SCOOPS START UP PLAN

My name is Bill McCrystyn. I am 63 and have been in retail sales and marketing for over 35 years. I was a General Manager with KFC, an Assistant Manager with Luby’s Cafeteria and owned my own wholesale gourmet dessert bakery in California for over 10 years.

As for my business acumen, I will quote the cover to my Business Plan submitted to the SBA.

To whom it may concern:

I have reviewed the plan for Scoops Ice Cream and found it to be a more than reasonable feasibility analysis of the venture. The partners (my wife and I) have conducted market research with a national trade association, the local chamber of commerce, manufacturers, national franchises etc. In addition, they have conducted primary market research by visiting the potential location. The financial estimates appear reasonable and consistent with industry standards. I have spoken with Bill on several occasions and can say he has a good understanding of the reality of managing and owning a business. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thanks,

 Mark
Mark Langford

Director

Collin Small Business Development Center

4800 Preston Park Blvd, suite A126

Plano, Texas 75093


I think beyond this it is appropriate to start with a look at the alternatives to this offer of a start-up plan. The first is, of course, what so many uninitiated opt for - the national (or regional) franchise. I am dead set opposed to the franchise equation. In short, you become a Manager for a large corporation, and a rather underpaid one at that. You lose real control of your business in as much as you must adhere to their guidelines for management, marketing, pricing and product. In most cases you must pay weekly gross sales fees, in some cases up to 5-10% (this means someone else is looking at your books). This is in addition to anywhere from $30,000 to as much as $100,000 just to say you share the namesake. If the chain has nationally advertised problems – so will you. If the chain runs national sales or special hours – so will you. If they decide to open another one or two locations in your area (eg Subway), too bad, so sad.

The other alternative, perhaps an even worse one, is the task of figuring it out yourself. This is going from one extreme to the other - too much help and meddling to not enough – or unqualified, bad judgment.

This is where I come in. My start-up package is a “one time” purchase. There are no strings. There are no continuing agreements (other than territorial) and most certainly, no unqualified advice. As you can see, what we have is a successful up and running parlor with, I will bet, some of the best ice cream you have ever eaten. A pretty storefront with bad or mediocre ice cream will not work for you. The chains have that, or worse, the grocery stores. I have left no stone unturned and no question unanswered. It is “a complete package” to get you up and running ASAP from the ground up and to be your own independent gourmet boutique. I can assure you, no chain will want to move in next door – probably not even down the street for 10–15 miles. They could not compete with your price, quality, or service.