It should be noted that there is no special software required to use these templates. All business plans come in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel format. Each business plan features:

• Excecutive Summary
• Company and Financing Summary
• Products and Services Overview
• Strategic Analysis with current research!
• Marketing Plan
• Personnel Plan
• 3 Year Advanced Financial Plan
• Expanded Financial Plan with Monthly Financials
• Loan Amortization and ROI Tools
• FREE PowerPoint Presentation for Banks, Investors, or Grant Companies!

1.0 Executive Summary

The purpose of this business plan is to raise $100,000 for the development of a gift shop while showcasing the expected financials and operations over the next three years. The Gift Shop, Inc. (“the Company”) is a New York based corporation that will provide sales of gift items and gift baskets to customers in its targeted market. The Company was founded in 2009 by John Doe.

1.1 Products and Services

The primary revenue stream for the business will come from the ongoing sale of gift items to the general public through the Company’s retail store. The Company will carry a diverse line of small gifts (figurines, statues, etc.), greeting/holiday cards, candy, and other items normally associated with gift shops. The business will also offer sale and delivery of gift baskets, which will be extremely popular during holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, and the year end holiday season. The third section of the business plan will further describe the services offered by the Gift Shop.

1.2 The Financing

Mr. Doe is seeking to raise $100,000 from as a bank loan. The interest rate and loan agreement are to be further discussed during negotiation. This business plan assumes that the business will receive a 10 year loan with a 9% fixed interest rate.

1.3 Mission Statement

The Gift Shop’s mission is to provide customers with an expansive line of gift products of the highest retail quality to the general public.

1.4 Mangement Team

The Company was founded by John Doe. Mr. Doe has more than 10 years of experience in the retail management industry. Through his expertise, he will be able to bring the operations of the business to profitability within its first year of operations.

1.5 Sales Forecasts

Mr. Doe expects a strong rate of growth at the start of operations. Below are the expected financials over the next three years.

1.6 Expansion Plan

The Founder expects that the business will aggressively expand during the first three years of operation. Mr. Doe intends to implement marketing campaigns that will effectively target individuals and businesses (that have gift basket needs) within the target market.

2.0 Company and Financing Summary

2.1 Registered Name and Corporate Structure

Gift Shop, Inc. The Company is registered as a corporation in the State of New York.

2.2 Required Funds

At this time, the Gift Shop requires $100,000 of debt funds. Below is a breakdown of how these funds will be used:

2.3 Investor Equity

Mr. Doe is not seeking an investment from a third party at this time.

2.4 Management Equity

John Doe owns 100% of the Gift Shop, Inc.

2.5 Exit Strategy

If the business is very successful, Mr. Doe may seek to sell the business to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Most likely, the Company will hire a qualified business broker to sell the business on behalf of the Gift Shop. Based on historical numbers, the business could fetch a sales premium of up to 4 times earnings.

3.0 Products and Services

Below is a description of the gift product and gift basket services offered by the Gift Shop, Inc.

3.1 Retail Sales of Gift Products

As stated in the executive summary, the Company’s primary revenue streams will come from the sale of gift related items via the business’s retail location.

3.2 Gift Basket Products

The Company intends to have extensive gift basket inventories for people that want to send gifts to loved ones, friends, and clients. The Company will maintain an extensive inventory of pre-developed gift baskets that have been developed by Mr. Doe. Gift baskets will include items such as chocolate, candy, cheeses, crackers, flowers, and other products commonly found in gift baskets. The Company will also have the ability to customize any gift basket to the specific tastes and needs of the client. Please note that the fifth section of the business plan will focus on how the Company intends to market its products to customers within the target market.

4.0 Strategic and Market Analysis

4.1 Economic Outlook

This section of the analysis will detail the economic climate, the gift basket industry, the customer profile, and the competition that the business will face as it progresses through its business operations. Currently, the economic market condition in the United States is in recession. This slowdown in the economy has also greatly impacted real estate sales, which has halted to historical lows. Many economists expect that this recession will continue until mid-2009, at which point the economy will begin a prolonged recovery period. However, the Gift Shop will be able to remain profitable as many people and businesses will continue to order gift baskets for loved ones and clients (especially during holiday seasons and other holidays such as Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day).

