Pet Food Shop Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a pet food store? If YES, here is a complete sample pet shop business business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE.

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a pet food shop business. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample pet food shop business marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for pet food shop business businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

If you live in an environment with a large number of pet owners, then one of the businesses you can successfully start as an aspiring entrepreneur is to open a pet store in your neighborhood. As a matter of fact, you can grow the business beyond your neighborhood into a national brand with chains of outlets scattered all across the united states. You can as well start selling franchise of the business.

No matter the type of business you choose to start, if you are able to put the right structure in place, acquire the right business skills and hire competent and reliable hands who share same vision with you, the business is show going to grow from startup to profitability within record time.

Starting a pet store business just like any other retailing business seems not to be as difficult as other business that involves detailed technicalities. Once you are able to secure a store in a good location stock your store with the right products and you are able to market your products, then you should be rest assured that the business will grow.

If you have decided to start a pet store business, then you should ensure that you carry out feasibility studies and also market survey.

This will enable you properly locate the business in a community or city with the right demography and then hit the ground running. Business plan is yet another very important business document that you should not take for granted in the bid to launching your own business.

Below is a sample pet store business plan template that can help you to successfully write your own with little or no difficulty;

A Sample Pet Food Shop Business Plan Template

1. Industry Overview

The pet stores industry comprises of stores that sell a range of pets, such as dogs, cats, fish and birds and also they sell pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al. Some stores also offer pet services, such as grooming and training.

The Pet Stores industry has steadily remain relevant over the years as cats, dogs, fish and birds have remained common companions in many household. Pet parents or pet owner who treats their pet friends as family member; have grown increasingly hence the increase in demand for pet stores products and services.

The industry has expanded strongly over the five-year period due to economy recovery in the United States of America, despite increased competition from supermarkets, mass merchandisers and online retailers that typically offer consumers greater convenience and competitive prices. Going forward, the Pet Stores industry is projected to maintain strong growth

The Pet Stores Industry is indeed a thriving sector of the economy of the United States of America and the industry generates a whooping sum of well over $19 billion annually from about 13,575 pet stores scattered all around the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for the employment of 119,839 people. Experts project the pet stores industry to grow at a 4.5 percent annual rate between 2011 and 2016. The establishment in this industry that has a dominant market share in the United States of America are; PETCO Animal Supplies Inc. and PetSmart Inc.

A recently published by IBISWORLD shows that high levels of competition and regulations associated with entering this industry may deter some from entering the industry. All the same, there are various niche markets available for new players to occupy, specifically those that specialize in premium and innovative food, products and services.

The report also stated that a significant factor that can hinder an operator from entering this industry is government regulations.

There are federal and state laws regulating pet shops and the sale of animals. For example, the Pet Animals Act 1951 requires pet shops to get a license in accordance with the act before they can open. In addition, the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 dictates how pets sold in pet stores must be maintained.

If you are contemplating starting your own pet store business in the United States, you should ensure that you carry out a thorough market survey and feasibility studies.

If you get some key factors wrong before starting your own pet store business, then you are likely going to struggle to stay afloat. But over and above, pet store business is a thriving and profitable business especially if you are creative and ready to take on the available market within the location where your business.

2. Executive Summary

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. is a standard and registered pet store company that will be located in one of the busiest business cum market districts in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

We have been able to lease a shop facility along a major road that is big enough to fit into the design of the kind of pet store facility that we intend launching and the store facility is located in a corner piece property directly opposite the largest residential estate in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. will be involved in retailing sell a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, fish and birds and also sell pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al. We will also offer pet related services, such as boarding, grooming and training.

We are aware that there are several large and small pet stores all around Baton Rouge – Louisiana, which is why we spent time and resources to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey so as to offer much more than our competitors will be offering. We have delivery service options for our customers, and our outlet is well secured with the various payment options.

Our customer care will be second to none in the whole of Baton Rouge – Louisiana. We know that our customers are the reason why we are in business which is why we will go the extra mile to get them satisfied when they visit our pet store and also to become our loyal customers and ambassadors.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Our plan is to position Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. to become the leading brand in the pet stores industry in the whole of Louisiana, and also to be amongst the top 10 pet stores in whole of the United States of America within the first 10 years of opening our first pet store.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Baton Rouge – Louisiana is the right place to launch our pet store business before spreading to other parts of the United States.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. is a family business that is owned by Simon Winston and his immediate family members. Simon Winston has the required experience, qualifications and skills that will help him grow the business from start – up to profitability within the shortest time frame possible.

Although the business is launching out with just one outlet in Baton Rouge – Louisiana, but there is a plan to open other outlets all around key cities in the United States of America.

3. Our Products and Services

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. is in the pet stores industry to make profits and we will ensure we go all the way to make available a wide range of pet related merchandize to our clients. We will ensure that we do all that is permitted by the law in the United States of America to achieve our business goal and ambition.

