"It has been said that America is the land of opportunity. Most of us know that is no longer true. The Land Of Opportunity for this century is West Africa."
-- Gary in Scotland
The man speaks the truth. But how can one harvest those potentials? It takes experience, knowledge, wisdom, and what some used to call True Grit. Much like the ocean and the sky, Africa can be extremely intolerant of fools.... but the bounty she offers the dedicated few are enormous, vast beyond calculation.
I'm not speaking now of diamonds or oil, nor of raping the people and continent as has been done in the past. It is my considered and firm belief that win-win solutions are the only acceptable ones. We are all part of this same one earth, after all. To rape and pillage Africa is to do harm to ourselves. This is not at all what I propose or intend. Instead, this project will provide the rest of the world with that which Africa has in sustainable abundance, while providing her people with ways by which to improve themselves.
Another profound truth is that "The opposite of War is not Peace.... it's Creation." In helping Africans to create a brighter, more optimistic destiny for themselves, we ensure that war does not destroy that vast and incomparable continent's resources and people. It is with this philosophy in mind that the business plan has been drafted.
WHAT IS PLANNED: Diversity is important. For this to succeed as a business plan, it must be able to survive all seasons and circumstances, and work within the above directives. To that end, the prospect includes:
- Eco-Tourism in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and possibly Guinea.
- Exporting and preserving unusual and unique exotic birds and animals, plants, animals, including Azawakh & Basenji dogs, hawk-eagles, etc. In establishing regular facilities under a Master Falconer's care and supervision, we will be uniquely able to work within the long delays and difficulties presented by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and CITES permit processing problems.
- Exporting of unique produce, such as seeds which the local birds eat that give them such vivid colours, hibiscus flowers (for bissap,) etc.
- Importing that which the Africans most need, affordably. This may include medications, rice, etc. as well as hardware technologies.
WHAT IS NEEDED: To be sure, there are other things which would help. Owning a plot of land would be helpful, and a few buildings to support operations. In time, or by greater investor contribution, we will see that to fruition as well. For now, I'm only proposing that which is necessary:
- A quality reliable SUV-type vehicle in which to travel, locate and retrieve the specimens and merchandise, transport eco-tourism clients, etc.
- Startup funds to operate in Africa for one year (which, aside from gasoline, is incredibly inexpensive, owing to the lower cost of living there.)
- Equipment for expeditions (tents, bedrolls, GPS and Dish Broadband, Shortwave Radio, transport facilities for animals, etc.)
- Personnel to hold down the farm while I'm out and about, and to help with tourists. These will be largely experienced Europeans I have become acquainted with who are likewise enamoured of Africa.
THE COSTS: SUV - This might be a relatively recent Range Rover or similarly sturdy vehicle, upon which we will install: Roof Rack (which can double as sleeping quarters aloft)
Dish Satellite to provide mobile broadband even in the most remote places.
Heavy Duty Inverter for electronics
Shortwave Radio - the OTHER 911.
Tailgate rack for additional gear/luggage, fuel and water storage, etc.
Due to high import duties, it is probably wiser to purchase a vehicle already in Senegal, but I will consider all options carefully.
- The vehicle can be acquired, sufficiently outfitted for safari and equipped as described, for between $15k and $25k USD
Living expenses are minimal Fuel is probably the most vulgar expense, but this will be spent in direct proportion to the animals and goods acquired and/or tourists transported, so it should be relatively self-sustaining.
- Living expenses for a year are set at $10k, and should include the random and occasional aspects.
At this point, we expect it to be more practical to lease the necessary lands. Any funding for purchasing a large tract of land, etc., would be addresssed at such time as a highly promising opportunity arises, and probably funded in conventional fashion within Senegal.
Equipment for Tourism Guests, etc. MSR was generous in the last expedition, and I imagine they'll continue to treat us well. Moreover, they have the best gear around, so I'll be returning to them again. Approximately $400 per person in gear is ample to equip each guest with all they may need. This could be afforded by the guest purchasing it, but seems redundant and inefficient to do so. Therefore, I would budget enough for 4 people at a time, and have extra gear purchased as necessary for larger groups, from proceeds. A total, then of 6 people would be outfitted, plus cookware, etc.
- Expedition Equipment Budget is 3000 USD
Local labor is inexpensive, between $2 and $5 per day, and a family may even be willing to tend to basics on the farm in exchange for a place to stay. The Europeans and others will likely work for a percentage of profit plus living expenses (as I do,) but their expenses will be higher, as medical costs like doxicycline and other Malaria drugs may be needed.
- Annual Budget of $3000 USD up front, plus a reasonable percent of profit as a bonus, for labor.
