Belfield Botanica Co. | Application Preview
Belfield Botanica Co. is seeking government grant funding to acquire a slightly used mini-excavator under warranty. The investment is expected to save approximately $9,000 in rental fees and 50 hours of time each job, allowing for greater efficiency and productivity in landscaping projects.
The company's business plan for 2023 includes expanding its workforce by hiring two full-time employees, enhancing its online presence with a new SEO-optimized website, and moving to a larger rental space to accommodate materials and inventory. Plans for 2024 involve purchasing land for operations, acquiring a skid steer, and investing in employee training.
The growth trajectory includes obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL) and expanding the fleet with a dump truck and equipment trailer by 2025, followed by the addition of new vehicles and skilled employees in subsequent years. The applicant emphasizes a keen understanding of the landscaping industry, highlighting significant revenue growth from $45,000 in 2021 to $120,000 in 2022.
The company differentiates itself by focusing on native plant design and installation backed by horticultural expertise, an area where competition is limited. They also recognize the importance of high-quality masonry and drainage solutions, positioning themselves as reliable providers against larger landscaping companies. The applicant's passion for continuous improvement and problem-solving in landscaping reinforces their commitment to meeting market demands effectively.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 7792575
Location: Kansas City, KS, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
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
I will use this to buy a slightly used mini-excavator under warranty. A 6k lb excavator would save me $9000 in rental fees and 50 hours of time spent dealing with the rental services (line time, loading/unloading, hauling machine, etc). I would get many more jobs done and this would be a huge stepping stone.
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Business Plan
2023 I will add two full time employees. Add an SEO/website. Facebook/word of mouth has kept me busy (for now). I will purchase a mini excavator to increase profits and save time. I will be moving to a bigger rental property to add room for material supplies/inventory. 2024- I will buy 1/2 acre land and a skid steer. A shop and a full inventory of landscape supplies is efficient- e.g. I load up my materials to go straight to the job. I can dump/make compost instead of the daily dump fee. I will add 2+ employees. Continue teaching employees landscape sales. Send 1-2 employees to hardscape training over winter season. 2025 I will get my cdl. I will add a dump truck and a 20’ equipment trailer to the business. This will save time and increase margins with instant deliveries /decrease hauling fees. 2026 I will have an employee with a cdl and make sure I have an employee selling more work. My SEO should be much better by now. 2027 Add another 1/2 ton+ truck and have one full time crew with skilled/highpayed foreman to do hardscape install and repair. Possibly add irrigation to the business. It gets easier every month. I am already invested heavily in myself. All of my money is strategically put towards equipment/tools. 2021 vs 2022 grew from ~$45k revenue to $120k by rotating 4 guys in part time. These are small gains, but I grow my skills/knowledge every day. I am constantly looking to improve and learn how to be better. I am consistently booked 2 weeks out and looking to be months out next season. My passion for creating a business that solves landscaping problems differently, whether it be planting, drainage solutions, or beautiful retaining walls drives me. I have a grasp of where residential gardening is headed and have sold work and execute designs/installs consistently. I have a broad view of the constant problems customers need solving. A lot of landscape problem solving is well paid and I have found repeatable ways of solving these problems. I can stick to my strengths and have improved my weaknesses. I continually seek out advice from people who are more skilled than I. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
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Self Identified Competition
There are only 3-5 design/install companies (BB Co. style) that plant native gardens near me. There are 50+ companies that do retaining walls in KC A) Top tier-Masonry/Hardscaping only companies. They provide consistently magnificent services and they charge a lot for it. B)high quality hardscapers usually Large lawn companies with a lot of customers (Suburban, Epic, High Prairie). C) Guys figuring it out. Drainage solutions- Most of the competition here are landscaping companies offering grading/french drains/catch basins. The top 3 companies here are the big lawn companies and specialists in this. I offer native plant design/installation with horticulture degreed knowledge. There is so much work here and I understand the growing market. My portfolio for this is getting impressive. I am building a native plant specialization company while most of the companies that do this put this on the back burner. This is where plant selection is headed. Masonry/hardscaping- I fit in between A)/B) above. I am learning this trade and know of the pitfalls and failings that the B) category of competition often sails towards. This may be compaction, drainage, or other issues. We shoot for long term hardscape services. Drainage- We know when to grade, french drain, catch basin. We additionally know when not to. Pvc routing is a great offer when most of these companies use cheap plastic drain tiles.
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Contact Applicant
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