the snail's house

SNAIL’S HOUSE BUSINESS PLAN

IES MORAIMA Página 1

1) Business Plan Summary

After several alternatives studied and presented by the Comenius students: cinema, water parks, a shopping centre etc ... the idea we have chosen for our business project has been a snail farm, Snail's House. It is based on the breeding, fattening and sale of that product.

Snail farming means raising the full life cycle of edible snails in open or closed natural breeding. Production in Europe is very large. However, it does not cover their requirements.

It is estimated that the current global consumption of edible terrestrial snails exceeds 300,000 tons, and it is estimated that within twenty years will become 1,500,000 tons. Today, 90% of the snails consumed in Spain come from abroad, mainly from Morocco.

To choose this idea, we have taken into account two main premises:

- There aren’t any snail farms in our city or in the nearby cities.

- This type of product can be attractive to all customers, children, young, adults.



2) The Business

2.1 Description

BUSINESS: SNAIL’S HOUSE

BUSINESS STRUCTURE LIMITED COMPANY BUSINESS LOCATION LOJA (GRANADA) LICENCES ADN PERMITS - The individual entrepreneur does not

have specific legislation. His business is subject to the general provisions of the Commercial Code of 1885 in commercial matters and the provisions of the Spanish Civil Code on rights and obligations.

- Law 8/2003, 24th April related to Animal Health.

- Royal Decree 497/2004, 26th March, which regulates the register of livestock farms.

- Law 19/1995, 4th July, modernization of farms.

- Royal Decree 1144/2006, 6th October, which regulates the conditions of feed hygiene.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES The products that we sell are live snails for food use, without transformations or processes; snails go directly from the countryside to the restaurants.

BUSINESS OWNERS The company is formed by four owners, two are

only investors and the other two will also work in the farm.

-Lucía Tortosa Padilla (worker) -Natalia García Fernández (worker) -José Miguel Sánchez Fernández (investor) -David Moreno Campaña (investor)

REQUIRED STAFF - A cleaner

- An administrative - A security guard - Two farmers



2.2 Staff and organization:

2.3 Plant & equipment

The basic equipment and furniture required for the development of the activities of this business will be composed of elements of different types:

Metal and controlled breeding breeding tables. Cages with drain pan and stackable drawers. Greenhouses outdoor fattening. Leak-Mail. Protective wooden huts. Electric Shepherd. Leak-electrified fence. Food and water bowls, containers and cans for egg production. Occasional furniture (metal shelves, desks, chairs, etc.). Cold Rooms IQF. Electronic balance. Electric heater.

The cost for this item may be around € 8,700.00 (including VAT) for at least one basic equipment. This amount will be much higher if more equipment is acquired or the above elements are of special materials, etc.

Facilities needed: The facility will consist of two parts, one closed and one open: Workshop 300 m2, which in turn is divided into:

- Reproduction room (75 m2). - Board of incubation and breeding phase (50 m2). - Room or second breeding phase (25 m2). - Warehouse (50 m2). - Office (20 m2), bathroom and packaging machines, hygiene and cleaning

utensils go in a parallel room (100 m2).

Administration

and Marketing

Farmers

Maintenance

and Cleaning

Surveillance



Greenhouse outdoors for fattening (370 m2). It will consist of 12 lines of 1

meter wide and 20 meters long. It will also have to have a place, sector or watertight container away from breeding enclosure waste.

Computer Equipment For this type of business is advisable to have a full computer equipment: computer, printer, fax ... The cost of this computer has been estimated at over € 1,650.00 € 176.00 in VAT.

Transport Element

The need to incorporate a vehicle for the purchase of products arises and to supply bars and restaurants and other businesses, etc. For all that is needed conditioned vehicle. The cost of this element depends on the characteristics of the vehicle you choose. In this study, not raise too much initial investment, we suggest buying a used car at an estimated cost of € 10,440.00 (including VAT) 3) The Market

3.1 Market research:

INDEX

1. OBTAINING INFORMATION THROUGH THE SURVEYS.

1.1. Delineation of objectives to be covered with the survey.

1.2. Understanding the structure of the questionnaire.

1.3. Preliminary testing of the questionnaire.

1.4. Questionnaire booklet.

2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE SURVEY

2.1. Selection and identification of the sample.

2.2. Developement plan.

2.3. Report about the field work.

3. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS.

