one year business plan for security company

Security Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Security Company Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their security companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a security company business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a security company business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your security company as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a security company or grow your existing security company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your security company to improve your chances of success. Your security company business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Security Companies

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a security company are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for security companies.

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How to write a business plan for a security company.

If you want to start a security company or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your security company business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of security company you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a security company that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of security companies?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the security company industry.
• Discuss the type of security company you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of security company you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of security companies::

• Crisis management: This type of security business depoys security officers trained in crisis situations such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other emergencies.
• Security guards: This type of security business provides security guards to government or private clients to provide protection against theft or harm to personal or public property.
• Surveillance company: This type of security business provides surveillance equipment and monitoring services that can include security alarms, cameras, and on-call security officers.
• Security patrol: This type of security company deploys security officers who drive around the designated area, patrolling from car, motorcycle, or other vehicle.

In addition to explaining the type of security company you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of security cameras sold, or reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the security company industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the security company industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your security guard business plan:

• How big is the security company industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your security company? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your security company business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of security company you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other security companies..

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of security service providers, in-house security personnel, and do-it-yourself security equipment. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of security company are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your services?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a security guard business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of security company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide on-call security guard services, crisis management, or surveillance equipment?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your security company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your security company located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your security company marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your security company, including answering calls, scheduling security personnel, billing clients and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your security company to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your security company’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing security businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a security company.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you employ a staff of 10 security officers, and will you charge an hourly fee of $150 for each security officer deployed ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your security company, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a security company:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of your security guards and their credentials.  

Writing a business plan for your security company is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the security company industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful security company.  

Security Company Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my security company business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your security company business plan.

How Do You Start a Security Company?

Starting a security company business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Security Company
• Create Your Security Company Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Security Company
• Secure Startup Funding for Security Company (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Security Company with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Security Company
• Buy or Lease the Right Security Company Equipment
• Develop Your Security Company Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Security Company
• Open for Business

Learn more about   how to start your own security company .

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Private Security Company Business Plan Template

MAR.20, 2017

Do you want to start a Private Security business plan?

Security is one of the biggest concerns in the world right now. It has always been important to keep not only valuable items but also information secure and out of the wrong hands. Therefore, there is a significant need for investment in the business plan related to private security firms. 

Developing a business plan for a security company involves much more than coming up with a cool slogan. Much like a window cleaning business plan , you will need to learn how to write a business plan for a security company. 

Here, we are presenting the business plan for Diamond Phase, a private security firm. You can use this business plan to develop a plan for your own business. So, whatever the scale of your business, this template can act as a great help to design a successful business model.

Executive Summary

2.1 about the business .

Diamond Phase will be a security firm started by Jacque Hail. The firm will provide help with business planning process for security systems in different residential and commercial sectors. The company will offer a wide range of services, from securing full-fledged security systems for whole buildings to offering small-scale security services for a particular office or space. 

2.2 Management of Private Security Firm

Business plans for security companies need to be very thorough as they provide a very important service. The business needs to be well-managed to ensure proper functioning after the launch. This can be achieved through a security company business plan template like the one given here. 

You can also refer to professional business plan services to get an operational plan developed. If you possess some experience and you want to develop your plan on your own, you may take guidance from this security guard company business plan. 

2.3 Customers of Private Security Firm

The customers of Diamond Phase will belong to different scales of operations. As such, our customers for a basic business plan security are as follows:

• Residential Community
• Small/ Large Businesses
• Jewelry Stores
• Highly Sensitive Areas

2.4 Business Target

The target of Diamond Phase is to establish itself as a major player in the private security business in Portland. We want to be known as the most efficient security solution in Portland within two years of the launch. 

Furthermore, the financial targets we want to achieve within five years of operation are as follows:

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

The owner of the company will be Jacque Hail. Jacque worked as a security manager in a top security firm for two years. Before this, he attained his education in computer forensics and networks. He realized that he could utilize his experience and education to start a new security firm of its kind. And thus, Diamond Phase was ideated. 

3.2 History of Diamond Phase

While working as a security manager, Jacque saw that a lot of his clients required not only physical security measures but also computer network safety. Considering the rapid increase in the penetration of technology in every sector of the market, Jacque decided to present a business model that improved upon existing physical and computer security businesses. 

3.3 How the Private Security company will be started

Step1: Ideate the Business

The first part of any security business plan sample is the description of the company that you are trying to start. Nothing happens without an idea. Therefore, Jacques decided to build on his dream and create a concrete idea for his business plan of a security company.  

Step2: Research and Analysis

The next step to starting a business is to look into your market. This will help you filter out your major competitors and entry points in the market which can help you get ahead in the competition. As part of this security company business plan pdf, Jacque did comprehensive research about the security industry to identify his competitors. 

Step3: Register the Business  

Once Jacque knew that his business idea was viable, he looked into as many security company business plan examples as he could to learn the process of registration. He not only registered the company name to the state but also registered the space for a main office in the Portland commercial center.

Step4: Go Online

One of the best ways to advertise a business is through online ads and social media. Therefore, Jacque decided to hire a sales team with a social media sub-team to help with advertisement and the online existence of the company. 

Step5: Know Your Finances

Another important part of any business plan, even a plumbing company business plan, is the financial planning of its operations. To manage this, Diamond Phase will have a financial plan developed by a business consultancy firm.

The services of a business are its basis and the reason it exists. Before you start writing business plan for a security service company, you need to be very clear about the types of services you will be offering. This will not only help you to properly write a business plan for a private security company but also guide you throughout the operational years of your business. 

To write a private security business plan for his company, Jacques decided to lean back on his market research. It is because he knew that each sample business plan for security services decides its services according to market needs. From this research, he decided upon a list of services to include in this template to learn how to start a security company pdf. 

The general services for a private security firm are listed below. Some of these are identical to those mentioned in the locksmith business plan .

• Security Guards

The biggest service offered by Diamond Phase will be to provide teams of security guards for the maintenance of a manual security system in a commercial or residential area. The number and requirements of these guards will be agreed upon by the company and its clients. The guards will be hired and trained by the company and will work on a contract basis for our customers. 

• Automated Setups

Many places don’t require huge teams dedicated to security. For instance, security concerns in residential areas and homes can be handled by automated systems with just one physical team on site. To promote the efficient use of resources, Diamond Phase will provide state-of-the-art automated security systems to its customers. 

