Bubba & Shirley Trading Co.
Executive Summary
Soft launch December 2012 Sector: beauty, Hair and Fashion Stage: Start Up Required Funds: $50,000 of debt funds is needed to gear up the business to buy inventory, manufacture and market the line to satisfy the business opportunity. Key objectives being to undertake production, purchase inventory, further develop sales channels; advance the production of the full range of products and build out of the initial retail concept. Investment spend breakdown will be as follows: • Inventory and supplies $15,000 • Advertising and Marketing 90 day campaign $5500 • Sales prep and PR materials $5000 • Packaging $3000 • Marketing and Strategic Alliances $5000 • Tech/Start‐Up –site build and maintenance $2500 • Expenses, Travel and Overhead $7000 • Permits, licenses and dues $2000 • Legal, Insurance $5000 Business Summary: The company has been set up to provide style conscious underserved women of color celebrity coveted, quality hair, beauty, fashion and lifestyle brands based on skin tone, body shape, need, request and market demand at initial launch to be extended to a wider group of women where appropriate. The most underserved market though with the greatest need is in hair and beauty, which takes strong consumer demand and purchase history into account; therefore Bubba & Shirley Trading Co. has focused on the hair and beauty market for the first core product mix and sales opportunity launch. Established in 2010 with founder investment and sweat equity, the company has a core team of 4 individuals with sales & marketing, finance and technical expertise and the expertise of at least 6 specialist suppliers with experience in retail, fashion, hair and beauty (particularly hair), branding, manufacturing, operations and logistics. The company has designed and developed unique wigs and hair pieces, hair care and skin and body products in a range suited to women of color alongside exquisite fashion accessories (bags and shoes) and an apparel capsule collection ensuring suitability of product range for all women. The StylistToTheStars.co.uk web site has been registered and trademark names for the related own‐ label brands will be filed in December for the US and January for UK and beyond. Customer Problem: This customer segment has always been underserved in the areas the business will target; products are still not as widely available in key markets to reflect the volume or spending power of the market. The availability of products for “us” designed and manufactured by “us” for women of color is currently severely lacking as the core target group have to ‘make do’ with limited options. Research has shown that within the target segment • 82% of respondents did not find it easy to buy quality hair and cosmetics similar to their skin tone and hair type • 94% of respondents wanted to be able to buy products similar to their skin tone and hair type • 94% of respondents would buy products in a skin tone or hair type similar to theirs Product / Service: B&STCo. will wholesale and sell hair and beauty under the brand names Bubba & Shirley Trading Co., VIVA Beauty and WIG BAR initially focusing on women of color that incorporates tone, texture, hue, shade, style, shape and look for women who want to feel that what is on the inside makes them more visible on the outside. “Be transformed”…and “Let your personality shine through.”
Bubba & Shirley Trading Co.
Executive Summary
Target Markets: • The Catwalk Collection is targeted at stylistas on a budget. Women 18‐35. This collection is aimed at the woman who follows trends and celebrities, wants style and quality on a budget. • The Stylista Collection: Our core collection intends on attracting the woman who cares about the practicalities and functionality, quality and offering and can offered to spend a bit more for what she wants. • The premium range looks to the woman who is willing to spend more on what she perceives as very good quality and life and style enhancing. These customer groups are not discreet and it is expected that there will be multiple purchases by each customer group type that is occasion specific and not based on customer type. • The Men’s Collection is targeted at me of substance and style who want to look and feel good. Men 18‐49+ Sales Channels: The Company’s products will be available in store in several retailer locations across the UK, France and the US, and initially available worldwide through the e‐commerce site stylisttothestars.co.uk. Direct sales will also provide a platform in selected hair salons and POP Ups worldwide to direct potential customers to the website to make purchases or on the spot order taking. In home and office direct sales opportunities will also be forefront in the sales channel Sales and Marketing Strategy: It has been a strategic decision to prioritize untapped and underserved segments of women of color while tapping into the general beauty and fashion buyer market. The launch of the Company and its curated, licensed and own label products will take place aggressively in the US immediately upon receipt of these funds, with a softer launch in the UK, France, Brazil and Canada in March 2013. This is due to the US market being more ‘ready’ for the core product offering and also the knowledge that UK consumer trends tend to follow the US. Competition: Korean and Asian hair manufacturers. Global beauty companies. Leading independent brands. Current opportunities: • Direct sales parties and key events and sales opportunities for Holiday, Award season, Super Bowl and NBA All Star • UK consumer and US trade launch in February 2013 (US black history month). • The market is ready for the brand with consumers constantly asking where to buy the products and brand now. • A very experienced team is in place to execute plan on both sides of the Atlantic. The current feedback from trade and consumer press has been very positive. • A strategic alliance has already been formed with an identified hair specialist very well known by the black entertainment industry to link both brands as a lifestyle choice. A partnership with a high profile wig designer and hair supplier has already been established. She is very well respected by the beauty and fashion, film and TV industry and by consumers and the alliance with The Company will be a great intangible asset. Other key alliances have been forged with a respected global licenser and manufacture, as well as a brand agent and fashion accessories designer. The company is currently maximizing on public acceptance of the concept and market expertise and relationships. Sponsorship of targeted organizations for The Stay Strong. Stay Beautiful Foundation to educate, empower and up skill women. Repayment Strategy: Repay start up loan in 36 months at a 1020% rate.