I left my last job believing i have a plan. But then i guess i don’t have one until last week. After a month of being at home just savoring the easy life, I then realized that i need to start molding a concrete plan as what i had before was purely frustration and that doesn’t seem to add up on being called a plan.

Back to scratch – in a literal sense.

Others say that our life started on a blank sheet of paper and we were given a pencil to write a path and an eraser to re-order things. I would prefer an ink though as I intend to write my own path now permanently on a sheet of paper and if ever i come across a page where i need to make some revisions, I’ll just start on a new sheet without erasing the errors but instead will live with it. I just need to make sure that i don’t forget the things i do or did before as i understand that it will contribute to making a concrete plan for my future.

Hah, i just wish that my next page will be a success and hoping that it will also have a greater effect on the people around me.

Spine-tingling excitement is what i feel right now. Yeah!

but then again.. I just hope so. lol

It’s summer time and everyone is looking forward to such vacations even for such a few days. As for me, such vacation is hardly feasible due to my line of work, but of course it does not mean its possible.
Well my plan for this summer is to atleast go to beach and I don’t know, maybe swim? But the best part is to drink the night with friends around a calm fire In the sand. But still I’d love to travel far away from the busy life in the city.

Graduation day is coming! and I am counting my days left in college (though I really wish that I would be able to see my grades sooner). What else should I do during this time of my life instead of waiting for graduation? Okay, first I need to complete all the requirements needed. Second is to take the time off and do whatever I want and that includes eating, drinking and as a precaution, engage on diets that work. I can’t think of anything to do right now, I just want to sleep maybe, or play my guitar and do some shredding or whatsoever with it. Better start planning now right?

Everyday I tell myself that I need to go to the gym, I always fail to convince myself. It’s not that I don’t want to but the biggest challenge for me is deciding on going to one. I love working out, I love sweating myself out and it feels fulfilling but the sad thing is I don’t have the time and that is the problem. In order for me to enjoy working out, I think I need to invest on quality fitness equipment so that going distance will no longer be a problem. I wonder when that time will come?

There are a lot of needs when it comes to present times. There will also be a lot of needs in the future. Be prepared and never lose sight of what’s ahead. Maybe reading insurance quote might help you. But be sure to plan ahead so you could see what went wrong when you fail. You should start by making yourself ready for the coming future. There will be a a lot of transformation in life.

Good morning. Last night, me and my brother talked about having to open up a new business. It is because we want to have some stable source of income someday especially if we need it. We can’t rely on daytime jobs alone, we need something more. So the fact that we wanted to start up our own business, we need to have all the resources to have one, like for example, the capital, and a well laid plan which includes where to put that certain store which is still unclear to us. I really wish that one day, we will have another business “again” even if it is just a small one. By the way. we also need POS systems right?

1.0 Executive Summary

Asian Heritage Clothing will be start-up retail men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing store specializing in unique clothing that recognizes different fashionable trends of Asians. The store is a one stop shop, it includes everything about fashion – any kind of clothing’s, bags, accessories, and many more. This excludes family health insurance but talking about fashion clothing, Asian Heritage Will be a great deal. This store is a local market and will serve both youth and adults. Our intent is to provide the community with unique clothing they would normally purchase according to their culture.

We would be the first and only Asian owned apparel store here in our country. Our intentions are to obtain 80% market share and become a central hub of shopping activity for the local population as well others who enjoy wearing Asian trendy apparel. There are no other Asian urban wear stores located within 20 miles of the location selected for this store.

1.1 Objectives

• Establish a unique clothing retail business in the city
• Create jobs
• Provide quality clothing and customer service at a reasonable price
• Achieve the largest market share in the city for Asian urban wear
• Be an active and vocal member of the community, and to provide continual reinvestment through participation in community activities and financial contributions
• Achieve a profit within the first year
• Continually and consistently increase total number of customers per year
• Increase average length of customer relationships and decrease customer turnover

1.2 Mission

Asian Heritage Clothing Store is a retail clothing store specializing in unique clothing and accessories describing each Asian culture. We encourage customers to be experimental with new clothing styles. Our mission is to understand what our customers’ needs and hopes are after buying urban wear clothing.