- Travel expenses, insurance, visas, and initial expeditions' fuel costs - $4000 USD
MINIMUM STARTUP BUDGET $35,000 USD
PREFERRED STARTUP BUDGET $50,000 USD (includes $5k in "Stuff Happens" backup funding)
THE OFFERING:
A project of this nature is highly profitable even in its first year, and can be expected to be running in the black, including repayment of all loans, within 2 years. Since the appeal has at least a couple different sources, a program has been designed to accomodate both those who would like goods from Africa as well as one for short-term (2 year) investors and one for long-term investors interested in cash returns.
The structure is as follows:
49 percentage points are being offered at $1000 USD per point. We will commence operations when 25 percent has been sold, and sell no more than 49 percent total. Points sold back to the Project will not be resold to other investors.
If an Investor wants to receive birds or other collectable wildlife, s/he will be entitled to double the investment as credit against the cost of that animal, but will then have sold the investment back to the Project and entitled to no further renumeration. We would be highly inclinded to accomodate that investor with a very special price on future acquisitions.
Investors who seek short-term returns can have their monies classified as a loan and have it repaid within the and will be entitled to a sum equal to the amount of that investment or their percent of net profit within the first two years, whichever is greater, after which they will have been fully compensated for their involvement.
Long-term investors who do not want their initial investment returned as described above would be entitled to their percentage of net profit each and every year, paid annually, by the last day of July. This date is chosen because it coincides with the rainy season, during which we are least likely to be active with operating the company and can take the time to attend to bookkeeping and payments.
THE RETURN:
I've been contacted by US scientific breeding coops with an interest in acquiring raptors which would sell in the UK, if available from captive bred sources with limited genetics, for $5k-$10k each. The fact is that such birds are not available from those sources, though, and so wild-caught birds are the only real option. Moreover, wild-caught pairs are more likely to produce young, and do raise them succcessfully within a short period of time.
Of course we will not jeopardize wild populations which cannot support such a harvest, nor will we be involved in purchasing, trapping or acquiring infant primates or any animal which was acquired by harming its parents or other members of its family or group.
With the demand for these individuals at 10 specimens already completely absent of advertising and the likely availability which this project represents, we expect to receive considerably more orders than these ten, but the ten at only $5k each amounts to $50k USD. Less expensive birds are also on US breeder's coops, including the Red-Necked Falcons which we have already acquired successfully for Mr. BiLL Meeker, who informs me that he has copulation and eggs have been laid in less than one year. Lanners are certainly readily available, and the Grey Falcon is another small falcon showing considerable promise Black Sparrowhawks, African Goshawks, Gabar Goshawks, etc., are all easily and readily available as well. Pygmy Geese are available, but the cost of quarantine may not allow any but the most serious of collectors to acquire them.
AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO OTHER RELIABLE OR PROVEN SOURCE FOR WEST AFRICAN BIRDS OF PREY!
All in all, we reasonably expect to ship out at LEAST $60,000 USD in raptors alone within the first year.
Additional sources of revenue are likely to be found amongst other breeders, zoos, and the like, once they find out that we exist and that we can and WILL be given far more orders for raptors than we can realistically fill within the mandate
Also, we will be putting up some species to breed in captivity in Senegal, with the intention of selling captive-bred individuals for falconry, breeders, zoos, etc.
Add profits, albeit intentionally limited, from the exportation of seed and dried bissap tea flowers. This could easily come into many thousands of dollars per year as well. We will also pursue export of native crafts, hand-made cloth, etc., as time allows, and make small profit from operations providing needed food staples and medicines at a discount, God willing.
It is certainly on the game plan to acquire Azawakh and Basenji pups from Africa at least once within the first year. These will be highly desirable as well, and should sell well and readily, as they provide a unique animal and genes unavailable otherwise.. As with the smaller calm raptors, we may breed these on the farm in Senegal as well.
Eco-Tourism is very popular as well. Though southeastern Africa is often considered the hotspot for such activities at this time, those who have visited there will want to exppand their travels. Moreover, part of the reason for a lesser demand is that experienced Anglo companies and guides have been sorely lacking, resulting in unkept agreements, confused and unacceptable tourist experiences. We are dedicated to providing a wonderful, quality experience that will earn recommendations and returns for many years to come.
In the overall, it is no stretch or reach to expect proceeds in excess of $100,000 USD by the second year, and no less than $75,000 USD the first year. Once word gets out (and it most certainly will) the combined profits from this Project could easily exceed half a million USD per year within the first five years. Given the diversification and such realistic expectations, the sustainable harvest of West Africa's potentials is certain, and the return to investors all but guaranteed, God willing.
NOTEs:
It is expected that we will become sufficiently funded to proceed by the fall of 2007, just after the summer monsoons have abated.
Investor's orders will be fillled first, with other clients waiting after them.
Percentages which are sold back to the Project will not be resold to the public again; This is the only opportunity which will be available to invest in this unique venture!
Feel free to contact me with any suggestions, questions, concerns or offers.
Shukran; Merci; Gratze; Danke, Thank-you!
Contact JT about this prospect