Our product and service offerings are listed below;

Retailing pets
Retailing pet food and supplies
Other pet related services, such as boarding, grooming and training.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

Our vision is to become the leading pet store – brand in the pet stores industry in the whole of Louisiana and also to be amongst the top 10 pet stores brands in the United States of America.
Our mission is to establish a pet store business that will make available a wide range of pet merchandize and pet related services at affordable prices to the residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana and other cities in the United States where we intend opening of chains of pet stores.

Our Business Structure

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. is a pet store business that intends to start small in Baton Rouge – Louisiana, but looks to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading pet stores both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class pet stores business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hiring the best hands within our area of operations.

At Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, 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 stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

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 or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions in our organization;

Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
Store Manager
Human Resources and Admin Manager
Merchandize Manager
Sales and Marketing Manager
Information Technologist
Accountants / Cashiers
Customer Services Executive
Pet Handlers / Pet Trainers

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO:

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
Reports to the board

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.
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
Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Store Manager:

Responsible for managing the daily activities in the store
Ensures that proper records of goods are kept and our racks and warehouse does not run out of products
Ensures that the store facility is in tip top shape and goods are properly arranged and easy to locate
Interfaces with third – party suppliers (vendors)
Controls goods distribution and supply inventory
Supervises the workforce

Merchandize Manager

Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
Helps to ensure consistent quality of pet food and supplies in our store
Responsible for the purchase of pets, pet foods, pet supplies and related products for the organizations
Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.

Sales and Marketing Manager

Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers 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
Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
Responsible for supervising implementation, advocates for the customer’s needs, and communicates 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 to increase sales and growth for the company

Information Technologist

Manages the organization website
Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
Responsible for installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
Manages logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
Manage the organization’s CCTV
Handles any other technological and IT related duties.

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

Client Service Executive / Sales Agents

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 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 the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries (answer customer queries regarding the store and the merchandise)
Finds out the customer’s needs, recommend, select and help locate the right merchandise, describe a product’s features and benefits.
make suggestions and encourage purchase of products
Provides information about warranties, manufacturing specifications, care and maintenance of merchandise and delivery options
Bags or packages purchases and gift wrap merchandise

Pet Handlers / Pet Trainers

Handles general pet sitting and pet walking / grooming services
Responsible for operating pet shelters
Responsible for boarding pets
Responsible for operating dog pounds
Effectively trains dogs and pets in specific skills (hunting skills, security skills, running errands and circus skills et al)
Evaluates and document the progress of pets under his or her care
Receives complaints from clients and channel it to the appropriate quarters
Handles any other duty as assigned by the HR and Admin Manager.

6. SWOT Analysis

Our intention of starting just one outlet of our pet in Baton Rouge – Louisiana is to test run the business for a period of 2 to 5 years to know if we will invest more money, expand the business and then open other outlets all across the United States of America.

We are quite aware that there are several pet stores all over Baton Rouge – Louisiana and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be well equipped to confront our threats.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in retailing to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc.;

Strength:

Our location, the business model we will be operating on (brick and mortar pet stores and online pet store), varieties of payment options, wide range of pets, pet foods, pet supplies and pet related services and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc.

So also, our management team members are people who have what it takes to grow a business from start – up to profitability with a record time.

Weaknesses:

A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are a new pet store outlet in Baton Rouge – Louisiana and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with multi – million dollars pet store outlets like PETCO Animal Supplies Inc., PetSmart Inc. and co when it comes to retailing at a rock bottom prices for all their products and services.

Opportunities:

The fact that we are going to operate our pet stores opposite one of the largest residential estates with loads of pet owners in Baton Rouge – Louisiana provides us with unlimited opportunities to sell our pets, pet foods, pet supplies and related pet services to a large number of pet owners.

We have been able to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey and we know what our potential clients will be looking for when they visit our pet store; we are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.

Threat:

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new pet store or supermarket that retail same products like us in same location where ours is located. We are not ruling out the fact that unfavorable government policy can also pose a threat to our business.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Trends

It is now becoming a popular trend not only in pet stores industry, but also in other industries for owners of brick and mortar stores to also run an online store. With this, it is easier for them to maximize profit in the business.

You can as well go ahead to open an online pet store where people can order dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al from your store.

You must ensure that your delivery system (shipping) is efficient if you intend to do well with your online pet store. So also, in the bid to generate more income for the business, it is now common to find pet stores offering pet related services such as pet boarding, pet grooming, pet sitting and pet walking et al.

The truth is those pet stores that offer these services do pretty well then other pet stores who are only into retailing pet merchandize.

Lastly, the Pet Stores industry has steadily remain relevant over the years as cats, dogs, fish and birds have remained common companions in many household. Pet parents or pet owner who treats their pet friends as family member; have grown increasingly hence the increase in demand for pet stores products and services.

8. Our Target Market

In the United States of America and of course in most countries of the world, people keep pets in their household and they ensure that the take proper care of their pets. As a matter of fact in the US and in most countries, there are laws guiding how pets should be handled.

This goes to show that if a pet store is well positioned and well stocked, then they will continue to sell their products to a wide range of clients on a regular basis.