Not only will the company provide trained security personnel, but it will also provide training for the guards hired by our customers. The customers can hire us to provide regular sessions for proper training of their staff in electronic as well as manual security niche. 

• Network Security

As part of its hybrid business model, Diamond Phase will offer not only physical and automated security but also network security and maintenance personnel if needed by its data-sensitive clients.

Marketing Analysis of Private Security Company

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A security guard business proposal needs to contain everything from the preliminary idea of the business to the basic viability guarantees of the business. To establish a security business star up , you will need a comprehensive security systems business plan that contains all the details to make the business viable for existence. 

For his business plan for a security company , Jacque used his market research to build a strong case for starting Diamond Phase. If you want to learn how to start a private security company from scratch, you can follow this business plan for a security company pdf. You can also learn the basic idea from other plans, such as a dog training business plan .

Here, we will present the marketing analysis and details for Diamond Phase, through which you can learn how to open up a security company that can succeed. 

5.1 Market Trends

According to Statista, the private security industry in the US already has a market share of $32 billion, which is a $1 billion increase from 2019. The market is consistently growing with an increase in valuable projects, businesses, and residential areas. Therefore, this is the prime time to learn how to start a security agency as it will help the new business become a part of the growth spurt. 

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The customers targeted by Diamond Phase are as follows:

5.2.1 Residential Community

The main customers of our company will be residential areas that require not only an automated security system in each home but also centralized security teams in place to deal with a breach. We expect to gain about 60% of our customer base from this domain. 

5.2.2 Small/ Large Businesses

We will also provide automated systems, network security services, and small batches of guards to small and large businesses. Mostly, these businesses will require a few guards and a basic automatic security system linked to the police. 

5.2.3 Jewelry Stores

Our company will also serve Jewelry stores that require a state-of-the-art automatic security system as well as an equipped security team that can respond in a short time. 

5.2.4 Highly Sensitive Areas

Lastly, Diamond Phase is aware that there are warehouses and hidden locations that often need security. We expect to come into business contracts with large companies.

5.3 Business Target

• Establish ourselves as an efficient and versatile one-stop solution in the market.
• To attain a customer satisfaction score of 98% within the first 6 months.
• To slowly expand our client base to include multinational corporations.

5.4 Product Pricing

The prices of our products will be competitive with the market baselines. We will offer a wide range of services to choose from so that our clients don’t have to look towards any other firm for full-coverage security solutions.

Setting up a security firm can be tough from a market standpoint. Most places already have trusted firms that they use for security systems. So, it can be hard starting a private security company in such an environment. To deal with these hardships, Jacque decided to come up with competitive advantages from the very beginning. His compelling sales strategy and competitive advantages are given in this business plan of a security company.

So, just as a dog daycare business plan can help a dog daycare business prosper, a business plan targeted at a security firm can help it succeed as well. Therefore, if you want to learn how to start a private security firm, you can go through the plan developed by Jacque for Diamond Phase. 

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We have a versatile business that offers security in 3 dimensions: manual, automatic, and communication network.
• Our customers can get one-stop solutions at our company, eliminating the need for multiple security systems.
• We have systems in place for training clients’ own employees and guards.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will offer comprehensive security packages based on a client’s needs.
• The services of our security analyst to design the security system will be free for clients.
• We will offer a money-back guarantee in case of any issues within the first year.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

When learning how to open up a security company, you need to go into details such as which type of workforce can help you maintain and run the business. Every private security company business plan contains these details.

The employees Jacque decided to hire for Diamond Phase are listed below in this business plan for a security company pdf. 

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 Co-Manager to help in overall operations
• 20 Trained Guards
• 2 Sales Executives to promote sales
• 1 Accountant
• 1 Receptionist

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

If you are new to the security domain, you may be wondering what you need to start a security company. The truth is, there are a lot of components that make a business plan security company successful. One of the essential components is the financial planning of the business. 

Financial planning can include details ranging from how much it costs to start a security company to the rates for your services. For the financial planning of the Diamond Phase, Jacque dived deep into the profit vs. cost analysis of services to ensure the sustainable working of the business.

The financial plan for the Diamond Phase with all its details is demonstrated below for a better understanding.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

• How do I write a business proposal for a security company?

You can learn how to write a business proposal for a security company through the example of a business plan for a security company given above. 

• How do you write an executive summary for a security company?

An executive summary is an important part of all security company business plans. To write one, you can look into the security company business plan template given above. 

• What are the goals of a security company?

The goals of a security company are dependent on many factors such as location, owner’s expectation, target market, investment, etc., all of which are demonstrated in the business plan for a security company.

Download sample a business plan for a security company pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Security Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Security Company Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Security Company business plan.

We have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Security Companies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Security Company business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

KB Security is a new security company located in San Antonio, Texas. KB Security provides security professionals to local establishments that need protection for their business or assets. We train our professionals for numerous situations so they are prepared for any security job. This includes anything from theft prevention to handling crisis situations. Whatever our clients’ concerns are, they can rest assured that they have hired the best security professionals in the San Antonio area.

KB Security is founded by Keith Baldwin, who has been a security professional for ten years. He has worked both as a professional security guard and as a certified trainer. In addition to his experience, he also holds an MBA. Keith’s combination of experience and education have given him the knowledge and skills to run a successful security company.

Product Offering

KB Security provides security professionals that can help businesses with all their security and surveillance needs. These can include but are not limited to:

• Protecting individuals
• Guarding property
• Preventing theft
• Helping with crisis situations

Businesses can sign up with one of our flexible contract programs when hiring our security services. We also offer a discounted trial period for those who are considering a long-term contract and want to test out our services before signing.

Customer Focus

KB Security will target local businesses, government organizations, and individuals located in San Antonio who need to hire security professionals. We expect most of our clients to be retail establishments who need help with theft prevention and guarding property and assets.

Management Team

KB Security is founded by Keith Baldwin, who has been a security professional for ten years. He has worked both as a professional security guard and as a certified trainer and received an MBA from the University of Texas. Keith’s education and experience has given him all the essential skills to run his dream security company. However, he will also hire other administrative staff to help him with the essential day-to-day functions.

