23A - Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

1. Leader: I have always had a leader-type personality, which is helpful when starting any project.
Valuable: Critical when owning any type of company or business.
Rare: Not necessarily because it is a personality trait.
Inimitable: Cannot be learned, it is something you either have or you don't.
Non-Substitutable: There are not many qualities that could replace or make up for this trait.

2. Networking: I am a great communicator and consider myself to be someone who is easy to talk to.
Valuable: Building a substantial clientele.
Rare: Not entirely rare as I think it comes naturally to many people but, it can definitely be learned with practice.
Inimitable: Can get better with practice but, in most cases, it is a character trait that people possess.
Non-Substitutable: Again, there are not many qualities that could replace or make up for this trait.

3. Quick learner: I can pick up on almost anything very quickly.
Valuable: Will help with any project or business venture I plan for the company.
Rare: Not exactly rare because people tend to pick up on things quickly when they need to.
Inimitable: This skill is hardly inimitable.
Non-Substitutable: Different employees with different strong suits could pick up where others lack.

4. Local produce: I know and have been in contact with many local produce and food companies.
Valuable: Helps with building connections between different companies that sell different products.
Rare: Can sometimes be hard to find these businesses and ensure that what they are selling is of good quality.
Inimitable: Pretty inimitable because there are dozens of these types of companies in the area.
Non-Substitutable: Many of these types of produce companies exist.

5. How to start a company: I have witnessed, first-hand, a close friend of mine build a company fro the ground up.
Valuable: Will help me to do the same and mirror their steps and procedures.
Rare: Not many people have or know how to do this.
Inimitable: Thousands of people start businesses but not many have witnessed it from start to finish.
Non-Substitutable: Would be hard to substitute this as I do not know how else I would have gained the knowledge.

6. Independent: For as long as I can remember, I have always been a very independent person.
Valuable: Will help me lead an entire company and team all on my own.
Rare: Not exactly rare because everyone is independent in their own way.
Inimitable: Definitely inimitable because, again, we are all uniquely independent.
Non-Substitutable: Other qualities could make up for a lack of independence.

7. Customer service: I was previously employed in the customer service industry for a couple of years.
Valuable: Helps with developing a career in general while creating new products and coming up with new ideas.
Rare: Millions of people have experience working in the customer service industry.
Inimitable: Not exactly inimitable because everyone is on an equal playing field.
Non-Substitutable: Employees are easily replaceable.

8. Accounting: My parents work in accounting.
Valuable: I have witnessed and gained financial knowledge just by listening and being exposed to good financial decisions.
Rare: In general, people do not speak with financial advisors for any specific purpose.
Inimitable: People do have access to financial advisors and can get their monetary assets in line if need be.
Non-Substitutable: They are not hard to find or get in contact with.

9. Personable: I enjoy creating and developing content across all platforms.
Valuable: Will help building a social network and following.
Rare: Those who are good in business usually have people skills across the board.
Inimitable: You can create a team or group who deals with the communications side of a business.
Non-Substitutable: Hire employees who consider themselves a 'people person.'

10. Fast food industry: I know people who have worked for fast food companies and even someone who managed one.
Valuable: Helps me gain insight into how these businesses operate.
Rare: Most people do not know someone who has worked for a fast-food chain.
Inimitable: Fairly inimitable because for the same reason.
Non-Substitutable: It is difficult to actually get to know about the operations of these restaurants.

I definitely believe that my top resource is networking. In today's world, networking is what keeps a business from crumbling. Between social media and technological advancements, networking with a specific audience or clientele is quick and easy. With just the touch of a button, you can share anything from daily specials to hours of operation. Networking is critical.