Executive Summary:

Our company, "Maine Small Business Directory," aims to promote small businesses in Maine to both tourists and residents. Our platform will be a comprehensive directory of small businesses, featuring a user-friendly interface and QR code driven technology. We will offer businesses subscription-based services to increase their visibility on the site and to drive more foot traffic to their establishments. Our mission is to help small businesses thrive in Maine's economy by providing an accessible platform that connects them to potential customers.

Market Analysis:

Maine is a state with a strong culture of small businesses. According to the Small Business Administration, there were 146,010 small businesses operating in Maine in 2020, accounting for 99.4% of all businesses in the state. Maine also attracts a large number of tourists every year, with approximately 36 million visitors in 2019, according to the Maine Office of Tourism. However, many small businesses struggle to reach these tourists due to a lack of online visibility.

Our platform aims to address this issue by providing a central hub for small businesses in Maine. We will leverage QR code technology to make it easy for tourists to find and visit small businesses, and we will also provide businesses with tools to increase their online presence and visibility.

Services:

Maine Small Business Directory will offer two types of services: basic and premium. The basic service will include a listing in the directory, including business name, location, and contact information. The premium service will include additional features such as a business description, photos, and links to the business's social media pages. Premium businesses will also be able to post special promotions and offers on the site.

Revenue Model:

Our primary revenue stream will be through premium subscriptions. We will charge businesses a monthly fee for premium services, with pricing based on the size of the business and the level of exposure they desire. In addition, we will offer advertising opportunities on the site, such as banner ads and sponsored content.

Marketing and Sales:

To promote our platform, we will utilize a variety of marketing channels, including social media, search engine optimization, and email marketing. We will also partner with tourism organizations and chambers of commerce to spread awareness of our service. Our sales strategy will involve reaching out directly to small businesses in Maine, emphasizing the benefits of our platform and offering a free trial of our premium services.

Management Team:

Our management team has extensive experience in small business management, marketing, and technology. Our CEO has over 15 years of experience in business development, and our CTO has a background in software development and technology innovation.

Financial Projections:

Our financial projections for the first year are as follows:

Revenue: $300,000

Expenses: $200,000

Profit: $100,000

We anticipate significant growth in subsequent years as we expand our user base and increase the number of premium subscriptions.