Success Factors

KB Security will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Expert Security Professionals: KB Security only hires the best security professionals that have extensive training in security protocols.
• Location: KB Security is in a prime location, giving us quick and easy access to prime commercial districts. This is ideal especially when hired to handle crisis situations or alarm response.
• Affordable Pricing: The services offered by KB Security are similar in quality to its most premium-positioned competitors but are offered at a more affordable price.
• Management: Our management team has years of security and business experience that allows us to market to and serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than our competitors.

Financial Highlights

KB Security is seeking a total funding of $300,000 of debt capital to open its office. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space and the office build-out. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and working capital. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office design/build: $100,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $100,000
• Marketing & advertising: $50,000
• Working capital: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for KB Security.

Company Overview

Who is kb security.

  KB Security is founded by Keith Baldwin, who has been a security professional for ten years. He has worked both as a professional security guard and as a certified trainer. In addition to his experience, he also holds an MBA. Keith’s combination of experience and education have given him the knowledge and skills to run a successful security company.

KB Security’s History

After surveying the local customer base, and finding a potential office location, Keith Baldwin incorporated KB Security as an S-Corporation on May 1st, 2023.

Currently, the business is being run out of Keith’s home office, but once the lease on KB Security’s location is finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, KB Security has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a commercial space and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the company’s name, logo, social media accounts, and website
• Began networking with some of the area’s largest companies to understand their security needs
• Began recruiting key employees

KB Security’s Services

Businesses can sign up with one of our flexible contract programs when hiring our security services. We also offer a discounted trial period for those who are considering a long-term contract and want to test out our services before signing.  

Industry Analysis

With increasing illegal events, terrorism, and fraudulent activities happening all around the world, the demand for professional security is greater than ever. Every establishment needs some form of security, whether it be in the form of security professionals or in the form of cybersecurity. As the world continues to navigate its violent challenges, security professionals will be needed to protect important assets and respond to crisis situations.

The security industry has transformed substantially to meet this demand. In addition to hiring security professionals, many businesses also invest in security tech such as cameras, motion sensors, and software. Security companies that offer a mix of security personnel and technology can provide their clients extensive and tight-knit security options that puts their clients’ minds at ease.

According to research, the security industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8% over the next 10 years. This is substantial growth, which shows just how essential the industry will be in the coming decade. Businesses like KB Security will continue to be in high demand and very profitable.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The demographics for San Antonio, Texas are as follows:

Customer Segmentation

We will primarily target the following customer segments:

• Individuals
• Local businesses
• Government organizations

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

KB Security will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Sky High Security

Sky High Security is a security company that was established in 2002. It provides a large team of security professionals specifically trained to protect high-value assets, such as museum collections and expensive jewelry. Their services include providing in-person officers as well as high-tech surveillance equipment.

Prime Security

Founded in 2003, Prime Security is the best security company in town for those looking for guard and patrol services. Prime Security aims to protect establishments and offer patrols to deter any unwanted visitors. The company has been highly successful and is the largest security company in the region.

First Responders Security

First Responders Security is the most popular security company for those who have more complex security concerns. They offer a wide range of services, including alarm response, theft prevention, and patrolling. Instead of hiring several companies to do several jobs, companies can depend on First Responders Security to manage all of their security concerns.

Competitive Advantage

KB Security will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

KB Security will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Professional security services
• Flexible contracts and a trial period
• Great security services at moderate rates
• Excellent customer service

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for KB Security is as follows:

KB Security understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The company will encourage its clients to refer other businesses by providing economic or financial incentives for every new client produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness after the business has already been established.

Social Media

KB Security will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. The brand manager will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. It will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Website/SEO

KB Security will invest heavily in developing a professional website that displays all of the features and benefits of KB Security. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the brand’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Direct Mail

KB Security will blanket businesses with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on KB Security, offer discounts, and/or provide other incentives for companies to use our services.

KB Security’s pricing will be on par with competitors so clients feel they receive great value when hiring our security services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for KB Security.

Operation Functions:

• KB Security will be owned and operated by Keith Baldwin. Keith will oversee the general operations of the company.
• Keith is joined by Jeffrey Liebowitz, who will oversee all financial and accounting aspects of the business, such as accounts payable and receivable, payroll, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis. Jeffrey will also manage all tax obligations and licensing for KB Security.
• Keith is also joined by Felicia Monroe, who will oversee all marketing and communications for the business. She will handle all in-client calls, appointments, networking, and follow-up. She will manage all advertising aspects with flyers, emails, social media, and the SEO process.
• Keith will hire an Administrative Assistant to help him with general administrative and operations tasks.
• Keith will also hire an extensive staff of security professionals that will help his clients with their security needs. He will also provide these professionals with training as necessary.

Milestones:

KB Security will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 8/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space.
• 9/1/202X – Begin build-out and design of staffing agency office.
• 10/1/202X – Begin social media and website advertising campaign.
• 11/1/202X – Attend large industry networking events.
• 12/1/202X – Hire key employees.
• 1/1/202X – Grand opening of KB Security.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

KB Security’s revenues will come primarily from charging clients for its security services. Depending on the contract in place, KB Security may charge an hourly fee per professional working for the client or a flat fee per month.

The office lease, equipment, supplies, and labor expenses will be the key cost drivers of KB Security. Ongoing marketing expenditures are also notable cost drivers for KB Security, especially in the first few years as the company establishes itself in the market.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Year 5: 110
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, security company business plan faqs, what is a security company business plan.

A security company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your security company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Security Company business plan using our Security Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Security Company Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of security company businesses , some examples include: Crisis management, Security guards, Surveillance company, and Security patrol.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Security Company Business Plan?

Security Companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Security Company Business?

Starting a security company business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Security Company Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed security company business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your security company business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your security company business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Security Company Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your security company business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your security company business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Security Company Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your security company business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your security company business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful security company :

• How to Start a Security Company

How To Write a Business Plan For a Security Company + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for security companies who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every security company  owner should include in their business plan.

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What is a Security Company Business Plan?

A security company business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Security Company Business Plan?

A security company business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Security Company Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful security company business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a security company business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your security company .
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your security company , you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your security company , mention this.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a security company business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the security company industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, customers of a security company may include:

• Small businesses
• Large businesses
• The military or other government organizations

You should also include information about your target customer’s buying habits. What are their purchasing decisions based on? How often do they purchase your type of product or service?

