Marketing Plan for Bliss By Evelyn Flores Introduction From the success of drive through fast food options in the RGV and from local businesses, I have decided to create a drive-thru and dine in business of sweet snacks, coffees, smoothies, a protein menu and more within Brownsville, Texas. I would love to establish a connective environment with customers by providing them the option to choose between accommodating in a comfortable, quiet area or a fast, simple grab and go method. I have been inspired by Starbucks and a local family business that specializes in drive-thru sour and sweet Mexican snacks. In addition, I have added a small option of protein/green based smoothies and snacks substitutions for those who have different diet goals, specifically catering to the fitness industry. Mission Statement We offer a cultivating assortment of personalized sweet snacks and drinks that helps to empower people’s lifestyle and self-importance. Our mission focuses on bringing people together through diverse lifestyles in a comfortable environment to focus on their own goals while enjoying a variety of options from our menu. We want our focus to make customers feel at peace and welcome when attending our location. Marketing Objectives We seek to acquire at least 3,000 customers for our first month through intense online and traditional marketing techniques. Online marketing has been a huge presence in the life of young adults. Traditional marketing will help bring in older age potential customers and families. By promoting and seeking out potential online marketers, the curiosity of customers will grow enough to keep our business in mind for their next visit. A good presentation of our menu, physical environment, purpose, and product deals will help establish a good firstimpression with potential customers. We seek to retain at least 50% of customers the following month with the percentage increasing every month through satisfactory loyalty programs. Customers love to be rewarded and not forgotten. Keeping our relationship with our current and loyal customers is key for a successful start-up. By offering loyalty programs, email offers, surveys, and other promotional deals, we will keep our customers happy. In addition, by providing fast drive-thru service and a welcoming in-person environment will have customers satisfied with what we do. Our marketing team will focus on marketing on social media through consistent customer interaction and weekly interactive and informational posts at minimum 5x a week. As mentioned, online marketing is essential for our target market. Consistency and daily interaction will help our customer base grow. Our marketing team will seek partnerships and public relations to help promote our business alongside other successful businesses in the RGV. Presenting our business in community events will help spur publicity. We will attend family and community events to sponsor important social responsibility causes. This includes events such as Sombrero Fest, Halloween Extravaganza, the Event Center Professional Events, and other volunteering events. In addition, by using donating and volunteering methods will keep our main mission realistic by helping empower social stamina. We will expand our services in the future by offering customers our business service through their special events, from surprise parties to business meetings. For example, we will implement a small tent/area to offer our products to their invitees during the hours our customer desires. Similarly, we hope to provide delivery services fast and easy for customers enjoying our products. This is something we hope to accomplish within a year of service. Marketing Environment Analysis The marketing environment analysis in my business involves micro and macro-economic factors to consider. These involve my competitors, suppliers, intermediaries, and consumers. I will detail my analysis for each below. Suppliers Sam’s Club I plan on achieving inventory supplies from my local wholesale stores near me. Establishing my business in Brownsville, Texas, I will use Sam’s Club as my primary business supplier. Sam’s Club specializes in selling inventory in bulk, catering to businesses at a low price and offering credit and membership cards for convenience to their customers. It is most accessible to obtain edible and tangible inventory from them. Benefits: Plus member perks (Auto Care/Insurance/Home Improvement/Business Services) Savings and cash back Club Services (Credit cards, delivery) Home Depot I believe Home Depot is necessary under my supplier list. I will use their services to establish and improve physical products inside and outside my establishment. I will also use their service if any repairs or maintenance is needed to continue successfully operating my business. Benefits: Installation Services (flooring, water, bath, cabinets, AC, windows) Outdoor Structures and Fencing Electrical Painting Handyman Services Staples Staples would be my main marketing supplier. The offer printing and marketing services for businesses. Those include posters, cards, business cards, brochures, advertising labels, and postcards at a relatively low price. In addition, Staples offers a Supplier Diversity Program where they help local, diverse suppliers connect with customers like myself. So, in return, I will be working with diverse suppliers so that I can meet my goal in helping out local businesses. Benefits: Self-service Shipping services Printing/Marketing Services iKea I will be using iKea to help bring in aesthetic, comfortable furniture for my dining area. iKea offers simple and unique products so that my shop looks as simple and welcoming as possible. Market Intermediaries Social Media Platforms Advertising System Many online social media platforms such as Facebook, Tik-Tok, Instagram, and Pinterest offer ad and marketing services to small businesses. This includes their AD program where a small business pays the social media outlet for boosting their posts and bringing traffic to their page. I will be using this system to attract as much potential customers before the opening of my store. Other As mentioned before, another method I will be implementing is to reach customer traffic through event planning. I will attend social events where I will place an area to sell limited products to their invitees as a form of marketing. Events include: Birthday Parties, Community Events, Business Meetings/Events, Family Gatherings, and more. I will also volunteer in events that help combat local issues as a form of social responsibility. Competitors Starbucks Starbucks has a similar vision as mine. They want people to socialize and feel comfortable in their own space. This is why, as a huge retailer, Starbucks is my main competitor. Strengths: Strong brand recognition Innovative Business Model Customer Loyalty Global Presence Strong Financial Performance Increased sustainability practices Weaknesses: Dependence on a single product line Competition in the coffee industry High prices Dependence on multiple suppliers Social Responsibility Demands By catering against Starbuck’s weakness, I will expand my business to include multiple product lines. My prices will be quite lower since I will attempt to reach local