Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697647607452.pdf (Bahamas)
BAIC Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation Business Start-Up Kit: Forms & Checklists Facilitating Business Development in The Bahamas The Business Services Department PREFACE BAIC continues its efforts to reduce the complexity and minimize the uncertainty surrounding the Start-Up phase or launching of a small business, or any business venture for that matter.
As a service to those of our clients who have taken the initiative and invested their time, money and energy in taking our 3-Night ‘Small Business Management’ Course, we have compiled a booklet of easy to read, easy to use start-up forms and checklists.

The forms originated with a variety of sources: books, magazine, the internet, and our own creation.

Some have been copied without modification, some copied and modified, some have been completely revised and updated, while others were developed in-house.
If properly utilized – in whole or in part – the kit will serve as an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs or small business persons.

While the kit may not cover every conceivable situation or circumstance, it will remove much of the headache of launching a business and increase the likelihood of success for small business persons/entrepreneurs in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

BAIC is here to guide you, take you by the hand (if necessary) and lead you step by step toward business success.
Remember: You may be in business for yourself, but you do not have to be in business by yourself.

This Kit was developed and prepared by the Business Services Department.

D.L.
Major Manager Business Services May 2002 Owner’s Checklist for Starting a New Business Background work: __ Assess your strengths and weaknesses Establish business and personal goals __ __ Assess your financial resources Identify the financial risks __ Determine the start-up costs __ Decide on your business location __ Do market research __ Identify your customers __ Identify your competitors __ __ Develop a marketing plan Business transactions __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Select a lawyer Choose a form of organization (proprietorship, partnership, corporation) Create your business (register your name, incorporate business, etc.)
Select an accountant Prepare a business plan Select a banker Set up a business checking account Apply for business loans (if applicable) Establish a line of credit Select an insurance agent Obtain business insurance First Steps __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Get business cards Review local business codes Obtain a lease Line up suppliers Get furniture and equipment Obtain a business license or permit (if applicable) Obtain shop license if applicable Get a national insurance number Obtain relevant permits Join a professional organization Set a starting date This final step before developing your plan is the pre-business checklist.
You should answer these questions: • What business am I interested in starting?

• What services or products will I sell?

Where will I be located?

• What skills and experience do I bring to the business?

• What will be my legal structure?

(see overview below) • What will I name my business?

• What equipment or supplies will I need?

• What insurance coverage will be needed?

• What financing will I need?

• What are my resources?

• How will I compensate myself?


Your answers will help you create focused, well researched business plan that should serve as a blueprint.

It should detail how the business will be operated, managed and capitalized.

BUSINESS EVALUATION FORM This evaluation form will help you determine how successful you will be if you enter a given business.

Fill out the entire form for each business you consider.
In the column on the right side of the form, indicate how well a given opportunity meets a given requirement for success (5=excellent, 3=good, 1=fair, 0=poor).

The opportunity with the highest total points is your strongest candidate for success.

5 3 1 0 1.

Relevance of your previous experience to opportunity 2.

Familiarity with the daily operations of this type of business 3.

Compatibility of business with your investment goals 4.

Compatibility of business with your income goals 5.
Likely profitability of business 6.

Likelihood of business to meet your desire for personal fulfillment 7.

Projected growth for the industry 8.

Acceptability of projected growth 9.

Projected level of risk 10.

Acceptability of risk level 11.

Hours you will need to work (fewer the better) 12.

Acceptability of hours you will need to work TOTAL Adapted from Entrepreneur Magazine’s SMALL BUSINESS ADVISOR By D.L.
Major, MBAS EQUPMENT & SUPPLIES NEEDED WORKSHEET Supplier Cost Lease/Buy Date Needed Comments $ Item A.

Production Equipment B.

Office Equipment Telephone System Answering machine Copy machine(s) Computer(s) Computer Printer(s) Computer software Computer software Computer software Postage meter Fax machine(s) C. Supplies & Miscellaneous Business stationery Business cards Total Cost $ Adapted from Entrepreneur Magazine’s SMALL BUSINESS ADVISOR By D.L.
Major , MBAS START-UP INVENTORY PLANNER PAGE____OF____ Item Description Quantity Unit Cost Total Cost Supplier Comments 1.

