BEC VENTURES, LLC (FORTEBEARDS) | Application Preview
BEC VENTURES, LLC (FORTEBEARDS) is seeking government grants to support various aspects of its business operations, including product insurance, copyright and trademark registration, patent applications, website development, marketing materials, and potential influencer partnerships.
The business plan aims to establish a strong online retail presence over the next five years, expanding sales beyond personal sales to Lyft passengers and Etsy. Plans include creating a website (fortebeards.com) and utilizing social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook for broader exposure. To enhance market reach, partnerships with barbershops and placement in airports and hotels are also in the works.
FORTEBEARDS offers two main products: a signature beard oil and a beard wash/shampoo, with a vision for developing a comprehensive beard grooming kit and a subscription service to minimize waste. The brand focuses on quality and strives to deliver an elegant product that resonates with customers, emphasizing a high standard of representation and experience.
Competition includes established brands like Honest Amish, Unilever, and L'Oreal. However, FORTEBEARDS aims to stand out by prioritizing luxury and health benefits in its products, inspired by a business model similar to Volvo's reputation for quality. The brand intends to gradually introduce its products to international markets, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.
The request for funding is centered on enhancing product presentation, marketing strategies, and expanding brand visibility, which are critical to moving beyond the DIY stage and capturing a significant share of the beard care market.
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: NV20201820000
Location: Phoenix, AZ, 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
-
Funding Usage
Product insurance Copyright Trademark Patent(s) Webpage/Shopify Product Shots Manufacturer Marketing Packaging/labeling Business cards Potential affiliated marketing (influencers) Product placement (circumstancial)
-
Business Plan
In 5 years, I look to firmly establish myself in the online retail space. I currently sell my products either in person (mainly to my Lyft passengers) or on Etsy. I will create multiple avenues to access my products. That will include Instagram, Facebook and my own purchased domain (fortebeards.com). Affiliated marketing is a useful tool I will incorporate to increase traffic. The immediate prospect of having my product shelved in the airport is a real opportunity to increase my exposure as well. I will seek to establish relationships with barbershops in all the areas I've lived including northern and southern California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. I will also look to establish a presence in some of the more frequented hotels & casinos. Ultimately, the success of a strong digital presence will incentivize small and large retailers to partner with me. I created formulas for two products that are for sale: signature beard oil and beard wash/shampoo. I have other products in mind that will contribute to the creation of a beard grooming kit. I also see a subscription service for the future (to reduce waste). I prioritize quality, and I will not settle for less than an excellent representation of myself. It is evident at first glance by the subtle elegance of details within the bottle's display, then accentuated by the freshness of the oil blend's scent. With very limited resources, I have managed to create something that resonates with the vast majority of individuals that have encountered my product. With the added funding, such details will be displayed to a much larger audience by incorporating the expertise of web developers and marketing strategists, of which I cannot afford at the moment. At some point, I will market my brand to Europe and the Middle East, where beards are prominent. I have laid the groundwork and it is time to expand; this is no longer a DIY (do-it-yourself) project. The space I am looking to occupy in beard care is wide open.
-
Self Identified Competition
Honest Amish Unilever (acquired Dollar Shave Club) L'Oreal Brand recognition is KING! By leveraging the name in similar markets of health & beauty, the transition to beard care is seamless. I also saw Tom Ford with beard care products! I model my brand in a similar fashion as Volvo - I let the quality speak for itself. There are no shortcuts when it comes to the quality of my product; everything was specifically chosen to exude luxury and promote healthy beard growth. It may cost more to create the experience, and that is fine with me; the priority is a positive consumer experience throughout the entire process. Multiple flavors of beard oils come with pros and cons - The consumer has more options, but that does not always correlate to beneficial health properties for one's beard. For example, orange and lemon scented oils are phototoxic, meaning the proteins lose their efficacy due to prolonged exposure to the sun. I have one signature oil blend that was derived specifically for its promotional health properties; it just so happens to smell fresh and masculine.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
