Supporting Small Business App
Kesha Upadhyay
Name of App: 🐝 Insightful Bee
Chosen Quote: “I feel so badly for those people whose businesses are affected by the virus and who are economically distressed. I worry about what our country will look like when we finally turn the corner” (a woman, 65+).
What (identify the system with a name that describes the main function): Insightful Bee: An app that promotes local businesses in areas across the city where an individual lives, that can help those who depend on their small businesses as a main source of income to receive more recognition.
Why (the observation – current state): Several small businesses and family-run businesses have been severely affected by the constant restrictions set in place due to the global pandemic. This has led to many businesses losing customers or having no other choice but to shut down completely, which has put many individuals and families who rely on their business as the primary source of income in economic distress.
What (the proposition): An app that displays a range of local businesses in the surrounding area of the individual using the app, to help those struggling financially gain recognition. This will support small businesses of all sorts (food, clothing, furniture, salon, charities, etc) and provide a sense of acknowledgment for their hard work and services. The name of the app (Insightful Bee) will indicate a virtual bee with glasses that will fly across the various local businesses and have glasses provide a brief description of what the business is about and what it has to offer.
For whom? (the user): The primary app users would be adults or middle-aged adults, as most of the time in order to support small businesses, the user has to pay via PayPal or eTransfer virtually, which is not ideal for younger individuals. Virtual payments are ideal as of right now, as cash handling is unsafe and unsanitary for interactions. Adults also have means of transportation, in terms of being able to drive to the locations of these small businesses, as they would have a valid driving license and can support the livelihood of others.
Link to process work:
