1. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com1 Business Plan 282.01 Kassel San Jose State University August 7, 2009 by Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com sarah@WiseEnergyInfo.com www.WiseEnergyInfo.com sarah@WiseEnergyInfo.com

2. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com2 Wise Energy Information Services Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com Sarah@WiseEnergy.com Blog yznrg.com

3. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com3 Mission Statement Provide exceptional research on alternative energy to help individuals and businesses lower their energy dollar and their carbon footprint by making wise energy choices. Vision At Wise Energy Information Services, we utilize cutting edge research technologies to locate information that is essential in making strategic decisions on energy use. By seeking out and creating energy alternatives for our customers, we help them save money while helping the planet. Founded by Sarah Jeanne Naumann on January 1, 2010, Wise Energy Information Services is a Sole Proprietorship located in El Cerrito, CA Executive Summary

4. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com4 Executive Summary (cont) Services Complete energy packages for consultants, individuals, and companies Grants Marketing Presentations Competitive Intelligence Government Subsidies Products Writing: Analysis, SWOTs, Blogs, Grant Proposals, Executive Summaries, Newsletters, Strategic Plans, Reports Online Portfolios Webcasts and Screencasts Utilize social networking to advertise products

5. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com5 Experience and Background Sarah Naumann, MLIS, has owned and operated a Green Energy Consulting business for over two years. She and her husband have been living a green lifestyle for over 10 years: They have solar panels and solar hot water, drive alternative energy vehicles, and offset all of their travel using NativeEnergy. Sarah is passionate about alternative energy and how it can be utilized to help the planet. During her MLIS studies, she found that the advanced search techniques she was learning could be used to help individuals and alternative energy “green” businesses obtain information about new products, get an edge in the market, help them grow, and recognize their competitors. Executive Summary (cont)

6. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com6 How Wise Energy Information Services is different At Wise Energy Information Services we utilize cutting edge research knowledge, alternative energy expertise, and the latest social networking applications to provide information in easy to understand formats for our diverse client base. We have over 10 years experience in Alternative Energy and have been recognized by the “green” field as innovators! Why You Need Our services As more of the world goes “green” and more people decide to participate in making the planet a healthier place, Wise Energy Information Services will continue to provide up to date information that you can use to be a leader in your business and in your community. Executive Summary (cont)

7. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com7 Executive Summary (cont) Market Analysis Within the past few years, Solar Power has become a household word. People are recognizing the importance of investing in Alternative Energy and are looking for ways to gain knowledge and expertise on what is available and how it fits their needs. At Wise Energy Information Services we see potential clients in: Individuals Architects Consultants Businesses Industry

8. Executive Summary (cont) Industry Analysis The Alternative Energy Business is at an all time high due to the high cost of energy, concern over the planet, and the monies available through government subsidies, grants, and the Stimulus Package. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com8

9. 9 Marketing: Networking Conferences: introduce self/ present Social Networking: Use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Del.icio.us, Ning, blogging Join Organizations: Join committees and participate Create webinars: Use in workshops and conferences Create YouTube videos that showcase my business: Upload to my website and blog, and share with others Sign up for an email marketing service

10. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com10 Marketing: Writing Write blog posts on my blog regularly and often Write on other people’s blogs and refer them back to my blog Write hard copy newsletter and e-newsletter Write articles for journals Get on newsletter committee for organizations and or contribute articles Write a book

11. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com11 Marketing Kit Stationery with logo and business information Business Cards Brochure Envelopes Rolodex Card Newsletter Virtual version

12. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com12 Education To do: Finish MLIS, Spring 2010/ Loan fees $1,200.00 yr Take technology classes: $200.00 yr Take continuing ed classes: $600.00 yr Learn everything about “green” industry by attending conferences, reading journals, and subscribing to listservs and blogs Estimated cost: $2,000.00 yr

13. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com13 Office at Home Get 800 number $120.00 yr Business License and DBA $120.00 Get PC $1,000.00 Upgrade Mac $3,000.00 Backup power source $300.00 Upgrade fax machine $200.00 Create Templates Get W-9’s ready for clients Marketing Kit $300.00 Get QuickBooks $200.00 Hire an accountant $600.00 yr Estimated cost: $5,840.00

14. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com14 Set Up Create logo (pro) $300.00 Create website (pro) $2,000.00 Get domain names & web $300.00 5 yr Hosting-all related to Wise Energy Information & yznrg Create blog (self) Estimated cost: $2,600.00

15. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com15 Membership Subscribe to AIIP, SLA, $360.00 yr Join Alternative Energy ListServs RSS them into my News Reader Sign up on more social networking sites: create professional pages, “friend” people and organizations Estimated cost: $360.00

16. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com16 Finances Hourly rate $ 95.00 I will work 25-30 hours per week on projects and spend the remaining 10-15 hours on marketing. Earning Goals, after expenses 1 year goal: $65,000.00 2 year goal: $90,000.00 3 year goal: $105,000.00 5 year goal: $150,000.00

17. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com17 Finances (cont) Education: $2000.00 @ $2000.00 yr Office: $5,840.00 @ $720.00 yr Set up fees: $2,600.00 Membership: $360.00 @ $360.00 yr Conferences: $6,000.00 @ $6,000.00 yr Need to save before starting business: $16,790.00 Ongoing expenses: $9,080.00 *education will lessen after 7 years once school loans are paid off

18. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com18 Next Steps As I work through the first three years, continually assess the business and how I’m doing. Ask: 1. Have I discovered my niche? 2. What have I learned? 3. What are my clients asking for, needing, happy about? 4. Has the market changed/ am I keeping up? 5. Am I happy? 6. Continue to assess business and adjust where needed.

19. Sarah Naumann www.WiseEnergyInfo.com19 Sources ABS Energy Research. (n.d.). Retrieved August 1, 2009, from http://www.absenergyresearch.com/ Bates, M.E. (2003). Building & running a successful research business: A guide for the independent information professional. Medford, NJ: Information Today. GreenTech Media Research. (2009). Retrieved August 1, 2009, from http://www.gtmresearch.com/ NativeEnergy. (2009). Retrieved August 2, 2009, from http://wwwnativeenergy.com/ http://wwwnativeenergy.com/ Solar Buzz. (2009). Retrieved August 1, 2009, from http://www.solarbuzz.com/ http://www.solarbuzz.com/