Johnson Designs & Marketing | Application Preview
Johnson Designs & Marketing is applying for government grants to elevate their business by purchasing a Glowforge Laser Engraving and Cutting Machine. This machine, priced at $7,489, will enable the company to sell pre-designed laser engraved items and crafts at local farmer's markets and larger expos, as well as through an online store. The funding will also support custom engraving orders.
The business plan highlights the next five years as critical for success, with the owner committing to making this venture their primary source of income. After seven years of freelance projects, the owner discovered the potential of the Glowforge, sparking creative ideas and plans for future growth. Initial steps include hiring a part-time employee to assist with administrative tasks, with plans to expand into a larger workspace and hire more staff within 12-18 months.
The owner brings 17.5 years of customer service experience, emphasizing their ability to connect with clients and provide affordable services. Personal support from family has been instrumental in this journey. The owner believes that this funding will be vital for turning their aspirations into reality and fulfilling a long-held dream.
In terms of competition, while there are larger graphic design companies, they do not serve the same target market as Johnson Designs & Marketing. The unique combination of graphic design, laser engraving, and marketing services positions the business favorably in the local market.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 820764714
Location: Sioux Falls, SD, United States
Length of Operation: 6-10
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
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Funding Usage
This funding will take my business to the next level in a matter of days. I will use this funding to purchase a Glowforge Laser Engraving and Cutting Machine that is currently on sale for $2,000 off it's normal price. It is being sold for $4,995 + $1,295 Air Filter + $1,199 Three Year Extended Protection Plan which comes to a total of $7,489 before shipping costs, which is why I included the little extra in the Requested. After purchasing this machine we will be selling predesigned laser engraved items and crafts at a local farmer's market every Sunday from Spring through Early Fall. This is guaranteed. We will also be participating in larger Expos periodically and selling through our online store. Furthermore, we will also be offering and marketing custom laser engraving orders!
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Business Plan
The next 5 years will be crucial for my business as I currently have no other jobs lined up for employment. This will be my main source of income and with that comes a drive and willingness to do anything and everything possible to make this a successful endeavor. For the last 7 years I have done various projects here and there with great results but was never able to find that niche that was so crucial to becoming successful. After I discovered the capabilities of the Glowforge, my mind burst into creative freedom and ideas. There were endless possibilities with the machine and having already built a large global customer base there are plenty of ideas out there of what sells. I will use all this knowledge plus the knowledge that I will gain as I navigate the paths of "True" business ownership to move from a home-based small office to a standalone building where we will be ever-expanding our own capabilities and offerings. I plan to immediately hire a part-time employee to help with the load of paperwork and backend stuff while I can focus on the design and Glowforge. Within the next 6-12 months I plan to bring her on full time. I will look into expanding into a larger office, probably within other offices or an insulated heated large garage with office space within the next 12-18 months where I can invest into better and bigger printers expanding our printing ventures. In that same time frame will be looking to potentially be hiring at least one more full time employee. Further than that I plan to stay a small local company employing maybe 5-10 employees, including myself and keep our focus on the smaller and medium local companies who can't afford the outrageous corporate budgets. I believe that with my 17.5 years of experience in the Customer Service Industry (Restaurant Non-Fast Food) I have gained an incredible amount of experience that will only further me in life and in the business world. I have no problem talking to anybody and everybody. I am a people person and love offering my services at an affordable price. I didn't get to grow up with money getting everything I wanted. We worked hard for what we had and I have had a job non-stop from the time I turned 14 until now at age 32. This is the longest, non-medical, non-covid time I've ever not been employed. But STILL I put in well over 40 hours a week since then researching and working and setting up and linking and applying and everything to get to this point. With this final piece of the puzzle I will be able to see my dreams start to come to fruition. My girlfriend has been tremendous support this entire time as has my son and even my son's mother. I not only feel like I owe it to myself to see this succeed but show it to those who saw what I saw and believed in me. I didn't get that from other sources, so being this close to achieving what I've wanted after over 7 years of only doing work on the side I can finally do what makes me happy full time. But the key to making this all happen on the timeline and scale that I have set forth, I need the immediate funding to purchase this machine and components.
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Self Identified Competition
Mainly the few larger graphic design companies that are talked about down below. There are not that many smaller registered graphic designs, laser engraving, and marketing combination companies out there currently in the area. We have a few larger graphic design companies that are well known in the area, but my target market is not the same as their target markets. Laser engraving is few and far between. And marketing services are a dime a dozen. But it's the combination of all three that make this unique as well as adding on additional services as we progress.
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