Asian Heritage Clothing will maintain financial balance while delivering a quality product to our customers. We will make our clothing accessible throughout our community by way of establishing a retail location, fashion shows, and events. We will make a profit and generate cash. We will provide a rewarding work environment and fair compensation to our employees; ultimately provide excellent value to our customers, and a fair return to our owners.

1.3 Keys to Success

In order to succeed in the Asian wear apparel industry, Asian Heritage Clothing must:

• Advertise and promote in areas that our target customer base will learn about our store.

• Maintain enough money on hand each month to pay the cash obligations the following month.
• Identify and eliminate deficiencies or surpluses in cash.
• Alter business financial plans to provide more cash if deficiencies are found.
• Invest any revealed excess cash in an accessible, interest bearing, low-risk account such as a savings account or short-term basis.
• Eliminate credit and terms to customers, not credit card sales.
• Clearly understand the Asian wear market, distribution costs and competition, and continually adjust accordingly.
• Continuously review our inventory and sales and adjust our inventory levels accordingly.
• Keep enough cash, as needed cushion for security, on hand to cover expenses.
• Reduce accountant expenses by producing our own summary statistics and projections via accounting software.
• Provide customers with top notch personalized customer service in an atmosphere of southern hospitality.

2.0 Company Summary

The business will be named “Asian Heritage Clothing Store.” This is to identify the store with the different fashion trends of Asians, where most of the store’s inventory will be purchased.

Asian Heritage Clothing Store’s primary goal is to find customers and keep them coming back.

Asian Heritage is designed to help customers change their look and/or stick with their Asian culture and traditions without buying an entirely new wardrobe. We will cater to the person wanting to build a new wardrobe by purchasing clothing and accessory pieces to add to clothing they already have.

Customers will rely on the business they purchase pieces from to give them continuous help and personal opinions. Theirs is a business that repeats and it will be easy to establish a strong clientele.

Customers will save money from having to buy a complete outfit by just purchasing pieces. They will also enjoy shopping in stores that are well inventoried and serviced-minded, such as Asian Heritage Clothing.

Asian Heritage will set the pace for Asian urban fashion for all seasons. Last year’s outfit will be accessorized to be this year’s outfit. People like to buy clothing pieces and accessories to continue wearing clothing that would be out-of-date otherwise.

Asian Heritage Clothing will also cater to all types of customers and for all occasions other than routine shopping. Examples: Wives buying gifts for their husbands, friends buying gifts for their friends, etc. Asian Heritage Clothing’s store will be a source of wearable gifts.

Retail profits can be as high as 65-85 percent on clothing and accessory pieces. The sales and profit margins in a specialty clothing and accessory store are higher than the average retail store. We have the opportunity to profit successfully.

The urban clothing market is the most exciting, fastest growing market for consumers. They will always look for unique clothing pieces and they will not hesitate to buy them.

2.1 Company Ownership

Asian Heritage Clothing is organized as a partnership among the four partners of Robles, Nabong, de los Santos and Logronio. Each of them will hold 25 percent ownership. They will handle all administrative and managerial duties.

2.2 Start-Up Summary

Asian Heritage Clothing’s incorporation costs are listed below. The company will start with three months inventory on hand for apparel and accessories as this are the main revenue generator. The majority of the company’s assets will reside in inventory. The details are included in the following chart and table. It is planned to start the business in the month of December because this is the Christmas seasonal month in which retail store are known to have high sales. Once established, business volume may be somewhat cyclical for that reason.

Successful operation and building a loyal customer base will allow Asian Heritage Clothing to be self sufficient and profitable in year two.

2.3 Company Locations and Facilities

Asian Heritage Clothing Store will be located at Makati. The store is approximately 2500 square feet. It contains four dressing rooms and a unisex restroom. Parking space is available in front of the store with additional spaces in the rear for overflow. There are a variety of businesses in the area that include coffee shops, restaurants, and a bake shop. This variety of businesses creates a constant flow of traffic during most business hours.

