Are you about starting a snow cone business? If YES, here’s a complete sample snow cone business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE to raise money.
The snow cone business has existed for a long while and it has continued to bring in good money to its operators. If you shouldn’t go into the snow cone business for anything, then perhaps you should because it is one way to satisfy the appetites of people. This isn’t an expensive business to start. In fact it is one of the best businesses you could ever start.
A Sample Snow Cone Business Plan Template
1. Industry Overview
Snow cones basically are a variation of shaved ice or ground-up ice desserts commonly served throughout The united states of America and Canada in paper cones or foam cups. The dessert generally consists of ice shavings that are topped with flavored sugar syrup.
Other snow cone flavors also include Cherry, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Lemon-Lime, Banana, Tiger’s Blood, Root Beer, Watermelon, and Pina Colada et al.
The Ice Cream Production industry of which snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) line of business belong to has come a long way and it is still evolving with loads of snow cone desert makers bringing in creativity in terms of flavors, packaging and mode of selling.
Just like ice creams, snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) is generally consumed by almost everybody in our planet as such, anyone who choose to establish a snow cone trucking business or outlet in any part of the world especially in tropical regions or countries in the equator is sure going to get good returns on his or her investment as long as they are doing the right thing when it comes to setting up a business and effectively running the business.
Players in the Ice Cream Production / ice cream truck industry of which snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) line of business is a part of predominantly produce different flavors of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) ice cream, frozen yogurt and sherbet et al, and sell these products to downstream markets such as retailers and food service related businesses.
Between 2010 and 2015, the Ice Cream Production industry’s performance has declined as repressed disposable income in the years following the recession caused consumers to purchase a smaller volume of industry goods at retail stores, ice cream trucks and food service related businesses.
In addition, the growing health concerns around us have caused many people to cut down their consumption of foods such as snow cones and ice cream, which is naturally high in fat and sugar. Largely, the industry revenue is projected to decline by 0.3 percent per year on average to $8.0 billion in the next 5 years.
It is on record that many players in the Ice Cream Production / ice cream truck industry were able to successfully beat the economic downturn and grow strongly over the last five years, as healthy and nutritious snow cones and ice cream became one of America’s favorite frozen desserts.
No doubt, the increasing popularity of the dessert has enabled the speedy franchise growth of well-known brands in the industry which has made this industry one of the food service sector’s biggest success stories of the past decade. The ice cream production / ice cream truck industry has remained resilient even as other food segments waned during recession period
Statistics has it that there are roughly three hundred and seventy three (373) standard registered and licensed ice cream production cum ice cream truck companies (snow cones production inclusive) in the United States and they can be found in all states, in major cities and remote rural areas in the U.S. The industry is responsible for employing about 18,474 people and raking in an average of $8 billion annually.
One of the great benefits of starting a snow cone business is of course low startup costs and entrepreneur interested in starting the business can chose to either rent or buy new equipment and also either to operate a mobile snow cone truck or operate from a fixed facility (kiosk or shop).
If you are contemplating starting your own snow cone business in the United States, you should ensure that you undertake an exhaustive and thorough market survey and feasibility studies.
States in the southern region in the United States such as Texas and Florida et al can be ideal for a snow cone truck business simply because of the climatic condition / weather there. If you get some key factors wrong before starting your snow cone truck business, then you are likely going to struggle to stay afloat.
2. Executive Summary
People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC is a leading and standard Snow Cone Production Company that will be based in Beale Street, Memphis – Tennessee, USA and will cover a wide range of clients both domestic and corporate clients.
We are in the snow cone production line of business to retail variety of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) such as Cherry, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Lemon-Lime, Banana, Tiger’s Blood, Root Beer, Watermelon, and Pina Colada et al. to a wide range of customers along the locations where we intend positioning our snow cone mobile truck and permanent shop.
We have put plans in place to also sell our franchise and offer consultancy services in line with our area of business. We are in the snow cone production line of business to favorably compete with other leading and brands in the industry and our corporate business goal is to be among the top 5 brand in the snow cone production line of business in the United States of America.