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Subtotal Previous Page Total Cost Total $ $ $ Adapted from Entrepreneur Magazine’s SMALL BUSINESS ADVISOR By D.L.
Major, MBAS START-UP FINANCING PLANNER PAGE____OF____ Source Comments Amount Type of Financing Owner’s Equity Partner’s Equity Bank Loans Credit Union Loans Loans from Individuals Credit Card(s) Venture Capital Individual Equity Investors Trade Credit Other Financing TOTAL START-UP FINANCING $ SOURCE: Building a Profitable Business To see if the community you are considering offers a population with the demographic traits you need for your business, fill out the following form.
Market A Population Within 1 mile of your business Within 5 miles of your business Within 25 miles of your business Predominant Income Market A Under $15,000 $15,000-$25,000 $25,000-$35,000 $35,000-$50,000 $50,000 + Market B Market C Market B Market C Market A Market B Market C Market A Market B Market C Age Preteen Teens 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 + Density Homeowners Renters Urban Adapted from Building A Profitable Business By: D.L.
Major Courtesy of BAIC CUSTOMER PROFILE WORKSHEET Describe your ideal customer or client (after answering the questions below):__________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 1.

Are they men, women or both?

____________________________________________ 2.

What is their age group?


_________________________________________________ 3.

What is their approximate average income?

__________________________________ 4.

What is their employment type (blue-collar, white-collar, managerial, professional, homemaker, etc)?

______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 5.

What is their lifestyle (personality, self-image, etc.)?
__________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 6.

Where are they located (local, statewide, national., international)?

________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 7.

How many of them are there?

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 8.

How many do you expect to get as customers?


_______________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 9.

What percentage of the market do you expect to get?

__________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 10.

What’s the growth trend of your target market?

______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 11.

How much will they pay for your product or service?
_________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 12.

What are their buying habits?

____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 13.

What are their attitudes toward what you’re offering?

_________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 14.

What magazines do they read?

___________________________________________ 15.


What organizations do they belong to?

_____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 16.

What conventions or events do they attend?

_________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 17.

Is there a directory that lists them?

_______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 18.
Are there mailing lists of them available?

__________________________________ 19.

What’s the best way to reach them?
_______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ COMPETITOR REVIEW WORKSHEET Competitor #1 Competitor #2 Competitor #3 Competitor #4 Location Prices Product Lines Target Markets Positioning Unique Selling Points Your Strategic Difference Their Major Strengths Their Major Weaknesses Promotional Activities Reputation Market Share Financial Condition How you will compete Expected Responses SOURCE: Building A Profitable Business PRODUCT OR SERVICE WORKSHEET PAGE 1 A.
Product Concept (for all types of businesses) *1.

Describe your primary product or service in 45-50 words: _____________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ +1a.
Now describe it again in only 12-20 words, keeping only the key points, the essence, of what you’re offering so you can quickly communicate it to others __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ *2.

What benefits does your product, service or store offer customers or clients?
_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ *3.

What is special or unique about what you’re offering that will give you a strategic advantage over your competitors?
: ________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ *4.
List the other products and services you plan on selling initially: ________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ *5.

What additional products, services or locations can you introduce in the future?
: ___ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ PRODUCT OR SERVICE WORKSHEET Page 2 B.

Product Specifics: Service Businesses *1.

Will you be providing a specific service to a wide range of clients, or a broad range of services to a specific group of clients?
: __________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ *2.

What means (educational materials, seminars, free consultations) will you use to add Value to your services?
_________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ C. Product Specifics: Retailers *1.

Will you focus on providing a deep selection of a single product category, or a wide assortment of related goods?
_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ *2.

What services (delivery, alterations, repair, etc.)

can you provide for your customers?


_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ C. Product Specifics: Retailers *1.

What stage is your product currently in?

Existing Ready to manufacture Prototype Model/Drawing Idea *2.

What’s you product’s status with regard to patent or trademark protection?
Protectable Protection applied for Protection granted Not protectable *3.

Will you produce a single version of one product, several models of a single product, or a wide range of different products?