While a clothing retail store is not unique in itself, this business will have one-of-a-kind items and provide personal one-on-one attention to customers after hours when needed. Customers can buy sweaters, dress slacks, dress shirts, coats, jogging suits, jean outfits, children’s’ items, catalog items, and more. The store hours will be 7 days a week. Store hours will be from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M., Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sundays.

We will have two full-time employees. The wages for these employees will be Php 20.00 per hour. We will not be offering benefits for the first couple of years. Employees will do the cleaning of the building.

3.0 Products

Asian Heritage Clothing wants to give the Asian a modern fashionable trend in every consumer. The main targets of A.H.C are those Asians who want to feel the comfort with modern styles that can satisfy their needs and wants on terms of fashionable clothing. Our selection deals on every kind of clothes for men and women. We will be purchasing through sales representatives and manufacturers in a variety of sizes, colors and style to fit our target market base. Our quality is our main objective to convince our consumers to buy in our store.

Our Store will be open on those consumers who want to suggest or say something about our products. In this method it will help us to identify what the consumer wants.

3.1 Product description

Asian Heritage Clothing’s brand will fall in our main objective is to satisfy the consumers with our quality with fashionable style for Asians.

Some of the labels we will carry are listed below:

–       Sunny Get Up by People r People

–       Ragged Jeans by Jeans and Co.

–       Trendy accessories by Abubut

–       Modernized Native clothes by Rico Designs

–       Asia’s Sophisticated Things by One Asia

3.2 Competitive Comparison

Asian Heritage Clothing has a number of advantages that will allow us to build our brand identity, add value to our merchandise and build a loyal customer base while standing apart from our competitors.

• We will Open several stores in different malls in Metro Manila..
• The ‘Asian Heritage Card’ will entitle customers to a 15% discount after ten purchases.
• We will offer clothing to fit plus-size women and big and tall men.
• We will create a sense of culture and bonding with the community by offering products to be participated by Asians.
• Our location is central to our target customer base.
• We will maintain a detailed record on each customer, logging addresses, their purchases, size, and brand for customer follow-up and in-house promotional purposes.

3.3 Sales Literature

Asian Heritage Clothing will use a targeted advertising and sales program to generate publicity and build a customer base.

• Gift certificate that will be distributed in some malls. And also some fun activities that awaits you there.
• First 100 customers that will enter the shop will be given a 10% discount if they buy something. .
• 3000 Asian heritage Card holder will be given in special gift if they purchased 7 times.

3.4 Sourcing

We will shop for our merchandise as outlined below

• With manufacturers who have a regional representative and showroom located at the Mary Jane Market Center, we will place our weekly and monthly reorders with them and review new products. For all other brands we will work directly with the manufacturer and utilize product catalogs and line sheets.
• A Fashion Show and for new stylish accessories, the largest regional show for Asian wear and new accessories featuring the latest collections of all brands with regional representatives. All orders will be placed for Fall lines not previously viewed and placement orders for Holiday 2009 and spring 2010 will begin.

3.5 Technology

Our business plan will be generated and reviewed on a bi-annual basis using the most updated version of Business Plan Pro from Palo Alto Software and reviewed quarterly to ensure all financial goals and objectives are being reached. Palo Alto’s companion software, Marketing Plan Pro, will allow us to make the most of our limited marketing budget by focusing our communications on our target markets and enhancing our marketing knowledge.

3.6 Future Products

As we achieve and exceed our sales and profitability goals, Asian Heritage Clothing will add Asian boots to the product line and our own personal in-house label of clothing that will include Asian Heritage Jeans for women and men. We will expand our line of brands with those that have been repeatedly requested by our customers. An e-commerce website will also be created to increase our distribution channels and expand our customer base to a national level.

4.0 Market Analysis Summary

The primary Target of Asian Heritage Clothing will be local citizens living in Metro Manila. As we are situated in the heart of their residential community we believe they will make up the largest percentage of our customer base.

The secondary target customers are the foreign community of Asians living or staying in the area. Visiting foreigners from other Asian countries are growing rapidly and may seem to be a good chance to have something of their liking.

