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This week, I took another step forward in developing my start-up idea, SurpriseSphere. The focus for Week 9 was on making the business more structured and preparing it closer to a real launch.

What is working? This week, I worked on building a clearer brand identity for SurpriseSphere. I started thinking about the logo, color themes, and overall aesthetic of the brand so it can stand out on social media. I also planned how the unboxing experience should feel for customers, including packaging design and small personalized touches like handwritten notes. These details are working well because they make the product feel more premium and unique.

I also continued researching suppliers and found a few affordable options that could fit within my budget while still maintaining quality.

What is not working? One challenge this week was realizing that branding and packaging can increase costs more than expected. While I want the product to look premium, I need to keep it affordable for students. Another issue is time management—balancing this project with other responsibilities is getting harder as the work becomes more detailed.

How do I feel about the project? I feel more serious and committed to the project now. It’s no longer just an idea—it feels like something I could actually launch. At the same time, I feel a bit stressed because there are many small details that need attention.

What am I learning about running a business? This week, I learned that branding plays a huge role in a business’s success. It’s not just about the product, but how people feel when they see and receive it. I also learned that costs can quickly increase, so budgeting carefully is very important.

What am I learning about myself? I’m learning that I have a creative mindset, especially when it comes to designing experiences. However, I also realized that I need to manage my time better and stay disciplined to keep up with all the tasks.

This week, I continued developing my start-up idea, SurpriseSphere, a mystery subscription box designed for students and young professionals. Compared to last week, I focused more on improving the business side and turning my ideas into something more practical and realistic.

What is working? This week, my planning has improved a lot. I created clearer themes for upcoming boxes such as “Exam Survival Kit,” “Self-Care Reset,” and “Mini Adventure Box.” I also started researching potential suppliers and looking at small businesses I could collaborate with. Another thing that is working well is my marketing direction—I now have a better idea of how to promote SurpriseSphere using Instagram reels and TikTok videos, especially by showing “unboxing” experiences.

What is not working? Even though I made progress, I’m still struggling with finalizing costs. Shipping in Canada is expensive, and it affects my pricing strategy. I also realized that managing inventory could be difficult if I don’t plan properly. Another issue is that I have many ideas, but narrowing them down to what is actually realistic is challenging.

How do I feel about the project? I feel more confident than last week because my idea is becoming clearer. At the same time, I feel a bit pressured because now I understand how much responsibility comes with running a business. Overall, I’m motivated and starting to take the project more seriously.

What am I learning about running a business? This week, I learned that research and planning are extremely important. It’s not just about creativity—it’s about making smart decisions. I also learned about the importance of partnerships and how collaborating with small brands can add value to my product while reducing costs.

What am I learning about myself? I’m learning that I can improve step by step when I stay consistent. I’ve also realized that I tend to overthink sometimes, which slows me down. However, I’m getting better at organizing my ideas and focusing on what really matters.

This week, I’ve been focusing on developing my start-up idea, SurpriseSphere, a mystery subscription box designed for students and young professionals. The concept is to deliver themed boxes each month (like relaxation, productivity, culture, or adventure), creating excitement and surprise for customers.

What is working? One thing that is working really well is the concept itself. People seem genuinely interested in the idea of receiving a surprise every month. I also started brainstorming themes and product ideas, and that part has been exciting and creative. Social media marketing (especially Instagram and TikTok) looks very promising for promoting SurpriseSphere since it’s a very visual and trendy product.

What is not working? Right now, the biggest challenge is figuring out pricing and sourcing products. It’s harder than I expected to balance quality with affordability. Also, planning logistics like packaging and shipping costs is a bit overwhelming at this stage.

How do I feel about the project? Overall, I feel motivated but slightly stressed. The idea feels strong, but turning it into a real business is more complex than I thought. Still, I’m confident that with more planning, it can become successful.

What am I learning about running a business? I’m learning that running a business is not just about having a good idea. It requires planning, budgeting, marketing, and problem-solving. Every small decision matters, from pricing to branding.

