Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness Plan - Early Alpine Academy Early Alpine Academy Business Plan Submitted to: Prospera Business Network Prepared by: Mary Moore mary@storystreetcapital.com 309-313-4014 3/14/2025 Executive Summary Early Alpine Academy is a daycare center in downtown Bozeman that currently serves almost 60 local families. We are purchasing the business from XY Planning Network, and will be expanding into a second location to meet the rising demand for childcare in Bozeman, MT. This expansion allows us to separate age groups, improve accessibility, and create a more enriching learning environment. With the expansion, we will be able to double our available spots allowing us to more effectively serve families. With a phased approach, we will complete key renovations to obtain licensing, pilot the program over the summer, and fully launch in Fall 2025. We are requesting a $165,200 loan from Prospera Business Network to fund renovations, safety upgrades, classroom furniture, and marketing efforts. Business Overview Mission Statement & Business Goals Our mission is to nurture young minds through play, exploration, and a supportive community—building a foundation for lifelong learning and success. Our goal is to expand our facility, increase enrollment, and provide high-quality early education to more families in Bozeman. Legal Structure & Founding Details ● Legal Structure: ○ Parent Company: Story Street Capital Inc. ■ Ownership: Alan Moore: 100% ○ Subsidiary: Early Alpine LLC (Disgregarded Entity) ● Founded: Early Alpine was founded by XY Planning Network in 2019 as XY Learning Center. The center was rebranded to Early Alpine on 12/31/2024. Alan and Mary Moore led the planning, launch, and running of the center, and are now purchasing it from XY Planning Network to run as an independent company. ● Location: Bozeman, MT Alan & Mary Moore – Early Alpine Academy, Bozeman, MT Alan and Mary Moore are business owners, problem-solvers, and parents who believe in building things that make life better—for families, for teams, and for their community. They both have degrees in financial planning—Alan from the University of Georgia and Mary from the University of Illinois—and together, they’ve spent years growing businesses that put people first. Alan Moore is the CEO and co-founder of XY Planning Network (XYPN) and AdvicePay, two Bozeman-based companies that have reshaped the financial services industry. Under his leadership: ● XYPN grew into a nationwide network supporting fee-for-service financial advisors, earning spots on the Inc. 5000 list four years in a row (#168 in 2018, #553 in 2019, #1,130 in 2020, and #1,179 in 2021). ● AdvicePay, a payment platform built for financial planners, has processed over one million transactions and more than $500 million in financial planning fees. It landed on the Inc. 5000 list at #636 in 2022 and has continued to grow, earning its third consecutive ranking in 2024. In recognition of his impact as a business leader, Alan and XY Planning Network were named Prospera's 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year, honoring their contributions to local business development and economic growth in Bozeman. Mary Moore joined AdvicePay as the first employee and eventually became president, helping grow the company from an idea into a thriving business. Over eight years, she helped AdvicePay become Montana’s top-ranked company on the Inc. 5000 list in 2022, while also making sure it was a place where people actually loved to work. In 2024, AdvicePay was named Employer of the Year by Bozeman Professional Women (BPW) for its commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. After nearly a decade, Mary stepped away from her role to focus on a new mission—expanding access to high-quality childcare in Bozeman. Investing in Bozeman & Building a Stronger Community Since moving to Bozeman, Alan and Mary have been committed to building companies that support not just their employees, but the entire community. With a large portion of their teams living in Bozeman, they’ve worked hard to create a workplace that actually supports families and work-life balance, offering: ● 12 weeks of paid family leave ● Subsidized childcare (covering half of employees' daycare costs) ● Flexible work schedules and paid sabbaticals They believe that when people feel supported at work, everyone wins—families, businesses, and the community as a whole. How Becoming Parents Led to a Passion for Childcare After the birth of their daughter Ada in 2018, Alan and Mary quickly realized how tough it was to find quality, reliable childcare in Bozeman. If they were struggling, chances were their employees were too. So, Alan did a deep dive into Montana’s childcare regulations, licensing requirements, and business models to figure out how to make it happen. That led to the creation of XY Learning Center, a childcare center first designed for their employees that quickly expanded to serve families throughout Bozeman. Now, as parents of four kids, Alan and Mary know firsthand how important it is for families to have a safe, loving place for their children to learn and grow. That’s why they’re now focused on Early Alpine Academy—taking everything they’ve learned about building strong teams, running great businesses, and creating places where people love to be and applying it to early childhood education. Building a Better Future for Bozeman’s Kids At the end of the day, this isn’t just about running a business—it’s about investing in Bozeman’s future. The kids growing up here today will be the ones shaping this town