3.1. Results of the survey.

3.2. Statistics used and interpretation of results.

4. OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM SECONDARY SOURCES.



4. 1. Location of the information.

5. SUMMARY REPORT OF THE MARKET STUDY RESULTS.

5. 1. Market study's conclusions.

6. DECISIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITY.

6. 1. Realization of the activity and services.

6. 2. Objectives and input parameters for the project.

7. INTERVIEW WITH ENTREPRENEURS

1. OBTAINING INFORMATION THROUGH THE SURVEYS.

1.1. Delineation of objectives to be covered with the survey.

We will carry out a questionnaire to a number of 100 persons, chosen at random and aged between 18 and 70 years. Our aim is to know the opinion of potential customers about the services we offer in our business.

The main objective is to obtain all possible information through the survey, in order to obtain all possible data about potential future customers and their opinions about the product.

1.2. Understanding the structure of the questionnaire.

The questionnaire will be carried out on a sample of 100 people aged between 18 and 70 years: parents, teenagers, young adults and to elder people. In short, all potential customers since we want to know their tastes and opinions so as we can offer them everything they need and are looking for when the buy a product similar to the one we offer.

The questionnaire is made of eight questions, focused on getting to know their needs and preferences when it comes to consuming our product and also on knowing their opinion about the services we include in our company and whether we should include some more.

1.3. Preliminary testing of the questionnaire.

We conducted a first trial of the questionnaire in order to check if there is any mistake in the survey, if a question presents any degree of difficulty to be answered and if it allows us to obtain and extract information in an easy and accurate way.

After this test, we found that the survey gave us relevant information about our potential customers.

1.4. Questionnaire booklet.



Dear Sir or Madam:

May we introduce ourselves. We are managers of a new company dedicated to ecological farming snails called Snail's House. We would like to set our firm in the current market.

Therefore, we decided to survey our potential customers so as we can know the tastes and preferences of our future customers in order to be able to provide them all the services required to influence their choice.

Thank you for your feedback!

1. Age of the respondent. ...............

2. Gender of the respondent.

Woman Man

3. What is your opinion about an ecological snail farm as a business?

4. Do you eat snails?

Yes No

5. Would you be willing to work in our company?

Yes No

6. Do you think that our business plan has a future?

Yes No

7. As a customer, what would you demand to our company?

8. Would you purchase in our store?

Yes No

2. Development the Survey

2.1. Selection and identification of the sample

The questionnaire will be carried out at a maximum of 100 people, aged between 18 and 70 years. The reason is that the services we offer are valid for both younger customers to the older ones.



We must take into account that according to the age, the characteristics of a service will be different.

The survey will be carried out face to face, via email and social networks. We will follow this process: 50 people in the street (city center and public market), 20 people via email and 30 through social networks.

Specialized staff in the registration and assessment of data will be required.

2.2. Developpement plan.

As mentioned above, the survey will be carried out face to face with de respondents, via email or through social networks.

In order to carry out the survey we will hire staff specialized in the following services:

Two workers to survey in the street.

Two workers to survey via email and social networks.

The deadline for completion of the survey is 20 days.

The respondents will be chosen by nonrandom sampling since their ages must be between those mentioned above.

In face-to-face surveys, we will follow a few guidelines: checking the time and date of the survey and identification of respondents.

2.3. Report about the field work.

The surveys were carried out within the established deadline and in the way descripted. The result has been satisfactory and with a positive assessment, which will help us in the market research.

Thanks to the surveys we will have all the information in order to know what is more advantageous for our business and how we should set it to getting better results.

