When obtaining a business loan for a yoga studio business, it is imperative that you have a properly structured business plan that will assist you in showcasing how you intend to operate your Yoga Studio, how the business will operate, how you intend to market the business, the anticipated financial results of your company, and how you intend to repay your debt obligations. This sample loan business plan will provide you with the framework that you need in order to acquire a business loan for starting or expanding this type of business.
Executive Summary
Introduction
When obtaining a business loan for a Yoga Studio, it is imperative that your business plan has a clear and concise executive summary that provides an outline of what are seeking to accomplish, how much capital you are seeking to raise, the management biography of the business owner, and an overview of the anticipated profit and loss statements of the business. Here is an example of how the title paragraph should be written:
Yoga Studio, Inc. ("the Company") is seeking a business loan of $100,000 in order to launch the operations of a yoga studio business that will be based in San Francisco, California. The Company was founded in (Insert Year). The business was founded by Mr. John Doe.
Products and Services
In the next segment of the business loan and business planning document, you should showcase the products and services that you will be providing to the general public. For instance:
The Yoga Studio will provide a broad number of classes that pertain to training the body via yoga and related stretching practices. The business will generate income from the ongoing fees associated with yoga classes at the studio while concurrently generating secondary revenues through the sale of yoga mats and related accessories used during the course of yoga training.
The third section of the business plan will further discuss the services offered by the business.
Business Loan Terms
Now it is time to discuss the anticipated terms of the business plan that you are seeking. An example paragraph of how this is stated:
At this time, Mr. Doe is seeking a conventional business loan in the amount of $100,000. The interest rate, loan terms, and loan covenants are to be determined during negotiation. However, this business plan assumes that the business will receive a seven year business loan with a seven percent interest rate due on the outstanding principal balance.
Management Biography
Now that the summary of the business has been provided, it is time to provide a brief overview of the owner of the business. An example paragraph summing up the owner is as follows:
Mr. Doe is a highly experienced business person that has years of experience regarding the direct ownership and management of business. He will be able to effectively bring the operations of the Yoga Studio to profitability while ensuring that the business loan's payments and its covenants are met at all times.
Financial Statements
The most important thing to your lender when applying for a business loan is how you intend to repay the bank. In this section of the business plan, you should provide an overview of the finance's of the business discussing the anticipated revenues, expenses, and profits/losses. You can also discuss the applicable collateral within the business plan that will be used to secure your business financing.
Expansion Plans
One of the most important aspects of your business plan is how you intend to expand the business over a three to five year period. Banks and finance companies always want to see that the business will experience a moderate to strong level of growth. This is especially true in business lending because as your business grows the cash flow that secures your business loan will decrease proportionality against your monthly credit obligations. An example of how this is stated is as follows:
The Yoga Studio will continue to expand through organic means including increasing the Company's advertising budget via the reinvestment into the after tax cash flows of the business. Additionally, if the business is highly successful then the Company may seek to establish additional Yoga Studio locations after the third year of operations.
The Financing
Use of Business Loan Proceeds
In this section of the business plan you should focus on how the proceeds of the business loan will be used. An example of this would be as follows:
* Yoga Studio Establishment - $50,000
* FF&E - $10,000
* Working capital - $40,000
Management Equity
In this section of the business plan you should discuss the percentage ownership of the business among the owners of the business. For example:
Mr. Doe will own 100% of the Yoga Studio.
Board of Directors
When applying for business financing, the bank will also want to know who serves as the board of directors. For small businesses, usually the owner serves as the director of the business. An example of how this is worded:
Mr. Doe will be the sole director of Yoga Studio, Inc.
Exit Strategy
Any bank or financing company is also going to want to know what you intend to do with the business over a set period of time. Many business owners will develop and expand a business with the intent to sell the company to a third party at a later time. When drafting this part of the business plan you should focus on what you intentions are in regards to potentially selling the business. This is often worded as:
Mr. Doe would most likely sell the Yoga Studio to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Yoga Studio usually sell for approximately one to three times earnings given the financial strength of the business. In this event, the business would be sold by a business broker and the business loan sought in this plan would be repaid according to the covenants of the business loan agreement.
