1.0 Executive Summary
The purpose of this business plan is to raise $150,000 for the development of a window cleaning service while showcasing the expected financials and operations over the next three years. Window Cleaning Service, Inc. (“the Company”) is a New York based corporation that will provide window cleaning services to both residential and commercial customers in its targeted market. The Company was founded by John Doe.
1.1 Operations
As stated above, the primary revenue stream for the Company will come from the ongoing window cleaning of homes, businesses, and buildings within the target market. For the Company’s commercial and building customers, Window Cleaning Service, Inc. will develop ongoing contracts with these businesses to ensure a continuous stream of cash flow on a monthly basis. The Company’s secondary revenue stream will come from ancillary fees charged for transportation to each customer’s location. The third section of the business plan will further describe the services offered by Window Cleaning Service, Inc.
1.2 The Financing
Mr. Doe is seeking to raise $150,000 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
Window Cleaning Service’s mission is to become the recognized leader in its targeted market for residential and commercial window cleaning services.
1.4 Management Team
The Company was founded by John Doe. Mr. Doe has more than 10 years of experience in the construction 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, businesses, and property owners within the target market.
2.0 Company and Financing Summary
2.1 Registered Name and Corporate Structure
Window Cleaning Service, Inc. The Company is registered as a corporation in the State of New York.
2.2 Required Funds
At this time, the Window Cleaning Service requires $150,000 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 Window Cleaning 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 Window Cleaning Service. Based on historical numbers, the business could fetch a sales premium of up to 6 times earnings.
3.0 Operations
Below is a description of the window cleaning services offered by the Company.
3.1 Window Cleaning Services
As stated in the executive summary, Window Cleaning Service, Inc. will provide professional window cleaning and washing services to the general public. Customers will include homeowners, property owners, and business owners that are seeking to have their homes and places of business have clean windows. The Company will clean the exterior siding of windows. The Company will earn substantial gross margins from these services especially in regards to its commercial and property owner customer base as the business will develop ongoing service contracts with this segment of the target market.
3.2 Ancillary Revenue Centers
The Company will generate secondary streams of revenue from ancillary travel costs related to brining personnel and equipment to each job. These fees will most likely be waved for residential customers (this will be built into the price), but large commercial jobs will be charged for transportation services.
4.0 Strategic and Market Analysis
4.1 Economic Outlook
This section of the analysis will detail the economic climate, the professional window cleaning 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, the demand for window cleaning services remains strong in any economic climate given that this is a service that only trained professionals with equipment can complete.
4.2 Industry Analysis
Within the Untied States, there are approximately 10,000 companies that provide professional window cleaning services to the general and business public. This industry is considered a sub-segment of the general janitorial services industry. Each year, professional window cleaning services generate approximately $4 billion of revenue while providing jobs to approximately 125,000 people. Aggregate payrolls in each of the last five years have exceeded $1.5 billion dollars. Much like the rest of the janitorial and cleaning industry, this is a mature business. The future expected growth rate of the industry will mirror that of the general economy. As such, growth within the industry is expected to remain flat over the next 12 to 18 months.
4.3 Customer Profile
Window Cleaning Service’s average client will be a home owner, business owner, or commercial property owner/manager within the Company’s target market. 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
Window Cleaning Services 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
- Develop an online presence by developing a website and placing the Company’s name and contact information with online directories.
- Establish ongoing referral relationships with property management firms throughout the target market.
5.2 Marketing Strategies
Mr. Doe intends on using a number of marketing strategies that will immediate create awareness among homeowners, building owners, property management firms, and businesses throughout the target market. To that end, Mr. Doe intends to immediately and aggressively establish relationships with professional property management firms and building owners so that Window Cleaning Service, Inc. can build an ongoing income stream from this customer base (who requires these services on a regular basis). The Company will also maintain listings in the Yellow Books and other local circulars to target individual home owners. While this is a highly important segment to the Company’s customer base, homeowners typically have their exterior windows cleaned once a year or every two years. As such, Mr. Doe will rely on word of mouth marketing and limited print advertising to generate awareness among this market segment. Finally, the Company will maintain an online presence by developing an online website to showcase Window Cleaning Service, Inc.’s services, its preliminary pricing, and its relevant contact information.
6.0 Organizational Plan and Personnel Summary
6.1 Corporate Organization
6.2 Organizational Budget
7.0 Financial Plan
7.1 Underlying Assumptions
- Window Cleaning Service will have an annual revenue growth rate of 8% per year.
- The Owner will acquire $150,000 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, demand among businesses, property owners, and property management firms will continue despite the current economic climate. As such, this, coupled with the high margins generated from window cleaning services will ensure that the business remains profitable and cash flow positive despite the continuing deterioration of the general US economy.
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
