1.1 Objectives: The Business
1.1 Objectives: The Business
1.1 Objectives: The Business
The Business
Soapy Rides will be providing customers with three services: exterior car washing, , interior cleaning, and detailing.
Soapy Rides has no true competitors that are trying to offer a high quality service for a reasonable rate. Most are
trying to compete on price alone. Soapy Rides' ability to provide a high quality service, both in regards to the actual
washing as well as customer service is all based on their ability to find the best employees. Hiring the best
employees is cost effective because it decreases HR costs associated with turnover and other employee costs.
Hiring the best employees and making sure that they are well taken care of ensures that they in turn take care of the
customers. Study after study proves that a happy employee is far more likely to provide the highest level of customer
service compared to an employee who is not happy and feels that they are being taken advantage of.
The Customers
Soapy Rides will target three main groups of customers: individual car owner and leasers, car dealerships, and local
businesses. The surrounding area is quite affluent, 40% of the residents earn over $70,000 a year. Consequently,
they have nice cars and want them to look nice. There are five different car dealerships within a three-mile radius
which will require car washing services for the various fleets. Lastly, there are many different local businesses that
have company cars and that require clean appearances.
Management
The strength of Mark's experience and his family's name equity and assistance is Soapy Rides' competitive edge as
well as a significant asset. Mark has been involved in the family's car repair business for the last ten years. He has
worked his way through the organization and has been the manager for the last five years overseeing operations of
$1.2 million annually. Before the family venture, Mark received his MBA from Cornell University. With 30 years
invested in the community, the Deshpande family name has generated significant value as a fair, active member of
the community. Lastly, Soapy Rides will be able to leverage several of the Deshpande's for their business expertise.
Soapy Rides is positioning itself as the premier hand car wash serving the Long Island area. Mark has forecasted a
20% market share. The business will generate a very high gross margin and a modest net margin after year one
and comfortable margin after year three. By year three the business will have developed a respectable yearly net
profit.
1.1 Objectives
The objectives for Soapy Rides Car Wash and Detail Service are:
Company Summary
The company is solely owned by Mark Deshpande and will be funded by an initial personal investment. Soapy Rides
is New York State registered C corporation.
Mark is working with the family lawyer to set up incorporation and to discuss lease issues before the business is
launched. He is working with a local graphic designer to develop a logo, letterhead, and company
brochures. Although Mark has been in the car repair business, he has not been in the wash and detailing business,
which is a very different service (quick turnaround per car is incredibly important). For this reason he is working with
an acquaintance to set up the system that will ensure efficient service even during peak usage.
Rent on the location has been negotiated and will be $1,200 per month. In addition, insurance for the business will be
approximately $200 per month and will be paid by direct debit on a monthly basis. Expensed equipment includes
three high-power water pumps, two industrial vacuum cleaners, two computer terminals, and one cash register. All of
the equipment will be depreciated over three years.
The location was previously used as a quick stop automobile service shop, so it is set up to move vehicles quickly
through the premises, but does not have all the necessary systems in place to host a car wash and detail facility. The
services of a contracting company will be sought to convert the use of the facility and to improve the customer waiting
room facilities.
Start-up
Requirements
Start-up Expenses
Legal $500
Stationery etc. $400
Brochures $450
Consultants $0
Insurance $200
Rent $1,200
Research and Development $300
Expensed Equipment $4,100
Signs $700
Building Materials $1,200
Building Labor $1,000
Total Start-up Expenses $10,050
Start-up Assets
Cash Required $8,700
Start-up Inventory $250
Other Current Assets $1,000
Long-term Assets $10,000
Total Assets $19,950
Total Requirements $30,000
Start-up Funding
Start-up Expenses to Fund $10,050
Start-up Assets to Fund $19,950
Total Funding Required $30,000
Assets
Non-cash Assets from Start-up $11,250
Cash Requirements from Start-up $8,700
Additional Cash Raised $0
Cash Balance on Starting Date $8,700
Total Assets $19,950
Liabilities and Capital
Liabilities
Current Borrowing $0
Long-term Liabilities $0
Accounts Payable (Outstanding Bills) $0
Other Current Liabilities (interest-free) $0
Total Liabilities $0
Capital
Planned Investment
Investor 1 $30,000
Investor 2 $0
Other $0
Additional Investment Requirement $0
Total Planned Investment $30,000
Loss at Start-up (Start-up Expenses) ($10,050)
Total Capital $19,950
Total Capital and Liabilities $19,950
Total Funding
Services
Soapy Rides will provide three services to its customers:
Market Analysis
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Potential Customers Growth CAGR
New Car Owners 10% 7,200 7,920 8,712 9,583 10,541 10.00%
Older Luxury Car
15% 12,500 14,375 16,531 19,011 21,863 15.00%
Owners
Sports Car Owners 15% 6,500 7,475 8,596 9,885 11,368 15.00%
Lifetime Owners 10% 17,000 18,700 20,570 22,627 24,890 10.00%
New and Used Car
7% 9 10 11 12 13 9.63%
Dealerships
Total 12.28% 43,209 48,480 54,420 61,118 68,675 12.28%
4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy
The strategy behind Soapy Rides target segmentation is to attract customers who will be repeat users and will
frequent the business in the typically quiet times for a car wash business. It will not be difficult to attract customers
during the summer months and on the weekends, the weekdays however, especially in the winter, people will not
think about having their cars washed. For this reason, Soapy Rides will target people who will tend not to be
restricted to these busy times.