Products and Services
When developing a business plan that is appropriate for obtaining a business loan or other business credit facility you need to clearly showcase the services or products that you will be offering to the general public. An example of how this section is worded goes as follows:
As stated in the executive summary, the primary revenue center for the business will come from ongoing yoga classes hosted at the Company's retail storefront location. For each yoga session, Management intends on charging a fee of approximately $10. The average yoga class will have five to ten students. Classes will be held five to six times per day.
The business will also generate sales through the sale of yoga mats and other products as they related to yoga training.
Industry and Market Analysis
The Current State of the Economy
It is important to let your financial institution know that you are well apprised of the financial situation of the general economy when you are applying for a business loan. This is especially true in today's environment where lending has become more difficult and will remain more difficult in the foreseeable future. Specifically, you should gear this section of the business plan analysis towards the industry that you are operating within. For example:
The current economy has remained difficult over the past few years. However, Yoga Studios have faired well despite the current economic issues. This is because yoga, by its students, as seen as an integral part of their lives. As such, the Yoga Studio will be able to remain profitable and cash flow positive in any economic climate.
The Yoga Studio Industry
In addition to providing your business loan officer with an understanding of the general economy, it is important that you showcase that you have an equal understanding of the industry in which you are operating within. As such, you will need to provide you business loan institution of a brief overview of your industry and any potential changes that may affect the way that your company does business. An example of how an industry overview is as follows:
Within the United States, there are approximately 10,000 locations that operate as Yoga Studios. The popularity of yoga has increased substantially over the past ten years as more Americans have become concerned with their fitness. Each year, the industry generates more than $600 million of revenues. The excepted growth rate of the Yoga Studio industry is expected to remain in line with that of the general American economy.
Target Market
In this section of the business loan application and business plan analysis, you should focus on the demographics of your localized market (or national market if applicable). This section should discuss how many people live in your area, the anticipated number of people that would require the use of Yoga Studio, the median household income of people living in the area, poverty line statistics, and any applicable laws that would apply to your operation of Yoga Studios.
Competition
Many people that are developing new businesses or expanding existing businesses often feel that their business does not have any competition or limited competition at best. However, this is almost never the case. Unless you have re-invented the wheel – you will have competition. When applying for a business loan, you should clearly showcase your competition in your business plan. This is especially important to your banker as they will be able to gauge your ability to be successful in your targeted market. Many business loan underwriters will aggressively confirm that competitive nature of your local market and your local industry.
When drafting this section of the plan you should heavily discuss the competitive advantages that you intend to have over your competition.
Marketing Plan
In addition to all of the above information that we have covered, your business loan officer is also going to want to know how you intend to market your business to the general public. Most people do not quite understand how to effectively market their business outside of prominent signage or flyer distribution. When applying for a business loan (again in this difficult lending climate), your banker is going to want to see that you have a clear methodology of how you intend to market your services or products to the general public. In this section of the business plan – we will overview how to showcase your services/products to the general public.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Getting Out of Business is a Process
Getting out of business is a process. The length of time required to complete the process is directly related to the complexity of the business, and the circumstances underlying the decision to get out. Planning how you exit your business is just as important as how you started it.
