Business Plan

Presented by:

Gemma Lakin

29 Hillam Road
Wallasey
CH45 8LD
07972803020

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

Table of Contents:
1.0

Executive Summary

2.0

The Business
2.1
The Background
2.2
Mission
2.3
Aims & Objectives
2.4
Legal Structure
2.5
Products and services

3.0

The Market
3.1
Market research
3.2
SWOT
3.3
Unique Selling Point

4.0
5.0

Marketing & Promotion

Business Operations
5.1
Business Premises
5.2
Equipment & vehicles
5.3
Staffing levels
5.4
Legal aspects

Insurances
Health & Safety
Environmental Policy
Essential Licences
Tax
Administration & records.

6.0

Finances
6.1 Start up requirements
6.2 Marketing Costs/Plan
6.3
Pricing/Sales Forecast of service/product
6.4 Cashflow Forecast/Profit & Loss/Balance Sheet

7.0

Appendices

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

1.0

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Gemma intends to provide a professional service on a full time
basis as a Illustrator. She will work on Pet Portraiture and is fully
trained and experienced in the Graphic Arts.
The business will be profitable within its first year of trading and
will be in the position to pay a working wage to its owner.
Residual profit will be invested back into the business to support
its growth.
Gemma will work from Home in her office space which already
provides some of the required equipment.
**She is seeking additional funding in order to meet the costs of
additional business start up expenditure.**
**Year 1 turnover is expected to be in the region of
.. **
Business Address: 29 Hillam Road, Wallasey, CH45 8LD

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

2.0

THE BUSINESS

2.1

The Background
Gemma has historically been a student undertaking a Degree in
Graphic Arts and Design, where she developed her skills,
experience and passion in Illustration. She also worked on pet
portraiture in her spare time, developing her unique drawing
style and an experience of providing a service. It has been an
ambition of Gemmas to be in a position to be self-employed and
to be creative on a commercial basis.
**Having completed this research, Gemma is now preparing to
embark on registering herself as self employed and... **

2.2

Mission
The business will provide an honest, professional service to the
local community in providing Pet Portraiture. Reliability is key to
such a business when dealing with the Art and Design and
commercial sectors. Gemmas skills and expertise allow her to
meet customer's requirements and produce work of a high
standard.

2.3

Aims and Objectives

Sales:
1.
To price my services realistically rather than trying to undercut all
other providers. My clients appreciate quality and value.
2.
Continue to develop new customer base through quality
referrals.
3.
To develop my sales and marketing skills and to incorporate
appropriate promotional strategies into my business.
Finance:
1.
To build a steady income through engaging and retaining a core
client base.
2.
To maintain good quality records for HMRC and business
management purposes. HMRC can provide training courses to
cover these needs.

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

Marketing & Customers:

1.
Positive advertising leaflets, posters, business cards showing
examples of work and indicating prices
2.
Customers Pet owners, relatives of pet owners for gifts
3.
Referrals from satisfied customers pass on contact details
Quality:
1.
2.

Flexibility - be able to meet customer's deadlines

Satisfied customers meeting and exceeding their
expectations.

Others:
1. Keep on top of books/finance - take courses in NI and tax, bookkeeping
2. Update new skills **
2.4

Legal structure
Gemma will operate as a sole trader.

2.5

Products and Services

Gemma will provide a service for Pet Portraiture to private
clients.

Services will be based on client need and market demands,

thereby
changing to meet differing requirements from client to
client.
The diversity within the services offered will also support the
seasonality of some aspect of my services and provide year
round income.

3.0 THE MARKET

3.1

Market Research

Customer profile:
Competitor profile:
Examples of local providers include:
Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

+/-:

Free estimate;
Portfolio of work;

Supplier research:

Market placement conclusions:

3.2

SWOT

Strengths
Qualifications
Enthusiasm
Young
Big market to aim at

Weaknesses
Lacking advertising skills
Lack of confidence
Access to start up finance

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

No premises
Historical customers
Presence on social media
Opportunities
Fulfil needs of customers not
currently being met
Chance to expand and to create
other products

3.3

Threats
Competition
Personal illness may affect my
ability to run my business on a
full time basis
Under estimating jobs

Unique Selling Point

Gemma is well placed to be able to provide a comprehensive
service that is not easily matched by many of his competitors...

4.0

Marketing & Promotion

Initial marketing activity will focus upon distributing business
cards locally. This activity will initially be focused upon... general
public homeowners within a local geography to Gemma's home
base. Additionally Sam will make direct contact with... Whilst
they may already have access to...
The local press will be used for placing adverts, although this is
not anticipated to be a weekly occurrence partly because of cost
and partly because it is not the primary source of information
used by prospective customers.
Gemma will make use of leaflets for local distribution as these are
relatively low cost to produce and can be easily distributed to
local target businesses and residents. She will use local
businesses as an opportunity to support and advertise her
services, such as Vetinirary surgeries, Dog groomers and Pet
shops etc. She will also attend craft and art fairs in order to sell
and advertise her business.
In addition to this, Gemma will set up a website and accounts on
social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter. She will also
advertise and sell her products through the website Etsy. These
will prove useful in order to more fully represent Gemmas
portfolio of work as the business progresses.

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

5.0 BUSINESS OPERATIONS

5.1

Business Premises
Gemma will operate from her home address at 29 Hillam Road,
Wallasey, CH45 8LD. This will act as Gemma's studio and
administrative base.
**Gemma will work approx...**

5.2

Equipment and vehicles

Capital equipment requirements are modest and have to date
largely been met by equipment purchased by Gemma during her
period of education. This includes Art materials and Printing
equipment.

5.3

Staffing Levels
No additional staff will be required in the early stages of trading.

5.4

Legal Aspects
Gemma *will ensure* that her business will comply with all legalities
related to the running of the enterprise. This includes:

Insurances Gemma will secure appropriate levels of business

insurances to cover public and personal needs.
Environmental considerations - Gemma has conducted a general
audit of his business in relation to the prospective environmental
implications relating to the business practices. Gemma is
comfortable that the business will be fully compliant with all
appropriate legislation and guidelines. Waste will be disposed of
responsibly. Recycle inkjet cartridges, paper etc.
Taxation Gemma will register with HMRC on the commencement
of trading. She will not register for VAT as he is unlikely to exceed
the current mandatory registration threshold level of 81,000.
Health & Safety whilst there is some responsibility by the
owner/manager of private premises in relation to Health & Safety,
Gemma also shares this responsibility in relation to the work he
undertakes and the associated hazards. Gemma will ensure that
he conducts his business in a safe and responsible manner that
does not attach an additional burden upon his customers.
Business records Gemma is aware of the importance of
maintaining appropriate, good quality records and will continue to

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021

6.0
6.1

work with a business advisor to receive appropriate training in this

regard.
Data Protection Pricing and Payment terms Gemmas clients will operate on a
payment upon completion basis.

FINANCES
Start up requirements:
See attached Start Up Costs sheet

6.2

Marketing Costs/Plan
See attached marketing plan

6.3

Pricing/Sales Forecast
See attached Sales Forecast

6.4

Cashflow Forecast/Profit & Loss/Balance Sheet

See attached Cashflow

Business Advisor: Jan Kalitkin 07929528021