Business Proposal

BUSINESS PROPOSAL

 I am motivated to start my own landscaping business because I have a love for nature and like working outdoors.  I get my inspiration from landscaping pictures and gardening magazines.  This is a business I can start with minimal financial investment in the hundreds of dollars.  I also have a family friend who is in the landscaping business and he has agreed to be my mentor.  I would operate this business as a sole proprietorship with myself as the owner/manager and the sole employee in the first few months of this business.  
The goal and objectives of this company is to provide landscaping services including lawn care, tree pruning, rock scaping, sprinkler installation and park building.  I am targeting residential and commercial customers in the Greater Toronto Area(GTA).  My marketing plan is to use all forms of online media and traditional sources to get the word out about my new business.  My strategy to get customers is to advertise with Canada 411 business directory services and local newspapers, distribute flyers through Canada Post and fax, to residential and commercial targets, cold calling, handing out business card, word of mouth and network with friends and family.
My pricing strategy is to get the help of my mentor who has more experience, look at what my competitors are charging, get the best wholesale prices from suppliers and take time to price my jobs with a built in profit margin of at least 20%.  I have insider knowledge that the municipality where I live is proposing to use land close to my subdivision to put in a park.  They will be accepting request for proposals on August 15th and my plans is to have my business set up in time to be able to submit my proposal.  If I get this contract this would be a good opportunity for me to advertise my business and get a healthy profit from a government contract. I am proposing to borrow $900 from the bank which will be used to buy equipment and supplies.  I already have my pickup truck which has commercial insurance.