______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ * To be included in the Product Service subsection of the Marketing Plan in the “Business Plan Guide”.
+ To be included in the Company subsection of the “Business Plan Guide” PRODUCT COST WORKSHEET Product: Item Part #1: Materials Set-Up Charge Tool Cost Freight In Labor Part #2 Materials Set-Up Charge Tool Cost Freight In Labor Part #3: Materials Set-Up Charge Tool Cost Freight In Labor Part #4: Materials Set-Up Charge Tool Cost Freight In Labor Part #4: Materials Set-Up Charge Tool Cost Freight In Labor Product Packaging Set-Up Charge Tool Cost Freight In Labor Assembly Labor Finishing Labor Royalty Overhead Other Other TOTALS Quantity Description Unit Cost Date Cost $ $ PRICING PLAN WORKSHEET A.
For Retailers 1.

What percentage will you mark up merchandise by?

___________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 2.

What range does this put you in compared to your competitors (high, medium, low)?

_____________________________________________________________________ 3.

How do you justify this price range?

_______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ B.

For Service Businesses 1.


What price or hourly rate have you established for your service?

_________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 2.

What range does this put you in compared to your competitors?

__________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 3.

How do you justify this price range?


_______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ C. For Product Based Businesses 1.

What wholesale price have you established for your product?

___________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2.

How do you justify this price?

____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 3.
What retail price have you established for your product?

_______________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4.

How do you justify this price?

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 5.

What range foes this put you in compared to your competitors (high, medium, low)?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6.

How do you justify this price range?

_______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: Building a Profitable Business BREAK-EVEN WORKSHEET In order to determine your Break-Even Sales Volume you need to know: 1.
Price- What you intend to charge for your product or service (from Pricing Mini Worksheets).

$______________________ 2.

Variable Cost per Unit – The cost per unit of producing your product or service (from “Product Cost Worksheet”) plus shipping and handling.

$______________________ 3.

Total Fixed Cost – The total costs of operating your business; includes all the expenses listed on the “Projected Expenses Budget”.
$__________________ By subtracting the Variable Costs per Unit from your Price you can determine Gross Margin per Unit: Price - Variable Cost per Unit = Gross Margin per Unit ________ - ____________________ = ______________________ Dividing your Total Fixed Costs by your gross Margin per Unit gives you your Break- Even Sales Volume: Total Fixed Costs ________ - - Gross Margin per Unit ____________________ = Break-Even Sales Volume = ______________________ The Break-Even Sales Volume is the number of units you need to sell to generate enough revenue to cover all of your fixed and variable expenses without generating any profit or loss.
All sales made above the Break-Even Sales Volume contribute to Net Profit.

SOURCE: Building a Profitable Business TYPES OF INSURANCE REQUIRED (YES/NO) YEARLY COST COST PER PAYMENT 1.

General liability insurance 2.

Product liability insurance 3.

Errors and omissions liability insurance 4.

Malpractice liability insurance 5.

Automotive liability insurance 6.

Fire and theft insurance 7. Business interruption insurance 8.

Overhead expense insurance 9.

Personal disability 10.

Key-employee insurance 11.


Shareholders’ or partners’ insurance 12. Credit extension insurance 13.

Term life insurance 14.

Health insurance 15.

Group insurance 16.

Workers’ compensation insurance 17.

Survivor-income life insurance 18.

Care, custody and control insurance 19.

Consequential losses insurance 20.

Boiler and machinery insurance 21.

Profit Insurance 22.

Money and securities insurance 23.

Glass insurance 24.

Electronic equipment insurance 25.

Power interruption 26.

Rain insurance 27.


Temperature damage insurance 28.

Transportation insurance 29.

Fidelity bonds 30.

Surety bonds 31.

Title insurance 32.
Water damage insurance TOTAL ANNUAL COST $ $ Basic Coverages Available Coverage Amount Cost Comments Building related Building Structure Fire Windstorm Lightning Vandalism Earthquake Trees, plants and shrubs Glass damage Exterior signs Total Property related Inventory Base level Peak season (plus 25%-40%) Employee dishonesty Robbery and burglary Money and securities Accounts receivable Valuable papers Boiler and machinery Personal effects Automobile Total Business operations related General business liability Bodily injury to others Damage to property of others Personal injury to others Professional liability Key person Loss of income Direct Indirect Extra expenses following loss Loss of refrigeration Total Other Medical (owner/employees) Disability (owner/employees) Worker’s Competition Life (owner/employees) Total Facility Planner By answering the questions below, you can determine the requirements for your ideal business location: 1.
What kind of facility does your business need?

