Archive for February, 2010

Executive Summary:
1. Applicant/Company Information

-Business Structure:
Partnership
- Banking Information:
Bank: Wells Fargo Bank
Contact: Erica Smith, Financial Services Manager

Design Coffee Shop will begin operations in July 2009. Plans also include undertaking a small expansion with 6-8 months of beginning operations."

Brief outline of your business concept:

Design Coffee Shop is a company involved with providing quality item in an origiral setting. It provides graphic design and marketing communication services. it not provide big business . It isa small local business, not a major corpoaration.
We target the students who need a nice quiet cozy place to think and do their work. Also, students who wanted to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and relax & while looking at murals or listening to music. It will disply the work of 4 graphic designesr and represent our arts.
In the past, people would not spend more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. For a few years, now they glad to pay to for their cappuccino, mocha latte or vanilla ice blended drink
The specialty-coffee business is growing at a healthy pace.
The competive, companies include Starbucks, The Coffee Bean, Pet’s, Dietrich’s and other major chains, who serve average quality drinks in establishments that have the same generic design appearance. Indeed, Starbucks and The Coffee Bean are often referred to as "fast food" coffeehouses due to their "cookie cutter" design. Now that Americans’ coffee preferences have broadened and matured, many are asking for more from their coffee shop. Design Coffee Shop can fill this need for more sophisticated shop.

Market Risks
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Ownership
The Design Coffee Shop is a general partnership between Lisa and Sandy Mason. Each partner is equally l involved in operation and management of the shop, each to her own abilities.
Location and Facilities
The Design Coffee Shop is located in the Old Town section of San Bernardino, California. We currently own the building we will occupy, though painting and renovation are sorely needed.
Products and Services
Description of Products and Services
The Design coffee shop will offer high quality coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and cappuccino, at a very reasonable price.
We will also buy cookies & snack from other vendor.
Key Features of the Products and Services
All drinks will be made with filtered water and the highest quality ingredients we can get.
Frozen drinks will have caramel or chocolate syrup drizzled in the glass and over the drink. Cappuccino and hot cocoa will have whipped cream toppings as well as the option for candy sprinkles. Cookies will have the option of a chocolate or caramel dip and sprinkles.
We will offer designer flavored cream and five kinds of sweetener, (i.e. sugar, honey, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet-n-Low). Cream and sweetener is at no extra charge.

Production of Products and Services
We will use only filtered water and will brew our coffee in commercial coffeepots that will be thoroughly cleaned between uses.
Future Products and Services
Within the next three to five years we expect to branch out into catering and offer homemade pies, whole or by the slice.
Comparative Advantages in Production
Our low overhead and cheaper pricing will be the key to our success.
Industry Overview
Market Research
There are other businesses that serve only coffee in our town
Size of the Industry
Nationally, the coffee shop industry is quite large, but in somearea, there are more.
Trends
This industry is booming at the present time, and there is a trend toward small cozy places and away from the large generic chains.
Industry Outlook
The coffee business does not show signs of slowing down. With new innovations such as flavorings and additives, it should continue for a long time.
Marketing Strategy
Target Markets
Our target market is a artist and writers who need a nice quiet cozy place to think and do their work.
Description of Key Competitors
Of the three coffee shops in the area, one is a large chain with a very expensive product, one is really a home-style restaurant, and the last one, our biggest competitor is an antique store with a "tea room".
Analysis of Competitive Position
Our pricing strategy and comfortable atmosphere will be the key to our success. None of the other shops in the area can offer this.
Pricing Strategy
We will offer three sizes of drinks, small .00, medium .50 and large .00.
Our cookies and brownies will sell for .00 each and selling a booket of artwork for .00
Promotion Strategy
We intend to advertise in the local newspapers and offer a "frequent drinkers club" discount to our best customers. We will also send out ads via direct mail, which will include cents off coupons.
Management and Staffing
Organizational Structure
Our organizational structure will be a simple pyramid style with the owners putting in as much work as the employees. Pyrimid a tall hierarchical structure, in other words, then I would be the boss, with a general manager working as your employee, who has a team, that on its turn supervises the employees. I think I mean a Flat structure (with the owners being “one of the guys”)
Management Team
April and Arlene will share management and supervisory responsibilities equally. Arlene for the morning shift. April for the afternoon shift.
Staffing
We will hire two busboys and two waitresses; these will be recruited from the local high school.
Labor Market Issues
In this area there are many high school students looking for work, part time or full time, we want to fill that need.