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those who might be influenced to buy your security company services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your security company via PR, by doing speaking engagements or other events, or by getting involved with industry associations.

Operations Plan

This part of your security company business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a security company include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new services, hiring new employees, opening new locations, and so on.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific security company industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Security Company

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : What you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Security Company

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup security company .

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Security Company

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections.
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.).
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your security company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it. A business plan is also a necessity when seeking funding from investors or lenders.  

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How to write a business plan for a security company?

Writing a business plan for a security company is essential if you are either starting up or looking to expand and grow your existing security business.

This guide will provide information on why you need to write a business plan for a security company, what information is needed, what should be included in the plan, and which tools can be used to create it.

Whether you're just getting started with your enterprise or looking for ways to improve profitability, this guide will give you the insight and knowledge you need to craft an effective business plan.

In our guide:

Why write a business plan for a security company?

• What information do I need to create a business plan for a security company?

What goes in the financial forecast of a security company?

• The written part of a security company business plan
• What tool should I use to write my security company business plan?

There are several reasons to write a security company business plan. Below, we cover some of the most important ones!

To set a clear roadmap

Writing a business plan for a security company is an essential part of running a successful business. It not only helps you set objectives and goals for the next 3-5 years, but also provides existing security companies with an opportunity to evaluate their current performance and develop strategies for future growth.

A comprehensive business plan can help pinpoint areas in need of improvement, identify potential opportunities, and create actionable steps towards achieving these objectives.

Writing a business plan forces you to think critically about your business’s direction, long-term goals and financial performance which are all necessary components of any successful enterprise.

To get clarity on your cash flow

Writing a business plan for a security company is an essential tool for entrepreneurs to stay on track with their financial goals.

Not only does it provide structure and direction, but it also allows you to compare your actual performance against what was planned, enabling adjustments as needed.

Having a sound business plan in place will help you identify potential problems, such as a financing shortfall or insufficient profitability, early on and will allow you to recalibrate your financial forecast accordingly.

This helps ensure that the security company remains financially sustainable and profitable even when faced with unforeseen challenges or changes in the market.

To secure financing

A security company business plan outlines the goals and objectives of your organisation, provides financial projections and details how you intend to use the financing sought from potential lenders or investors.

The bank will use this document to assess your ability to repay the money they lend to your business. Therefore, creating a comprehensive yet concise business plan is paramount in order for businesses in the security sector to secure financing from banks.

When looking to secure financing from an equity investor, writing a business plan for your security company is also key. Investors need to be assured that their investment will generate a good return on investment and they will look closely at the growth, profitability and cash generation of your security company when reviewing your business plan.

Now that you know why it is important to write a business plan for a security company, let's look at the information needed to create one.

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What information is needed to create a business plan for a security company?

Writing a security company business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast.

In this section, we cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your plan!

Carrying out market research for a security company

Before writing a business plan for a security company, it is important to carry out thorough market research.

This helps ensure that the plan accurately reflects the current and future state of the industry, allowing you to make realistic projections about potential revenues.

Market research also provides critical insights into customer needs and preferences which can be used to inform and refine your security services offering. It also allows you to identify areas of opportunity in order to capitalise on them with targeted marketing strategies.

Developing the marketing plan for a security company

Creating a marketing plan for a security company involves setting aside dedicated funds for sales and marketing activity.

This budget must be carefully calculated in order to ensure that the right amount of resources are available to generate the desired level of sales.

Careful consideration should be taken when constructing this marketing budget, as it will need to cover everything from advertising and promotions to staff wages and other associated costs.

By incorporating this budget into the overall business plan, it will be possible to ensure that all of the necessary resources is available to deliver the expected growth.

The staffing and equipment needs of a security company

Before writing a plan, it is important to consider the recruitment plan and investments that will be required to set up and expand the business as this will be needed when creating the financial forecast.

This includes costs associated with hiring security personnel, purchasing equipment such as uniforms and patrol cars, and establishing any necessary training programs.

Additionally, you should take into account any other overhead costs such as rent, insurance, travel expenses, and more.

Once you have the information needed to create the business plan for your security company. it is time to start creating your financial forecast.

Creating a financial forecast for a security company involves producing the following key financial tables:

• Profit and loss statement (P&L),
• Balance sheet,
• Cash flow statement,
• Sources and uses table.

Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

The projected P&L statement

A projected P&L statement for a security company tells you how much money the company will make and how much it will grow in the future.

The projected balance sheet of your security company

A balance sheet is a critical financial document that provides an overview of the financial health of a security company.

It shows a company’s assets, liabilities, and owner's equity at a given point in time.

• Assets are items such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, land, and equipment that are held by the company and can be used to generate revenue.
• Liabilities are debts the company owes such as accounts payable, loans, and taxes.
• Owners' equity is the difference between what a company owns and what it owes, and a proxy for shareholder value.

When looking at a balance sheet for a security company, lenders, investors, and business owners can assess the company's solvency (the ability to pay its debts over the medium term) and liquidity (the ability to pay its debts over the next 12 months).

A weak balance sheet may signal potential risks or financial distress. Furthermore, by examining the trends of a company's assets and liabilities over time, lenders and investors can get an idea of how well the company is managing its finances.

The projected cash flow statement

A projected cash flow statement shows how much money is expected to be generated by the business in the future.

You can then use this information to make decisions on how to best use your resources, like investing in new equipment or hiring more staff.

Having a projected cash flow statement is important because it gives stakeholders an idea of what the financial situation will look like and allows them to plan accordingly.

The initial financing plan

An initial financing plan is a way of organising the money that a security company needs to start. It lists where the money will come from, such as investments or loans, and what it will be used for, like buying equipment or funding working capital.

Having an initial financing plan is important because it helps make sure the security company has enough money to get started.

Looking at a financial forecast in isolation is not enough, in order to assess if the forecast is relevant and realistic the reader of your security company’s business plan needs to understand the context behind the numbers. That’s where the written part of the plan comes into play.

What goes in the written part of a security company business plan?

The key components that make up a comprehensive security company business plan include the executive summary, the presentation of the company, the products and services section, the market analysis, the strategy section, the operations section and the financial plan.

Let's have a look at each section in a bit more detail.

1. The executive summary

The executive summary of a security company plan provides an overview of the business, its services, the market in which it operates, some key financials, and an ask for the reader.

