusiasts, church camps, boy and girl scout meetings, rehab, and team building. I think I am too focused on visualizing what I personally would like to attend instead of what would bring in the most people and make good business sense. Going forward I am going to focus the opportunity on creating a campsite that has a large array of possible activities and can accept any group for any reason.