Summary

Most parents desire to create everlasting memories for themselves and their children by having photos taken as their children grow and develop through the years. This business specialises in providing photoshoots in the family home (or another chosen venue) of their babies. It can be described as a mobile photographic studio with props etc. that create these everlasting memories from the start of the child's journey through life. This unique service is a home-based business.

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Fully describe the business's activities?

This business is a mobile infant photography studio business This business captures very special memories for parents, of their babies in the comfort of their homes or selected venues.

This is the only business in Gauteng to offer home-based new born and infant photo shoots.

How long has the business been established?

The current owner started the business 4 years ago.

How does the business operate on a daily basis?

Clients make online bookings via the website. A booking is confirmed upon receipt of payment. Confirmed bookings are synced to the owner's google calendar.

On weekday mornings - 2 hour newborn photo shoots are booked (this can overrun). The process starts with the owner driving to the clients house with the pre-selected items (props/decor) and camera. Once the photo shoot has been done - the photos are all edited via Photoshop and small low resolution photos are sent to the customers for selection. If a customer selects more than what the selected photo shoot package entitles them to, a surcharge per photo is charged.

What Advertising/Marketing is carried out?

The owner is responsible for marketing the business. This includes posting on Instagram and Facebook once or twice a week and sharing the post with selected Gauteng groups. This includes creating paid advertisements to reach the target audience in Facebook and Instagram.

The current owner also engages with customers on WhatsApp when they react to the Facebook advertisements. After sharing brochures and other media they are converted into a paying customer immediately..

What competition exists?

Other static photography studios

Is the business VAT Registered?

No.

Are there up-to-date Management Accounts available?

Up to date management accounts (sales analyses,income statements and balance sheets) are available and can be accessed online via the Sage Accounting system.

How could the profitability of the business be improved?

- Expand the target market.
- Enhance service offerings.
- Collaborate with other infant-related businesses and healthcare specialists
- Increase social media marketing spend.
- Introduce an incentivised customer referral program.
- Include customer experience reviews on the website
- Review the pricing strategy.

What is the total staff complement?

This business is owner run. The owner has trained a sub-contractor who is able to help out with baby photo shoots.

When does the current lease end?

This is a work from home business that does not require leased premises.

What are the main assets of the business?

The main assets of the business are:
- Camera equipment.
- Laptop with Photoshop software.
- Props and decor for baby photoshoots.

Strengths?

- Unique and personalised experience.
- The only baby photoshoot service in Gauteng).
- Flexibile online scheduling system for the owners planning of her day.
- Personalised attention and customer service offering.
- Provide emotional and memorable keepsakes for families.
- Work from home business
- Low overhead cost structure.
- Well designed, customer friendly website
- Has a proved targeted marketing strategy for its niche market.

Weaknesses?

- Vulnerability to external factors (being a home-based business, operations can be impacted by external factors such as power outages or internet connectivity issues).
- Limited geographical reach.
- Pricing sensitivity.
- Continuous increase in petrol prices.

Opportunities?

- Potential for franchising and expanding to other provinces.
- Upselling and adding additional related services.
- Introducing referral programs
- Continued innovation and personalisation of the service offering.

Threats?

- Economic conditions.
- Consumer trust and safety concerns regarding in-home services

What is the reason for the sale?

The Seller would like to re-enter the corporate world.

Why is this a good business?

It is a unique home-based service that has built its brand and has a proven business model in terms its target audience, its service offering and its marketing strategy. Its scheduling system allows the owner to plan the business around the needs of their family life. It is ideal for a person who has some artistic abilty, good inter-personal skills, loves children (babies and infants, in particular) and is looking for a nice income, working from home.

There are a multitude of photography courses available online for those who are interested but concerned about their photographic ability.