Sports Clothing Retail Shop Business Plan

Stan Gearboy received his undergraduate degree form the University of Oregon. While at the University Stan was on both the cycling and the cross country ski team. It was in college where Stan began to realize that he truly enjoyed pushing his body and mind aerobically.

After school Stan worked at R.E.I., initially on the sales floor for two years, moving to a managerial position soon thereafter. Stan worked at R.E.I. for five years getting a complete picture of the retail outdoor market. Stan had always had the dream to own his own business but felt that he did not have a complete enough skill set to risk his own money so he thought it would be prudent to go back to school for a Masters in Business.

Stan chose Southern Oregon University in Ashland based on its active culture and proximity to the mountains. While at school Stan knew in the back of his mind that he wanted to open a retail establishment. Stan recognized that there was no need for a bicycle shop as there were plenty in the city. What Stan did realize was that there was a true lack of sources of men’s aerobic sports clothing retailers.

After his first year in school Stan knew this was the category that he wanted to work in. He went through his second year of school with this idea in mind, formulating parts of the business plan while he was still in school. Two months after graduation, after applying and receiving a significant loan through the school’s entrepreneurship program, Stan began to work full time on Gear Wear.

6.1 Personnel Plan

Stan will begin operations with a few key positions:

• Stan: He will wear multiple hats within the organization. Some of his functions include, but are not limited to: sales, marketing, procurement, business development.
• Sales staff: Initially Gear Wear will have a maximum of three sales people on the floor at any one point. The sales staff will double as customer service agents if any problems arise. The first six months will generally have no more than two staff members.
• Support staff: Gear Wear will use two support staff agents to assist in the unpacking, inventory introduction, and merchandising of the products. These employees will work primarily behind the scenes, except when it comes to the merchandising functions.
• Bookkeeper/Accountant: This will be a part-time position where the employee comes in several time a week and performs the necessary bookkeeping duties. Every two to four weeks the financials will be reviewed by a local CPA firm.