Onward and upward!

Thank you for being part of our journey these 3 years! We've so appreciated all your kind words and visits. Onward and upward with our journey!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Business Plan done! On to the banks this week!

I'm doing a major happy dance tonight! I just finished the draft of the business plan!!!! Wahoo!!!!! Three months of research and reading and asking and listening and learning and I'm done with this step! C'mon dance with me....share the excitement!!! Now to have a final pow wow with the husband who I know will have lots of questions and I say bring 'em on and then meet with the CPA tomorrow to have a last look and then on to the banks!! With a good head wind and sunshine in the forecast (in my mind anyway....), here's visualizing an official green light on the financial end of this project in the next week or two! Please visualize with me....the banks will love the business plan and be happy to loan us the money so we can make a difference in the lives of families....repeat....the banks will love..... Thank you for all the calls and emails of support!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Crunch Week

It is crunch week here wrapping up the details of the business plan and getting ready to start talking to financial people. My goal is to have the business plan done by Sunday and start getting the finances in place next week. If you have not already taken the market survey, please pop over and do that quickly as I'll be closing it in the next few days. I've been happily meeting with and learning about so many aspects of the business including logo design, website development, contractors, fixtures, signage, insurance policies, utility estimates, business consultants, CPAs, inventory vendors and so much more. It really is lots of fun to explore and I'm excited to get business plan done. I have found THE cutest vinyl flooring that looks like real grass! So cool! I plan to use it in the floor of the activities room where we'll do crafts, science experiments and host birthday parties. I'll also do some burlap trees like I made in my daughter's bedroom for a whimsical touch as well Sooo many ideas bursting in my head. How about this one.....

Playgroups for various parenting groups? I know as a SAHM it is hard to make friends that you have things in common with. I'm thinking maybe I'll host playgroups for various parenting groups....a Downs parents group, adoptive parents, holistic moms, parents of speech and hearing challenged children, etc.... I could do a story and fingerplays with the children while the parents visit and then they could use the activities room to socialize. What do you think? Would there be a need for that? I'd love to read your comments below!

I'm most nervous about getting the financial pieces together and will breath a deep breathe when I know that is in place. I know the money is out there somewhere and I know I can make this store a magical place for families and be profitable at the same time. There is soo much I'm ready to do and it's time to get this party officially started! If you or someone you know might be looking to invest in a fun adventure, let me know and I'll be happy to share the business plan with them when I'm done with it very soon!