Home Office Store Factory Warehouse Other 2.

Do you intend to lease, rent or purchase your business facility?

___________________ 3.

How much are you willing to pay per month?_________________________________ 4.

How many square feet do you need?

________________________________________ 5.

Do you need additional space for future growth?

How much?

____________________ 6.

What special requirements does your business have?


Electrical ________________________ Plumbing ________________________ Heating ________________________ Air Conditioning___________________ Ventilation_______________________ Refrigeration______________________ Water ________________________ Storage ________________________ Access ________________________ Other ________________________ 7.
Rank the following (from 1 to 5) in terms of their importance to your business: ____ Customer convenience ____ Supplier proximity ____ Employee proximity ____ Competitor proximity ____ Personal preference 8.

Where could you locate your business to satisfy the two (2) most important considerations above?
___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ BUSINESS-LEASE CHECKLIST After you have chosen a particular site, check the following points before you sign the lease: Is there sufficient electrical power?

Are there enough electrical outlets?

Is there enough parking space for customers and employees?

Is there sufficient lighting?

Heating?

Air conditioning?


Do you know how large a sign and what type you can erect at your facility?

Will you city’s building and zoning departments allow your business to operate in the facility?

Will the landlord allow the alteration that you deem necessary for your business?

Must you pay for returning the building to its original condition when you move?

Is there any indication of roof leaks?

(A heavy rain could damage stored goods.)

Is the cost of burglary insurance high in the area?
(This varies tremendously.)

Can you secure the building at a low cost against the threat of burglary?

Will the health department approve your business at this location?

Will the fire department approve the operation of your business at this location?

Have you included a written description of the real property?

Have you attached drawings of the property to the lease document?

Do you have written guidelines for renewal terms?

Do you know when your lease/rent payment begins?


Have you bargained for one to three months free rent?

Do you know your date of possession?

Have you listed the owner’s responsibility for improvements?

Do you pay the taxes?

Do you pay the insurance?

Do you pay the maintenance fees?

Do you pay the utilities?

Do you pay the sewer fees?

Have you asked your landlord for a cap of 5 percent on your rent increases?

Have you included penalty clauses in case the project is late and you’re denied occupancy?
Have you retained the right to obtain your own bids for signage?

Can you escape if the center is never more than 70 percent leased?

Has a real estate attorney reviewed your contract?

Inventory Control Card Item#: Cost: Delivery Time: Description: Supplier: Reorder Point: Reorder Quantity: Ordered Received Sold Date Quantity Date Quantity Date Quantity Balance on Hand CASH FORECAST YEAR: Jan Feb Mar April May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec TOTAL Receipts Product Sales Profess.
Fees Other Other Total Sources Expenditures Operating Exp.

Capital Purch.

Tax Payments Other Sub-total Items Bought for Resale Finished Goods Materials Other Sub Total Total (11+16) Net Cash(6-17) Cash invested, borrowed Beginning Cash Bal.
Ending Cash (18-20) SALES FORECAST YEAR: Sales by Source Jan Feb Mar April May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec TOTAL YEAR: ___________________________ YEAR:_______________________________ 1st Q TOTAL TOTAL 2nd Q 2nd Q 3rd Q 3rd Q 4th Q 4th Q 1st Q Less Returns Total Net Sales Sales by Source Less Returns Total Net Sales PROJECTED EXPENSE BUDGET & CAPITAL EXPENDITURES YEAR: Jan Feb Mar April May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec TOTAL Operating Expenses Owner’s Salary Staff Salaries Payroll Taxes Benefits Advertising Promotions Office Rent Accounting Services Legal Services Telephone Utilities Consultants Repairs Mail/Shipping Insurance Bank Charges Office Supplies Travel & Entertainment Licenses & Permits Dues & Subscriptions Total Capital Expenditure Computer Equipment Furniture Store Fixtures Software Other Equipment Total PROJECTED INCOME STATEMENT YEAR: Jan Feb Mar April May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec TOTAL Revenue Net Sales Other Revenue TOTAL REVENUE Cost of Goods Sold: Beginning Inventory Plus: Purchases Less: Ending Inventory Cost of Goods Sold Gross Margin Operating Expenses: Expenses from Budget Depreciation Other Expenses Other: Total Operating Expenses Operating Income BUSINESS START-UP COST CHART Undercapitalization is one of the primary reasons for business failure.
For instance, if it had been determined that you would need $60,000 to cover all your start-up costs, but you only spend $12,000, chances are you are going to fail.

