You have researched the internet, spoken with friends and even went to a coffee trade show or two and you are STILL considering opening a specialty coffee business of your own.  A two hour telephone consultation might be just what you need to find out if the coffee business is right for you. 

During your consultation we will discuss the many facets and daily operations of owning a specialty coffee retailing business with one of our senior consultants. We will  discuss what concepts you may be considering and your ultimate desires and goals for your business.  The Coffee Prophets purpose at this phase is to ground you in reality, so to speak.

We will discuss the relevancy of your concept and the best options for your potential new business.  Our Senior Consultants will ensure you realize exactly what you are getting into once you enter the gourmet coffee trade, no hype, just rock solid information you need before moving forward.

Ten years ago had you asked members of The Coffee Prophets if we thought paying for a Business Plan service had inherent value we would have unanimously said “NO”.  Fast-forward a decade and after witnessing the change in business practices and the modern competitive operating environment from which businesses must compete; we have changed our thoughts and recognized the importance and value that a well-structured and adaptable business plan provides.  We have devoted thousands of hours studying business plan preparation, development and essential elements of great plans in order to best serve the specialty coffee industry. 

By conducting our own self-studies and discussing business planning with dozens of Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) over the last two years we have compiled all the essential requirements to create business plans that are sound, practical, realistic and relevant to today’s dynamic market place.  Together we will create your business plan with the utmost care and research.

Each Coffee Prophet business plan begins with telling your story; which includes your Mission Statement, Your Type of Business, Customer Satisfaction, Your Philosophy, Value Based Marketing, Keys to Success, and What Makes You Different.  Throughout the business plan writing process, we address the key of components of critical thinking; strategic planning, gaining competitive advantages, as well as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT).   The Coffee Prophets eliminate all subjective references and replace them with quantifiable goals and standards.

During this entire process, we keep your plan simple, realistic, specific and most importantly complete.  We build in control measures that ensure planning, actions, results and follow-ups keep you in touch and on track with your plan and most importantly assist you in identifying emerging markets and trends.  When finished you shall receive two professionally bound plans along with a bound PowerPoint presentation that outlines the key components of your business (this brief is very useful for desk side meetings with lenders and developers).

We cannot over emphasis that your business plan is not a cookie cutter template that just changes names and addresses (these types of generic “check the block” templates or CDs often do more harm then good for coffee retailers devoted to success).   The Coffee Prophets write each plan specifically for each essential element of your market area, while simultaneously capturing your spirit and vision. 

We always keep in mind your plan is a direct reflection of you and your company and may ultimately determine if you receive financing or the locations you so desire.  For those reasons, The Coffee Prophets take the greatest care in the wordsmithing of your plan and its final preparation and shipping.

Our “Get Up and Grow” financial evaluation is designed to help you better understand the required capital necessary to enter each level of the specialty coffee industry from carts to kiosks to coffee house and full service cafés. The Coffee Prophets will walk you through each financial decision required prior to final determination to open a specialty coffee business regardless of size.

Our Senior Financial Consultant will provide a detailed financial analysis of each component of opening a business.  In our analysis, we will provide you all the information you need to understand the actual cost associated with opening and subsequently running a coffee retail business and the capital required to remain open as you build a loyal customer base.

When finished you will receive Excel spreadsheets that outline the following information critical to understanding your financial position: Estimated Cost of Market Entry, Break Even Analysis, Cost of Goods based upon proposed menus; Profit Loss Statements; 12-24- 36 Month Financial Forecast, Estimated Quarterly Earnings adjusted to Cost of Living and Consumer Price Index.  You will also receive many powerful “WHAT IF” assessment tools, which will help you, answer those all-important questions of (What if?). 

This service does not stop there, we also provide you training in 13 specific areas of business finance you need to understand so you can successfully maintain your businesses financial health.  They include:  Cash Balance; Accounts Receivable; Inventory Calculations; Other Current Liabilities; Capital Assets; Accumulated Depreciation;  Accounts Payable; Short Term Loans; Other Current Liabilities; Long Term Liabilities; Paid- in Capital; Retained Earning and Earnings.  With training in these areas, you will be prepared to discuss each aspect with your loan officer and eventually your bookkeeper and accountant.

As an added benefit, The Coffee Prophets will assist you in preparing any additional paperwork or forms required by your lending institution.  The Coffee Prophets maintain a Small Business Administration specialist on site to assist you in preparing you Small Business Administration (SBA) Low Doc Loans or SBA 7a Loan paperwork. 

Having the Coffee Prophets by your side is a significant advantage.  We bring to the table over 100 years of retail, coffee and food service experience in both the public, private and governmental sectors.   Let us help you prepare yourself when attempting to seek capital whether it is from traditional lending institutions, the Government, venture capitalist or even you own business savvy family member.

As our continuing commitment to Capitalizing Your Venture this service will remain ongoing until receiving adequate capital to open your business; and we have finished training you on whom to prepare a Profit Loss Statements after opening.

Location, Location Location.  If you have heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times.  Nothing may be more critical to your specialty coffee retail business success then location.  

Unlike other consultants who lack the knowledge and expertise and simply rely on the “touchy feely” approach along with a half dozen criteria for selecting an ‘ideal” retail location.   The Coffee Prophets instead maintain a “weighting scale” of over 100 important criteria necessary to select a winning location for your operation.  National chains of all type and large food service operations when determining pad sites for new locations use this list of weighted criteria when selecting and analyzing potential locations.

Therefore during our holistic approach to finding your location, we analyze and identify your competition both obvious and many not so obvious. We will examine the effects of schools, gymnasiums, churches, and other centers of commerce that are easy and efficient to market to and will serve as the cornerstone of your operation while you brand yourself to tourist, residents, commuters, and passer bys.

We also review over 30 aesthetic criteria of each proposed location to ensure it is commensurate with specialty coffee retailing. In the end you will have a location not only suitable for your venture but one that will provide you the necessary traffic you need to thrive.

We use state-of-the art modeling and population software, along with Census Data and the most essential elements of marketing data available anywhere.  We also provide crucial elements of essential information on rent factors, build out costs and other requirements which are all critical when selecting a location.

Upon request, we will travel to your location and complete a full on-site location analysis of the numerous choices you may be considering. This hands-on approach will provide you complete statistical data to help you evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of potential locations.

Our in-depth scrutiny, in conjunction with your attorney’s review, will arm you with valuable insights that will help protect your business investment and ensure the viability of your specialty coffee business.  You will receive a detailed written report outlining all recommendations and suggestions on how to capitalize on your lease negotiations and tenant improvements along with support follow-ups until a site is selected.