4A southpaw needs some lovin' too

Southpaws Need Some Lovin’ Too

I believe there is an unmet need regarding left handed people not having the same advantages as right handed people. 10-13% of the population is left handed. Most left handed people don’t use things properly because they are not made for us. Many people don’t realize the struggle of being left handed unless you are left handed. Southpaws struggle with writing in a three ring binder, using scissors, going to a bank to deposit or withdrawal money because the pen is on a chain on the right side, trouser zippers, learning to tie shoelaces (as a child because the right handed parents are showing you their way rather than a comfortable way), dining in a restaurant (when all your friends are right handed). This opportunity has always existed in many countries but was not socially acceptable back then as it is now. China has a 2% population of left handed people because the writing style is not suited for the left hand so you are trained to use the right. Left handed people don’t always run into any problems until you want to take notes down in class, cut paper, or do any other small tasks. Left handed people either become accustom to these differences and just deal with them or spend that extra money to be more comfortable. Therefore, I believe companies need to provide more left handed products at a reasonable price or more companies that cater to left handed customers.

#1 Young college student female who is left handed

• Do you find it a problem being left handed doing any tasks? If so, what tasks and why?
• “Yes I find it a problem trying to complete tasks being left handed because companies don’t make their products compatible for left handed people. For example, it’s difficult for me using can openers and I end up hurting my hand when trying to use my right handed. Also, scissors are always made for right handed people and won’t cut well when I use my left hand. It’s hard to find left handed scissors.”
• How are you dealing with being left handed?
• Being left handed is stressful when it shouldn’t be. At work, learning how to cook properly is difficult because mostly everyone at my job is right handed so I have to go out of my way to mirror their actions in my head and translate my motions. When I write, my hand always drags through the ink and smears. I hate that so much.”
• Are you satisfied with being left handed and using products for right handed people?
• “No. It is not fair that left handed people have to accommodate to using right handed products. There is enough left handed people in the world to make equal products.”
• Did you have any struggles being left handed as a child?
• “As a child, my parents taught me how to write. When my mom saw I kept using my left hand, she would take the pencil and put it on my right hand instead. Looking back on that situation really hurt my feelings. I felt like I wasn’t good enough. I felt like being left handed was alway a disadvantage.”
• Did you know there are very few companies that cater to left handers but at a higher price?
• “I know there are a few that produce left handed products, but I was not aware that those products cost more. I don’t know how they can morally do that. I feel discriminated for something I can’t change.”
• Would you consider buying products designated for you need if they were priced equally and sold everywhere?
• “Of course I would buy left handed products if they were available everywhere and sold for the same price as right handed products. Having those products would lessen my daily stress.

Reflection: She definitely still experiences daily issues. I’m a little surprised that she has the struggles at work. I expected companies being able to accommodate left handed people especially cooking jobs. She would benefit so much for having products made available to her left handed needs.

#2 Latino male that is left handed, mid to late thirties

• Do you find it a problem being left handed doing any tasks? If so, what tasks and why?
• “Yeah, I definitely noticed sometimes certain tools like scissors are more marketed for right handed people. Sadly some of those tools require precision that i have in my left hand so it’s always an adjustment I have to make.”
• How are you dealing with being left handed?
• “I run into problems from time to time at school when I have to change my seat away from right handed students so our arms don’t bump against each other . But it’s just a delay for certain tasks sometimes.”

• Are you satisfied with being left handed and using products for right handed people?
• “I don’t get too stressed about being left handed and using tools, i just find ways to adjust to them”
• Did you have any struggles being left handed as a child?
• “I hated being left handed as a child because it would always be a constant conversation conversation with teachers and fellow peers and I would get teased about it. I got self conscious and tried to not write as much as possible which cost me poor handwriting legibility for my older years”
• Did you know there are very few companies that cater to left handers but at a higher price?
• “Yes, i have seen some products that are for left handed people costing more but that’s not something I can control. I never understood why it would cost more.”
• Would you consider buying products designated for you need if they were priced equally and sold everywhere?
• “Yes because it’s just a matter of logic if I feel products more in line with what applies to me I would be more interested in purchasing those products.”

Reflection: I’ve learned that left handed adults have become so accustom to using right handed products that he hardly notices it at this point. I’ve noticed as a left handed child, that’s when the unmet need is at its highest. Young children are at the peak of brain development with movements and learning things. During his childhood, the generation still had social negativity against being left handed. I’ve learned that maybe products should definitely be made for the younger age groups so as they grow older there will be more comfort in their lives.

#3 Latina female that is right handed, mid twenties

• Do you notice when someone is left handed when watching someone do any tasks?
• “Yes, normally when someone is writing in front of me.”
• Did you know most of those tasks they are doing such as, writing in simple three ring binder, or cutting paper with scissors, are actually designated for right handed people?
• “No, I actually didn’t stop to think about how those objects could affect someone who’s left handed.”
• If all products were made for left handed people, do you think you’d be comfortable and satisfied with using them? (ex: left handed scissors, the zipper on your pants had to be zipped with your left handed, a number pad on a computer being put on the left side) Why?
• “If I grew up my entire life having to adjust to left handed products, I believe I would eventually adjust but still find it monotonous. I can imagine it not being very comfortable to use things that aren’t intended for you to use.”  
• Since 10-13% of the population is left handed, do you think left handers should have more products made for them?
• “It sounds like such a small percentage, but when I stop to think about how many people I know that are left handed or how many times I notice strangers using their left hand, I can see the need for products to be catered to that 10-13%.”
• Would you consider buying products designated for left handed friends or a left handed future child of yours if they were priced equally and sold everywhere?
• “Yes, I would gladly purchase goods designed for left handed persons.”

Reflection: I was surprised to see this right handed individual understands what left handed people struggle with. I did not expect her to purchase these products whatsoever. It’s good to see from a different perspective how it right handed people may feel and it’s almost like a left handed person in terms of thoughts and what they would do if products were made for their opposite hand.

Summary: My original opportunity has changed. I see that these problems bother certain people but they are very small problems that are easily forgotten after their tasks are done. Also, these products may be more beneficial for children. I still believe there should be more companies selling left handed goods at an equal price. This opportunity would need much more thinking in terms of “how many people would order these products online? Would I be more successful selling them in store? How many left handed people are in Florida? Would this cost me more as a producer?” Customer feedback is so important. Customers are what keep the business going. Adapting firms consider customer feedback and accommodate to the customers needs. Staying firms stick with what the firm believes and don’t change. Creating a business that caters so left handed people would be an adapting firm because listening to what left handed people want and need is what is going to be essential for keeping the business successful and keeping customers happy.