3. Analysis and interpretation of results.

3.1. Results of the survey.

- Obtained data

The data we have obtained are as follows:



PEOPLE WHO LOVES OUR SERVICES

PEOPLE WHO LIKE OUR SERVICES

Ni % xi xi·ni Ni

Between 18-25 30 20 27’5 220 8

Between 25-35 20 22’5 42’5 382’5 17

Between 35-45 15 20 57’5 460 25

Between 45-55 25 22’5 72’5 652’5 34

Between 55-70 10 15 87’5 525 40

TOTAL 100 100 2.240

• Arithmetic mean

Calculation:

2.240/40=56

• People who like our services are 56 years old.

• Median

Calculation:

The median interval 25-35; 30/2 = 15

ME = 25 + ((15-8) / 9) * 10 = 32'77. We round and it's 33.

• People who like the most our services are 33 years old.

• Mode

Calculation:



Modal interval; of 25-35 more Hi = 0.9

MODE= 25+(0’8/(0’8+0’8))*10=30

Most people who use our services are 30 years old.

Graphing

3.2. Statistics used and interpretation of results.

As already described above, the aim of the survey was to obtain information about the potential customers who purchase and enjoy our services, as well as to get to know their tastes, preferences and the impression these services may cause on them and their acceptance.

Once the survey has been finished, one of the questions was analyzed so as we can obtain the arithmetic mean, median and mode and, therefore, to obtain the results, a sample of the population has been obtained , done not randomly, depending on the age of the respondents.

Through this analysis we have been able to proof that the organic snail farm has been appreciated by all people, regardless their age.

4. Obtaining information from secondary sources.



4. 1. Location of the information.

We have first made a previous market survey in order to improve the idea, whose information comes from different sources.

The first one has been through primary sources carrying out a survey to the inhabitants of Loja (Granada). The information collected through is enough to determine the viability of our company.

Thanks to the survey in our population, we can get a rough idea about our closest competitors, and those who can most affect our business. We also have an approximation on the prices of services offered to the public.

4. 2. Relevant data and conclusions.

As already explained in the previous section the information that we have obtained comes from primary sources.

We have also found information about offers and promotions from the company's competitors to their customers and the services they offer.

Analyzing all the information obtained, we reach the following conclusions:

• 1st Possible viability of our project, since in Loja, organic trade is an important factor to bet high; moreover the inhabitants think it may be an interesting, innovative and original project.

• 2nd Another conclusion is that the idea of ecological breeding of snails will succeed with the best value for money for the services offered.

We expect quite favorable economic growth thanks to the different factors that influence when purchasing products.

5. Summary report of the market study results.

5. 1. Market study's conclusions.

The conclusion that we have reached is that this project is being carried out with good expectations, and everything will come out in a favorable and cost-effective way.

Regarding the market in general, we think that competitors will not suppose a big deal, since they are located several kilometers away from our business.

6. Decisions on business activity.

6. 1. Realization of the activity and services.

After analyzing the results got through the evidences regarding the market we have reached the conclusion that the project we want to set is going to be viable, so we can affirm that all the works and constructions necessary to setting the organic



farm of snails will be carried out.

6. 2. Objectives and input parameters for the project.

We should keep in mind that in order to carry out this project we must have goals and clear market ideas. These ideas will be fulfilling the needs of our customers, both in quality and in price.

• Expectations about the business acceptance.

• According to the expectations about the results obtained through the different studies carried out, the acceptance of our company is expected to be very good. This is because people accept the project as something innovative and eco-friendly, so it is expected to be successful.

• Expected growth.

At the beginning we expect a medium/low catchment of customers, due to the already existing businesses in the market.

But the company advertising will be based on informing the kind of product we will offer. In addition we will distribute brochures with a price list.

We expect a high growth in a short-term which will affect us in very positive way in sales and, therefore, in the benefits we expect to obtain.

7. Interview with entrepreneurs

In this part of the project we include the interview made to another company dedicated to the same sector of activity in which we want to specialize.