What am I learning about myself? I’m learning that I enjoy creativity and coming up with ideas, but I need to improve my time management and organization skills. I’m also realizing that I can handle challenges better than I thought if I stay focused.

Starting my business, SurpriseSphere, a mystery subscription box service, requires more than just a creative idea—it also needs proper financial planning. While I am beginning with my initial $50 seed money, I understand that I will need additional funding in the future to grow and expand my business.

After reviewing the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) resources, I learned that there are several financing options available for start-ups. Some of the most relevant sources for my business include personal investment, support from friends and family, crowdfunding, and small business loans. According to BDC, many entrepreneurs start with their own savings to maintain control and show commitment to their business.

For SurpriseSphere, I would first consider crowdfunding as a major source of funding. Since my business is creative and experience-based, I can promote it on platforms like Kickstarter or social media. Customers can pre-order mystery boxes, which will help me raise money while also testing demand. This method is beneficial because it reduces financial risk and builds a customer base at the same time.

I would also consider applying for a small business loan in the future. However, I understand that lenders evaluate certain important factors before giving funding. According to BDC, there are four key factors that affect start-up financing:

Professional Profile – My skills, experience, and preparation as an entrepreneur

Project Viability – Whether my business idea is realistic and has demand

Financial Strength – My financial planning, projections, and credit score

Guarantee – Assets or personal commitment to repay the loan

To improve my chances of getting funding, I will focus on building a strong business plan, understanding my target market, and creating realistic financial projections for SurpriseSphere. Since my business targets students and young professionals, I will use platforms like Instagram and TikTok for marketing, which keeps costs low and increases visibility.

Name: Sarah Kaur

Age: 20

Location: North Bay, Canada

Occupation: College Student

About Her: Sarah is a full-time student who lives away from home. She enjoys trying new things and loves surprises. She spends a lot of time on social media like Instagram and TikTok.

Goals:Wants to reduce stress from studies Likes fun and exciting experiences Enjoys discovering new products.

Pain Points (Problems): Gets bored with routine lifeFeels stressed with school work Doesn’t have time to shop for fun things.

Interests: Self-care items Snacks and trendy products Aesthetic and Instagram-worthy items.

Buying Behavior: Prefers affordable products Influenced by social media trends Likes subscription services.

strengths and weaknesses essay

As I studied the various employability and entrepreneurial skills, I began to consider which of the skills I portray the most. Communication is one of my greatest assets. I also do not have any shyness about communicating with various individuals and exchanging my ideas in case of necessity. This can be useful in most cases, particularly when I have to work on group assignments at college. In my opinion, effective communication can prevent a lack of understanding, and it enables all members of the group to collaborate more effectively.

My other strength is teamwork. I like cooperating with people and hearing their views and suggestions. In my opinion, the collaboration of people and the respect towards each other in terms of opinion gives much better results. Teamwork is not seen in school only, but in work and business world too.It is also a time management skill that I believe is one of my strengths. As a student, I need to manage to balance studies, assignments and so on a lot of time. Due to this reason I attempt to manage my time effectively and concentrate on accomplishing the key tasks first. Time management enables me to be productive and free of avoidable stress.

The other strength that I can use in my academic and professional life is computer literacy. I am also at ease with the application of various computer programs and online resources in conducting research, assignments, and communication. In the current digital era, computer literacy is highly demanded in most jobs as well as in the future to operate a business.

Although I possess these strengths, there are still aspects through which I can work on. Financial planning is one of my weaknesses. I lack much experience in budgeting and money management. One should have financial knowledge because it is crucial especially in the case of entrepreneurs who should deal with expenses, profits, and investments. I would like to get to know more about financial management and budgeting.

Sales and negotiation is another area that I would like to improve. There are instances that I find it difficult to persuade others with much confidence, or deliver my ideas in a persuasive manner. It is a great business and leadership skill and that is why I would like to gain greater confidence in this area.