My Business Plan

Amanda Plast

Professor Wilhite

ENG 2413.003

February 4^th, 2012

Coffee Shop

Introduction

This business overview was assigned in the Spring of 2012 in my Technical Writing class.  For this assignment we were asked to create an overview of a business and describe different aspects of the business we created.  We were asked to include details about our goals, our customers, and our employees, as well as, the geographical market and difficulties we foresight among many other details.  Along with this paper we were also asked to present our business overview to the class.

Industry/Line-of-Business

My coffee shop would be considered under the service industry for two reasons; we will have food and coffee provided at the shop, as well as, small blocked off pods as study rooms for people to have a quite space to meet and study.  A place of eating along with studying would be the line-of-business, because it would be a place for people to come and relax while they study or eat.

Products/Services

A place to study that is off campus yet close enough for students to go is what my main service is geared towards.  I want to provide a space where you can get a good meal in a fun environment, which will allow getting your studying done in a more enjoyable way.  The shop would provide all coffee beverages from normal coffee to lattes and cappuccinos along with, soda, tea, lemonade and specialty drinks.  There will be many food options including sandwiches, soups, salads, and fruit and cheese plates.  In the shop there will be designated areas of study for all size groups, for schoolwork, bible studies, and professional business meetings.   With many lounge and comfy sections for just hanging out with friends or meeting up for a quick meal.  There will also be a stage for live music or for church group worship nights.

 

Geographical Market

The market that the coffee shop is generally going to be geared towards will be the college scene. Its location will be near Loop 1604 and in between I-10 and Bandera Rd.  It is perfect for the students of UTSA and Northwest Vista to get away from campus to study and not feel like they are still at school.  There aren’t any local coffee shops in this area, only Starbucks, so my coffee shop will be able to offer a cozier feel that other franchises can’t offer.

Customer Needs

College students are the main group of customers intended for the coffee shop with business professionals and high school students following.  Students will have special areas of studying with electronics available to them and comfortable furniture so they may stay as long as they’d like.   There will also be a room for meetings with a business table and furniture for businesses professionals.  I also plan for campus ministries and bible studies to be held at the coffee shop.    One of the benefits for customers will be the small pod like study areas that they can reserve to meet in for study group sessions or bible studies.  They will feature televisions with computer connectors, as well as an individual music player for their own choice of music to be played.  The stage that the coffee shop will have will have quality sound equipment set up for groups so that the best sound will be provided.  Along with a piano, guitar, and microphones always in the shop for customers to play at their own will.

Five-Year Goal

In the first five years of the coffee shop I would like it to be known across the town of San Antonio as a place to relax, enjoy coffee and food, and a place that is known for an enjoyable time of studying.  I’d like it to be a non-profit business after five years or to see all of the profit we do make donated back to mission work or to other organizations.  The menu for drink should remain the same, except for daily specials that I would like to see become regular.  However, the food menu I would like to see grow during the five year period.  My goal for the coffee shop is for it to become a comfortable enough place that people aren’t afraid to ask for what they want.  Suggestions from customers for full time items on the menu or even selected custom items will be welcomed.

Facilities, Capital and Employees

For a location, my vision is to be somewhere wooded, to where it was quiet and secluded.  It needs to have enough space for a deck and back grassy area for fun sports, so a large lot would be ideal.  The structure needs to be two stories so that the second story can be used for the small pod rooms for the study area, with the downstairs being specifically for social get-togethers.  I’d like to see the majority of the capital come for churches investing their money into a side ministry or just other locals who see a need for a coffee shop in their area.  Two to three staff members will always be at the coffee shop; there should always be a chef in the kitchen as well.  I’d like to hire mostly college students looking for a job, or missionaries looking for an easy part-time side job for a little extra money towards their budget.

Difficulties

One of the difficulties that may arise is finding the funds to start the shop.  Due to the fact that I want to build it is going to cost a little more money then just renting a property.  Another difficulty may be finding a location close enough to UTSA that some students could still walk to it, yet it still feel secluded from campus.  As for competition, because there aren’t many local coffee shops in the area, I don’t foresee many issues.  Starbucks could be the only competitor, but they will not have the feeling of home that my shop will have. 

Partners/Values

I plan to have David Smith be one of my partners; he will be in charge of all of the financial aspects of the business.  Emily Williams will be another partner in charge of the ministry and outreach portion of the business.  In charge of all of the food, beverages, and event planning will be Robert Scott who will take care of the menus and setting up musical acts and the reservations of study spaces for large group events.

Closing           

The coffee shop will be near the college campus of the University of Texas San Antonio for students to socialize, study and share meals together.  It will have a bases for ministry work, as well as, business professional work and will have features and benefits for both areas.