Some of the questions were:

1. Your company specializes in the production of fat snails. Why? Is the little snail more problematic?

- Well, what I exactly do is the first phase of this breeding. My product is not the snail for sale. I what I do is nearly at 100 percent snail breeding to make possible a fast and easy fattening.

2. Then, are your customers snails farms themselves?

-They can be farms dedicated to the heliciculture in exclusive or farmers who have plots that want to make them profitable and set it as another type of cultivation.

3. Is your activity as profitable as the one of the already bred snails?

-No. We are the first step of a production cycle. Profitability is much bigger as the cycle progresses. The producer per kilogram of snail has a larger margin.

4. What are the facilities like?



-They are closed facilities in a kind of a 200 square meters industrial unit, where the breeding, selection and fry incubation phase is developed and a first kick-off phase. them constantly.

And, then, the outdoor area, consisting of a garden of about 4. 000 meters where they are fattened. We think that, according to contact maintained with several customers, we need a minimum volume of players in order to supply them constantly.

5. Tell us about the investment you had to made to start the business.

-The whole project supposes 240.000€. 30 % is financed by “Leader founds”. Then I'm in conversations with some other partners and which will contribute with another part, and the rest is my own funds.

6. Do this activity generate much employment?

- It is expected to provide full-time employment to six people when the business will be working full speed. But only in the reproduction. We must take into account that the recollection is made by hand as well as the fattening tasks.

More or less 3. 000 square meters dedicated to fattening suppose what is called half-UTA (agricultural work unit), which is more or less 4 hours a day, so 6. 000 square meters occupies one person the whole year. As our production in a first phase may supply to 20 or 40 hectares for fattening, we may have about 100 people dedicated to a thing which is not established yet in the region.

3.2 Target market

The market to which our product is directed can be very varied, since we have a good quality- price product and can be consumed by people of all ages, children, youth and adults.

We will sell our products to individuals or other companies that may be interested in our products. They would buy our products because they are cheap and have a good quality.

3.3 Target Customer

It seems that people older than 30 years are more liable to be interested in our products, though restaurants in our area are our target customers.

3.4 Market targets

Our company will manage its market to people of all ages in the town of Loja where we will set the farm, but we will also try to expand our business to nearby towns so than our business can draw its maximum benefits.



3.5 S.W.O.T. analysis

Strengths Weaknesses

1. The product is traditionally accepted and currently well established.

2. Food with excellent nutritional properties.

3. Proliferation of presentations, business forms, recipes, applications ...

4. Growing demand for the product.

5. Real and potential revenues and positive economic performance.

6. The initial investment does not involve excessive financial outlay for partners

7. The domestic market is ideal for the breeding of snails and they do not have competition in the area.

8. The international market is also expanding and can give us great opportunities

1. Lack of legal framework and appropriate management measures for sustainable development

2. Lack of professional, technological and business structure.

3. Amateurism and intrusiveness that generates a complex problem.

4. Lack of public and private investment in research and development of our sector.

5. there is not a socioeconomic organizational structure capable of favoring their promotion and competitiveness.



Opportunities Threats

1. The number of companies in the market is positive, no farms that offer our services in Loja or region. No competitors.

2. The product is not new, but we will be the first local company, so offers and marketing campaigns may help us to publicize and sell our product to local customers.

3. The place where our company will be set is very accessible and near the town. So our customer will have no problem to come and park there.

4. New technologies can help us improve our business. We use advanced information technology to improve the functioning of our company.

5. Caring for the environment is crucial for us, and we collaborate in the development of measures to enhance their care in our town.

1. Possible problems related to the opening for business: licences, permits, legal requirements.

2. Compliance with laws that are within the scope of our business to avoid legal problems, penalties, etc.

3. Severe economic crisis that causes fewer products are sold, less earnings, less money to invest, etc. Besides, our product is not a primary need one. Possible weak product demand due to the poor economic situation that we suffer

4. Entry of competitors with greater demand and our business best deals.

5. The capital invested will be recovered in an indefinite time period and this could jeopardize the viability of our project.