You must account for all your start-up costs – opening expenses and initial operating expenses.

The main start-up costs are listed below.
CATEGORY DEPOSIT INITIAL COST Rent Phone Electricity Water Gas Equipment: Purchase Equipment: Lease Fixtures* Inventory Leasehold Improvements Licenses Taxes Marketing Budgets Professional Services: Lawyer Accountant Other Pre-Opening Payroll Insurance Vehicle(s) TOTALS $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ SIX MONTHS $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ TOTAL $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ *Includes such items as partitions, paneling, signage, storage shelves, and/or cabinets, lighting, checkout counter(s), all shelves, tales, stands, wall systems, showcases, and related hardware for product display.
Adapted from Entrepreneur Magazine’s SMALL BUSINESS ADVISOR By D.L.

Major, MBAS INVENTORY Item Description Manufacturer Serial #/ Model # Where Acquired Date of Purchase Replacement/ Restoration Costs Prepared By: ________________ For: Home [ ] Business [ ] Date: _______ This final step before developing your plan is the pre-business checklist.

You should answer these questions: • What business am I interested in starting?

• What services or products will I sell?

Where will I be located?


• What skills and experience do I bring to the business?

• What will be my legal structure?

(see overview below) • What will I name my business?

• What equipment or supplies will I need?

• What insurance coverage will be needed?

• What financing will I need?

• What are my resources?

• How will I compensate myself?

Your answers will help you create focused, well researched business plan that should serve as a blueprint.
It should detail how the business will be operated, managed and capitalized.
START-UP FINANCING PLANNER PAGE____OF____ Source Comments Amount Type of Financing Owner’s Equity Partner’s Equity Bank Loans Credit Union Loans Loans from Individuals Credit Card(s) Venture Capital Individual Equity Investors Trade Credit Other Financing TOTAL START-UP FINANCING $ SOURCE: Building a Profitable Business To see if the community you are considering offers a population with the demographic traits you need for your business, fill out the following form.
Market A Population Within 1 mile of your business Within 5 miles of your business Within 25 miles of your business Predominant Income Market A Under $15,000 $15,000-$25,000 $25,000-$35,000 $35,000-$50,000 $50,000 + Market B Market C Market B Market C Market A Market B Market C Market A Market B Market C Age Preteen Teens 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 + Density Homeowners Renters Urban Adapted from Building A Profitable Business By: D.L.
Major Courtesy of BAIC CUSTOMER PROFILE WORKSHEET Describe your ideal customer or client (after answering the questions below):__________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 1.

Are they men, women or both?

____________________________________________ 2.

What is their age group?


_________________________________________________ 3.

What is their approximate average income?

__________________________________ 4.

What is their employment type (blue-collar, white-collar, managerial, professional, homemaker, etc)?

______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 5.

What is their lifestyle (personality, self-image, etc.)?
__________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 6.

Where are they located (local, statewide, national., international)?

________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 7.

How many of them are there?

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 8.

How many do you expect to get as customers?


_______________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 9.

What percentage of the market do you expect to get?

__________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 10.

What’s the growth trend of your target market?

______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 11.

How much will they pay for your product or service?
_________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 12.

What are their buying habits?

____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 13.

What are their attitudes toward what you’re offering?

_________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 14.

What magazines do they read?

___________________________________________ 15.


What organizations do they belong to?

_____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 16.

What conventions or events do they attend?

_________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 17.

Is there a directory that lists them?

_______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 18.
Are there mailing lists of them available?

__________________________________ 19.

What’s the best way to reach them?

_______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________