In view of that, we have positioned our pet store to service the residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana and every other location where our pet stores will be located in key cities all over the United States of America. 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 sell a wide range of pets such dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et alto;

Pet owners
Aspiring pet owners
Pet grooming and boarding services companies
Security companies (Dog guard companies)

Our competitive advantage

A close study of the pet stores industry reveals that the market has become much more intensely competitive over the last decade. As a matter of fact, you have to be highly creative, customer centric and proactive if you must survive in this industry.

We are aware of the stiffer competition and we are well prepared to compete favorably with other bridal shops in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. is launching a standard pet store that will indeed become the preferred choice for pet owners who resides in Baton Rouge – Louisiana. Our pet store is located in a corner piece property on a busy road directly opposite one of the largest residential estates in Baton Rouge – Louisiana. We have enough parking spaces that can accommodate well over 20 cars per time.

Our location, the business model we will be operating on (brick and mortar pet store and online pet store), varieties of payment options, wide range of pets such dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a competitive advantage for Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc.

In addition, our management team members are people who have what it takes to grow a business from start – up to profitability within a record time.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups pet stores) in the pet stores industry, meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

We will also give good working conditions and commissions to freelance sales agents that we will recruit from time to time.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

Sources of Income

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. is in business to retail a wide range of pets such dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al and offering pet related services to the residence of Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

We are in the pet stores industry to maximize profits and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we achieve or business goals and objectives. We will generate income by;

Retailing pets
Retailing pet food and supplies
Other pet related services, such as boarding, grooming and training.

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to pet stores business, if your store is well stocked and centrally positioned in an environment with the right demographic composition, then you will always attract customers cum sales and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Baton Rouge – Louisiana 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 the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the pet stores industry and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

Below are the sales projections for Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc., it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to pet stores start – ups in the United States;

First Fiscal Year-: $120,000
Second Fiscal Year-: $350,000
Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000

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 there won’t be any major competitor offering same products and customer care 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

Before choosing a location for Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc., we paid experts to undertake a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for pet owners who reside in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

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.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the pet stores industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in Baton Rouge – Louisiana.

In other to continue to be in business and grow, we must continue to sell our wide range of pets such dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al that are available in our store which is why we will go all out to empower or sales and marketing team to deliver.

In summary, Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

Open our pet stores in a grand style with a party for all.
Introduce our pet store business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to pet owners, pet grooming and boarding services companies, security companies who are into supply dogs as guards and other key stake holders in Baton Rouge – Louisiana
Ensure that we have a wide range of pets such dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al in our store at all times.
Make use of attractive hand bills to create awareness and also to give direction to our pet store
Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places around Louisiana
Position our greeters to welcome and direct potential customers
Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our pet store.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our pet store is well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. We are going to explore all available means to promote Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. has a long term plan of opening outlets in various locations all around the United States of America which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Baton Rouge – Louisiana before venturing out.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for winning customers over but to effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc.;

Place adverts on community based newspapers, pet magazines, radio stations and TV stations.
Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+ and other platforms to promote our business.
Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Baton Rouge – Louisiana
Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
Contact corporate organizations, households, pet grooming and boarding services companies and other stakeholders by calling them up and informing them of Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. and the products and services we sell
Advertise Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
Brand all our official cars and vans and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to retailers and pet stores, it is normal for consumers to go to places (pet stores) where they can get a wide range of pets such dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al and pet related services at affordable price.

Which is why big players like PETCO Animal Supplies Inc., Pet Smart Inc. and co in the pet stores industry will continue to attract loads of consumers.

We know we don’t have the capacity to compete with bigger and well – established pet stores, but we will ensure that the prices of all the products that are available in our store and our services are competitive with what is obtainable amongst pet stores within our level.

Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. 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 Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. will make available to her clients;

Payment via bank transfer
Payment with cash
Payment via credit cards / Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
Payment via online bank transfer
Payment via check
Payment via mobile money transfer
Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for our products and services.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business.

The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a pet store business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. 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) – $3,300.
Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. 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.
The total cost for hiring Consultant – $2,500.
The total cost for the purchase of insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
The cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $105,600.
The cost for shop remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
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) – $60,000
The cost for start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of pets such dogs, cats, fish and birds and pet foods and pet supplies, such as collars, leashes, health and beauty aids, shampoos, medication, toys, pet containers, dog kennels and cat furniture et al) – $100,000
The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
The cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs: $5,000
The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al): $4,000.
The cost of launching a website: $600
The cost for our opening party: $5,000
Miscellaneous: $5,000

We would need an estimate of $350,000 to successfully set up our pet store in Baton Rouge – Louisiana. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.

Generating Funds / Startup Capital for Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, Inc. is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Simon Winston and his immediate family members. They 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
Source for soft loans from family members and friends
Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $70,000 and soft loan from family members $30,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $250,000 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 Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, 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 sell our pets, pet merchandize and pet services 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.

Tom & Jerry Pet Stores®, 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.

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
Leasing of facility and remodeling the shop: In Progress
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
Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: 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
Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our store: Completed
Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of pets and pet merchandize, wedding planners and other stake holders: In Progress