3.6 Your competitors

In this case, our company doesn´t have any competitors, something which is very favourable and positive because there is not any company that offers products like us. Most of the snails come from Morocco nowadays, so we expect people will be happy to have local products.

3.7 Advertising & promotional strategy

A publicity plan will be crucial to present our company. It will be composed of radio publicity, billboards, local press advertisements, a facebook page and later on a website.

Our marketing plan is aimed at all our potential customers and our main objectives will be:



- To report on the opening of trade in our town and in nearby villages.

- To create an image of our company in the minds of our consumers.

- Get the loyalty of our customers and this way, good results are also obtained with publicity by word of mouth.

We will divide our publicity plan in two important parts:

Introduction campaign. The goal is to become known in the world of our local commerce. The methods and means will be:

- Traditional mailshot in town and nearby towns.

- Radio ads for a few weeks before the opening.

- Facebook page and our own website (www.snailhouse.com) with the description of our business, products, prices, etc.

- The opening day will invite our clients to taste snails cooked by one of the restaurants in our town.

Maintenance campaign.

This campaign should use communication means and instruments which can maintain our customers’ fidelity and increase the numbers of new customers if possible. The following methods will be used:

- Catalogues and brochures with descriptions of our products and offers. They will be at disposal in our shop and they will e in our area.

- We will pay for several ads in local newspapers and radios, at least once a week for the first six months.

- Billboards with monthly offers.



Examples of brochures and billboards:

GET THE BEST SNAILS IN OUR PROVINCE!!!

OPENING OF A NEW SNAIL FARM

45 MOLINILLOS ROAD



SNAIL FARM

45 MOLINILLOS ROAD

COME AND TASTE OUR WONDERFUL DISHES PREPARED BY ONE OF OUR BEST COOK IN TOWN!!!

24TH FEBRUARY

3.8 Sales & marketing objectives

Sales team and techniques

The responsible of the marketing and sales policy will be the owners on the advice of our administrative or an expert if required.

Promoting sellings should be one of our main aims at the beginning of our business. Therefore, in order to increase the number of customers who come to our shop, we must find the way to attract their attention and make them come and buy our best quality product. Some possible strategies to get this can be:



- As our company is newly opened, the first year we have to make ourselves known. We use a penetration strategy which will consist of initially entering the market with low prices to gain an advantage over potential competitors. Later on, once our business is established, we move on to a maintenance strategy consisting of price stabilization according to market levels.

- Free samples to present the product.

- To give extra product to our first customers.

- Discounts based of purchase for our regular customers.

- Cover letters to present our product to important stores and restaurants in town.

Selling forcast

The sales network will cover the area where our farm has been established, Loja, and surrounding towns.

In the selling forcast, we will make an estimate of sales during the first year and the next five years.

The sales forecast is determined in the following ways:

- Monthly sales of the year

PRODUCT SELLING DURING THE FIRST YEAR

PRODUCT HELIX ASPERSA HELIX POMATIA

JANUARY 1880KG X 4,95€ = 9306,00€ 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

FEBRUARY 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00€ 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

MARCH 1880KG X 4,95€ = 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

APRIL 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

MAY 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

JUNE 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

JULY 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

AUGUST 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

SEPTEMBER 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

OCTOBER 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €



NOVEMBER 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

DECEMBER 1880KG X 4,95€= 9306,00 50kg X 4,00€ = 200 €

22.560 Kg – 111.672,00 € 900 Kg – 3600 €

- Summary table sales: Total revenue Total products sold each month.

