Used Sports Equipment Store Business Plan

Nine Lives is an Oregon corporation founded and owned by Jim Gearboy. Jim has a business degree from the University of Oregon. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Jim had two different jobs. The first was as President of U of O’s Outdoor Program. For the program, Jim was their leader motivating the large number of members to pursue organizational goals. Additionally, Jim was responsible for the overall management of the organization. This experience was very valuable because it gave Jim some insight to, and experience in, running a company.

Jim, concurrently, was working at R.E.I. as a sales associate. Jim very much enjoyed this job as it allowed him to work with all of these toys that he enjoyed playing with, it was like being a kid in a candy store. Upon graduation, Jim became manager of the R.E.I. and suddenly his tasks went from sales and interacting with customers to managing the store which did not have much customer interaction. The management and training aspects were good skills to learn, but he longed to be closer to the customers.

These experiences gave Jim the confidence that he had the necessary skills sets to open his own store. He already knew that he had the passion for the outdoor industry and was confident that he would be thoroughly happy to work in the outdoor industry.

6.1 Personnel Plan

Jim will be working for Nine Lives full time as owner/general manager. By month two Nine Lives will bring on board one full-time sales associate. By month four Nine Lives will be in need of a second sales associate. The final employee will be another sales associate by month seven.