Brand Name/Logo

My brand name is Pika tm, and my logo is still in sketch form and not yet uploaded to a computer.

Pika Executive Summary

Pika
Executive Summary

The purpose of this plan is to raise US$3 million from an investor. Pika is a clothing and equipment company that focuses on the serious outdoorsman. Our products are designed and tested on the trial, up the river, and down the mountains to ensure our customers get the most out of their outdoor experience.

The Products
Pika - outdoor wear and gear
In the early stages (the first three years) Pika will focus on providing outdoor clothing and gear for the avid hiker and outdoorsman in the Rocky Mountains. Products will include, but are not limited to: weatherproof/breathable shirts, pants, shorts, hats, gloves, and jackets, as well as a limited line of hiking boots. Following this introductory stage, establishing brand recognition and trust throughout the Rocky Mountains, Pika will branch into the rest of the United States and add products to its product line that encompass other outdoor activities, including but not limited to, Ice Climbing, Biking, Kayaking, and Skiing/Snowboarding.

The Team
The management team is a highly motivated and trustworthy group consisting of: Dustin Braeger (Pepperdine graduate), Beau Harris (Cal Poly graduate), Tristan Kanipe (Colorado College graduate), and Vanessa Newman (Colorado College graduate). The management team holds 50% of the equity and three seats on the board. Support is provided by David Harris with 20% of the equity and two seats on the board. The investor will receive two seats on the board and an independent chairman will be appointed.

The Initial marketing strategy and Unique Advantages
Initially Pika will be sold through three main routes: specialty stores throughout the Rocky Mountains whose main traffic consists of people searching for outdoor adventure gear, a professionally designed company website, and the flagship store located in the Roaring Fork Valley. We will also run advertisements in various hiking magazines, and sponsor local trail maps under the condition that our logo is placed on them. Sponsoring athletes to wear our products is also an option we have considered, however, we will look into the financial feasibility of this depending on which athletes we think would give us the best and most targeted publicity.
Unique advantages include the fact that three of the four management team members; Beau, Tristan and Dustin, grew up in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Roaring Fork Valley, and have been participating in outdoor activities since before they could walk. The fourth team member, Vanessa, is also experienced in the outdoors and participated in Division One athletics while attending college. All members have vast experience with hiking equipment and are familiar with what an outdoorsman wants and needs from his equipment while on the trail.

The Offer
We seek US$3 million from an investor. It is preferred that the investor have experience in the outdoor clothing business but not necessary. For this investment the returns are:
· 30% equity in Pika Inc
· 13 times the original investment by year 7
· An internal rate of return of 45% over 7 yearsThe funds will be required to purchase manufacturing/testing equipment and materials for the production process.

The Odyssey vs. Bogle

In Bogle's introduction he stresses the importance of things outside the business world such as family, an opinion which is shared by the hero of The Odyssey, Odysseus. Odysseus resists temptation from godesses sirens and kings because of his wish to return home and be with his wife and son in his house. This could be seen as similiar to the modern day trials that corporate executives face when they have to choose between devoting their life to their job or spending time with their families, not quite as epic as Odysseus' struggles but still very valid.
There are several points in The Odyssey that could be seen to represent the loss of values that Bogle talks about in his book. In The Odyssey all of them conclude with Odysseus righting the wrong and destroying the corruption that has entered his world. First he destroys Troy who's Prince disobeyed the rules of a guest by stealing the wife of his host. Then he blinds the cyclops who completely disreguards the rules of a host by eating his guests. And finally he destroys the suitors who have been abusing the hospitality of his houshold. I think Bogle wants to know if the american business world can find its Odysseus, someone who isn't afraid to stand up against corruption and when necessary destroy the violators, or if it is instead condemned to destruction and sharing in the fate of the Roman Empire.