Published Oct. 2, 2011
A concise primer on how to navigate your way to franchise success.
Fantasy Knights, a specialty bookstore in Albany, was conceived in June of 2003 and launch later that year in November. This was a long-time dream of Ernst Laemmert who is an active player in the fantasy video games. When Ernst lost his job as a counselor in a social services agency, he believed it was the time to launch the bookstore. Fantasy Knights sells books, action figures, video games, and rents computer time for customers to play LAN or Internet games together. Ernst contacted SCORE in June 2003 and he began a four-month process of writing the business plan with all its contents in great detail so that he could qualify for a loan to startup the business. Ron Larson and Maury Cohn were his team of SCORE counselors initially, and Ron Larson has been following up for continuing sessions. SCORE counselor Ron Larson completed several reviews of the financial plan spreadsheets and this assisted in gaining approval for the needed loan to start the business. Fantasy Knights has a steady positive cash flow with increasing sales each month. The business turned a profit in the third month. The Fantasy Knights bookstore appeals to the teenager as well as the young adults in their 20’s and 30’s. This young adult segment has the available cash to spend and are driving up sales each month.
2250 14th Street SE
Albany
OR
97322
United States
Published Aug. 4, 2011
This business plan is a generic model suitable for all types of businesses. However, you should modify it to suit your particular circumstances.
Published Aug. 4, 2011
This business plan is a generic model suitable for all types of businesses. However, you should modify it to suit your particular circumstances.
“Ultimate Business Planner” is a Windows based software tool that significantly eases the burden of writing a formal business plan. It guides you through each business-planning step quickly and easily.
“Ultimate Business Planner” is a Windows based software tool that significantly eases the burden of writing a formal business plan. It guides you through each business-planning step quickly and easily.
Published Jun. 22, 2011
ECI.SCORE ARCHITECTURE
ECISCORE WEBSITE CONTENT (ARCHITECTURE)
Published Jun. 14, 2011
Though my wholesale building supply business is profitable, I can’t help feeling we’re not operating up to our potential. As the company’s leader, what can I do to give us the needed push?
There are probably a million ways to use duct tape. But for a wallet? It certainly made sense to Garett Stenson. Always one with an eye for creativity and entrepreneurship, Garett began crafting stylized duct tape wallets first as a hobby, then as a way to make some extra money while pursuing other interests.
Portland
OR
United States
My Successes
Hand-crafting 30,000 “Ductbill” wallets helped Garett pay his way through college, and it made him a popular fixture at Portland, Oregon’s Saturday Market and other fairs and craft events throughout the northwest.
In 1998, Garett began thinking about turning his Ductbill designs into a business. But there was a problem: he wasn’t sure which direction to take his “pocket art.” That’s when Garett began working with the small business experts at Portland SCORE.
Now known as db clay, Garett’s business has evolved into a full-scale designer wallet and accessories label distributed in more than 530 stores around the world, including Nordstroms. E-commerce and social networking channels complement the company’s wholesale operations, helping maximize its reach to consumers who can choose from a wide range of eye-catching designs, or make their own using the myDuctbills do-it-yourself kit.
Another goal has been to combine crafts with environmentally sound technology. To commemorate db clay’s 10-year anniversary, for example, Garett and his team introduced the Version 3.1 collection of designer wallets, which use a proprietary printing process to transfer artwork onto a custom eco-friendly textile.
db clay grew by 140 percent in 2007 and expects to double that performance this year. “We’re now working on taking db clay to the next level by attracting new investors, building our image, and exploring international distribution,” Garett says. Although he now relies on a team of advisors to guide his business, Garett is grateful for the start-up phase advice he received from SCORE.
What's Great About My Mentor?
“Our first few sessions focused on the basic start-up issues, sort of the preliminary business plan development stage,” Garett says. “At the same time, they helped me wrap my mind around an idea that showed the most promise.”
SCORE’s expert mentors also taught Garrett the important fundamentals of business plan development, manufacturing, marketing, personnel, and financial management. “Setting up and managing business accounts is a big change from simply taking cash at the market,” Garett says.
Garett also took advantage of the SCORE chapter’s library to research standard agreements, and procedures for incorporating his business and registering brand names. “All of the mentors at SCORE were super cool to work with,” he says. “They were excited about my product and eager to provide advice and things for me to consider.”
How SCORE Helped
“If you’re starting any kind of business, it’s nice to have people help you with the process,” he says. “They may come from different backgrounds, but they all have experienced the same things you will. SCORE helped pull me in the right direction as I was getting started. Now I feel like I understand how a business works.”
Are workplace conflicts sapping energy from your small business? Daniel Kehrer gives top tips to calming workplace conflicts.
Workplace conflicts can sap energy from any small business. Whether it involves employees, vendors or contractors, getting such issues resolved is critical to smooth sailing. Business managers overall spend an estimated 40 percent of their time dealing with conflicts both big and small.
About the Author
Daniel Kehrer, Founder & Managing Director of BizBest Media Corp., is a nationally-known, award-winning expert on small and local business, start-ups, content marketing, entrepreneurship and social media, with an MBA from UCLA/Anderson. Read more of Daniel's tips at
www.BizBest.com, follow him at
www.twitter.com/140Main and connect on LinkedIn at
www.linkedin.com/in/danielkehrer.
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