The exit process, timing of events; and tasks associated need to be tailored to the type and complexity of the business. Each case is individual because reasons for dissolution differ, and problems that arise are unique to each circumstance. The following checklist contains key elements that should be evaluated as early in the exit process as possible to eliminate pitfalls later on.
evaluation of the following points:
1. Engage Professionals & Consultants as Team Members.
2. Prepare a List of Assets & Perform a Physical Inventory.
3. Perform a Valuation of the Business.
4. Prepare Detailed Plan & Assign Responsibilities.
5. Release Announcements & Notices.
6. Conclude or Transfer Contract Obligations.
7. Dispose of & Transfer Assets.
8. Settle Accounts Payable & Debt Obligations.
9. Prepare Final Financial Statements & Tax Returns
10. File Articles of Dissolution.
11. Prepare & Issue Special Filings, Notices, Informational Returns, & Taxes.
12. Receive Tax Clearance Notice.
13. Close Bank Account.
14. Store Business Records
The process for successfully exiting a business requires the same amount if not even more planning as starting the business. While the process may be easier, it is likely to be less enjoyable and more stressful. The best advice for business owners is to incorporate potential exit strategies in the early stages of setting up their business. Vigilance and diligent managerial oversight is needed to ensure that complications and problems which could affect dissolution, and net value, do not develop into roadblocks. When the time comes to divest or sell the business, be sure to engage the relevant expertise needed, and prepare an action plan.
The exit process, timing of events; and tasks associated need to be tailored to the type and complexity of the business. Each case is individual because reasons for dissolution differ, and problems that arise are unique to each circumstance. The following checklist contains key elements that should be evaluated as early in the exit process as possible to eliminate pitfalls later on.
evaluation of the following points:
1. Engage Professionals & Consultants as Team Members.
2. Prepare a List of Assets & Perform a Physical Inventory.
3. Perform a Valuation of the Business.
4. Prepare Detailed Plan & Assign Responsibilities.
5. Release Announcements & Notices.
6. Conclude or Transfer Contract Obligations.
7. Dispose of & Transfer Assets.
8. Settle Accounts Payable & Debt Obligations.
9. Prepare Final Financial Statements & Tax Returns
10. File Articles of Dissolution.
11. Prepare & Issue Special Filings, Notices, Informational Returns, & Taxes.
12. Receive Tax Clearance Notice.
13. Close Bank Account.
14. Store Business Records
The process for successfully exiting a business requires the same amount if not even more planning as starting the business. While the process may be easier, it is likely to be less enjoyable and more stressful. The best advice for business owners is to incorporate potential exit strategies in the early stages of setting up their business. Vigilance and diligent managerial oversight is needed to ensure that complications and problems which could affect dissolution, and net value, do not develop into roadblocks. When the time comes to divest or sell the business, be sure to engage the relevant expertise needed, and prepare an action plan.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Other SBA Business Loan Programs
While the primary focus of our discussions has been regarding the 7a SBA Loan, there are a number of other types of loans that are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.
The foremost guarantee program besides the 7a is the SBA 504 program, which is also known as the CDC loan ("Certified Development Companies).
It is specifically designed for traditional businesses that operate "brick and mortar" type facilities.
If this is the primary need of your financing then you may want to look at this program as an alterative to the 7a SBA loan. The maximum loan amount via the SBA 504 program is $1.5 million or $2 million if the business conducts business with the federal government or a state government.
The Microloan programs provided by the SBA provide financing for businesses that need less than $35,000. These loans are primarily used for ongoing inventory purposes, cash flow management purposes, or inventory acquisition purchases. This is also one of the small business lending programs that is available to not for profit foundations (although they can only be used for purposes the benefit the community).
Finally, there is the disaster assistance loan program. Unlike other aspects of SBA programs, this loan can be used by individuals. However, this is not a frequently used program as it is specific only to when major disasters occur.
As we have stated before, the SBA provides a tremendous amount of flexibility when seeking business financing. Despite the fact that this site is dedicated primarily to the 7a SBA loan, there may be a number of other financing options that would be well suited for you needs.
The foremost guarantee program besides the 7a is the SBA 504 program, which is also known as the CDC loan ("Certified Development Companies).
It is specifically designed for traditional businesses that operate "brick and mortar" type facilities.