suppliers that charge less. Regarding social responsibility demands, Starbucks is currently undergoing a boycott. This affects their traffic and customer loyalty. Yukis Yukis sells Mexican snacks, ice cream, and drinks. Since they have multiple product lines, it will more likely compete with mine. Strengths: High Mexican population Multiple product lines Customer loyalty Weaknesses: No drive-through option, only dine in Caters to only one market population. Higher prices Low marketing techniques Having a higher marketing presence and implementing a drive through, I will more than likely gain traffic towards my business while also having the option to offer dine in. Macro-economic Factors to Consider Demographic Age: young adults to mid age adults. (Gen Z, Millenials) Family Structure: Teenagers, Single Mothers, Busy Parents, College Students, Dieting Individuals Population: Hispanic, young Americans Education: college students, business professionals Economic (Based on local Hispanic population) Government Assistance Lack of financial literacy Low consumer spending due to the pandemic Natural Shortages due to the pandemic Increased environmental issues. (Space X, border country) Government intervention Technological Better innovative products created to assist small businesses in better serving their customers. Political and Culture Laws, politics. (Immigration, women’s rights) Social responsibility demands. Local political issues SWOT Analysis for Bliss Strengths Weakness Strong Digital Presence Competition with well-known brands Multiple Target Markets Price Fluctuations Drive-Through Option Multiple Product Lines Opportunities Expansion in the RGV Collaborations/Event Threats Economic Crisis (Inflation, Depression) Sponsorships/Volunteering Events Global Pandemics (Illness, Covid-19) Expanding customer rewards program Political Issues (Immigration, War) Creating new product lines Strikes/Labor Disputes due to social responsibility demands. Changes in consumer preferences due to age, trends. Market Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning Strategies Segmentation Criteria My consumer market will be a variable from demographic and psychographic segments. My demographic will include young to mid-age adults, ages 12-40. We target both men and women with an average income of about $30,000. They are primarily Hispanic Americans who are more likely educated and are from the Gen Z and millennial generations. Most specifically, they are college students, families, business professionals, and health-conscious individuals. In a psychographic perspective, our target customers live a productive, social, and busy lifestyle with a personal-growth mindset. By purchasing our products, they will reflect their own lifestyles as a productive individual in society by achieving their goals and personal growth. Targeting Strategy When choosing a targeting strategy, I will consider factors such as our resources, market variability, and competitor’s strategies. I am gearing towards a differentiated marketing strategy. I cater towards multiple segmented markets so that I can reach as much people as possible. In addition, I plan to implement a socially responsible target marketing because I would love to respond to local issues in my area such as immigration, economic disadvantaged families, college students, lack of educational opportunities, and more. Positioning Strategy A competitive advantage that will derive from my business is the quality of service and products I will provide. I estimate that value is better at achieving profits than price itself. I will attempt to purpose a more for the same proposition. I want to give high quality at lower prices. By consistent communication with my customers, establishing a loyalty program, and constantly creating new and customizable products can help my business build a relationship and expand. Marketing Mix Strategy Product Bliss will offer multiple product lines to customers that are both customizable and diet friendly. I will mention a few examples of products I plan to promote. Oreo Ice Cream Splash Description: This product is an ice cream based customizable snack. It will have ice cream, Oreo cookies, syrups, chocolate chips, banana, nuts, and any add-ons from the menu. Each ingredient will have diet-friendly options for those who do not want the added calories or have other health goals to achieve. Smoothies/Protein Shakes Description: I will implement smoothies with a variety if flavors, such as Oreo, Blueberry, Banana, Strawberry, Chocolate and more. These smoothies will include a protein option, greens and fruits options as well. Coffee Description: I will have coffee options for those coffee-lovers who need a burst of energy for their day. I will include decaf, sugar free options. I plan on purchasing local coffee beans to support local businesses. Pancake Delight Description: This is a sweet customizable snack that has mini pancakes, fruit, nuts, cookies and more added to it. Price I plan on charging my products in the range of $4-$14, depending on add-ons and customization. I will implement a value-based pricing because I want to provide the best to my customers. I will assess their daily needs, set the price at which they are willing to offer, determine the costs of what I plan to deliver, and deliver it at an agreed price. Since it is a customizable product that required multiple products to be delivered, this should add as much needed value so that customers will enjoy. Living in an economically challenged population, I want to show them that you can receive value while paying a decent price for it. Having customizable options will give them a sense of personal relationship with my products, therefore becoming loyal customers in the future. Place I will place my establishment near a corner, high traffic road. Although it will cost me more money to build, it is a guaranteed form of marketing and recognition. By improving my online presence, I will cater towards the younger generations to come try out my place and deliver a great first impression. Promotion Advertising By purchasing advertising materials such as fliers, business cards, posters, and online ads, I will reach as much of the younger audience needed. PR By becoming socially responsible, I will volunteer and promote local issues it our area by providing my services free of charge and using my audience to educate others about such issues. Promotion By collaborating with other local businesses, we can promote each other in a positive way. This can reach bigger audiences and help achieve profits. Social Media Social media is a huge presence in my target market. As mentioned in my objectives, this will be my main source of intense marketing. By also creating a rewards program, email marketing, and more I will build stronger relationships with my customers. Citations https://www.rgvhealthconnect.org/demographicdata https://businessmodelanalyst.com/starbucks-swot-analysis/ https://www.samsclub.com/content/membership-services?xid=hdr_menu_sams-services#buckets https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/value-based-pricing https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/marketing-sales/marketing/strategyplanning/competitive-advantage