The executive summary should start with a concise description of the company and its services.

The market overview must then provide a quick analysis of the local market. This should emphasise why the security company is needed in the market, what sets it apart from its competitors, and how it can help to meet customer needs.

Key financials should then be presented in a simplified format to provide an overview of expected revenues, profits and cash flows.

Lastly, a concise 'ask' should be included outlining the objectives of the business plan: secure financing for example.

The executive summary of your security company business plan should be written with precision and detail, as it is the first thing potential lenders or investors will read when considering funding the project. It must therefore be persuasive enough to entice readers into learning more.

2. The presentation of the company

The presentation of your security company should include an overview of the company's structure and ownership, information about its physical location, as well as a detailed introduction to the management team.

Regarding structure and ownership, it is important to provide detailed information on who owns the company and how it is structured, including any subsidiaries or related entities. It is also important to provide information on any significant shareholders, as well as the company's shareholding structure.

When it comes to location, the business plan should include a map of the physical location and serviceable area of the security company.

Finally, it is important to introduce the management team of your security company, including their roles and responsibilities, relevant experience, and any qualifications they may have. This information should help potential investors get a better understanding of who will be in charge of running the business.

3. The products and services section

After reading the products and services section of your security company's business plan, the reader should have a clear understanding of what types of security services are being offered along with any other related services.

For example, are you providing security guards? Do you also offer canine and mobile patrols? Or are you offering a full service including CCTV and alarm monitoring and response?

This section should also provide details about how these services are conducted and how they can benefit clients.

4. The market research analysis

When presenting the conclusion of your market analysis in your security company's business plan, you should include detailed information about your target customer demographics and segmentation.

This will help lenders and investors understand who the company is targeting with its services, and help inform their opinion of your commercial potential.

In addition to demographic information, it's also important to provide an overview of your competition in order to show potential investors why your service stands out from others in the local market.

You should also explain any relevant regulations you must adhere to when operating.

By providing such details you will give potential lenders and investors a clear understanding of how well-positioned you are for success in this competitive industry landscape.

5. The strategy section

The strategy section of your security company’s business plan should detail your competitive edge, pricing strategy, marketing plan, milestones and risks and mitigants. This will give potential investors or banks an understanding of how you intend to make your business successful.

Your competitive edge subsection should include information on what sets your security company apart from others in the industry. You may have unique services or technologies that allow you to offer better protection than competitors.

Your pricing strategy will also be important for investors as they want to understand how much profit can be expected from each customer and if there are any opportunities for growth through bundles or special offers. Include details such as the cost per service provided and any additional fees associated with the packages offered by the company.

Also, make sure to explain how these prices compare with those of other companies offering similar services in order to highlight why customers should choose yours instead.

Your sales & marketing plan should explain what actions will be implemented in order to generate leads and customers for your business.

The milestones subsection will present the key achievements to date and the main objectives for the coming years.

Finally, the strategy section should explain which risks have been identified and how these risks can be minimised or eliminated.

6. The operations section

A security company business plan should also clearly explain how the operations of the business are organised.

This includes details on staffing, hours of operation and roles, both for frontline and support staff, key assets, and suppliers that the business plans to work with.

Staffing is one of the main aspects of a security company and it is important to provide details about how you will recruit, train, and retain frontline staff working for the company.

This can include a list of roles and responsibilities for the staff members, as well as a recruitment plan. It is also important to include information about how the company plans to manage staffing levels during peak times.

You should also detail key assets required to operate the business such as vehicles and equipment that are necessary for operations. Any intellectual property that the business needs to operate should also be included.

Finally, potential suppliers should be evaluated and included in the plan. This will help convince lenders or investors of the company's commitment to reliable suppliers.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where you will present the forecast that we talked about earlier in the guide.

Now that you know what a security business plan contains, let's take a look at the tools available to create one efficiently.

What tool should I use to write my security company's business plan?

In this section, we will review three solutions for creating an effective business plan for a security company: using Word and Excel, hiring a consultant, and using online business plan software.

Create your security company's business plan using Word and Excel

Using Excel and Word to create a business plan for a security company might seem like a good idea at first given that it is quite cost-effective.

But using Excel to create a financial forecast for the security company is complex and, unless you are trained in accounting and financial modelling, is prone to mistakes which may make financiers sceptical of your forecast’s accuracy.

Furthermore, it takes a long time to create these forecasts in Excel, and they are not easy to update as time goes by.

The same goes for writing a business plan with Word. You will likely be starting from scratch and spending hours formatting the document to get a result that looks professional.

Hire a consultant to write your security company's business plan

One of the pros of outsourcing your security company's business plan to a consultant or accountant is that they are well-versed in writing them!

Both consultants and accountants can provide error-free financial forecasts, though accountants are less likely to lend a hand with the written part than consultants.

Unfortunately, there are also cons to outsourcing your security company’s business plan.

The main one is that the consultant or accountant may not have the industry expertise needed to make accurate sales forecasts, and will have to rely on your sales projections instead.

Additionally, it will be quite costly to hire a consultant or accountant for this service and unexpected expenses can arise if changes need to be made. As a rule of thumb, budget a minimum of £1.5k ($2.0k) for a complete outsourced business plan.

Use an online business plan software for your security company's business plan

Another alternative is to use online business plan software . There are several advantages to using specialised software:

• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can be inspired by already written business plan templates
• You can easily make your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You get a professional document, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank
• The software will enable you to easily track your actual financial performance against your forecast and update your forecast as time goes by

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try our software for free by signing up here .

We hope that this article has helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a security company. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• Business plan vs budget: what's the difference?
• How to do a market analysis for a business plan
• Should I use an accountant or business plan writer?

Know someone in the security business? Share this article with the click of a mouse!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Get the most out of your business plan example

Follow these tips to quickly develop a working business plan from this sample.

1. Don't worry about finding an exact match

We have over 550 sample business plan templates . So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details.

Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

Use the information, financials, and formatting for inspiration. It will speed up and guide the plan writing process.

3. Know why you're writing a business plan

To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

Are you planning to use your plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors? Then it's worth following the format from your chosen sample plan to ensure you cover all necessary information.

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Security Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Security Company Business Plan Template

If you want to start a security business or expand your current security company, you need a business plan.

The following security business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning business plan.

