Richard McGeary: The Toy Shop

Problem

The biggest challenge wasn't the idea itself—it was transforming a fun concept into a real, investable business. Richard knew that "retail requires discipline" and that passion alone wouldn't be enough to succeed. They needed to prove this wasn't just nostalgia but a sustainable business opportunity with staying power. With considerations like inventory planning, seasonality (summer vs. winter vs. holidays), cash flow management, people management, and capital structure, they needed a comprehensive plan that would stand up to scrutiny from banks and investors. Richard wanted a "stress-tested idea" they could clearly explain to secure the right level of funding and build a foundation focused on execution, not just survival. The stakes were high—without a professional plan, they risked not being taken seriously by lenders.

Solution

The Toy Shop turned to LivePlan's services team to transform their vision into a fundable business plan. The services team worked with Richard and his partners to understand every aspect of their business—from their market opportunity and competitive positioning to their financial projections and operational strategy. Through a collaborative process, the team methodically captured the partners' ideas about resources, marketing, opportunities, and needs, ensuring nothing was overlooked. The result was a comprehensive 56-page business plan that addressed every critical element with professional clarity.

Once the services team completed the initial plan, it was delivered in LivePlan where Richard and his team could easily access, review, and make adjustments as needed. This gave them ongoing control to refine their strategy while maintaining the professional structure and quality the services team had established. "Absent LivePlan, we don't have a business. Absent LivePlan, we don't get funded," Richard stated emphatically about the combined power of the services team and LivePlan.