How to Write a Business Plan for Car Valeting
By Nancy Wagner
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Parking people's cars when they're in a hurry, arriving at a restaurant or hotel or need to take their vehicle in for repairs is a service you can provide with a car valet business. Your business plan should explain how you want to offer your services, either through contracting with a garage or parking lot or providing services to a handful of businesses in the hospitality industry. Leasing a lot or putting one you own to use for parking cars is another option in high traffic areas.
Outline Services
Describe the services you plan to provide, such as offering valet services to car owners who need to park their vehicles for a few hours or providing parking and security in a long-term lot. If you plan to take people's cars in for mechanical services once they drop off the vehicle, explain how the operation will work. List any additional services you plan to offer, such as washing, waxing and detailing the vehicle or vacuuming the inside. If you provide luggage service or deliver people to and from the airport, explain how you plan to operate these services.
Research the Market
Research the location from which you plan to operate, and detail how the location brings car owners to you who want their cars parked. Describe your target market, such as the income level of the people who use valet services, how many people use the service and at what hours. Describe competitors such as other valet services to find ways to stand out from them, such as by your price or the level of service provided. If you plan to approach businesses that need valet parking for their customers at their own door, such as restaurants or hotels, describe the competitors who may also provide that service.
Explain Operations
Running a valet business means hiring drivers, so describe the qualifications you want, such as a valid driver's license, a clean driving record and customer service skills. Provide details about your manager's background in the valet industry or the automotive services field and their experience managing staff. This section should also include any computer systems you need to track where cars are parked and to handle payments.
Plan Promotions
Convincing car owners to use your valet services requires a mix of advertising and marketing tactics. Describe the onsite signage you plan to use to attract customers. Mention coupons or discounts you want to use to get traffic to your lot. Outline use of a website and online directories so people become aware of your services when they start researching travel arrangements.
Prepare Financials
Whether you need a loan or not, the financial section of your plan helps identify the expenses you need to pay, such as paying your drivers, buying uniforms and liability insurance. Include expenses related to additional services you offer, such as supplies to wash and detail cars or vacuum the inside. Calculate how many customers you need to serve each day to turn a profit.
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Nancy Wagner is a marketing strategist and speaker who started writing in 1998. She writes business plans for startups and established companies and teaches marketing and promotional tactics at local workshops. Wagner's business and marketing articles have appeared in "Home Business Journal," "Nation's Business," "Emerging Business" and "The Mortgage Press," among others. She holds a B.S. from Eastern Illinois University.
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1 How to Write a Business Plan for a Gas Station
2 How to Make a Business Plan for Charter Buses
3 Example of a Medical Transportation Business Plan
4 How to Make a Business Plan for a Pool Hall