Are you about starting a valet trash service? If YES, here is a complete sample valet trash business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE. Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a valet trash service business.
We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample valet trash service business marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for valet trash service businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.
The waste collection industry is massive industry with several business opportunities and one of the business opportunities that an aspiring entrepreneur can delve into is a valet trash service business; a business that involves doorstep trash collection.
The valet trash service is still thriving in the united states of America and the market is open for new investors to come in. Although there are competitions at various levels in the industry, but if you are able to come up with a good business strategy, then you are sure of getting your own fair share of the market.
To start, you need to conduct your market research and feasibility studies, then you should write a good business plan. A business plan is a detailed blue print of how you intend raising your capital, setting up the business, managing the flow of the business, sorting out tax and marketing your services.
The truth is that it is one thing to have a fantastic idea cum business plan, but another thing for the business plan to translate to profits, which is why it is important to assemble a team of experts to work with if you want to be successful with your valet trash service company. Below is a sample valet trash service business plan template that will help you write yours without much stress.
A Sample Valet Trash Service Business Plan Template
1. Industry Overview
A valet trash service is a complete service trash collection that is made available by a privately-operated company that collects and removes the trash from the doorsteps of residents predominantly in multi-family communities and estates such as apartments and condominiums.
Valet trash service is a niche business idea in the waste collection industry and companies that operate in the industry basically collect hazardous and nonhazardous waste and recyclable materials. Nonhazardous waste includes municipal solid waste (household waste) and industrial and commercial waste.
Transfer stations where waste is transferred from local vehicles to long-distance automobiles for transport to disposal facilities are also included in the Waste Management industry. It is important to state that this industry does not account for government-provided services of a similar nature.
A close study of the industry shows that the Waste Collection Services industry has benefited from the recovery of the industrial, construction and commercial business sectors. As these sectors expand, it is natural for them to produce more waste.
So also, steady demand from the residential market has helped stabilize the overall revenue generated by the waste collection industry. Going forward, the demand for waste collection services will continue to be driven by population growth, privatization and business creation. Additionally, the industry will benefit from the public’s growing interest in the recycling industry.
The companies holding the largest market share in the Waste Collection Services in the US industry include Waste Management Inc., Republic Services Inc. and Waste Connections Inc.
Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 11,824 licensed and registered waste collection companies (valet trash service companies inclusive) scattered all across the country and they are responsible for employing about 217,713 employees.
The industry rakes in a whooping sum of $45 billion annually (bench-marked in 2018) with an annual growth rate projected at 1.7 percent within 2013 and 2018.
A recent report published by IBISWORLD shows that the distribution of establishments in the Waste Collection industry across the United States reflects the size and distribution of the US population and economic activity. Densely populated areas that are particularly economically active tend to generate large quantities of waste, necessitating the presence of greater numbers of industry establishments.
The report further stated that other factors that contribute to the relative concentration of industry establishments in a geographic location include the structure of the local economy and the commitment to and level of recycling. Some industries, particularly in the service sector, generate relatively little waste.
Starting and operating a valet trash service company can be challenging, but the truth is that it can be rewarding at the same time.
One good thing about the industry is that it is open for both big time investors who have the capacity to start the business with fleet of garbage collection trucks and aspiring entrepreneurs who may want to start with just one garbage collection truck.
2. Executive Summary
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. is a licensed valet trash service company that will be based in a residential and campus community in Orange County – California. We have been able to secure all the relevant licenses and permits to operate as a standard valet trash company in the United States.
We will ensure that we abide by the rules and regulations guiding the industry and we will only hire experienced and qualified drivers with valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) to handle our garbage collection trucks.
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. offers doorstep trash collection services. The company offers Valet Living Doorstep, a doorstep collection amenity for multifamily properties; Valet Living Turns, a service for restoring apartment homes; Valet Living Maintenance, a service that allows properties to prioritize unexpected resident needs and maintain day-to-day upkeep; and Valet Living Pet, a pet-related grooming and walking service.
In addition, it provides turn services, maintenance support services, and campus collection services. It also manufactures recycling and trash bags.