If this is the primary need of your financing then you may want to look at this program as an alterative to the 7a SBA loan. The maximum loan amount via the SBA 504 program is $1.5 million or $2 million if the business conducts business with the federal government or a state government.
The Microloan programs provided by the SBA provide financing for businesses that need less than $35,000. These loans are primarily used for ongoing inventory purposes, cash flow management purposes, or inventory acquisition purchases. This is also one of the small business lending programs that is available to not for profit foundations (although they can only be used for purposes the benefit the community).
Finally, there is the disaster assistance loan program. Unlike other aspects of SBA programs, this loan can be used by individuals. However, this is not a frequently used program as it is specific only to when major disasters occur.
As we have stated before, the SBA provides a tremendous amount of flexibility when seeking business financing. Despite the fact that this site is dedicated primarily to the 7a SBA loan, there may be a number of other financing options that would be well suited for you needs.
Finding Alternatives to Small Business Loans
It is now even more difficult to get small business loans from banks, though. Ironically, the exact reasons why small businesses need such small business loans – the fact that business has slowed down and profitability has plummeted – are the same reasons why banks turn them down for loans.
Small businesses now have to be more resourceful in finding alternatives to small business loans.
Government Grants and Contracts Instead of Small Business Loans
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama in February 2009 caused the pumping of billions of dollars for the revitalization of the economy. Because of it, there are plenty of government grants and contracts available to small businesses. These can be alternatives to small business loans.
But how can small businesses avail of the stimulus program?
The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) has the responsibility for helping small businesses obtain and perform federal, state and local government contracts. It has Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) throughout the country, ready to help small business owners to get registered and find opportunities in the area of government grants and contracts. Counselors assist small businesses in filling out bids, proposals and quotations.
The PTAC holds seminars teaching small business owners all the ins and outs of government legalese, including acronyms and registries. A one-day seminar with PTAC covers what small business owners may take months to learn on their own.
The PTAC then helps small business with Central Contractor Registration (CCR), a requirement for doing business with the federal government. This registration can be so complicated that some companies take two days to do it when the PTAC counselor can help them get through it in 15 minutes.
Local PTACs will be of help in acquiring state and municipal contracts.
Other resources that small business owners should consult include the Small Business Administration (SBA) which also coordinates with the APTAC;
Cash Advances form Credit Card Services Instead of Small Business Loans
Another alternative to small business loans are cash advances from cred card services. This option is much easier than winning government grants and contracts.
Most small businesses are already availing of credit card services that enable them to accept payments by credit cards or debit cards. This is practically a requirement to doing business these days, with people hardly paying cash for goods and services. Many small business owners do not know that they could avail of cash advances from these credit card services, though, and that such advances can actually equal small business loans.
This is so because the cash advance does not require collateral and future sales receivables from credit cards stand as the collateral. Payment will also be done through automatic deductions from those future credit card sales. There will be no set monthly amortizations. Instead, a certain percentage of the sales will be allotted as payment. The small business owner, therefore, need not worry over where to find cash for loan payments.
Cash advances from credit card services are the best bet of small business owners as alternatives to small business loans.
Small businesses now have to be more resourceful in finding alternatives to small business loans.
Government Grants and Contracts Instead of Small Business Loans
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama in February 2009 caused the pumping of billions of dollars for the revitalization of the economy. Because of it, there are plenty of government grants and contracts available to small businesses. These can be alternatives to small business loans.
But how can small businesses avail of the stimulus program?
The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) has the responsibility for helping small businesses obtain and perform federal, state and local government contracts. It has Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) throughout the country, ready to help small business owners to get registered and find opportunities in the area of government grants and contracts. Counselors assist small businesses in filling out bids, proposals and quotations.
The PTAC holds seminars teaching small business owners all the ins and outs of government legalese, including acronyms and registries. A one-day seminar with PTAC covers what small business owners may take months to learn on their own.
The PTAC then helps small business with Central Contractor Registration (CCR), a requirement for doing business with the federal government. This registration can be so complicated that some companies take two days to do it when the PTAC counselor can help them get through it in 15 minutes.
