wireless butterfly prepared by Chelsey Cleveland, Shelly Henricks, Micah Robison, and Inega Taylor presents

Opportunity People with Special Needs Special needs children and adults were institutionalized. Movement started in late 1960’s and early1970’s Started exploring their capabilities not their disabilities. Opportunities have increased since that era. Programs developed provide options and opportunities: – Special Olympics –ARC (formerly known as Association for Retarded Citizens) History Herbs Fresh herbs were not available in retail settings like grocery stores until about a decade ago.

Current People with Special Needs Employment opportunities and housing still limited. Receive life skills or occupational education Capable of employment if given a chance. Opportunity Herbs Fresh herbs are available in retail settings like grocery stores but are very expensive. Priced at $2.99 to $3.99 per package of only a few sprigs Enjoy a high profit margin Perishable

Opportunity A non-profit company that provides: an integrated work setting for typical and special needs employees growing local organic herbs at a competitive price with charitable appeal Non-profit will be aligned with a university to: benefit from their expertise provide exposure to a variety of colleges throughout the university serve as a model for other university communities throughout the nation Future

Concept Features Crops will initially consist of herbs: easy to grow, good profit margin, and provide options for both fresh and dry products. University experience will be combined with the business plan for packaging and distribution.

Concept Features Greenhouses will provide consistent year- round production Site Concept Greenhouses at one end and processing and packaging at other end Accommodations for special needs employees – wider rows – production machines

People come together to learn from one another New age company culture and management: – Environment/Butterflies – Social/Weekly events University departments will observe functions: – culinary- special education – mechanical engineering - management – entrepreneurship- sociology – psychology Concept Benefits

Contribute to state's economy Special needs people will be paying into taxes as opposed to accessing resources Stores can: – buy local – help change a problem in society. Concept Benefits

Competitive Advantage Employment – no competitors with all elements few close but not same –Red Wiggler Farms, Maryland Left Foot Organics, Washington –Mariposa, Iowa

Competitive Advantage Herbs/Retail – no local, organic herb suppliers Local stores’ herbs are not local –HerbThyme Farms – California –North Shore Greenhouses – California –Goodness Gardens Herbs – Columbia (distributed via New York)

Target Market Short-term (1 year) –Small/specialty grocery stores –Restaurants –Made in Oklahoma product manufacturers Mid-term (1 – 3 years) –Wholesale warehouses that cater to large entities Long-term (more than 3 years) –Replicate format at other university communities

Market Approach Win/Win situation: Retailer -quality product at competitive price / special needs adults - employment Feel good component - buying local and helping a segment of society Made in Oklahoma “Partners” Can use it in their marketing that they use fresh and local in their product Promotion seek media coverage advertise in Made in Oklahoma promotions

Distribution Distribution will be key as the product is perishable –Refrigerated vehicles will be necessary to transport goods to stores, manufacturing plants, or warehouses Needs to be timely and coordinated with production

Operations –Executive Director – development, coordination of resources –Program Coordinator – employment coordination and operations management –Marketing – identify market opportunities and establish contacts –Distribution and customer service – logistics and problem resolution –Administrative – accounting and grant writing –Website operations – outsourced

Economics Start-up costs –Expensive to establish facility –Land either donated or affordable lease –Governmental grants are available –Private donors will be crucial Pricing/Margins –Lucrative profit margins in herb market –Crop bounties will be used for dried –Price will be competitive at $2.99 to $3.99 per package Recurring revenues occur due to perishability factor

Financing Start-up costs are estimated to be $375,000 –Facilities – land and production facility –Marketing - promotion –Packaging –Distribution –Personnel Funding will be through: –Individual contributions –Grant funding –Government programs and initiatives (Hoop houses)

Summary FlavorAbilities –combines two seemingly unrelated sources –fills a niche in society –benefits individuals and institutions