Business owners (new car owners) tend to be very busy people, but are often able to make their own hours.
Retired people (older luxury car owners) are not restricted by typical work schedules so will be able to
frequent the car wash during the week.
Dealerships will need cars detailed and washed regardless of the time of the day and week. This will supply
a constant flow of traffic.
Businesses will need their fleet cars washed during the week during regular business hours.
4.3 Service Business Analysis
The hand car washing business in East Meadow consists of many small competitors. Everything from local children
raising money for their youth group on a Saturday by cleaning cars, to the automatic car wash machines, are
competition for Soapy Rides. However, these two alternatives aim to meet the needs of the price-conscious
individuals who are choosing the service simply so they do not have to clean the car themselves. Soapy Rides on the
other hand, targets the quality-conscious individuals who value their car enough to spend $10-$15 per week to
make it look good.
The customers who Soapy Rides is targeting have their cars washed based on the quality of the job. They do not
mind spending a little more each week to have their car washed and waxed in order to keep the paint work in
excellent shape. The businesses that Soapy Rides targets will be more cost conscious, so prices will be
approximately 30% less for these customers to promote volume usage.
Milestones
Milestone Start Date End Date Budget Manager Department
Complete Business Plan 2/1/2001 5/1/2001 $0 ABC Department
Sign Rental Contract 3/20/2001 3/20/2001 $475 Mark Owner
Convert Premises 4/1/2001 4/30/2001 $0 Contractors Contractors
Hire Car Wash Staff 4/20/2001 4/20/2001 $200 Mark Owner
Hire Admin Staff 4/20/2001 4/20/2001 $200 Mark Owner
Open for Business 5/1/2001 5/1/2001 $0 Staff Staff
Distribute Flyers 4/28/2001 5/5/2001 $75 Friends Friends
Press Release 4/29/2001 4/29/2001 $25 Mark Owner
Follow-up on Press
4/30/2001 4/30/2001 $0 Mark Owner
Release
Totals $975
Management Summary
Mark Deshpande is the sole owner and manager of Soapy Rides. In addition, he will be helped (on an unofficial
basis) by his father, Barry Deshpande. Barry has over 30 years experience as an entrepreneur, both in the car
business and in property development and management.
Mark will also have the assistance of John Shine, the family accountant, in creating a long-term strategic vision for
the company. John is a family friend and has worked with the Deshpande family for 23 years. He has worked with
hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses during his career.
Financial Plan
The following plan outlines the financial development of Soapy Rides. The business will be initially financed by
a personal investment by Mark Deshpande and will finance growth through cash flow. This will mean that the
company will grow more slowly than it could, but it will ensure that Mark retains control over the direction of the
company. In year three, it is hoped that the company will be able to open a second location. It is envisioned that
an outside loan or equity funding will be sought at that time.
General Assumptions
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Plan Month 1 2 3
Current Interest Rate 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
Long-term Interest Rate 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
Tax Rate 25.42% 25.00% 25.42%
Other 0 0 0
7.2 Break-even Analysis
The table and chart below show the monthly break-even analysis calculations for Soapy Rides.
Break-even Analysis
Monthly Units Break-even 423
Monthly Revenue Break-even $7,974
Assumptions:
Average Per-Unit Revenue $18.87
Average Per-Unit Variable Cost $0.79
Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost $7,641
7.3 Projected Profit and Loss
The following Profit and Loss table illustrates income and expenses monthly for the first year, and annually for the
next two years.