Local PTACs will be of help in acquiring state and municipal contracts.
Other resources that small business owners should consult include the Small Business Administration (SBA) which also coordinates with the APTAC;
Cash Advances form Credit Card Services Instead of Small Business Loans
Another alternative to small business loans are cash advances from cred card services. This option is much easier than winning government grants and contracts.
Most small businesses are already availing of credit card services that enable them to accept payments by credit cards or debit cards. This is practically a requirement to doing business these days, with people hardly paying cash for goods and services. Many small business owners do not know that they could avail of cash advances from these credit card services, though, and that such advances can actually equal small business loans.
This is so because the cash advance does not require collateral and future sales receivables from credit cards stand as the collateral. Payment will also be done through automatic deductions from those future credit card sales. There will be no set monthly amortizations. Instead, a certain percentage of the sales will be allotted as payment. The small business owner, therefore, need not worry over where to find cash for loan payments.
Cash advances from credit card services are the best bet of small business owners as alternatives to small business loans.
Monday, May 3, 2010
How To Use Branding To Grow Your Business
It’s how your business is perceived by your customers. With a powerful branding strategy your company’s market position can actually be elevated. For example, you can go from “the low price leader” to “the top choice for professionals”. Once your brand has a high perceived value, you can charge a premium for your products and services well beyond what your competitors are charging. It’s even possible for your brand to dominate your niche.
Also, the value and recognition of your business, service, product and yourself determines marketing potential. Therefore, branding is a basic part of building your business. Clients, consumers and customers should always remember your name, products and services so they can easily refer it to others and this can also build loyalty for repeat transactions.
Here are a few tips that can get you started on how you can use branding to grow your business:
Develop Your Business’s logo - A good logo will give the first impression and fast recall of your company. One of the most important factors is to ensure that it doesn’t imitate any existing brand designs for copyright issues. It's suggested to get a simple and catchy brand name that comes with a simple logo.
Develop Your Company's Core Values – Review your company’s mission statement. If you don’t have one…write one. Your brand reinforces and supports your mission. Take a look at Pizza Huts mission statement and core values.
Pizza Hut's Mission Statement
We take pride in making a perfect pizza and providing courteous and helpful service on time all the time. Every customer says, "I'll be back!"
We are the employer of choice offering team members opportunities for growth, advancement, and rewarding careers in a fun, safe working environment.
We are accountable for profitability in everything we do, providing our shareholders with value growth.
Pizza Hut’s Core Values: P.E.A.R.L.S
Have a PASSION for excellence in everything we do.
EXECUTE with positive energy and urgency.
Be individually and collectively ACCOUNTABLE for growth in people, customer satisfaction and profitability.
Find reasons to RECOGNIZE the achievement of others and have fun doing it.
LISTEN and more importantly, respond to the voice of the customer.
Think SAFETY first.
Think about how their mission and core values are demonstrated in their brand. Think about their logo, advertisements, commercials, employees and management, fulfillment (when you place your order) and customer service. Get the idea? An additional word on fulfillment and customer service. Develop high standards of customer service so that clients feel that you’re always willing to go the extra mile to solve their problems. Remember that customers who get good customer service, come back and bring more customers with them.
Also, the value and recognition of your business, service, product and yourself determines marketing potential. Therefore, branding is a basic part of building your business. Clients, consumers and customers should always remember your name, products and services so they can easily refer it to others and this can also build loyalty for repeat transactions.
Here are a few tips that can get you started on how you can use branding to grow your business:
Develop Your Business’s logo - A good logo will give the first impression and fast recall of your company. One of the most important factors is to ensure that it doesn’t imitate any existing brand designs for copyright issues. It's suggested to get a simple and catchy brand name that comes with a simple logo.
Develop Your Company's Core Values – Review your company’s mission statement. If you don’t have one…write one. Your brand reinforces and supports your mission. Take a look at Pizza Huts mission statement and core values.