Our customers can be rest assured that they will get quality services at competitive rates. At Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. our goal is to provide excellent service to our customers and we pride ourselves on the integrity and competence of our company and our employees.
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. will ensure that all our valet trash pickups are on time and we supersede the expectation of our customers.
We will only put trucks that are in top shape on the road, and all our cleaners and drivers will be trained to be extra careful, pay attention to details, be courteous, friendly and to abide by the rules and regulations of the industry. We will take proper care of our cleaners and drivers as well as our trucks and equipment.
We are quite optimistic that our values and quality of service offering will help us drive our valet trash service business to enviable heights and also help us attract the numbers of clients that will make the business highly profitable. We are quite aware that in order to become the number one choice in our city, we must continue to deliver quality services.
We are open to the use of latest technology in the Waste Collection industry and the quality of services we offer will position us to always welcome repeated customers and handle massive deals from large estates, hostels, shopping malls, hotels and business complexes.
Our client’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. is owned by Larry West and his immediate family members. Larry West a native of Los Angeles is a graduate of in Estate Management from the University of California – Berkeley and MBA in Finance from the University of Michigan.
3. Our Products and Services
We want to compete favorably with the leading valet trash companies in the United States which is why we have put in place a competent quality assurance team that will ensure that every service carried out meets and even surpasses our customers’ expectations.
Our service offerings are listed below;
- Valet Living Doorstep (a doorstep collection amenity for multifamily properties)
- Valet Living Turns (a service for restoring apartment homes; Valet Living Maintenance, a service that allows properties to prioritize unexpected resident needs and maintain day-to-day upkeep)
- Valet Living Pet (a pet-related grooming and walking service)
- Campus collection services.
- Manufacturing recycling and trash bags
4. Our Mission and Vision Statement
- Our Vision is to be known as the top brand in the valet trash service business in Orange County and the whole of California.
- Our mission is to deploy professional and environmentally friendly ways to remove trash in estates and campuses; we want to become a standard of how valet trash services companies should operate in the whole of the United States of America.
Our Business Structure
We intend starting the business with a handful of employees and some of the available driving roles will be handled by qualified contract drivers. Adequate provision and competitive packages have been prepared for all our employees. At Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders.
As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years.
For now, we will contract the maintenance of our trucks to a service provider, we don’t intend to maintain a very large overhead from the onset. But as soon as the business grows and stabilizes, we will assemble our own in-house maintenance team. Below is the business structure and the roles that will be available at Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc.;
- Chief Operating Officer (Owner)
- Admin and HR Manager
- Transport and Logistics Manager
- Marketing and Sales Executive (Business Developer)
- Accountant
- Valet Trash Service Operators
- Waste Truck Drivers
- Customer Services Executive / Front Desk Officer
5. Job Roles and Responsibilities
Chief Operating Officer (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
- Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
- Accountable 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
Transport and Logistics Manager
- Accountable for coordinating drivers, vehicles, loads and journeys
- In charge for implementing health and safety standards
- In charge of planning routes and load scheduling for multi pickups.
- Responsible for allocating and recording resources and movements on the transport planning system.
- Directs all transportation activities.
- Develops transportation relationships.
- Responsible for monitoring transport costs.
Admin and HR Manager
- Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
- Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
- Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
- Carries out staff induction for new team members
- Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
- Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
- Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
Marketing and Sales Executives (Business Developers)
- Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new clients, and business opportunities et al
- Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
- Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
- Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
- Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
- Documents all customer contact and information
- Helps to increase sales and growth for Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc.
Accountant
- Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
- Provides managers with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
- Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
- Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
- Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
- Responsible for administering payrolls
- Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
- Handles all financial transactions for the company
- Serves as internal auditor for the company
Waste Truck Drivers
- Maintains a logbook of their driving activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing operators.
- Keeps a record of vehicle inspections and make sure the truck is equipped with safety equipment, such as hazardous material placards.