You can download our Ultimate Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Sample Business Plan For Security Businesses

Below are links to each of the key sections of a sample business plan for a successful security company.

I. Executive Summary – The Executive Summary provides an overview of your business opportunity and summarizes the business plan.

II. Company Overview – The company overview includes information about your business concept, security services and legal structure.

III. Industry Analysis – The industry analysis includes market research that supports your business and provides insights into market trends and the security industry.

IV. Customer Analysis – The customer or market analysis provides an overview of your target market.

You can download our business plan template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

V. Competitive Analysis – The competitive analysis should identify your direct and indirect competitors and highlight your competitive advantage over these security companies.

VI. Marketing Plan – The marketing plan includes your marketing strategies, pricing strategy and sales strategy.

VII. Operations Plan – The Operations Plan includes information on your company’s day to day operations and processes.

VIII. Management Team – The management team section includes a profile of the business owner, business management and other security personnel.

IX. Financial Plan – The financial plan includes financial projections, a cash flow statement, profit and loss statement and balance sheet.

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Security Company Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

Starting A Security Company Business Plan (PDF)

Starting a security company can be a highly profitable venture in today’s world, where the need for security is ever-increasing. This industry, characterized by its robust demand and attractive profit margins, offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to establish a sustainable and financially rewarding business. The rising concerns over personal and corporate safety have fueled a surge in the demand for security services, making it an opportune time to enter this market. The security sector’s appeal lies in its wide-ranging services, from residential security to corporate safety measures, catering to a diverse clientele. This versatility not only broadens the potential customer base but also allows for considerable flexibility in tailoring services to specific market needs. With the right approach and understanding of the market, a security company can achieve significant profitability. This is bolstered by the industry’s inherent scalability, where businesses can start small and expand their offerings as they grow, maintaining healthy profit margins throughout. This article will outline how to start a security company business and the security company business plan (PDF, Word & Excel).

Market Research

Market research plays a pivotal role in the process of launching a security company business. It serves as the compass that guides entrepreneurs through the complex terrain of the security industry. Begin by analyzing the overall security industry. Look into various segments like residential, commercial, event security, and cybersecurity. Evaluate the size of these markets, growth trends, and the major players. Understanding where the industry is headed can help you spot opportunities and potential gaps in the market. Not all security companies are the same. Some focus on physical security guards, while others specialize in advanced technological solutions like surveillance systems or cybersecurity services. Your market research should help you identify a niche that aligns with your expertise and market needs. Whether it’s a specific sector like retail security or a type of service like risk assessment, finding your niche is key to standing out.

A critical part of market research is analyzing your competitors. Who are they? What services do they offer? What are their strengths and weaknesses? This analysis will help you understand your competitive advantage. Pay attention to their customer service, pricing strategies, technological adoption, and client feedback. Knowing what potential clients want and need is paramount. Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups with potential customers to gather insights. Look into what businesses or individuals in your target market are looking for in a security service, what they feel is lacking in current offerings, and what would make them choose a new provider. Every industry has its regulations, and security is no exception. Research the legal requirements for starting and operating a security company in your region. This includes licenses, certifications, and any specific laws that pertain to security operations. Budgeting and financial planning are indispensable components of market research. Accurate financial projections, encompassing startup costs, operational expenses, and revenue estimations, are key to securing funding and maintaining financial stability.

Location & Premises

Centrality in area covered and proximity to clients.

The things to consider here for a security company business depends on the nature of your services. Typically you will be deploying guards to certain spots e.g. commercial, industrial, or residential properties. This can be during the day, overnight, or both. The heart of a security company business is a command centre or centre of operations. This means its location must be central to the area you make deployments in. The thrust is to also be generally as close as possible to your deployments or areas you cover. This is of critical importance especially when rapid responses are needed.

Spacious Enough, Secure Enough And Accessible Enough

Consider a security company with a substantial fleet of vehicles – which should be the goal anyways. You would need adequate space for parking and easy access. You also need to consider that a security company’s centre of operations tends to be segmented. There is need for office space, locker room(s), briefing room, and an armory – at the very least. Regardless, the footprint of a command centre need not necessarily be that big. A potential target by organized crime gangs can be your command centre. Thus it is important to ensure the place is secure. If possible, make your centre of operations as inconspicuous as possible. It should also be easy to access and exit in case of rapid response situations. The costs of purchasing or leasing the premises should be included in your security company business plan.

Vehicles And Equipment

Transportation vehicles are required e.g. bicycles, motorbikes, and light motor vehicles. In some cases vehicles might need to be armored. Vehicles are required for patrolling and transporting valuable goods. There is some basic equipment needed for a security company business but it all boils down to the scale and sophistication of your operations. Examples of basic security company equipment are wireless communication devices (e.g. walkie-talkies), uniforms (or apparel), firearms, and defence equipment. Surveillance equipment such as CCTV cameras, drones, binoculars, and the like may be needed. Ancillaries such as baton sticks, hand cuffs, flashlights, and stun guns (or tasers) are needed. Office equipment and supplies are necessary for administrative procedures. The security company business plan should include the costs of purchasing the vehicles and equipment.

Products & Services

The services you can offer as a security company business depend on the type of clients you intend to serve.

Guard & Patrol

This is the easiest and most common security company service to provide. The approaches to this are many and can be tailored to suit client needs. You have residential security where there can be guards stationed somewhere and doing periodic sweeps. The same can also be done for industrial and commercial properties. This can be done overnight mostly or even any time of the day depending on the circumstances. This service is best accompanied by CCTV surveillance monitoring. This can be done from the depot or there can be a command post onsite.

Access Control

This is yet another common security company service. It takes on various forms but the core focus is security personnel controlling access to a property. For instance, guards can be stationed at entrances or inside places such as shopping outlets, banks, and government buildings. It is also common for areas or buildings with restricted access. Access control as a security company service can also be provided at important events. This service also morphs into crowd control where applicable.

Close Protection

This is also known as VIP protection. This entails providing security services for high profile people such as celebrities, politicians, and business moguls. It can also span to anyone who feels they need and can afford close protection. Close protection is a high stakes service but is highly profitable. The service can be provided as once-off or on a retainer basis.

Other Security Products And Services

Other security services that you can offer include Mobile Patrol, K9 security, Cash Handling and Armed Escort Services. The other security products that you can offer include Security Alarms, CCTV Systems, Access Control Systems, Gate Automation and Tracking Systems. Your security services business plan should outline all the products and services that you are going to offer.