tomorrow, and Alan and Mary want to make sure they get the best possible start. They believe high-quality early education isn’t just something nice for families—it’s the foundation of a thriving community. By creating a place where kids feel safe, loved, and excited to learn, Early Alpine Academy is helping build a brighter future for Bozeman—one child at a time. Facility & Operations ● Current Capacity: 56 children ● Expanded Capacity: 104 children (new location at 201 S Wilson Ave) ● Ages Served: 0-5 years ● Teaching Philosophy: Play-based learning ● Technology Used: Brightwheel for parent communication, billing, and security Marketing Plan A. Industry Trends Bozeman and Gallatin County are considered childcare deserts, where licensed childcare meets less than a third of the local demand. The shortage of available childcare impacts workforce participation, local businesses, and economic stability. Expanding Early Alpine helps address this challenge by offering more childcare slots, high-quality education, and flexible enrollment options. B. Target Market Description Our primary audience includes: ● Working parents who need full-time, reliable childcare ● Families with children ages 0-5 who value structured, play-based learning ● Households in Bozeman & surrounding areas seeking flexible scheduling and strong communication C. Competitive Analysis What sets Early Alpine apart: ● Small class sizes & high teacher-to-child ratios ● Availability: Open 7:30am - 6pm with limited closures throughout the year ● Strong community engagement & family-focused events ● Real-time updates & communication through Brightwheel ● Developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum Local competitor tuition rates range from $1,200 - $2,300/month. Early Alpine remains competitively priced while offering more robust communication, flexible scheduling, and high-quality early learning experiences. D. Distribution Channels We will reach and enroll families through: ● Website & Online Enrollment – User-friendly platform with program details & easy sign-up ● Social Media & Digital Marketing – Paid ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google to target local parents ● Community Partnerships – Collaboration with local businesses & parent groups for word-of-mouth referrals ● Local Events & Open Houses – In-person tours and community outreach events E. Pricing Strategy ● Flat-rate tuition model – Full-time enrollment for consistency ● Competitive Market Rates – Pricing aligns with or slightly exceeds local competitors, justifying added value ● Premium Services – Extended care, drop-in options, and flexible plans for busy parents F. Promotional Plan ● Pre-Launch Marketing (Spring 2025) – Social media ads, email outreach, and website updates ● Pilot Program Marketing (Summer 2025) – Community engagement, open houses, early enrollment incentives ● Full Launch & Ongoing Promotion (Fall 2025 & Beyond) – Press coverage, referral incentives, and continued digital advertising Phased Expansion Plan Phase Timeline Key Actions Estimated Cost Phase 0: Business Acquisition By March 31, 2025 Legal fees and administrative costs associated with purchasing the business $10,000 Phase 1: Planning & Permitting Now - Spring 2025 Architectural plans, city approvals, building permits, loan approval & funding secured $18,200 Phase 2: Renovation & Facility Upgrades Spring - Summer 2025 Accessibility & safety modifications, fence & playground installation, final safety inspections $100,000 Phase 3: Classroom Setup & Pilot Program Summer 2025 Purchase furniture & supplies, hire & train staff, limited enrollment for trial period $36,000 Phase 4: Marketing & Enrollment Push Summer 2025 Social media campaigns, parent outreach, digital advertising, and community events to drive enrollment $1,000 Phase 5: Full Launch September 2025 Official full-scale operations, grand opening event, continued enrollment efforts $0 Phase 0: Business Acquisition (By March 31, 2025) This phase involves completing the legal and administrative process to acquire the business. Funds will be allocated toward legal fees and other necessary documentation to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. Phase 1: Planning & Permitting (Now - Spring 2025) During this phase, we will finalize architectural plans and secure city approvals. This includes submitting building permits, ensuring compliance with zoning regulations, and securing funding for the expansion. This foundational stage sets the groundwork for all future renovations and upgrades. Phase 2: Renovation & Facility Upgrades (Spring – Summer 2025) This phase focuses on making the building safe, accessible, and functional for use as a licensed childcare center. The building is historic, so improvements are designed to preserve its character while ensuring it meets current code and supports a high-quality learning environment. Estimated Total Cost: $160,000 Prospera Loan Request: $100,000 Owner Contribution: $60,000 Prospera funding will cover all required life safety and ADA upgrades, plus the proportional share of contractor overhead. The owners will fund all non-code-required improvements and remaining overhead. A 3% contingency line has been included for both Prospera-funded and owner-funded portions to accommodate potential cost overruns or adjustments during renovation of the historic facility. Phase 2 Budget & Funding Allocation: Category Cost Funded by Prospera Funded by Owner Life Safety Improvements $41,550 $41,550 ADA Compliance Upgrades $41,194 $41,194 Contractor Overhead (15%) $20,576 $12,412 $8,164 Building Improvements $54,430 $54,430 Contingency (3%) $4,844 $4,844 $1723 Total Phase 2 Cost $164,317 $100,000 $64,317 Phase 3: Classroom Setup & Pilot Program (Summer 2025) Following renovations, we will focus on setting up classrooms with new furniture and supplies. This includes organizing learning materials, arranging age-appropriate equipment, and ensuring all spaces are ready for children. Hiring and training new staff will be a priority to prepare for increased enrollment. A pilot program will be launched to test operations and gather feedback from parents before full-scale enrollment begins. Phase 4: Marketing & Enrollment Push (Summer 2025) This phase involves launching a full-scale marketing campaign to drive enrollment before the school year begins. ● Social media outreach and digital advertising to reach local families ● Community events and open houses to introduce families to the new facility ● Parent outreach efforts through email, flyers, and referral programs ● Press and media engagement to highlight the expansion and upcoming full launch Phase 5: Full Launch (September 2025) This phase marks the official transition to full-scale operations for Early Alpine Childcare Center. The facility will be fully staffed, and all expanded classrooms will be open to accommodate the increased enrollment. The focus during this phase will be on ensuring a smooth operational launch, implementing new procedures, and making final adjustments based on feedback from the pilot program. Key activities include: ● Grand opening event to introduce the community to the expanded facility ● Full operations begin with all classrooms at maximum capacity ● Continued enrollment efforts to fill any remaining spots ● Final staff training & workflow improvements based on pilot program feedback ● Financial monitoring & sustainability review to ensure stability in cash flow and loan repayment Financials Staffing Plan for Early Alpine Academy At Early Alpine Academy, we prioritize maintaining high-quality care and education by staffing our center with dedicated professionals who meet and exceed state-required teacher-to-student ratios. Our current staffing structure includes: ● 1 Director – Oversees operations, compliance, curriculum implementation, and overall staff management. ● 1 Assistant Director – Supports the director in administrative duties, parent communication, and staff oversight. ● 4 Lead Teachers – Each responsible for planning and executing curriculum, classroom management, and mentoring support staff. ● 7 Support Teachers – Provide hands-on assistance in classrooms, help manage transitions, and support children’s daily needs. To ensure smooth operations and maintain flexibility, we have plans in the short-term to hire three additional teachers. This will allow us to: 1. Consistently adhere to strict teacher-to-student ratios set by licensing regulations. 2. Have additional support available to provide high-quality care and learning experiences. 3. Ensure staff members can take PTO without disrupting classroom coverage. 4. Maintain a positive work environment that fosters teacher retention and professional growth. As we expand we will be able to train and promote current staff into new roles that open with the expansion. For the expansion, we will have 3 - 4 teachers for the 4 - 5 year olds. Our compensation structure is designed to attract and retain high-caliber educators, with starting pay at $26 per hour, increasing based on an individual’s level of accountability and role within the organization. We also offer PTO, health insurance, and additional benefits to support our employees’ well-being and job satisfaction. This staffing plan aligns with our commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for the children in our care while ensuring operational stability and long-term growth. Financial Sustainability & Loan Repayment Plan With this expansion, Early Alpine Academy will increase total licensed capacity from 56 to 104 children. At our current full-time tuition rate of $1,556/month, each additional enrolled child adds over $18,000 annually in revenue. Even at 80% enrollment, the new site is projected to generate sufficient operating income to fully support expanded staffing, cover increased facility and program costs, and sustain consistent loan repayment. We are approaching enrollment growth with a phased ramp-up model to ensure smooth operations. By Fall 2025, we expect enrollment to stabilize, with full capacity projected in early 2026. Strong demand, a waitlist of interested families, and limited competition for full-day care make this expansion financially sound. With an existing seller-financed loan that defers repayment until April 2026, we are well-positioned to maintain healthy cash flow during the growth period and meet all financial obligations. XY Planning Network Loan Description: Seller financed loan is being provided by XY Planning Network Inc. Outstanding Balance: $140,000 Term: 5 Years Annual Payment: $34,064.40 First Payment Date: 4/1/2026 Conclusion The expansion of Early Alpine Childcare Center is a strategic step toward addressing the critical childcare shortage in Bozeman. By doubling our capacity, improving accessibility, and enhancing early education quality, we will provide much-needed support to local families and the community. With a well-structured expansion plan, financial sustainability, and a deep commitment to child development, we are confident in our ability to scale successfully. We look forward to partnering with Prospera Business Network to make this vision a reality and to create lasting positive impacts on the families we serve.