As a company, we are willing to go the extra mile to invest in some of the finest professionals we can find and also we have set plans in place to acquire the best of equipment when it comes to setting up a standard snow cone production business.
Our mobile snow cone trucks are customized to fit into the kind of ideas we have of how a first class mobile food truck business should look like.
When it comes to hygiene and proper packaging, we have put plans, process and structures in place that will ensure that we are always at the top of game when it comes to that. We have been able to secure permits from all relevant departments in Memphis – Tennessee.
People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC is set to redefine how snow cone production business should be run, not just in Memphis – Tennessee, but also throughout the United States of America and Canada.
This is why we have put plans in place for continuous training and re – training of all our staff members at regular interval and also liaising with stakeholder in the industry to contribute our quotas in the way snow cone making equipment should be designed and fabricated to meet the ever changing demand of the industry.
Beyond every reasonable doubt, the demand for snow cone is not going to plummet any time soon, which is why we have put plans in place to continue to explore all available market around the cities where our snow cone mobile trucks will pass through and also ensure that we create a wide range of distribution channels via franchising. With that, we know that we will be able to
3. Our Products and Services
At People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC we deal in all forms and flavors of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts), we are an establishment that primarily prepare, serve / sell snow cones via our customized truck and in our permanent location.
As part our strategy to create multiple sources of income in line with our core business concept, we will run a consultancy service and trainings. Our intention of starting People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC is to make profits from the ice cream production cum snow cone production line of business and we will do all that is permitted by the law of the United States to achieve our aim and ambition.
Here are some of our products and services;
- Different flavors of snow cones (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) such as Cherry, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Lemon-Lime, Banana, Tiger’s Blood, Root Beer, Watermelon, and Pina Colada
- Snacks
- Consultancy and Advisory Services
- Trainings
4. Our Mission and Vision Statement
- Over vision as a business is to be amongst the top 5leading snow cone production companies in the United States of America before our 10th anniversary.
- Our mission is to build a snow cone production business that will meet the needs of all our customers and potential customers in the regions / cities where we have our permanent shops and where our mobile truck will pass through and to sell franchise all across the United States of America and Canada.
Our Business Structure
As part of our plans to build a standard Snow Cone Producing Company in Memphis – Tennessee, we have perfected plans to get it right from the beginning which is why we are going the extra mile to ensure that we have competent and hardworking employees to occupy all the available positions in our company.
The picture of the kind of Snow Cone Production Company we intend building and the business goals we want to achieve is what has informed the amount we are ready to pay for the best hands available in the ice cream production industry cum snow cone production line of business as long as they are willing and ready to work with us to achieve our business goals and objectives.
With the wide range of our service offerings and the plan to sell franchise, we are only expected to employ more than it is required to run a conventional snow cone production business. Definitely, we will have various employees to man the various services offering of People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC. Below is the business structure that we will build People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC;
- Chief Executive Officer
- Plant Manager
- Food Technologist
- Human Resources and Admin Manager
- Sales and Marketing Team
- Accountants / Cashiers
- Truck Drivers
- Customer Service Executives
- Cleaners
5. Job Roles and Responsibilities
Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Owner):
- Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
- Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
- Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
- Responsible for providing direction for the business
- Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
- Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
- Evaluates the success of the organization
Plant Manager
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of the snow cone production plant
- Part of the team that determines the quantity of snow cones that are to be produced
- Map out strategy that will lead to efficiency amongst workers in the plant
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of plant workers
- Ensures that the steady flow of both raw materials to the plant and easy flow of finished products through wholesale distributors to the market
- Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
- Ensures that the plant meets the expected safety and health standard at all times.
Human Resources and Admin Manager
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
- Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
- Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
- Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
- Carries out staff induction for new team members
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
- Oversees the smooth running of the daily office and field activities.
