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Business Plan – Online Export of Ceylon Tea & Spices
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1. Executive Summary
I’ll sell premium Ceylon tea (loose leaf, bagged, flavored) and authentic spices (cinnamon, cardamom, pepper) through a direct to consumer website and major marketplaces. Goal: reach US $250 k revenue in year 1 with a 30 % gross margin.
2. Product Offering
• Tea: Single origin black, green, white; specialty blends with natural spice infusions.
• Spices: Whole, ground, and organic certified; value added blends (e.g., “Sri Lanka Breakfast Spice”).
• Packaging: Eco friendly, GI labelled, with QR codes linking to provenance stories.
3. Market Analysis
• Target customers: Health conscious foodies, tea connoisseurs, ethnic cuisine enthusiasts in the US, EU, and Middle East.
• Trends: Growing demand for organic, traceable, and “story driven” products; online specialty food sales up 15 % YoY.
• Competitors: Established brands (e.g., Teavana, The Spice House) and small boutique exporters on Amazon.
4. Marketing & Sales
• Website: Shopify with custom branding, SEO optimized for “Ceylon tea” and “organic Sri Lanka spices.”
• Marketplaces: Amazon Global Store, Etsy (for niche blends), Alibaba B2C.
• Acquisition: Instagram & TikTok reels showcasing brewing rituals, influencer gaffes, paid FB/IG ads, and email flow with a free “Tea & Spice Guide.”
• Retention: Subscription box (quarterly) and loyalty points for repeat purchases.
5. Operations
• Sourcing: Direct contracts with tea estates in Kandy and spice farms in Matara; secure organic & GI certifications.
• Fulfillment: Partner with a 3PL in Colombo handling pick pack and air freight to regional hubs (e.g., Dubai, Frankfurt).
• Regulatory: FDA food registration, EU Novel Food compliance, and proper labeling (ingredients, allergens, origin).
6. Financial Highlights (Year 1)
• Revenue: US $250 k (≈ 2 500 kg tea, 1 200 kg spices).
• COGS: 55 % (incl. packaging, shipping).
• Gross profit: US $112 k (45 %).
• Operating expenses: Marketing 30 %, platform fees 5 %, staff 10 %, misc 5 %.
• EBITDA: ~ US $20 k.
7. Funding Request
• Amount: US $80 k.
• Use of funds: 40 % inventory (first year stock), 30 % marketing & ads, 20 % website & tech, 10 % certifications & legal.
8. Risks & Mitigation
• Supply volatility: Multi farm contracts and safety stock.
• Currency fluctuations: Hedging via forward contracts.
• Regulatory changes: Ongoing compliance audits with a local trade lawyer.