Staff & Management

The model of personnel doubling up duties can be employed for a security company business. It is not always the case that everyone is in the field. This means a security guard can also perform administrative or secretarial duties. This goes a long way in keeping your human resources tight to minimize operating costs. You basically need the security guards and office or administrative staff to begin with. The salary costs of all your personell should be included in the security company business plan.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Budgeting and financial planning form the cornerstone of a prosperous security company business. Irrespective of whether you’re embarking on a startup venture or seeking to expand an existing operation, meticulous financial management is a non-negotiable aspect of success. The process commences with estimating startup costs, meticulously accounting for licensing fees, equipment purchases, marketing expenses, legal and insurance fees, and office space rentals. A well-structured budget serves as a financial road map, facilitating secure funding acquisition and preempting unforeseen financial challenges. Moving forward, the realm of financial planning encompasses a meticulous assessment of operational expenses. Anticipating costs related to employee salaries, insurance premiums, utility bills, vehicle maintenance, and other overheads is vital for financial stability. Accurate revenue projections, based on a thorough understanding of pricing strategies, target market size, and competitive positioning within the security industry, further fortify the financial planning process. These projections provide guidance for budgeting efforts and the establishment of realistic financial objectives.

Cash flow management is equally vital, ensuring that your security company maintains sufficient working capital to cover daily expenses, compensate employees, and seize growth opportunities. Additionally, comprehensive financial planning incorporates contingency measures for unexpected events, a crucial component for safeguarding business operations in the face of unforeseen challenges. When seeking expansion or diversification, the financial plan becomes a strategic tool for evaluating investment opportunities and assessing the sustainability and profitability of growth initiatives. Moreover, tax planning strategies, devised in consultation with tax professionals, can optimize deductions and credits, ultimately enhancing your company’s financial well-being. Periodic reviews and adjustments of the financial plan ensure alignment with evolving market conditions and business objectives, securing the financial health of your security company for the long term.

Marketing Strategies

Marketing Strategies are the backbone of a thriving security company business. In an industry as competitive as security services, it’s vital to employ a diverse range of strategies to attract and retain clients while establishing a robust brand presence. First and foremost, building a compelling online presence through a professional website and employing digital marketing techniques, such as SEO and social media engagement, is imperative. This not only enhances your visibility but also allows you to connect with potential clients and share your expertise. Content marketing is equally crucial, as it positions you as an industry authority. Regularly producing informative blog posts, articles, videos, and infographics related to security topics not only educates your audience but also boosts your website’s SEO and strengthens your brand.

In addition to these digital marketing strategies, don’t underestimate the power of offline tactics like flyers, billboards, and physically approaching potential customers. Flyers can be distributed strategically in local neighborhoods or at community events to raise awareness of your security services. Billboards strategically placed in high-traffic areas can grab the attention of passersby and serve as a constant reminder of your presence. Physically approaching potential customers through door-to-door outreach or participation in local safety workshops and seminars allows for a personal connection and helps build trust within your community. Networking and forming strategic partnerships within the security industry can open doors to collaborative opportunities, such as bundled services or referrals, enhancing your reach. Leveraging customer testimonials and case studies builds trust by showcasing your track record of success. Implementing a referral program encourages satisfied clients to bring in new business. By combining these traditional marketing methods with digital strategies, your security company can create a well-rounded marketing approach that reaches a wider and more diverse audience.

Identifying and catering to potential customers is pivotal for the success of your security company business, as different client segments have distinct security needs. Residential clients, including homeowners and renters, seek services like alarm system installation and home monitoring to protect their families and properties. Meanwhile, commercial businesses, spanning small enterprises to large corporations, require comprehensive security solutions such as access control systems, surveillance, and alarm monitoring to safeguard their premises, assets, and employees. Retail stores also constitute a significant market, seeking services like surveillance systems and loss prevention to address security challenges related to theft prevention and employee safety.

Corporate offices and educational institutions prioritize security as well, with demands for advanced solutions like access control, biometric systems, and security consulting services. Healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, rely on security services encompassing access control, video monitoring, and security personnel to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and sensitive medical information. Financial institutions, including banks, require stringent security measures to protect assets and customer data, necessitating services such as bank security consulting, alarm systems, and security personnel. Government agencies, with their unique security needs, require specialized services that cater to public facility protection and sensitive data security, ensuring compliance with security regulations.

Industrial and manufacturing facilities seek security solutions like access control, surveillance, and security assessments to protect their equipment, facilities, and intellectual property. Event management companies may require security personnel for crowd control, access management, and emergency response during large gatherings, concerts, or festivals. Construction sites also need security services to prevent theft and vandalism, which may include surveillance, on-site security guards, and access control. Property management companies overseeing apartment complexes, gated communities, or commercial buildings often seek security services to ensure the safety of residents and tenants. By understanding and addressing the diverse needs of these potential customer segments, your security company can effectively tailor its services, attracting and retaining clients in a competitive industry while building strong relationships across various sectors.

Keys To Profitability

Unlocking profitability in the security company business requires a multifaceted approach that integrates several key strategies and considerations. First and foremost, effective cost management is crucial to minimize unnecessary expenditures without compromising the quality of our services. This involves optimizing staffing levels, negotiating favorable supplier contracts, and leveraging technology for efficiency gains. Additionally, pricing strategies must strike a balance between competitiveness and profitability, reflecting the value provided while ensuring healthy profit margins. Maintaining strong client relationships through exceptional service and loyalty programs is another pivotal factor. Customer retention is not only cost-effective but also contributes significantly to long-term profitability. Diversifying our service offerings and exploring opportunities for complementary services can open up additional revenue streams.

Efficient marketing and lead generation strategies, tailored to target ideal clients, must be consistently assessed for effectiveness to allocate resources wisely. Furthermore, investing in employee training and development is crucial, as skilled and motivated staff enhance service quality and efficiency. Embracing technology solutions that improve security operations and client experiences is also essential. Rigorous quality control measures, combined with a culture of continuous improvement, ensure consistent service delivery and client satisfaction. Efficient cash flow management safeguards financial stability, while market expansion into underserved areas or niche segments can lead to new revenue streams. Legal and regulatory compliance is imperative to avoid costly penalties or reputational damage.