Food Technologist
- Responsible for creating and the production of all the flavors of snow cone produced by the company
- Ensures that the organization follows due process as it applies to the nature of business we are into
- Serves as the quality assurance officer of the organization
Sales and Marketing Team
- Retails snow cones to our customers when they make demands
- Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers (retailers) and attract new ones
- Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
- Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
- Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
- Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
- Documents all customer contact and information
- Represents the company in strategic meetings
- Helps increase sales and growth for the company
Accountant / Cashier
- Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
- Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
- Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
- Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
- Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
- Responsible for administering payrolls
- Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
- Handles all financial transactions for the organization
- Serves as internal auditor for the organization
Truck Drivers:
- Drives the snow cone mobile truck to and fro various sales locations
- Assists in loading and of loading the equipment and supply
- Runs errand for the organization
- Any other duty as assigned by the sales and marketing executive or human resources and admin manager
Client Service Executive
- Ensures that all contacts with customer (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
- Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
- Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
- Consistently stays abreast of any new information on Ms. Caramel Ice Cream Truck Company® products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries
Cleaners:
- Responsible for cleaning the truck at all times
- Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
- Cleans both the interior and exterior of the truck and office facility
- Any other duty as assigned by the human resources and admin manager.
6. SWOT Analysis
Because of our drive for excellence when it comes to running a standard snow cone production company, we were able to engage some of the finest business consultants in Memphis – Tennessee to look through our business concept and together we were able to critically examine the prospect of the business and to access ourselves to be sure we have what it takes to run a standard snow cone production company that can compete favorably in the ice cream production / ice cream truck industry of which snow cone line of business is a part of.
In view of that, we were able to take stock of our strengths, our weakness, our opportunities and also the threats that we are likely going to be exposed to in Memphis – Tennessee and even in the United States of America as a whole. Here is a of what we got from the critically conducted SWOT Analysis for People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC;
- Strength:
Our strength lies in the fact that we have various flavors of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts), that can meet the needs of a wide range of customers. We have well designed and structured mobile food trucks and equipment that has positioned us to meet the demand of products even if the demand tripled over night or if we have a massive order to meet and emergency need.
Another factor that counts to our advantage is the background of our Chief Executive Office; she has a robust experience in the industry and also a pretty good academic qualification to match the experience acquired which has placed her amongst the top flight professionals in the United States of America.
We are not ignoring the fact that offering consultancy services and running a standard and accredited training center is definitely going to count as a positive for us.
- Weakness:
The fact that we are setting up a snow cone production business in a city with other established snow cone production companies and ice cream plants might likely pose a challenge for us in breaking into the already saturated market in Memphis – Tennessee. In essence our chosen location might be our weakness.
But never the less, we have plans to launch out with a big bang. We know with that, we will be able to create a positive impression and we have a proper handle when it comes to building on an already gather momentum.
- Opportunities:
The opportunities available to us are unlimited. Loads of people consume all forms and flavors of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) on a daily basis and all what we are going to do to push our products to them is already perfected. There are also loads of people who would want to learn how to make snow cone and they will readily find our government approved ice desert training center highly ideal for them to fulfill that goal.
- Threat:
The threat that is likely going to confront us is the fact that we are competing with already established snow cone production, ice cream truck companies, ice cream production companies and frozen yogurt stores in Memphis – Tennessee and also there are other entrepreneurs who are likely going to launch similar business within the location of our business.
Of course, they will compete with us in winning over the available market. Another threat that we are likely going to be faced with is unfavorable government policies and of course economic downturn. Usually economic downturn affects purchasing / spending powers.
7. MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market Trends
Generally, when it comes to ice desert such as snow cone, frozen yogurt and ice cream et al, everyone will quite agree that the market trend changes from time to time. Snow cone / ice cream production companies are seriously researching and creating flavors and varieties that will keep them afloat in business.
Any snow cone production company who wants to remain relevant in the scheme of things in the industry must be willing to explore the ‘snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) world’; he or she must be able to come up with a product that taste unique from what is available in the market.
Another trend is that some snow cone production companies, ice cream production companies and frozen yogurt stores have gone beyond only selling their products in their stores to taking it out to people in parks, sport centers and public places through vans and mobile food trucks.
Some snow cone production companies, ice cream production and frozen yogurt stores have even gone ahead to start retailing their products to the public through vending machines; it is one of the strategies that is helping them gain a huge market share.
