Business Description :

Officially, for the purpose of a patent, a gift map is a computer generated, not to scale, map of a genuine geographical location, such as a county, city, or town. This roughly 12X28 map, folded accordion style, contains multiple gift cards with monetary value for various businesses. The gift cards are positioned on the map with a temporary adhesive, relevant to their actual locations in that specific geographical region. In less technical terms- a gift map is just a regular folded map with five gift cards attached to it- designed in a unique and fun-looking style.


Business Overview :

The “Gift Map” is an invention I came up with for creatively presenting gift cards to someone. A couple of years ago, having absolutely no idea what to give my wife on her birthday, I decided to buy gift cards. I bought five of them, but did not want to just tuck them in her card. After some serious brain-storming, I drew a map of the town and attached the gift cards to it where those stores were located.

Product Service Description :

My plan is for gift maps to have themes based on the types of businesses on them. This makes it easy to buy one for a specific person or occasion. There are unlimited possibilities. Here are some of my ideas: An all restaurants map, a map for men (electronics, sporting goods, home improvement, etc.), a map for women (clothing, restaurants, salons, etc.), a children’s map (toys, electronics, fast-food restaurants, etc.), teen’s map, newlywed couples, retirees, new homeowners- the list goes on and on.

Market Opportunity

The sales of gift maps would generate revenue in the same manner as retailers selling their gift cards in other businesses than their own. It is common to see various gift cards offered in grocery stores, Wal-Marts, and other establishments everywhere. In keeping a percentage of these sales, as the retailers involved in this practice do, significant revenue is created. Since printing and assembly costs are fairly inexpensive, keeping a small percentage of each gift map sale would make a very decent profit. My plan is to offer $50 (five ten-dollar gift cards) and $100 (five twenty-dollar gift cards) gift maps. They could conceivably be uniquely made for every city and/or town across the United States, making it a realistic possibility for the gift map to catch on and become a money making machine across the country.

Competitive Analysis

The competition is only other gift card holders, such as stuffed animals, boxes, etc.

Marketing Strategy

The sales of gift maps would generate revenue in the same manner as retailers selling their gift cards in other businesses than their own. It is common to see various gift cards offered in grocery stores, Wal-Marts, and other establishments everywhere. In keeping a percentage of these sales, as the retailers involved in this practice do, significant revenue is created. Since printing and assembly costs are fairly inexpensive, keeping a small percentage of each gift map sale would make a very decent profit.

Sales and Distribution Strategy

The gift map would/could be sold in stores and online.

Financial projections

Category	Year1	Year2	Year3	Comments, if any
Revenue
Cost of Goods Sold
Gross Profit
Expenses
Net Operating Income
Other Income
Net Income (Loss)

Capital Needs Analysis

Asset	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total
Equipment
Staff
Office Space & Equipment
Consumables
Maintenance
Travel
Miscellaneous
Totals

Risks and Challenges
Tips for Success

• Printing costs are based on quantities. The higher the amount of maps printed, the lower the cost.
• A profitable percentage must be worked out with retailers that have their gift cards on the Gift Map.