Gift Basket Business Plan

BOG will be formed as a sole proprietorship, owned and operated by Susan Presento. There is no compelling need to incorporate. The advantage of incorporation would be limited liability, yet the disadvantage would be the set-up costs and maintenance (tax disadvantages). A comprehensive insurance policy should cover any liability that BOG is exposed to.

Susan Presento, founder and owner, has a degree in communications from the University of Portland. During her undergraduate years, Susan worked at Nothstroms, perfecting her customer-centric perspective. After graduation, Susan managed a flower shop in Salem. It was during these three years that Susan gained her insight to the gift giving practices of Oregonians. Susan also gained valuable management experience in her work at the florist. Susan will be relying on Robert Presento, her husband to help out in the pick up of the ingredients of her products. In addition to Robert’s help, Susan will be using Jennifer Simon who works in the purchasing department of a large corporation. Jennifer will act as a consultant regarding the purchasing habits of corporations, a niche of the industry that Susan would like to be a part of.

6.1 Personnel Plan

The staff of BOG will consist of Susan working full time. Susan’s husband Robert will help with inventory procurement but will not be listed on the payroll. Robert will be picking up inventory on his way home from work occasionally and will not be billing BOG for his work. Jennifer Simon will be a consultant for BOG for insight into the corporate market. By month eight Susan will bring on board a part-time employee. This employee will be used for the assembly of the baskets.