Business Plan for a Start up Business

[Benfleet A1]

People, your help is required. After some seriously tinpot ideas over the years I have finally come up with a business venture that after extensive research has legs and the potental to suceed. The market potental is huge and I have alot of knowledge about the chosen industry. The start up costs are not massive (around £100,000) which in the grand scheme of things isn't an awful lot of money nowadays. Over the next couple of months my partner and I will be approaching the big players in the industry and our target market based within the entire Essex area.

My partner has introduced me to an accountant who has looked at the idea and thinks it might be worth a punt and we also have a potental investor who we need to meet in June who is more than a little interested.

And here lies the problem. We need a business plan. I can bang on all day without drawing breath on the potental, the customers, the required equipment and regale anyone outside of the industry to death with my knowledge but writing a business plan is causing me a major headache. I have rough drafted half a dozen so far and every one of them is/was rubbish.

Where can I get a decent template for the plan or can anyone suggest a company that can produce a professional one for me without robbing me blind. If there is anyone on here that can advise on writing one then that would be even better.

Serious advise please.

Thanks Al

 

[Firestorm]

http://www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm

 

[osymandus]

People, your help is required. After some seriously tinpot ideas over the years I have finally come up with a business venture that after extensive research has legs and the potental to suceed. The market potental is huge and I have alot of knowledge about the chosen industry. The start up costs are not massive (around £100,000) which in the grand scheme of things isn't an awful lot of money nowadays. Over the next couple of months my partner and I will be approaching the big players in the industry and our target market based within the entire Essex area.

My partner has introduced me to an accountant who has looked at the idea and thinks it might be worth a punt and we also have a potental investor who we need to meet in June who is more than a little interested.

And here lies the problem. We need a business plan. I can bang on all day without drawing breath on the potental, the customers, the required equipment and regale anyone outside of the industry to death with my knowledge but writing a business plan is causing me a major headache. I have rough drafted half a dozen so far and every one of them is/was rubbish.

Where can I get a decent template for the plan or can anyone suggest a company that can produce a professional one for me without robbing me blind. If there is anyone on here that can advise on writing one then that would be even better.

Serious advise please.

Thanks Al

Isn't this MC's line of work as well ?

 

[Napster]

People, your help is required. After some seriously tinpot ideas over the years I have finally come up with a business venture that after extensive research has legs and the potental to suceed. The market potental is huge and I have alot of knowledge about the chosen industry. The start up costs are not massive (around £100,000) which in the grand scheme of things isn't an awful lot of money nowadays. Over the next couple of months my partner and I will be approaching the big players in the industry and our target market based within the entire Essex area.

My partner has introduced me to an accountant who has looked at the idea and thinks it might be worth a punt and we also have a potental investor who we need to meet in June who is more than a little interested.

And here lies the problem. We need a business plan. I can bang on all day without drawing breath on the potental, the customers, the required equipment and regale anyone outside of the industry to death with my knowledge but writing a business plan is causing me a major headache. I have rough drafted half a dozen so far and every one of them is/was rubbish.

Where can I get a decent template for the plan or can anyone suggest a company that can produce a professional one for me without robbing me blind. If there is anyone on here that can advise on writing one then that would be even better.

Serious advise please.

Thanks Al

Al, good luck - just out of interest why were the drafts rubbish?

 

[DTS]

People, your help is required. After some seriously tinpot ideas over the years I have finally come up with a business venture that after extensive research has legs and the potental to suceed. The market potental is huge and I have alot of knowledge about the chosen industry. The start up costs are not massive (around £100,000) which in the grand scheme of things isn't an awful lot of money nowadays. Over the next couple of months my partner and I will be approaching the big players in the industry and our target market based within the entire Essex area.

My partner has introduced me to an accountant who has looked at the idea and thinks it might be worth a punt and we also have a potental investor who we need to meet in June who is more than a little interested.

And here lies the problem. We need a business plan. I can bang on all day without drawing breath on the potental, the customers, the required equipment and regale anyone outside of the industry to death with my knowledge but writing a business plan is causing me a major headache. I have rough drafted half a dozen so far and every one of them is/was rubbish.

Where can I get a decent template for the plan or can anyone suggest a company that can produce a professional one for me without robbing me blind. If there is anyone on here that can advise on writing one then that would be even better.

Serious advise please.

Thanks Al

Al,

First off mate really good luck. I am not sure if its the same business idea we spoke about on the way to Aldershot but either eay good luck. Personally I cannot speak highly enough of being self employed. It does have its down sides but on the whole I love it.

If you speak to your bank they may well be able to give you some free softwear which will allow you to design your business plan. I didnt really do one as I didnt need any cash to start up (not being flash its just there were minimal costs) but I am sure Lloyds offered me help with this. Barclays also offered me a package which looked ok and included some softwear so you can credit check clients before doing a deal to see how likely you are to get paid. So the banks could be a good starting point for this. I know from my Breakfast club that Barclays have a massive appetite for new business start ups at the moment.

Sorry I cant help more but if you want some help with lead generation and networking type things then I am only ever a call away mate.

Good luck
DtS

 

[Benfleet A1]

My thanks to Firestorm, finally a site that gives decent examples.

Naps, I got in all of a fluster and ballsed them up.

Thanks Dave, knew you would post something helpful. It isn't what we were talking about, I'm sticking to what I really know. Firestorm could be a potental customer in the future which should give you a clue.

Thanks chaps.

 

[Firestorm]

If its a motorcycle specific recovery service, Al , there is a gap in the market around here. Over the years I have had the RAC out maybe a dozen times. only twice have i been sent a Van specifically set up to take a bike and one of them had a ramp up to the back but no winch an it was nigh on impossible to push the Triumph up.