Market Risks
The main risk is monetary. The area may not be ready for a place like ours and we may not do a great business.
Implementation Plan
Implementation Activities and Dates
1. A superior-tasting product backed by a unique quality store
A relaxing, upscale interior design
Prime site selection with an upscale affluent population, year-round tourist activity, heavy pedestrian traffic by the site, a dynamic student population and a concentration of local businesses
A market that exposes Dark Roast Java to high-profile "trend-setters" and "key influencers"
Ongoing, aggressive marketing
Highly trained and friendly staff
Multiple revenue streams including gift items, gift baskets and coffee gift/frequency cards in addition to coffee, pastry, chocolates, tea, juice, water and soft drink
A dynamic website with online sales capability

2. Complete renovation 2/15/08
Purchase and set up equipment
Interview staff
Hire staff
3. Begin preliminary advertising 2/15/09 (Not yet)
Operate for 1 week unannounced (to get the kinks out, people notice "new" businesses, word of mouth will get out there, be ready)
Notify local newspaper your grand opening will be (no advertising cost, you’ll be swamped!)
4. Purchase and setup equipment 2/15/09 (This is mentioned above.)
5. Open for business 7/1/09

Financial Plan
Balance Sheet
Current Assets:
Building 0,000
5 computer ,995

Furnishings ,000 if I go for a good atmosphere, you’ll need more than that probably, unless you get money from the government (you are promoting culture in the end!)
Equipment ,000
Cash
Arlene ,000
April ,500
Accounts Receivable
None
Inventory
Coffee ,000
Tea 0
Other Assets
Cups ,000
Total Current Assets
,005
Liabilities:
Accounts Payable (monthly)
Water 0
Phone 0
Electric 0
Donut Vendor ,000
Warehouse Club ,000
Coffee Distributor ,000
Wages ,000
Advertising ,000
Taxes Payable
Property Taxes 0
Employee Taxes ,000
Operating Loans Payable
Startup Loan 0
Printer $ 97
Total Liabilities
,947 on going per month
Projected Income
March 05
Coffee ,000
Tea ,000
Cookies ,500
Donuts ,500
Misc. ,000
Total Income for March
,000
Total Projected Net Profit (Cost/Benefit)
,150 for March
This would assume 20 pots of coffee sold a day, plus an assortment of other items. This also assumes the market will not increase or decrease due to weather or economics. This would be an average month.

Is it about the money or the truck? Ok, this is the deal..I’m remarried. When I got a divorce from my 1st hubby, the settlement included my car which was PAID for. Well, last Aug. I was in a wreck that was someone elses fault. The insurance paid out on MY car (my name on title and insurance) and so I decided to put the money in a seperate account at my bank because I think that the money from the car should either go for a new car or to my children seeing as to the fact that it was from my previous marriage. Well, my new hubby has this idea that I should buy him a truck with the money. Well, he literally blew up at me when I told him that the money was in a seperate account with my name along with my sons name on it. He wanted to know why and I told him that it was my money and he told me that it is "our" money. Now, I’m not stupid but I’m not going to give him money for a truck when I don’t have a ride. Well, before I had the wreck, he had purchased a new van for us. (in his name) We are in the process of selling the old one (which is in his name also). During this whole marriage (2 yrs) it has been rough due to his kids making my life a living **ll. Well, last year his son took a knife to school and tried to blame me for it saying that i put it in his bag. Well, what do you know, my new hubby turns his back on me and takes his sons side. I’m not over t hat and he thinks i’m stashing money so that if I want to leave, i can. I have told him that I wasn’t leaving butI did tell him that i was scared he was going to make me leave sooner or later so he thinks i should give him the money, acting in good faith that i trust him, so he can buy the truck and in a couple of months he will put the money back but in an account with both our names? sound fishy?? HELP!

BTW.. we have an account together that pays bills only. I have an account that MY child support (he doesnt make his ex pay child support) is deposited in and "we" also use it to do whatever with and its actually with a bank out of town and I don’t have a problem putting him on that account but i’m not putting him on the one that I share with my son. He turned his back on me 5 months ago and I’m scared that he might make me leave and I don’t think I shouldn’t have money to fall back on. I have told him that he should sell his van and buy the truck. He still says that it is an issue of the account not being "ours". We live in a house that is "his", the new van is "his". He even has life insurance that he pays that includes his ex. I beg him to take her off and put me on for 2yrs..no progress. plus, his mom is the beneficiary. so…what do you think now?

anyhew, we both have 2 kids from other marriage. Both my kids call him DAD. His Kids hate me. they hate my kids and have been very verbal about it. They don’t want us living in their home. SO, why shouldn’t I have money put up…im not that stupid..