- Assists the transport and logistics manager in planning their route
- Inspects vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues and perform preventative maintenance
- Complies with waste truck driving rules and regulations (size, weight, route designations, parking, break periods etc.) as well as with company policies and procedures
- Reports defects, accidents or violations
Valet Trash Service Operators
- Responsible for Valet Living Doorstep (a doorstep collection amenity for multifamily properties)
- Handles Valet Living Turns (a service for restoring apartment homes; Valet Living Maintenance, a service that allows properties to prioritize unexpected resident needs and maintain day-to-day upkeep)
- In charge of Valet Living Pet (a pet-related grooming and walking service)
- Provide turn services, maintenance support services
- Handles Campus collection services
- Handles any other duty as assigned by the transport and logistics manager
Customer Service Officer
- Welcomes clients and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
- Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
- Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
- Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to potential clients when they make enquiries
- Receives parcels/documents for the company
- Distributes mails in the organization
- Handles any other duties as assigned by the human resources and admin manager.
6. SWOT Analysis
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. hired a seasoned business consultant with a bias in startups in the U.S. to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc.
- Strength:
Essentially, our business is centrally located in a densely populated residential estate in Orange County – California; our location is in fact one of our major strength. We are also not neglecting the power of our team; our workforce and management.
- Weakness:
As a new niche business in the waste collection industry, we don’t have the capacity to compete with major players in the industry especially as it relates to economy of scales and robust coverage.
- Opportunities:
The fact that the valet trash business is in high-demand due to its convenience factor for residents means that the business will always be around.
- Threat:
Competing against government operators and other well – established players in the waste collection services industry is indeed a major threat to a niche business like ours. So also, volatile costs and rising fuel prices are threats to us.
7. MARKET ANALYSIS
- Market Trends
Loads of residents of apartment complexes, townhomes, and condominiums have chosen to reside in a housing community that offers many amenities and supports a worry-free lifestyle. Amenities such as valet trash services et al are often the selling point for new residents when shopping for a rental apartment.
The market trends as it involves the waste collection industry especially in the United States is indeed dynamic and at the same challenging. But one thing is certain, once a garbage collection and management company can gain credibility, it will be much easier for the company to secure permanent deals / contracts with big time waste generators.
In the bid to scale up their income, it is common to find valet trash services offer related services such as dog-walking, car washes, carpet cleaning, etc.
8. Our Target Market
We have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various business complexes, shopping malls and households who we know can’t afford to do without our services.
We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that all our garbage collection services are accepted in the marketplace. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically market our services to;
- Multi-family residences
- Condominium complexes
- Student housing
- Retirement communities
- High-rise residences
- Gated communities / Estates
- Vacation resorts
Our competitive advantage
We are coming into this business with the aim to compete for a fair share of the available market and also to scale – up our income every quarter which is why aside from offering valet trash services alone we will also be involved in offering related services such as dog-walking services, carpet cleaning etc.
Some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace are trust, honesty, good valet trash collection network and excellent relationship management, strong management, strong fleet operations, our garbage collection and transportation network, size advantage, cost advantage, customer loyalty and strong reputation amongst domestic industry players.
Our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category 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
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. will make sure that we leverage on our strengths and the opportunities to generate enough income that will help us drive the business to stability. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc.;
- Valet Living Doorstep (a doorstep collection amenity for multifamily properties)
- Valet Living Turns (a service for restoring apartment homes; Valet Living Maintenance, a service that allows properties to prioritize unexpected resident needs and maintain day-to-day upkeep)
- Valet Living Pet (a pet-related grooming and walking service)
- Campus collection services.
- Manufactures recycling and trash bags
10. Sales Forecast
The demand valet trash services is on the rise in the United States of America hence we are well positioned to take on the available market in Orange County – California and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income/profits from the first month of operation and grow the business and clientele beyond Orange County.
We have been able to examine the waste collection industry, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below are the sales projection for Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc., it is based on the location of our business and our competitive advantage;
- First Fiscal Year: $200,000
- Second Fiscal Year: $450,000
- Third Fiscal Year: $700,000
N.B: This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same valet trash services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.
- Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy
The marketing strategy adopted by Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. is going to be driven basically by professionalism, excellent customer service, honesty and quality service delivery. We want to drive sales via the output of our jobs and via referral from our satisfied customers.
