Q & A with Allie Ginwala

Q: I have read your idea and I would like to understand a little more about it. What need does this idea fill? Is this a need that you have yourself? Who would share this need?

A: According to the last census, there are about 30,000 residents of Asian heritage living in New Hampshire. While this is still only 2.2% of the state's total population, it's group rising in number that should be given attention. In the past three years I've gained a passion for studying Asia and its cultures, specifically China and India. I've spent time in Asia and have come to learn about and love many unique things that weren't readily available to me living in New Hampshire. My website would highlight Asian cultures in New Hampshire. The target audience for my website is two-fold. The first would be for the Asian residents of New Hampshire to have something that would connect them to events, news, and places in New Hampshire. The second is to expose residents of New Hampshire to new ideas and give them a chance to learn and grow just as I have.

Q: At this point you should have some idea of who the average user of your product will be. What is the profile of that person?

A: My average user will a New Hampshire resident most likely in Manchester, Nashua, or the Seacoast region who enjoys world news and events and being immersed in new cultures or connecting to facets of already known cultures. I see the average user also as one who has traveled a bit and is perhaps looking to bring new life to his or her daily New Hampshire routine.

Q: Who wants this product that you intend to develop?

A: Students and teachers of Asian studies. Community members with ties to an Asian country or culture. A family that has traveled abroad and wants to relive the experience. A young twenty-something looking to engage in a fun festival over the weekend. The possibilities are rather wide open.

Q: What problem or need are you satisfying for your customers? (Remember, the customers aren't necessarily the people who will be using your product. For example, television audiences aren't customers unless they pay for the product, as in HBO. The customers are advertisers.)

A: I'm providing an outlet in which a whole host of age demographics will come together on common ground. Restaurants, festivals, classes, boutiques, grocery stores, travel agencies that focus on Asian culture can come to my website to advertise knowing that the individuals on the site already have an interest in their area. By focusing on a specific group and/or topic the advertisers and members can come to the same place to accomplish their goals, knowing that the focus is tailor made for them.

Q: We all have to live. Where is the money in this product?

A: The money for my website would come mainly from advertising because I don't want to require subscriptions. My goal for the website is to expand and explore ideas and cultures and I feel that requiring paid subscriptions would deter new viewers from the site. I'll also explore grant options because my website had a fairly singular focus that may be applicable to receive money.

Q: You are a journalist. Where is the journalism in this product?

A: This website is bursting forth with journalism. It's about introducing things to people they may have never heard of before. It's about connecting a community that may feel secluded or underrepresented. The journalism takes place when writing about a local mid-Autumn festival celebration or reviewing a new shop dedicated to selling saris. It's journalistic in that the content will involve people and their stories. Also, outside topics that are relevant will be on the website and open for comment and discussion among readers. The beauty of this website lies in the possibilities for journalism to be explored.

Q: We've read that passion is key to success of a new venture. Money alone will not sustain it. So where is the passion in your product?

A: Having lived in China, traveled in India, and studied language, literature and economics, my passion for Asia runs deep. Paired with the love for my home state of New Hampshire, it can easily be determined that my goal for this endeavor is to instill passion in others as well.