“We move the snow so you can GO!” Christopher’s Snow Services Business Plan November 2018 Prepared by Christopher Vasquez, Owner 1149 Mystic Pines Ct. Boulder County, CO 8038 Phone: 303-476-1215 This document contains proprietary information belonging exclusively to Christopher’s Snow Services. Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................. 3 Company Description .............................................................................. 5 Description of Products and Services ...................................................... 6 Trademark and Copyright Plan................................................................ 7 Marketing Plan ........................................................................................ 8 Social Media Marketing Plan ................................................................... 9 Market Analysis .................................................................................... 11 Customer Profile ................................................................................... 13 Operating Plan ...................................................................................... 14 Accounting Plan .................................................................................... 15 Management Plan ................................................................................. 16 Schedule of Startup Funds .................................................................... 17 Projected Income Statement ................................................................ 18 Risk Assessment .................................................................................... 19 Company Policies .................................................................................. 20 Resume ................................................................................................. 21 Postsecondary Education Plan .............................................................. 22 Savings Plan .......................................................................................... 23 Investment Plan .................................................................................... 24 Mentor Interview .................................................................................. 25 2 Executive Summary I. Introduction Christopher’s Snow Services was founded in 2018 with the prime purpose of providing local Mystic Pines residents with quality, affordable snow removal services for difficult winter ice and snowfall conditions. The business is operated by Christopher Vasquez, who is the sole employee of the business. The company can be characterized as a start-up with considerable opportunities for growth. II. Products and Services Christopher’s Snow Services will offer the following services: 1. Snow removal from driveways 2. Snow removal from front walkways 3. Deicing of driveways 4. Deicing of walkways 5. Snow removal from car or roof (upon request) More information can be found in the Marketing Plan sections of this business plan. III. Market Summary The target market for Christopher’s Snow Services will be homeowners in the Mystic Pines neighborhood in Boulder County, Colorado. Snowfall varies throughout the year and in Mystic Pines, there are many homeowners who are older professionals. These professionals often have a full work schedule and like to spend their weekends away in the mountains, which means they do not have a great deal of time to dedicate in cleaning off cars, salting sidewalks, and removing ice from driveways. Research conducted at the local Chamber of Commerce indicated that small businesses are on the rise in the Boulder County, Colorado area. Therefore, there appears to be a steady future growth and need for snow removal services. IV. Competitive Position None of the local competitors for snow removal have local offices that allow quick access to Mystic Pines. Since Christopher's Snow Services will operate from Christopher’s parents’ home in Mystic Pines, customers will be able to schedule an arrangement for snow removal 3 quickly. The fast service Christopher’s Snow Services is able to offer will be a competitive advantage to larger, more established snow removal businesses. V. Financial Position The estimated funds required to start Christopher’s Snow Services is $500. To cover the start-up funds, the owner will secure investment capital from an investor. The projected income for the first season of business for Christopher’s Snow Services is $3650.00. This amount is expected to grow steadily as Christopher’s Snow Services is committed to maintaining excellent customer service and adding more employees and services over time. More information can be found in the Schedule of Startup Funds, Accounting Plan, and the Projected Income Statement sections of this business plan. VI. Mission Statement The mission statement of Christopher’s Snow Services is to provide local homeowners with the highest-quality snow removal and deicing services available while earning a reputation in excellent customer service. To achieve our mission, Christopher’s Snow commits to the following: 1. Follow the philosophy that our customers are and will always remain our first priority 2. Demonstrate unceasing hard work to maximize customer ease and safety 3. Make it easier than ever for customers to manage winter travel from their home VII. Vision Statement By 2020, Christopher’s Snow Services will be known throughout the county as a leader and major competitor in winter snow and ice removal services. 4 Company Description I. Company Name The legal business name is “Christopher’s Snow Services.” II. Business Summary Christopher’s Snow Services removes ice and snow from customer property. III. Form of Ownership Christopher’s Snow Services is a sole proprietorship. Christopher Vasquez is the sole proprietor and owner. IV. Industry Classification According to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), the industry classification for a snow removal business is “Other Support Activities for Road Transportation.” The NAICS code number is 488490. V. Location Christopher’s Snow Services will operate from the owner’s home residing at 1149 Mystic Pines Ct., Boulder County, CO 80308. VI. Year Established 2018 VII. Primary Function Christopher’s Snow Services will provide snow and ice removal from customer’s homes, driveways, vehicles, and other properties. VIII. Employees Christopher Vasquez, the owner, will be the only employee of Christopher’s Snow Services. IX. Business Advisors Jon and Caroline Vasquez, the owner’s parents, will serve as business advisors to Christopher’s Snow Services. Samuel Vasquez, the owner’s brother, will also advise Christopher’s Snow Services. 5 Description of Products and Services I. Description of Industry The support industry for road transportation provides services to those using roads. Snow clearing and removal are services provided within this industry. Snow removal involves the removal of snow and ice from roads, driveways, pathways, rooftops, doorways, and more. Businesses involved with snow removal use various equipment to make roads and common pedestrian pathways safe for a community. II. Products or Services Provided Snow removal companies provide the following services: • Shoveling • Plowing • Salting (de-icing) • Removal of snow piles • Removal of icicles III. Nature of the Work Snow removal is a seasonal business that only operates in winter months of November– March. The services provided by snow removal will be completed using physical labor and outdoor tools such as shovels, snow blowers, road salt, ice scrapers, and when necessary, plows. The following steps apply to a finished product of a snow removal business: 1. Shovel snow from driveway area 2. Shovel or snow-blow sidewalks and pathways 3. Sprinkle salt on sidewalks and pathways. 4. Safe removal of icicles (if requested) 5. Removal of snow from other forms of property, such as sheds and doorways (if requested) 6 Trademark and Copyright Plan I. Name of Business Christopher’s Snow Services II. Trademark Protection Trademark protection will be needed for the following: • Logo • Tagline and slogans • Business name III. Patent Protection No patent protection is required at this time. IV. Copyright Protection Business name, slogans, logos, and creative works will be protected under copyright laws. 7 Marketing Plan I. Product Christopher’s Snow Services will offer the following services: 1. Snow removal from driveways 2. Snow removal from front walkways 3. Deicing of driveways 4. Deicing of walkways 5. Snow removal from car or roof (upon request) II. Place Daily operation will take place in the neighborhood of Mystic Pines in Boulder County, Colorado. Meetings and product delivery will be conducted at the customer’s location. III. Price Prices for services will be: Product Price Snow Removal (from Driveways and $25.00/hour Walkways) Snow Removal and Deicing $30.00/hour Snow Removal and Special Requests $35.00/hour IV. Promotion Christopher’s Snow Services will use the following advertising strategies: 1. Distribute brochures, promotional letters, and business cards to residents in his neighborhood Mystic Pines 2. Local newspaper advertisement 3. Social media posts 4. Website Christopher’s Snow Services will use the following marketing schedule: 1. Distribute brochures, promotional letters, and business cards: twice each month 2. Local newspaper advertisement: once each month 3. Social media posts: daily for six