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. is strategically located and we are going to maximize the opportunities that is available which is why we spent more to locate the business where it will be visible to our target market.
Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc.
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;
- Introduce our garbage collection and management business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to multi-family residences, condominium complexes, student housing, retirement communities, high-rise residences, gated communities, vacation resorts residential estates and other key stake holders in Orange County – California
- Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities and train stations et al.
- Use friends and family to spread word about our business
- Post information about our company and the services we offer on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops et al
- Place a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about our company and the services we offer
- Advertise our garbage collection and management company in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV and radio stations.
- Attend relevant expos, seminars, and business fairs et al to market our services
- Engage in direct marketing approach
- Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied students
- Join local chambers of commerce and industry to market our services.
11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy
We have plans to grow our business beyond Orange County – California which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means. We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.
We are set to become the number one choice for both corporate clients and households in the whole of Orange County – California and beyond which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our valet trash service company.
Below are the platforms Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. intend leveraging on to promote and advertise the business;
- Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
- Sponsor relevant community-based events/programs
- Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our services
- Install our billboards in strategic locations all around Orange County – California
- Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
- List our company in local directories/yellow pages
- Advertise our company in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
- Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our waste collection trucks are well branded with our company logo.
12. Our Pricing Strategy
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. has a lease arrangement with various companies and the company’s pricing is based on miles per thousands of tons of garbage collected and transported. We have perfected our plans to charge competitive rates since we have minimal overhead compared to our competition in the industry.
We will ensure that we leverage on price to win over customers; our prices will be affordable and negotiable. The fact that our business door is open to business opportunities means that we will have different price range for different category of clients. As the business grows, we will continue to review our pricing system to accommodate a wider range of clientele.
- Payment Options
The payment policy adopted by Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.
Here are the payment options that Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. will make available to her clients;
- Payment via bank transfer
- Payment with cash
- Payment via online bank transfer
- Payment via mobile money
- Payment via Point of Sales Machines (POS Machines)
- Payment via check
In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for valet trash services without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.
13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)
When it comes to starting a standard valet trash service business, one is expected to spend the bulk of the startup capital on the purchase of garbage collection trucks.
Aside from that, you are not expected to spend much except for paying the required fee in dump sites, paying of your employees and utility bills. However, this is what it would cost us to start Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. in the United of America;
- The total fee for incorporating the business in the United States of America – $750.
- The budget for liability insurance, permits and license – $5,500
- The amount needed to acquire a suitable office facility with enough parking space for our waste collection trucks in Orange County – California for 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $150,000.
- The amount required to finance the purchase of the first set of garbage collection trucks – $100,000
- The cost for equipping the office (computers, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al): $5,000
- The cost for accounting software, CRM software and Payroll Software – $3,000
- Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
- Phone and Utilities (gas, sewer, water and electric) deposits – ($3,500).
- Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $120,000
- The cost for launching our official website – $600
- Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about three hundred thousand (300,000) U.S. dollars to successfully set up a medium scale but standard valet trash service company in the United States of America.
Generating Funds/Startup Capital for Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc.
Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. is set to start as a private business that will be solely owned by Mr. Larry West and his immediate family members. He will be the sole financial of the company but may likely welcome other business partners when need for expansion arises.
These are the areas we intend generating our startup capital for our business;
- Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings
- Source for soft loans from family members and friends
- Apply for loan from the bank
N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings – $80,000 and soft loan from family members – $80,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $200,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.
14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy
The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business closes shop.
One of our major goals of starting Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. 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 offer our valet trash services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while. Larry West® Valet Trash Services, Inc. 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 retraining of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy. 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 Incorporation: Completed
- Opening of Corporate Bank 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
- Acquiring of trucks and relevant garbage disposal equipment: In progress
- Renting of Office Facility (Parking Yard for our garbage collection trucks) in Orange County – California: Completed
- Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
- Startup Capital Generation: Completed
- Writing of Business Plan: Completed
- Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
- Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
- Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
- Printing of Promotional Materials: Completed
- Recruitment of employees and drivers: In Progress
- Purchase of the needed waste collection trucks, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
- Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
- Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
- Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
- Establishing business relationship with estate managers, porters and other key players in the industry: Completed