First year Second year Third year Fourth year Fifth year Estimated sales

126.799,20€ 130.844,90€ 148.689,20€ 167.322,68€ 200.132,66€

Output VAT 12.679,92€ 13.084,49€ 14.868,92€ 16.732,26€ 20.013,26€ Total 139.479,12€ 143.929,39€ 163.558,12€ 184.054,92€ 220.145,92€

4) The Future

4.1 Vision statement We think that our company in the future will become a landmark for snail farming in our area, attracting more and more local and nearby customers. We think our customer will be happy to buy local products with quality and prestige. 4.2Mission statement Our goal is to offer local products with good quality, produced in a farm that our customer can visit and buy snails bred in a clean and safe place. 4.3 Goals/objectives

Our short-term goal is to achieve balance between revenues and expenses, in the medium term to constantly increase revenue and in the long term reinvest profits to upgrade equipment and be the first on the market to introduce the latest innovations. We will keep pace with the needs of our customers to provide the services they wish , maintaining moderate prices

5) The Finances

5.1 Start-up costs 1. CERTIFICATION OF COMPANY NAME The courier cost comes to about: Record 17€ + Messenger 13€ = € 25.88



2. WRITING AND REGISTRATION OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION (Includes wording of the statutes and signature notarized) The cost of the notary for a limited society about 3,006 Euros investment is 210.45 € on notice. It depends on the amount of share capital and number of partners. 3. SETTLEMENT OF stamp tax Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty Tax. It is 1% of Social Capital for a Limited Company of Social Capital 3,000 euros would be € 30. 4. REGISTRATION IN THE TRADE REGISTER Approximately 150.25 € (this figure may vary depending on the characteristics of the company). 5. AUTHENTICATION AND SEALING OF BOOKS ON TRADE REGISTER

Instance at Registry = 0.30 €

Journal and partners = € 30.10

Legalization of books in trade register = € 19.52

APPROXIMATE TOTAL COST = € 440.09 (for a society of 30000 Euros)

The market research is costless because the information are found in the Internet and at the tourist offices.

5.2 Equipment and plan cost

CONCEPT PURCHASE PRICE

FURNITURE 533,00€

MACHINERY 14.050,00 €

TECHNICAL INSTALATION 2.500,00 €

COMPUTERS AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

1.500,00 €

COMPLUTER APPLICATIONS 550,00 €



MATERIAL 538,00 €

TOTAL: 19.671,00 €

5.3 Financial needs:

About 21.000, 00 € for the fixed assets and 57.100 € for current assets (cash for the first expenses, such as goods, labour wages, etc.)

FINANCIAL NEEDS

FIXED ASSETS ------------------------------------------------------ 21.000,00 €

CURRENT ASSETS ------------------------------------------------------ 57.100,00 €

TOTAL ------------------------------------------------------ 78.100,00 €

5.4 Funding

The four partner will provide 15.000,00 € as equity, while other 18 .000 € will be obtained by European Union grants and benefits for young entrepreneurs and a bank loan if needed.

5.5 Profit and loss forecast

CONCEPTS 2015 2016 2017 PERIOD

SALES REVENUES 139.500,00 € 143.930,00 € 163.600,00 € VARIABLE COSTS 52.900 € 54.000,00 € 56.000,00 € GROSS COST 123.915,00 € 137.929,00 € 182.000,00 € FIXED COST ADVERTISING 3.750 € 3.750 € 3.750 € SELLING PROMOTION

2.000 € 500 € 500 €

PUBLIC RELATIONS 2.500 € 250 € 250€ GENERAL COSTS 52.920, 00€ 52.920, 00 € 52.920, 00 € ACCOUNTING 255 € 255 € 255 € TAXES 18.734,68 € 20.085,32 € 30.322,98 € NET PROFIT 43.714 € 56.199,07 € 71.689,00 €



6) FINAL CONCLUSION

According to our study and revision of the project, we expect positive results and a net profit from the first year on, so we think our business can be profitable and we could recover our initial inversion in a period of no more than five years. Certainly, it could be a feasible proyect, suitable for our town and conditions.

By the Comenius students of IES MORAIMA,

With the help and guidance of two great

Teachers: Carlos Herrera (History teacher)

and Luciano García (Business and

management teacher)

the snail's house

Education