Lastly, technology is a major tool in marketing mobile food, snow cone and ice cream truck business. As a matter of fact, there are mobile apps that customers can use to track their favorite snow cone, ice cream truck or food truck. Other strategies that players in this industry adopt is to ensure that their snow cone, ice cream truck or food truck is well branded, and they are always playing good music on their truck.
The truth is that people naturally get attracted to colorful designs and good music. Players in this industry also network with event managers, they are in a better position to help them increase sales especially when they are involved in outdoor events.
8. Our Target Market
When it comes to snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts), there is indeed a wide range of available customers. In essence, our target market can’t be restricted to just a group of people, but all those who love snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) and of course those who would want to try it out.
This is why we have been able to map out strategic locations all around Memphis – Tennessee where we will position our mobile snow cone truck per time.
In view of that, we have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. We are in business to engage in wholesale distribution and to retail a wide range of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) flavors to the following groups of people;
- Households
- Children
- Corporate Executives
- Government Officials
- Business People
- Celebrities
- Military Men and Women
- Sports Men and Women
- Students
- Tourists
- Everyone who resides in our target locations.
Our Competitive Advantage
Our aim of starting People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LCC is to build a business that can grow within the first 10 years of establishing the business to be listed amongst the top 5 snow cone production companies in the United States of America. With that in mind, we have been able to come up with competitive strategies that will help us compete favorably in the industry.
We are going to be one of the very few snow cone truck companies in Memphis – Tennessee with vending machines in all our truck.
Another competitive advantage that we have is the vast experience of our management team, we have people on board who are highly experienced and understands how to grow business from the scratch to becoming a national phenomenon.
So also, the wide varieties of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts)flavors et al that we produce, our large national distribution network and of course our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for the business.
One thing is certain, we will ensure that our snow cone truck is well equipped and meet the required standard at all times.
Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups snow cone production businesses in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.
9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY
- Sources of Income
People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the snow cone production line of business cum Ice Cream Production industry in the United States of America and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to sell a wide range of snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) flavors to a wide range of customers.
People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC will generate income by selling the following products;
- Different flavors of snow cones (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) such as Cherry, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Lemon-Lime, Banana, Tiger’s Blood, Root Beer, Watermelon, and Pina Colada
- Snacks
- Consultancy and Advisory Services
- Trainings
10. Sales Forecast
One thing is certain; there would always be people who would purchase snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) flavors.
We are well positioned to take on the available market in Memphis – Tennessee and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow our business.
We have been able to critically examine The Ice Cream Production industry cum snow cone production line of business – market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast.
The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in Memphis – Tennessee. Below are the sales projection for People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LCC, it is based on the location of our business and of course the flexibility of our market approach (mobile food truck and permanent location);
- First Fiscal Year-: $150,000
- Second Fiscal Year-: $450,000
- Third Fiscal Year-: $800,000
N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and the arrival of a competitor in same location as ours within the period stated above. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.
- Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy
Before choosing a location to launch People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LCC and also the kind of snow cone flavors to produce, we conducted a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market in the cities where we intend positioning our business.
We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the numbers of customers we want to attract per time and also for our products to favorable compete with other leading snow cone brands in Memphis – Tennessee and the whole of the United States of America.
No doubt, technology is a major tool in marketing ice cream and mobile food truck. As a matter of fact, there are mobile apps that customers can use to track their favorite snow cone cum ice cream truck. Other strategies that we will adopt is to ensure that our snow cone mobile truck is well branded, and we are always playing good music on our truck.
The truth is that people naturally get attracted to colorful designs and good music. We will also network with event managers; they are in a better position to help us increase sales especially when they are involved in outdoor events.