Pizza Hut's Mission Statement
We take pride in making a perfect pizza and providing courteous and helpful service on time all the time. Every customer says, "I'll be back!"
We are the employer of choice offering team members opportunities for growth, advancement, and rewarding careers in a fun, safe working environment.
We are accountable for profitability in everything we do, providing our shareholders with value growth.
Pizza Hut’s Core Values: P.E.A.R.L.S
Have a PASSION for excellence in everything we do.
EXECUTE with positive energy and urgency.
Be individually and collectively ACCOUNTABLE for growth in people, customer satisfaction and profitability.
Find reasons to RECOGNIZE the achievement of others and have fun doing it.
LISTEN and more importantly, respond to the voice of the customer.
Think SAFETY first.
Think about how their mission and core values are demonstrated in their brand. Think about their logo, advertisements, commercials, employees and management, fulfillment (when you place your order) and customer service. Get the idea? An additional word on fulfillment and customer service. Develop high standards of customer service so that clients feel that you’re always willing to go the extra mile to solve their problems. Remember that customers who get good customer service, come back and bring more customers with them.
Best Business Cards Design
The use of business cards, or calling cards as they were more popularly known, is still widely prevalent today, even in this age of electronic communications. Technologies of instant communications such as Bluetooth and infrared connectivity are easier and much handier ways of sending and receiving data and information, including those contained in a business card. Yet people ---and particularly businessmen--- still carry around small stacks of business cards, giving them away at every chance they get and at the slightest provocation. Don't ever tell a businessman you'll call and he will give you his card, faster than you can say "Jack Robinson", whoever he is, regardless of whether he has given you one earlier.
The functions of a business card
As a business advertising tool.
In this way the holder will immediately see in the card if the card owner is the appropriate solution to his immediate needs. So actually the card acts as a kind of 'sleeper' or inactive advertising for the owner, accessed when needed.
As a social link. Many people accept other people's business cards and promptly forget both the card and the person right afterwards. Then the card is remembered when the holder needs to contact the card owner socially, and so the card is dredged up from the dustbin of 'where-did-I-place-it' questions. Or, you may not care what the guy sells, but he is so hunky…
As a travelling reference. If you know a friend who requires his boat engine serviced and you bump into someone who does that, you may wish to request his card to pass to your friend, who might later pass it on to another with similar needs. Without the card, neither potential customer will remember the boat engine service provider when the service is required. With it, the card owner may well capture a whole boating association.
As a personal affectation. It is simply classy to give away business cards, even if the owner has no business. It gives the owner a feeling of 'superiority' -for lack of a more appropriate term-over others.
So, the card
Different people have different uses for a business card and if you think one reason is enough, then you're wrong. A business card does all of the above, and often, more.
The functions of a business card
As a business advertising tool.
In this way the holder will immediately see in the card if the card owner is the appropriate solution to his immediate needs. So actually the card acts as a kind of 'sleeper' or inactive advertising for the owner, accessed when needed.
As a social link. Many people accept other people's business cards and promptly forget both the card and the person right afterwards. Then the card is remembered when the holder needs to contact the card owner socially, and so the card is dredged up from the dustbin of 'where-did-I-place-it' questions. Or, you may not care what the guy sells, but he is so hunky…
As a travelling reference. If you know a friend who requires his boat engine serviced and you bump into someone who does that, you may wish to request his card to pass to your friend, who might later pass it on to another with similar needs. Without the card, neither potential customer will remember the boat engine service provider when the service is required. With it, the card owner may well capture a whole boating association.
As a personal affectation. It is simply classy to give away business cards, even if the owner has no business. It gives the owner a feeling of 'superiority' -for lack of a more appropriate term-over others.
So, the card
Different people have different uses for a business card and if you think one reason is enough, then you're wrong. A business card does all of the above, and often, more.
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