Hi Jerry,

This should be self-explanatory. If he agrees, it will provide some funding for a few months and then revenue share beyond. Talking with him later today. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Robert

 

Hi Peter,

 

You have periodically asked me to keep you in mind when I find small, profitable deals that do not require much capital.

 

I have one. It uses a lot of the expertise I have developed in recent years; it does not require much capital; we can get to positive cash flow very quickly; it has great operating margins; and it will be something we can both be proud of. It will also be fun.

 

 

Background

“Some grocery stores create 'elderly hours' to protect older shoppers during coronavirus”

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/487922-some-grocery-stores-create-elderly-hours-to-protect

 

 

The Need

The challenge for the elderly is finding the grocery stores and pharmacies near them that offer elderly hours.

 

 

Market Size (all are U.S. only):

People over age 65: 50M

Number of grocery stores: 40k

Number of pharmacies: 67k

Other stores that might offer elderly hours: unknown

 

 

Our Solution

We can very quickly build a site that makes it easy for them to find nearby groceries and pharmacies that offer elderly hours. Here is the general way the store locator tool would look. Instead of “An excellent spot for shopping,” as you see here, each store would show their elderly hours. Visitor can search by city, state, or zip code, and they can filter by hours and by type of store. See the image at the bottom of the page.

 

Operation

Timing:

We can launch the site in one week. We can start marketing it to retailers even before we are done.

 

Tech:

We have extensive experience with the software and hosting we would use. It allows virtually unlimited traffic at a modest fixed cost. (See footnote below my signature).

 

 

Marketing

To Stores:

Mutual friends (for instance, the founder of Horizon Dairy) can introduce us to the largest chains. We will also get the industry associations and publications to complement our efforts to reach the others.

 

Store Registration:

We can totally automate the process for retailers to submit their data and pay for their listings.

 

To Public

We can easily get massive media exposure, including AARP, local newspapers, radio and television. Google this to see the interest:

                corona elderly shopping hours

 

 

Network Effect

The first mover (that’s us) has a tremendous advantage.

 

 

Revenue

Listing Fees:

We will charge the groceries and pharmacies a modest amount. They get both customers and goodwill.

If just 50% of them pay $1 a month (paid annually), that is $642k a year. They should be willing to pay more than that.

 

Premium Listings:

Some groceries and pharmacies are likely to pay more for premium listings.

 

Newsletters:

Visitors to the site can request info on hours and special deals for the elderly. Stores will pay for that.

 

Expenses

 

Capital Expenses

Incorporation, etc.           $1,000

Legal                                   $0 (we can use docs Goodwin created for GfH)

Graphics                             $1,000

Data and developer       $5,000

Total                                     $7,500

 

Monthly Expenses

People                                

  Books & Acctg                 $100

  Tech                                   $1k

  RST                                     $5k

  Data person                     $1k                                        

  PR intern                         $900                      

Total                                     $8k

 

 

Net Operating Margin

Revenue (conservative case)     $642k

Expenses                                         $96k

Profit                                               $546k

Net Operating Margin                   85%

 

 

 

Funding

Initial expenses                                           $7.5k

Three months of monthly expenses         $21k

Contingency                                                 $1.5k

Total                                                             $30k

 

Well before the end of the third month, we should have revenue well in excess of the $7k in monthly operating expenses. (Just 7% of stores, each paying just $1 per month, would cover our operating expenses).

 

 

Deal

Operating Income

Distribution of operating income:

Robert                 66.6%

Investor               33.3%

 

Distribution of capital proceeds

Return of investor capital, then:

Robert                 66.6%

Investor               33.3%

 

 

Return to Investor (first year operating income, only)

Most conservative assumptions:

 

REVENUE

Listing Fees                       $642k (assumes just $1 per month for 50% of stores)

Premium Listings             $0 (neglects this)

Newsletters                       $0 (neglects this)

Total                                     $642k

 

EXPENSES

Annual                                 $96k

 

NOI                                       $546k

 

Investor share                   $172k

 

Return on capital             5.7X (first year only)      

                                               

 

Timing

Because of the timeliness of the opportunity and the small amount needed, I want to do a deal and launch very quickly.

 

You get the first look, because you know me well enough that I am not worried about the appearance of sending this at around midnight—and because it would be fun to do this with you.

 

If you are interested and can move quickly, let’s talk. If it is not for you, then just let me know, and I will reach out to others right away.

Want to schedule a time to talk? This makes it easy: http://robert.YouCanBook.me

 

Thanks!

All my best,

Robert

 

 

 

 

 

  • The one program that is not a fixed price is one for collecting info via forms (stores or visitors). It costs $0.0005 to $0.002 to per submission, depending on the volume.