1.0 Executive Summary
The purpose of this business plan is to raise $50,000 for the development of a snow plow service while showcasing the expected financials and operations over the next three years. Snow Plow Service, Inc. (“the Company”) is a New York based corporation that will provide snow plowing services during the winter months to customers in its targeted market. The Company was founded by John Doe.
1.1 Operations
As stated above, Snow Plow Service, Inc. will be actively engaged in the clearing of roads, driveways, and apartment complex facilities when snow occurs. Mr. Doe intends on developing relationships with individual homeowners, municipalities, and building managers to render these services during Winter months (November through March). The business will also provide ancillary contractual hauling work during these months for ancillary revenues. The third section of the business plan will further describe the services offered by the Snow Plow Service.
1.2 The Financing
Mr. Doe is seeking to raise $50,000 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
Snow Plow Service, Inc.’s mission is to provide its customer base with an effective method of clearing driveways, roadways, and apartment complex roads during Winter months.
1.4 Management 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 within the target market during the Winter season.
2.0 Company and Financing Summary
2.1 Registered Name and Corporate Structure
Snow Plow Service, Inc. The Company is registered as a corporation in the State of New York.
2.2 Required Funds
At this time, the Snow Plow Service requires $50,000 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 Snow Plow Service, 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 Snow Plow Service. Based on historical numbers, the business could fetch a sales premium of up to 2 times earnings plus the value of FF&E and vehicle.
3.0 Operations
Below is a description of the services offered by Snow Plow Service, Inc.
3.1 Snow Plowing Services
As stated in the executive summary, the business will be actively engaged in the plowing of snow via the Company’s specially equipped truck that will have an industrial plow attached to the front of it. The business will develop ongoing relationships with homeowners, building managers, and local municipalities that outsource their snow plowing needs to third party companies. As an ancillary service, the Company will salt roads when requested by municipalities. This will provide substantial secondary income for the business as it operates on a seasonal basis. In the future, the Company may seek to do business with contractors that have non-snow plowing needs during Spring, Summer, and Fall. This potential avenue for growth will ensure that the business can effectively generate an income on a year round basis.
4.0 Strategic and Market Analysis
4.1 Economic Outlook
This section of the analysis will detail the economic climate, the plowing industry, the customer profile, and the competition that the business will face as it progresses through its business operations.
Currently, the economic climate is moderate. The economy is undergoing a transition period due to changes in global trade policy. At this time, interest rates have remained steady due to appropriate and measured policies by central banks. While there has been volatility, this is expected to subside as the economy adapts to these changes.
However, regardless of the general economy, homeowners, building managers, and municipalities will require snow plowing services.
4.2 Industry Analysis
Within the United States, there are approximately 15,000 businesses that specialize in the plowing of snow in the winter months. Each year, these businesses aggregate generate approximately $4 billion of revenues and payrolls of $1.1 billion. The industry, on a seasonal basis, employs 50,000 people. This is a mature industry. The growth rate of this business is expected to remain in lockstep with that of the economy and population.
4.3 Customer Profile
Management has identified three segments of customers that it expects will use the Company’s snow plowing services. Common traits among clients will include:
• Annual household income exceeding $50,000
• Will spend $25 to $50 per month, during winter, for snow plowing services.
• Among municipalities, will spend $2,000 to $5,000 per company it uses for outsourced plowing and salting of roads.
• Among building owners/managers, will spend $250 to $1,000 on plowing services.
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
Snow Plow Service, Inc. 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 Company.
5.1 Marketing Objectives
- Establish massive local marketing campaigns during the months of October, November, December, January, and February.
- Implement a local campaign with the Company’s targeted market via the use of flyers, local newspaper advertisements, and word of mouth advertising.
5.2 Marketing Strategies
Mr. Doe intends on using a number of marketing strategies that will allow the Snow Plow Service to easily target the aforementioned demographics discussed in the fifth section of the business plan. These strategies include traditional print advertisements and ads placed on search engines on the Internet. Snow Plow Service, Inc. will also use an internet based strategy. This is very important as many people seeking local businesses, such as snow plow services, now the Internet to conduct their preliminary searches.
Mr. Doe will register Snow Plow Service, Inc. with online portals so that potential customers can reach the business. The Company will also develop its own online website. During the pre and during Winter season, the Company will aggressively distribute mail flyers and place advertisements in local newspapers. Mr. Doe will also develop ongoing relationships with building owners and municipalities that outsource their snow plowing needs to third party companies like Snow Plow Service, Inc.
6.0 Organizational Plan and Personnel Summary
6.1 Corporate Organization
6.2 Organizational Budget
7.0 Financial Plan
7.1 Underlying Assumptions
- Snow Plow Service, Inc. will have an annual revenue growth rate of 10% per year.
- The Owner will acquire $50,000 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. However, snow typically falls heavily in the Company’s targeted market. As such, people will continue to require these services in any economic climate. Additionally, the high margins generated by the business will ensure that the Company can remain profitable and cash flow positive during its seasonal operation.
7.3 Source of Funds
7.4 General Assumptions
7.5 Profit and Loss Statement
7.6 Cash Flow Analysis
7.7 Balance Sheet
7.8 Breakeven Analysis
7.9 Business Ratios