Good luck

 

[Benfleet A1]

If its a motorcycle specific recovery service, Al , there is a gap in the market around here. Over the years I have had the RAC out maybe a dozen times. only twice have i been sent a Van specifically set up to take a bike and one of them had a ramp up to the back but no winch an it was nigh on impossible to push the Triumph up.

Good luck

And first prize goes to..................

 

[Firestorm]

Its some way down the line, but getting your details well publicised around Brands and Snetterton could get some business, there are loads of trackdays at those venues and most ride there. often someone can't ride home !!

 

[Napster]

Plus of course all the riders ride down to Hastings and Southend at bank holidays. Loads of potential business there.

 

[Benfleet A1]

Gentlemen, I am waay ahead of you. I personally recovered 5 bikes from the Southend Shakedown rangeing from a twist & go right up to a 1400cc all whistles and bells Harley Davidson. In all cases I recovered them on a 12ton double deck slidebed which frankly freaked out all concerned. I was confronted with the phrase 'Haven't you got anything bigger' and also over heard that timeless classic, 'This is an accident waiting to happen' I hear it all the time and am convinced that the vast majority of bikers would prefer their pride and joy recovered in a proper ramped vehicle with winch, wheel grip and bike straps.

I have also noticed that most bike shops don't have their own recovery vehicle and if they do it is normally a beaten up old Transit with an scaffolding board for a ramp. And the amount of idiots who strap off the handle bars!! It amazes me that you dont see more recovery people about with crash helmet dents on their heads. So as Firestorm pointed out, there is a market and I think I can tap into it.

If all goes well then we intend to launch 1st March 2012 with two vehicles with more to follow if we land the european repatriation contracts that I am after. Long term we are looking into a tyre/puncture service and repair shop if the market allows for it. It is early days but things are slowly taking shape so watch this space.

Thanks for the good luck messages. Mate rates will apply to Shrimperzone members.

 

[pringlejon]

I've always wanted my own business but I'm lacking the eureka idea at the minute. Hope it all works out for you genial!! Good luck!

 

[Berrichonne shrimper]

Good luck Al,working for others is a mugs game(no offence meant to 95% of the population) and if you can make money and enjoy what you are doing then you are on to a winner.
p.s. i dont like motorbikes they scare me.

 

[Benfleet A1]

p.s. i dont like motorbikes they scare me.

Same here, broken is just the way I like them.

 

[Hotman]

Drop me a copy of what youve got so far and I'll happily have a look and give you pointers, hopefully save you a few quid.

People, your help is required. After some seriously tinpot ideas over the years I have finally come up with a business venture that after extensive research has legs and the potental to suceed. The market potental is huge and I have alot of knowledge about the chosen industry. The start up costs are not massive (around £100,000) which in the grand scheme of things isn't an awful lot of money nowadays. Over the next couple of months my partner and I will be approaching the big players in the industry and our target market based within the entire Essex area.

My partner has introduced me to an accountant who has looked at the idea and thinks it might be worth a punt and we also have a potental investor who we need to meet in June who is more than a little interested.

And here lies the problem. We need a business plan. I can bang on all day without drawing breath on the potental, the customers, the required equipment and regale anyone outside of the industry to death with my knowledge but writing a business plan is causing me a major headache. I have rough drafted half a dozen so far and every one of them is/was rubbish.

Where can I get a decent template for the plan or can anyone suggest a company that can produce a professional one for me without robbing me blind. If there is anyone on here that can advise on writing one then that would be even better.

Serious advise please.

Thanks Al

 

[osymandus]

Same here, broken is just the way I like them.

Good luck and great spot for the market ;)

 

[milhouse]

I reckon you're going to need a bit more than £100K to build a new football stadium even if it only has three sides.

You are Ron Martin and I claim my £5.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Well done GHG, I think this is a genuine "hole" to be filled by someone with your entrepreneurial streak by the look of things. I know plenty of people who ride bikes and most recover them using a friend with a van so for it to be done professionally would be a bonus! I'll certainly give them your details when you're up and running.

 

[jamesmut2000]

I'll leave the business plan advice to others on here who seem to have it covered already - but when the time comes and you get going get in touch and let me have some cards and flyers to hand out - I deal with the motor trade all over Essex and would be happy to pass them on to any who might be interested as well as onto all those people I know privately who ride bikes.

I only know of one recovery firm that offers a bike pick up service near me and as you said earlier I'm not sure it's a bespoke service - more a van with a plank of wood and a couple of ratchet straps!!!

 

[Kent Shrimper]

GHG, just over 2 years ago, my business partner and i launched Outstanding Branding, we supply branded promotional merchandise to SME and Corporates.

We had great success as Sales people but no experience of Business Plans. So we spent a great deal of time honing an initial 3 year plan, getting as much input as possible from successful business people. When we presented to the bank they were very complimentary, mainly because 9/10 of the people going to them for funding of any sort don't bother presneting a business plan. The point im trying to make is that don't knock the ones you already have written, they maybe better than you think and get them looked over by different business people you know, from business owners to marketeers to accountants. We thought we had finished but then someones suggested a SWOT analysis, again we hadn't even considered it but was very useful

Also don't just write it just for the banks/funding sake, we use it as a map of where we are going and how we are getting there, regularly we update it and now we actually have historical data so forecasting a bit easier and we can plan.

Lastly when it comes time to the launch and you need branded Caps, overalls, pens, mugs, keyrings, t-shirts, bike stands, etc let me know i will do you a deal.

Good luck, it sounds a great idea