Sample Plan

A sample business plan for a service business.

This business plan is for a mail and shipping center, to be operated in conjunction with a self-storage property. As there is no prior history of sales and expenses, all figures are conservative. Some assumptions were made. That equipment would be purchased rather then leased, that the store-front was provided ready to use with little finish out required. That some expenses were included in the rent paid to the self-storage facility, such as electricity, and trash pick up.

TITLE PAGE
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Rigsby Mail & Copy Center

BUSINESS PLAN
_______________

DATE
______

CONTACT:
Name
Title
Address
Phone

BUSINESS CONCEPT
__________________________________________________

In the private mail center industry today, there is a much greater awareness than ever before of the need for convenient service. This has occurred as a result of customer's time constraints, and higher income levels. These facts create tremendous opportunities for businesses that specifically respond to the customers needs. Our mail center will be located in a part of the city with out this service. It will be operated in conjunction with a self-storage business, making the project viable where as it might not be viable as a stand-alone enterprise. We have a highly visible location, located near the busiest off ramp in the area. And next door to a savings and loan.

TARGET MARKET AND CUSTOMERS
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We intend to direct all our marketing efforts to within a five miles radius of our location. To reach our sales goals over the next five years, we estimate that we will need to achieve about a 33% percent market share. Not enough to initiate an aggressive competitive response to our entry into the market. The demographics in this trade area indicate a high enough level of household income, with enough businesses and homes in the area to support our expected sales volume. We are further encouraged by the lack of competition, and excellent location. There are 2500 new homes planed over the next three years with in our five mile trade area, there is one hospital, and a new medical office building in the trade area, and several new businesses, including a super Wall Mart located across the expressway that is less then one year old

NATURE OF COMPETITION
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This business focuses on the quality of service. Price is seldom emphasized, and tends not to vary much between most firms. Instead, firms try to emphasize to their customers how their service is better than that of their competitors. Mail services, and copy center services, is a local retail business with convenience of location being of primary concern.

Because we lack a university, or large office buildings in our trade area, we have and will likely in the future, have little or no competition. What business there is available from homes and businesses in the area, will do business with us as we will be the only store in the trade area offering all of these services at location. Our job will to be to provide a high level of service to keep the customers coming back.

What competition exists, offers limited services on a few of the services that we will offer, for example, we will make keys and so do other stores.
On about half of our services we will be the only commercial provider, IE: mail box rentals, photocopies, and shipping services, and more.

PRODUCT/SERVICE DESCRIPTION
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The principle products & services are.
1. Mail Box Rentals
2. Packaging and shipping supplies
3. Mailing supplies
4. Rubber Stamps sales
5. Notary service
6. Moving trailer rental
7. Truck rental
8. Packaging service
9. UPS & Fed-X shipping
10. Fax service
11. Internet access
12.Gift Wrapping
13. Mail forwarding

MARKETING STRATEGY
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We will closely integrate all of our marketing and sales efforts, to project a consistent image of our company, and a consistent reminder of services offered. The image we will present is one of convenience, and quality of service. We will advertise our service via direct mail in conjunction with the self-storage business, and via inserts that go out with every order or bag.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
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The store will have one full time employee, and use part timers as needed. In addition, the self-storage business manager will assist where possible. Additional staff will be added as sales warrant.

Training manuals and videos will be used to train staff, and a operational manual will assist staff in the daily operations. Training is also available from equipment suppliers, and shipping companies such as Fed-X ground.

FACILITIES
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As a service business, the location of our facility and the professional image it presents are essential parts of our marketing strategy. Since our target market is local, and cost control is critical, we are locating in 1000 sq. ft. adjacent to the office of Rigsby Self storage. Located on along the freeway access road, with high visibility at the busiest area on the east side of San Antonio, Texas. The building is new and designed for our use.

Financial

Assumptions:

Name of Plan:

Rigsby Mail & Copy Center

Starting Month:

1

Starting Year:

2004

Years:

3

Commissions %:

3.00

Freight Costs %:

0.00

Payroll Tax Rate:

13.00

Income Tax Rate:

35.00

Days Inventory:

0

Cost of Sales %:

33.00

Credit Sales?:

None

Credit Sales %:

0

Days Credit:

15

Cost of Sales A/P?:

None

Cost of Sales A/P %:

100.00

Cost of Sales Days A/P:

30

General A/P?:

None

General A/P %:

30.00

Balance Sheet

Balance

Cash

1,000

Accounts Receivable

0

Inventory

3,000

Other Current Assets

0

Total Current Assets

4,000

Depreciable Equipment Assets

20,000

Accumulated Depreciation

0

Net Depreciable Assets

20,000

Non-Depreciable Assets

0

Total Long-Term Assets

20,000

Total Assets:

24,000

Cost of Sales A/P

0

Non-Cost of Sales A/P

0

Short-Term Debt

0

Income Taxes Due

0

Total Current Liabilities

0

Stock & Paid-in Capital

0

Retained Earnings

0

Total Equity

24,000

Note; a financial spread sheets should be included in your business plan that shows all the income and cost projections, on a month by month bases for the first two years.

"You give your ideas value when you implement them" Jim Glasgow