4.2 Industry Analysis

Among gift retailers and gift basket companies, aggregate revenues in each of the last five years have exceeded $16 billion. This industry also includes florists that specialize solely in gift baskets (excludes florists with general retail operations). The industry employs more than 210,000 people and provides payrolls of $2.5 billion. This is a mature industry, and the expected future growth rate of the industry is expected to mimic that of the general economy.

4.3 Customer Profile

In this section of the analysis, you should describe the type of customer you are seeking to acquire. These traits include income size, type of business/occupation; how far away from your business is to your customer, and what the customer is looking for. In this section, you can also put demographic information about your target market including population size, income demographics, level of education, etc.

4.4 Competitive Analysis

This is one of the sections of the business plan that you must write completely on your own. The key to writing a strong competitive analysis is that you do your research on the local competition. Find out who your competitors are by searching online directories and searching in your local Yellow Pages. If there are a number of competitors in the same industry (meaning that it is not feasible to describe each one) then showcase the number of businesses that compete with you, and why your business will provide customers with service/products that are of better quality or less expensive than your competition.

5.0 Marketing Plan

The Gift Shop intends to maintain an extensive marketing campaign that will ensure maximum visibility for the business in its targeted market. Below is an overview of the marketing strategies and objectives of the Gift Shop.

5.1 Marketing Objectives

• • Establish relationships with event planners and corporate gift specialists that will generate ongoing referral revenues for the business.

• • Implement a local marketing campaign that will use local advertising methods such as flyer distribution and advertisements in local publications during holiday seasons.

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5.2 Marketing Strategies

Mr. Doe intends on using a number of marketing strategies to ensure maximum visibility for the Gift Shop. Foremost, he intends to source a highly visible retail location from which the Company will conduct business. This location will feature highly visible signage that will inform the public of the Company’s gift product and gift basket offerings and its grand opening. The business will also maintain a sizeable amount of print/media advertisement in local newspapers, journals, and flyers that are distributed throughout the community. The Gift Shop will also develop ongoing relationships with event planners and corporate gift companies that will outsource their gift basket needs to the Company. These relationships will be an invaluable source of referrals for the business. Finally, the Gift Shop may develop its own online website that will showcase the business, its hours of operation, contact information, and location information. E-commerce functionality may added to this website so that people from all over the country can order gift baskets for local and long distance delivery.

5.3 Pricing

In this section, describe the pricing of your services and products. You should provide as much information as possible about your pricing as possible in this section. However, if you have hundreds of items, condense your product list categorically. This section of the business plan should not span more than 1 page.

6.0 Organizational Plan and Personnel Summary

6.1 Corporate Organization

6.2 Organizational Budget

In this section of the business plan, you should write a two to four paragraph biography about your work experience, your education, and your skill set. For each owner or key employee, you should provide a brief biography in this section.

7.0 Financial Plan

7.1 Underlying Assumptions

• • The Gift Shop will have an annual revenue growth rate of 10% per year.

• • The Owner will acquire $100,000 of debt funds to develop the business.

• • The loan will have a 10 year term with a 9% interest rate.

7.2 Sensitivity Analysis

In the event of an economic downturn, the business may have a decline in its revenues. Gift products and gift baskets are not a necessity, and during difficult economic climates, Mr. Doe fully expects a moderate decline in revenue. However, the Company will earn substantial margins from its gift products, and the Gift Shop will remain cash flow positive and profitable during these times.

7.3 Source of Funds

7.4 General Assumptions

7.5 Profit and Loss Statements 

7.6 Cash Flow Analysis

7.7 Balance Sheet

7.8 General Assumptions

7.9 Business Ratios

Expanded Profit and Loss Statements

Expanded Cash Flow Analysis