We hired experts who have good understanding of the snow cone, ice cream production cum ice cream truck industry to help us develop
In order to continue to be in business and grow, we must continue to sell our products to the available market which is why we will go all out to empower or sales and marketing team to deliver our corporate sales goals. In summary, People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to sell our wide range of snow cone flavors;
- Introduce our snow cone brand by sending introductory letters to residence, event planners, merchants and other stakeholders both in Memphis – Tennessee and in other cities in the United States of America
- Open our snow cone production company with a party so as to capture the attention of residence who are our first targets
- Engage in road show in targeted communities from time to time to sell our products
- Advertise our products in community based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
- List our business and products on yellow pages ads (local directories)
- Leverage on the internet to promote our snow cone brands
- Engage in direct marketing and sales
- Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)
11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy
Despite the fact that our snow cone production company is a standard one with a wide range of flavors and products that can favorably compete with other leading brands in the United States, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for all our products and brand. We are going to explore all available means to promote People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC.
People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC has a long term plan of selling our franchise all around the United States of America which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Memphis – Tennessee before venturing out to other cities in the United States of America.
As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for selling our products but to also effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LCC;
- Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
- Sponsor relevant community programs
- Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote our brand
- Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Memphis – Tennessee
- Engage in road show from time to time in targeted communities
- Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
- Position our Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where we intend getting customers to start patronizing our products.
- Ensure that all our staff members wear our customized clothes, and all our official cars and trucks are customized and well branded.
12. Our Pricing Strategy
When it comes to pricing for products such as snow cone, ice creams and frozen yogurts, there are no hard and fast rules, the prices depends on the size and packaging. Generally, the prize for snow cone, ice cream and frozen yogurts and similar products like confectioneries and cupcakes et al are affordable hence there is no need to employ any detailed strategies when it comes to pricing.
In view of that, our prices will conform to what is obtainable in the industry but will ensure that within the first 6 to 12 months our products are sold a little bit below the average prices of various snow cone brands in the United States of America. We have put in place business strategies that will help us run on low profit margin for a period of 6 months; it is a way of encouraging people to buy into our brands.
- Payment Options
At People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC, our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our outlets;
- Payment by cash
- Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
- Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
- Payment via Mobile money
In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any itches.
13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)
When it comes to starting a standard snow cone production and snow cone mobile truck business, one is expected to spend the bulk of the start – up capital on is the purchase of standard and well – equipped snow cone mobile truck. Aside from that, you are not expected to spend much except for purchasing ingredient, paying of your employees and utility bills.
This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital;
- The Total Fee for Registering the Business in the United States of America – $750.
- Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $1,300.
- Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC; in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of – $3,580.
- Cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,500.
- Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
- Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ($2,500).
- Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $100,000
- The cost for Start-up inventory (raw materials and packaging materials et al) – $9,000
- Storage hardware (bins, rack, shelves, food case) – $3,720
- The cost for counter area equipment (counter top, sink, ice machine, etc.) – $9,500
- Cost for snow cone making equipment – $20,000
- Cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $4,750
- Cost of purchase of mobile snow cone truck – $50,000
- The cost of Launching a Website – $600
- The cost for our opening party – $5,000
- Miscellaneous – $5,000
We would need an estimate of $150,000 to successfully set up our snow cone production company in Memphis – Tennessee. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first 3 month of operation.
Generating Funding / Startup Capital for People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC
People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC is a family business that is owned and financed by Dr. Chloe Jack – Morison and her immediate family members. We do not intend to welcome any external business partner, which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources.
These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;
- Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sell of stocks
- Source for soft loans from family members and friends
- Apply for loan from my Bank
N.B: We have been able to generate about $50,000 (Personal savings $40,000 and soft loan from family members $10,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $100,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.
14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.
One of our major goals of starting People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.
We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to retail our snow cone (shaved ice or ground – up ice deserts) flavors a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.
People’s Delight® Snow Cone, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.
Check List / Milestone
- Business Name Availability Check: Completed
- Business Registration: Completed
- Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
- Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
- Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
- Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
- Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
- Application for business license and permit: Completed
- Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
- Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
- Generating capital from family members: Completed
- Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
- Writing of Business Plan: Completed
- Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
- Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
- Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
- Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
- Recruitment of employees: In Progress
- Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
- Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
- Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
- Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
- Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants: In Progress
- Purchase of mobile snow cone trucks: Completed