Pro Forma Profit and Loss
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Sales $109,800 $155,339 $232,204
Direct Cost of Sales $4,583 $6,994 $11,047
Other $0 $0 $0
Total Cost of Sales $4,583 $6,994 $11,047
Gross Margin $105,218 $148,345 $221,157
Gross Margin % 95.83% 95.50% 95.24%
Expenses
Payroll $61,680 $88,312 $113,174
Sales and Marketing and Other Expenses $2,600 $1,550 $1,700
Depreciation $2,070 $2,070 $2,070
Leased Equipment $0 $0 $0
Utilities $3,325 $3,500 $3,750
Insurance $1,800 $1,800 $1,800
Rent $4,800 $5,500 $6,000
Payroll Taxes $15,420 $22,078 $28,294
Other $0 $0 $0
Total Operating Expenses $91,695 $124,810 $156,788
Profit Before Interest and Taxes $13,523 $23,535 $64,370
EBITDA $15,592 $25,605 $66,440
Interest Expense $0 $0 $0
Taxes Incurred $3,204 $5,884 $16,361
Net Profit $10,318 $17,651 $48,009
Net Profit/Sales 9.40% 11.36% 20.68%
7.4 Projected Cash Flow
The following Cash Flow table illustrates that if Soapy Rides meets projected sales, it will have positive cash flow
after half a year of operations.
Pro Forma Cash Flow
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Cash Received
Cash from Operations
Cash Sales $93,330 $132,038 $197,374
Cash from Receivables $13,097 $21,902 $32,470
Subtotal Cash from Operations $106,427 $153,940 $229,843
Additional Cash Received
Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Received $0 $0 $0
New Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0
New Other Liabilities (interest-free) $0 $0 $0
New Long-term Liabilities $0 $0 $0
Sales of Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0
Sales of Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0
New Investment Received $0 $0 $0
Subtotal Cash Received $106,427 $153,940 $229,843
Expenditures Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Expenditures from Operations
Cash Spending $61,680 $88,312 $113,174
Bill Payments $33,052 $46,837 $67,743
Subtotal Spent on Operations $94,732 $135,149 $180,917
Additional Cash Spent
Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Paid Out $0 $0 $0
Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing $0 $0 $0
Other Liabilities Principal Repayment $0 $0 $0
Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment $0 $0 $0
Purchase Other Current Assets $0 $0 $0
Purchase Long-term Assets $0 $0 $0
Dividends $0 $0 $0
Subtotal Cash Spent $94,732 $135,149 $180,917
Net Cash Flow $11,695 $18,791 $48,927
Cash Balance $20,395 $39,186 $88,112
7.5 Projected Balance Sheet
Soapy Rides' balance sheet illustrates a healthy financial position for this new company. The monthly estimates are
included in the appendix.
Ratio Analysis
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Industry Profile
Sales Growth 0.00% 41.47% 49.48% 3.00%
Percent of Total Assets
Accounts Receivable 10.11% 9.21% 7.02% 8.70%
Inventory 2.00% 1.97% 1.58% 9.50%
Other Current Assets 3.00% 1.93% 0.98% 26.40%
Total Current Assets 76.23% 88.69% 96.27% 44.60%
Long-term Assets 23.77% 11.31% 3.73% 55.40%
Total Assets 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Current Liabilities 9.28% 7.56% 5.62% 29.30%
Long-term Liabilities 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 27.80%
Total Liabilities 9.28% 7.56% 5.62% 57.10%
Net Worth 90.72% 92.44% 94.38% 42.90%
Percent of Sales
Sales 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Gross Margin 95.83% 95.50% 95.24% 0.00%
Selling, General & Administrative
86.59% 84.13% 74.45% 68.20%
Expenses
Advertising Expenses 0.91% 0.74% 0.56% 1.50%
Profit Before Interest and Taxes 12.32% 15.15% 27.72% 2.70%
Main Ratios
Current 8.21 11.74 17.12 1.53
Quick 8.00 11.48 16.84 0.88
Total Debt to Total Assets 9.28% 7.56% 5.62% 57.10%
Pre-tax Return on Net Worth 44.68% 49.11% 67.10% 3.40%
Pre-tax Return on Assets 40.53% 45.40% 63.33% 8.00%
Additional Ratios Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Net Profit Margin 9.40% 11.36% 20.68% n.a
Return on Equity 34.09% 36.83% 50.05% n.a
Activity Ratios
Accounts Receivable Turnover 4.88 4.88 4.88 n.a
Collection Days 57 64 62 n.a
Inventory Turnover 5.45 8.30 8.41 n.a
Accounts Payable Turnover 11.67 12.17 12.17 n.a
Payment Days 27 27 25 n.a
Total Asset Turnover 3.29 3.00 2.28 n.a
