I'm going to go public

[giddonah]

My city has $40million to dole out to people to start businesses. I'm going to go get some of it and start going public. I'd rather be doing this part time for money instead of working for someone else part time at a desk.

I need to put together a business plan and tell them how much I need. This is where I need your help. I need estimates on how much it costs for everything. I'm thinking it might get up to $200,000 (the money can be used for anything, not just equipment, like salaries).

I'd like to get:
Utility van $40k?
Insurance $3k/yr?
Tools $10k
Secretary/bookkeeper $30k/yr
Two helpers $???
Web Site $???
Advertising $???
Home Office $???
Three phone lines $70/mo?
Materials $50k?
Office equipment $7k (two computers, fax, phones, digital camera, printer, software)
Lawyer $2k?
Accountant $2k?


What am I missing and what needs adjusting? This is just so I have some estimate of what it'll need from the city.

[giddonah]

Oh yeah, forgot to say what I'm doing. Renovations. I've been working on these two houses and have done everything. I'll have to sub out the electrical and plumbing for any projects within the city limits, but I can handle anything else (or you'll see me asking how to do it :lol: )

[Rich]

That's a pretty good list there giddonah - didn't miss much that I can see. Your numbers are pretty close.. maybe a little high for a starting secretary. Don't forget about adding burdens to those salaries... such as taxes that you are responsible for - FICA, Disability insurance, work comp, etc.
What materials? Are you stocking inventory then?

[giddonah]

I figured I'd need to stock some stuff for convenience at jobs and also enough to get projects going. If I got three big projects, I'd need to be able to front money for each one initially. It's probably a little high, but hey, when you're asking the government for money, I figure high is good. Also, the truck will probably be $30k for something like Tom R's, which I love. The $40k version is a 3500 with a knapheid box. I'll leave the $40k on the proposal though. Yeah, the $30k might be a little high, but she'll be doing the books too (plus I'll be married to her, did I mention that I'm getting married the day after thanksgiving? :lol: ).

I have an appointment to see the guy on monday morning. I'll meet him and give him an idea of what I'm asking for, then go write up my business plan (my brother bought me a book/cd for this). This might work, but I'll have to see on monday how he reacts to $200k.

[giddonah]

So, how much do you budget for helpers? And for a website? (I could probably put one together, but don't want to). And advertising? I imagine an advertising budget can easily get out of hand, but what do small organizations put into it?

[Rich]

Starting out I would say you're going to need a listing in the phonebook (probably won't get much other than authenticity from it) and look for a local paper with a business directory. Possibly 75-150 per month to start. Start there anyway - you might find you don't need much of anything if there isn't much competition.
Website will run about $6 / month for the webspace, around $14 / year for the domain, and somewhere between $100 and $3000 to design and program.
Helpers wages depend on how much you want to pay them and what your local taxes and such are going to cost.

[rabadger]

I got my web site through the Small Busniss Developement Center. It is a self maintained site. Had to take 2 four hour classes on how to build it and do maintenance on it. That was the least expesive way for me. It was less than 300.00 for everything.

I also took the quick books class through them. It was less than 100.00

Check around and see if you have a small business developement program in your area.