The last target customer of Asian Heritage is listed as other. As popularity about the store increases we expect to see an assortment of curiosity seekers, and local residents from the community as well as seasonal purchasers during different seasons.

4.1 Market Segmentation

A good number of consumers’ population is concentrated heavily in Manila city therefore leading to the highest concentration of our customer base.

The last area of potential customers is labeled as “other.” Because Asian Heritage Clothing offers a variety of Asian wear clothes along with accessories and gifts we feel that we will attract many curious shoppers. Our ambience and customer service will make them repeat customers.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

The goal of Asian Heritage Clothing is to give the Asian the quality that they want in terms of clothing that can really satisfy the fashion trends of Asians.

4.2.1 Market needs

There are several important needs in the Asian Clothes business that are being either underserved or not met at all. Asian Heritage Clothing plans to meet and service those needs.

• AHC will provide a large assortment of sizes to compliment the various body shapes and sizes of the community. This is a size segment that is missing throughout the larger Asian Clothing retailers in the city.
• Focus and attention to customer’s personal preferences and customer retention will be given high priority. Because of the high rate of employee turnover at major mass retailers, customer service and personal detail has been lost.

4.2.2 Market Trends

Many of People around the world appreciate the beauty and the quality of Asian culture. It is Popular on its designs and how beautiful it was made. It is very stylish like the Asians prefer it.

Asian Heritage makes a big impact to the different Asian. They help the people to survive in a very native way into stylish and fabulous clothes.

4.2.3. Market Growth

The Market Growth of The economy in Manila really say that it increase and the reason is the Asian Heritage Clothing that really do extremely well in selling the excellent clothes to the Asian consumer. Several Job opportunities were given to those people who want to have a job.

4.2.4. Industry Analysis

• Small Specialty Stores – They have the Products but they only have limited of stocks that can sell. It is small store and sometimes it was only place in markets.
• Large Multi-owned Asian Heritage Retailers – These large stores mass market and sell to hardcore enthusiasts as well as the local tourists and those who purchase only during rodeo season.

4.2.3. Main Competitors

Main Competitors of Asian Heritage Clothing are also in the Clothing Industry that is near in our stores.

One of the most competitors near in our store:

• HUMAN – It is a popular brand when it comes to the guy and ladies. They have many stocks that you can choice. Their main target also is like with us, The Good Quality with a fashionable ascent.
• FOLDED and HUNG – they offer wide selection of clothing which is ideal for the fashion sense of our neighboring Asian countries

5.0 Strategy and Implementation Summary

Asian Heritage Clothing’s goal is to provide apparel to the under served market of the Asian residing in the Philippines community. The major Asian apparel retailers have left a hole in this market by not providing a larger assortment of sizes and designs for the different taste of Asians.

Our intention is to gain 80% of this market share by focusing on our niche positioning, neighborhood location, brand that we sell, culture hospitality and special promotions.
5.1 Competitive Edge

• The Asian Heritage Shopper Card which allows the customer a 15% discount after ten purchases.
• Our location in the community will offer closer access to our target customer base.
• We will offer plus sizes for women and big and tall sizes for men.

5.2 Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy will focus heavily on sales promotion, niche positioning in the market and customer service with loyalty and retention in sales.

• The marketing budget will not exceed 5% of our gross annual sales.
• Our promotions will always stay in tune with our company objectives and mission statement.

5.2.1 Positioning Statement

For the more full-bodied individual seeking Asian apparel, Asian Heritage Clothing will offer name brand Asian wear in a larger assortment of styles and sizes that aren’t always readily available in the mass Asian apparel retailers.
5.2.2 Pricing Strategy

Asian Heritage Clothing will maintain a flexible pricing strategy. We base the product lines that we carry on their reputation and quality as Asian wear apparel. Most of our lines come with a suggested retail price that we will follow. We will also utilize the standard practice of keystoning as well.
5.2.3 Promotion Strategy

Asian Heritage Clothing will follow an aggressive yet creative promotional plan. This will allow us to focus directly on our target customer while still being conservative with our advertising dollars.

