Pet Supplies Business Plan

We expect sales growth will be slow to moderate, and that cash flows will be steady with annual sales projected to equal $143,800, $223,180 and $248,748 for the years 2005 – 2007.

Once the company reaches a sufficient level of profitability and accumulates a cash reserve, it plans to invest 50% of profits in research and development of new products, existing product and operational improvements, and to expand marketing and sales efforts to foreign markets. 38% of profits will be invested in low risk financial instruments. 10% of profits will be used for employee bonuses. 1% of profits will be used to support non-profit organizations that support the health and welfare of women in the United States. The remaining 1% will be used to support non-profit organizations that promote the health and welfare of pets in the United States. These expenses will be itemized in the later years of the business plans.

In the event that the company does not earn a profit, additional funds will be sought to finance research and development (R&D) activities. 100% of funding obtained during break-even or loss periods will be used for R&D, while the investment in financial instruments, employee bonuses and charitable giving activities will be foregone.

8.1 General Assumptions

The general assumptions for this plan are shown in the following table.

8.2 Break-even Analysis

The following break-even analysis table and chart show that with average estimated monthly fixed cost of $7,325 and a 28% variable cost, the company needs to generate approximately $10,000 in sales to break even.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

We will operate at a profit beginning in the first year based on our worst case sales forecasts. Though we project that we will operate at a loss for the first six months, we will make up for the losses in the second half of 2005 to break even for the year. We also anticipate earning a profit in subsequent years. These projections are conservatively based on solid market research and initial responses from local pet care professionals.

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

The cash flow table shows that cash flow for our worst case sales scenario (i.e., slow sales for the first three years) provides steady cash balance increases. Once the loan is fully repaid, the cash balance should provide a cushion for future expenses.

The cash flow chart shows monthly projections for 2005.

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

Our projected balance sheet is shown in the following table. Monthly projections are shown in the appendix. The Balance Sheet, even with these conservative forecasts, shows a steadily increasing net worth.

8.6 Business Ratios

The following table outlines some of the more important ratios from the Pet Supplies industry. The final column, Industry Profile, details specific ratios based on the industry as it is classified by the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code, 5999.1103.

Our asset ratios differ from the industry standard for two reasons:

1. Because we are operating initially as a home office with outsourced manufacturing, we do not require any long-term assets at this stage.
2. Because our first sales approaches are to other professionals and the government, rather than to individual consumers, we have a higher percentage of assets as accounts receivable.