Debt Ratios
Debt to Net Worth 0.10 0.08 0.06 n.a
Current Liab. to Liab. 1.00 1.00 1.00 n.a
Liquidity Ratios
Net Working Capital $22,338 $42,059 $92,139 n.a
Interest Coverage 0.00 0.00 0.00 n.a
Additional Ratios
Assets to Sales 0.30 0.33 0.44 n.a
Current Debt/Total Assets 9% 8% 6% n.a
Acid Test 6.91 10.26 15.59 n.a
Sales/Net Worth 3.63 3.24 2.42 n.a
Dividend Payout 0.00 0.00 0.00 n.a
Appendix
Sales Forecast
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9Month 10Month 11 Month 12
Unit Sales
Full Wash 0% 90 130 170 190 190 185 135 135 120 120 140 155
Exterior Wash 0% 90 130 185 220 230 220 180 170 150 150 160 165
Interior Clean 0% 40 50 50 55 60 65 70 80 80 85 75 60
End User Detail 0% 3 5 7 10 12 12 14 9 11 14 15 17
Business Fleet Washes 0% 25 40 55 60 60 55 55 55 55 50 50 55
Car Dealership Details 0% 15 17 20 26 32 40 56 45 56 60 60 67
Total Unit Sales 263 372 487 561 584 577 510 494 472 479 500 519
Unit Prices Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9Month 10Month 11 Month 12
Full Wash $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00
Exterior Wash $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00 $9.00
Interior Clean $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00 $8.00
End User Detail $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00
Business Fleet Washes $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00
Car Dealership Details $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00 $70.00
Sales
Full Wash $1,350 $1,950 $2,550 $2,850 $2,850 $2,775 $2,025 $2,025 $1,800 $1,800 $2,100 $2,325
Exterior Wash $810 $1,170 $1,665 $1,980 $2,070 $1,980 $1,620 $1,530 $1,350 $1,350 $1,440 $1,485
Interior Clean $320 $400 $400 $440 $480 $520 $560 $640 $640 $680 $600 $480
End User Detail $420 $700 $980 $1,400 $1,680 $1,680 $1,960 $1,260 $1,540 $1,960 $2,100 $2,380
Business Fleet Washes $250 $400 $550 $600 $600 $550 $550 $550 $550 $500 $500 $550
Car Dealership Details $1,050 $1,190 $1,400 $1,820 $2,240 $2,800 $3,920 $3,150 $3,920 $4,200 $4,200 $4,690
Total Sales $4,200 $5,810 $7,545 $9,090 $9,920 $10,305 $10,635 $9,155 $9,800 $10,490 $10,940 $11,910
Direct Unit Costs Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9Month 10Month 11 Month 12
Full Wash 0.00% $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70
Exterior Wash 0.00% $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40 $0.40
Interior Clean 0.00% $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30
End User Detail 0.00% $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00
Business Fleet Washes 0.00% $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70 $0.70
Car Dealership Details 0.00% $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00
Direct Cost of Sales
Full Wash $63 $91 $119 $133 $133 $130 $95 $95 $84 $84 $98 $109
Exterior Wash $36 $52 $74 $88 $92 $88 $72 $68 $60 $60 $64 $66
Interior Clean $12 $15 $15 $17 $18 $20 $21 $24 $24 $26 $23 $18
End User Detail $9 $15 $21 $30 $36 $36 $42 $27 $33 $42 $45 $51
Business Fleet Washes $18 $28 $39 $42 $42 $39 $39 $39 $39 $35 $35 $39
Car Dealership Details $45 $51 $60 $78 $96 $120 $168 $135 $168 $180 $180 $201
Subtotal Direct Cost of
$183 $252 $328 $388 $417 $432 $436 $387 $408 $427 $445 $483
Sales
Personnel Plan
Month Month Month
Month 1Month 2Month 3Month 4Month 5Month 6Month 7Month 8Month 9
10 11 12
Owner 0% $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Car Washers 0% $2,240 $2,240 $3,360 $3,360 $3,360 $2,240 $2,240 $2,240 $2,240 $2,240 $2,240 $2,240
Admin/Sales 0% $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120 $1,120
Total People 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Payroll $4,860 $4,860 $5,980 $5,980 $5,980 $4,860 $4,860 $4,860 $4,860 $4,860 $4,860 $4,860
General Assumptions
Month Month Month
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9
10 11 12
Plan Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Current Interest
10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
Rate
Long-term
10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
Interest Rate
Tax Rate 30.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00% 25.00%
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0