• A press release kit will be sent to all major media outlets in Manila and Makati highlighting the grand opening of the first Filipino owned Asian wear apparel retailer in the city. This kit will include a press release, pictures of the interior space, color postcard/flyer, and a business card.
• 5,000 4×5 color flyers/postcards will be distributed throughout the city at local malls, universities, colleges, parks, and bars.
• Spot radio advertisements on two local FM radio stations, Nu 107.5, Magic 89.9.
• A direct mail program that will further focus on and target the top 50% customer base with special in-house sales and promotions.

5.2.4 Distribution Strategy

Our retail location will be the foundation of building our customer base. We will also manage a direct mail program that will focus on our top 50% customers spotlighting any in-house sales and promotions.
5.2.5 Marketing Programs

Our marketing programs will consist of the distribution of 5,000 color flyers two weeks prior to our grand opening event.
5.3 Sales Strategy

• We will utilize the Retail ICE POS software with every sales transaction. With each purchase the software will record and maintain in its database the customer’s name, address and purchases. This information will be used with our direct mailing program to focus on our top 50% of customers.
• We will offer a 14 day return/exchange policy to build trust with our customers and maintain retention and loyalty.

6.0 Management Summary

Employees will be encouraged to work within their creative, physical, and intellectual boundaries. All duties will be divided and delegated according to strengths and weaknesses. At Asian Heritage we will expect a high degree of customer service skills and personality as this is essential to our success.

Mary An Nabong will assess the productivity and perform informal employees evaluations of all employees every six months. These bi-annual evaluations are conducive to the continued growth of our small business.

6.1 Organizational Structure

Asian Heritage Clothing is a small business and therefore requires a simple organizational structure. Mary An Nabong will act as a general manager. All decisions are made in-line with the company objectives. Employee tasks are delegated based upon their level of expertise, creativity, strengths and weaknesses.

6.2 Management Team

Mary An Nabong, co-owner and general manager will be responsible for all administrative functions, purchasing, inventory control, and promotions. She will also act as a part-time sales representative. She has spent over 10 years in accounting, finance and operations management. She has extensive background in purchasing, inventory control, and marketing.

6.3 Personnel Plan

The personnel plan is included in the following table below. There will be one full-time employee and two part-time employees working 20-30 hours per week. The full-time employee will be paid at a rate of $10.00 per hour and the two part-time employees will be paid at a rate of $8.00 per hour. All employee’s will benefit from a one day paid holiday on their respective birthdays and one week of paid vacation after twelve months of employment.

At this time medical benefits will not be offered to employees. As profits increase in the future medical benefits will be offered to all employees.

Personnel

Personnel Plan

FY 2008         FY 2009         FY 2010

Owner                                    P516,375       P568,035       P624,825

Full-time postion                  P918,000       P1,009,800    P1,110,780

Part-time position                 P550,800       P605,880       P666,450

Total People                                      3                      3                      3

Total Payroll                          P1,985,975    P2,183,715    P2,402,055

7.0 Financial Plan

The growth of Asian Heritage Clothing will be moderate and the cash balance will always be positive. Being a retail environment we will not be selling on credit. We will accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. TeleCheck Services will be used as the check guaranty system to help reduce the percentage of loss on bad checks. Marketing and advertising will remain at or below 5% of sales. We will continue to reinvest residual profits into company expansion, and personnel.
7.1 Important Assumptions

Asian Heritage does not sell on credit nor do we offer layaways at this time. We accept cash and checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. All sales paid via credit cards will be deposited in our business checking account within 48 hours. Our business checking account will be with Banco de Oro. They have reported the interest rate as those listed below.

O.k, You can tell that I am a little excited for the upcoming sem break. I have plans and that includes my birthday on October. I’ll give myself a gift like Vegas vacations, I know its too much and that makes it impossible so i’ll just throw a party at home and invite a huge list of my friends. I wonder who would come especially if I throw it on a day like Sunday? Better think about that first or else I might end up talking with the wind but then of course that wouldn’t happen. Its September already and I think October can wait a little shorter.