Pre-Written Security Company Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the security services business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive security services business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the security business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global security business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your security company business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for a security company business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the security business.

Uses of the Security Services Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The security company business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your security company business
• As a security company business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the security company business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Security Company Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for security company includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the security company business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your security company business

The security company business plan package consists of 4 files

• Security Company Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 72 Pages)
• Security Company Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 72 Pages)
• Security Company Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 42 pages)
• Security Company Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the costs, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Security Company Business Plan (PDF)

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Get the Security Company Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your security company business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Security Company Business Plan Template

Document description.

This security company business plan template has 31 pages and is a MS Word file type listed under our business plan kit documents.

Sample of our security company business plan template:

Security Company Business Plan [YOUR NAME] [YOUR TITLE] Phone: [YOUR PHONE NUMBER] Email: [[email protected]] [YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS] Confidentiality Agreement The undersigned reader acknowledges that the information provided by [YOUR COMPANY NAME] in this business plan is confidential; therefore, reader agrees not to disclose it without the express written permission of [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. It is acknowledged by reader that information to be furnished in this business plan is in all respects confidential in nature, other than information which is in the public domain through other means and that any disclosure or use of same by reader may cause serious harm or damage to [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. Upon request, this document is to be immediately returned to [YOUR COMPANY NAME].

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Security Guard Business Plan Sample

Protect your community by starting a security business using a security guard business plan similar to this one..

Related Topics

Business development sample business plan, marketing strategy sample business plan, painting contractors sample business plan.

Protect your community by starting a security business using a security guard business plan similar to this one to compile your own.

1. Executive Summary

Batten-Hatchez Security is a start-up security company founded by Chindit Batten, an experienced former police sergeant and security company manager.

Located in Coastalburg at its launch, the business will provide security guards, security audits, and referrals to equipment providers to commercial buildings, retail businesses, and, eventually special event venues and other clients.

The business seeks to acquire capital from an angel investor and will expand to additional cities in our state and beyond if successful.

In the current political climate, with increasing fears of terrorist activity, and the current economic climate, which promises an upswing in general and in outsourced services especially, this business is launching at the right time.

The business will target large retail stores and building management companies first in order to establish a strong base of clients in Coastalburg.

Batten-Hatchez will grow its employee base of security guards carefully, based on client contracts, and use both full-time and part-time guards. The business expects respectable sales of in the first year, almost doubling by the end of the third year. Gross margins will be similar to the industry average, based on guard labor costs vs. billings.

After the initial investment and launch, a lean first year, and the establishment of an office and training space in the second year, the business will be poised to expand through its own financing after three years. After the business is proved replicable in additional cities, the business may be sold to provide an exit for the initial investor and founders.

Batten-Hatchez Security will base its success on meeting the following objectives:

• Employ 25 full-time equivalent security guards by the end of the third year of operation
• Supply security guards to 15 buildings on a full-time basis by the end of the third year of operation
• Earn $2 million in revenue with net profit over $300,000 in its third year of operation

Batten-Hatchez Security will remove worries for clients who require security guards for their buildings, facilities, and events by providing excellent customer service for clients and in-depth training for their employees.

Keys to Success

Batten-Hatchez Security believes the keys to success in its industry include:

• Listening carefully to client concerns and objectives to create customized security guard packages
• Knowing what the client does not know (bringing deep security expertise as well as knowledge of legal regulations and liability to the table)
• Training security guards carefully and maintaining their training and certifications (e.g. to carry firearms)
• Monitoring the quality of security guard service to offer quality assurance

2. Company Summary

Batten-Hatchez Security is a startup security company founded by Chindit Batten, a former police sergeant and security company manager with fifteen years in law enforcement and ten years in security work.

The business will provide security guards to commercial buildings, retail businesses, and special events. The business will launch in Coastalburg but will expand to additional cities if successful.

Company Ownership

Chindit Batten is CEO and founder of Batten-Hatchez Security.

He currently owns 60% of the business and the remaining 40% of shares are owned by his partner and co-founder, Viipuri Hatchez, COO. The business is incorporated as an S Corporation to enable additional investment for its launch.

The founders shares will be diluted as up to 40% of shares will be given to investors.

Start-up Summary

Batten-Hatchez Security will launch as a home-based business out of the home office of Chindit Batten. Initially, this will reduce the cost of rent and equipment.

Training for security guards will be provided in temporarily rented office space as needed.

Other start-up costs include the costs of incorporation and permits, such as concealed weapons permits, business license, and police clearances (legal fees), the initial website and brochure design and printing, and the first insurance premium for the business, including liability insurance for the guard’s work and carrying of firearms.

Long-term assets include mobile phones and headsets for all guards and employees, as well as two-way radios for guards working as teams.

3. Services

Batten-Hatchez Security will provide well trained guards for one or more of the following purposes:

• To guard entrances and screen guests/employees
• To monitor clients’ premises with video surveillance equipment
• To protect clients’ assets, employees and guests
• To deter crime with visual presence
• To organize response in the case of fire, evacuation, or other emergency
• To respond to customer and employee health emergencies and accidents
• To eject unwanted customers or trespassers
• To liaison with police and city emergency responders

In addition, the principals of the firm will offer the following:

• Security audits and recommendations for security plans
• Referrals to providers of security technology (camera systems, etc.)

Batten-Hatchez will be a licensed, insured, and bonded business and will offer both armed and unarmed guards, based on client needs and budgets.

All guards will be certified for security work and to carry firearms. Whenever possible, the same guards will be sent consistently to the same clients. However, substitutes will be necessary from time to time and the business will ensure that detailed data about the job is transmitted to substitute guards on those occasions.

Batten-Hatchez Security will build trust with clients as a partner, rather than simply in the specific guard or guards they grow comfortable with. Guards will keep in constant communication with their team via portable two-way radios and with the Batten-Hatchez office, as necessary through mobile phones.

The Batten-Hatchez office will be not be staffed full-time at launch, but the CEO and COO will be within reach by phone wherever they work. Guards who encounter criminal activity will alert the authorities immediately rather than going through a communications centre.

Once the Batten-Hatchez office is established outside of the home of Chindit Batten, it will be staffed full-time with a rotation of three call centre personnel who will cover the dispatches. Guards will either be stationed at desks or patrol on foot at all facilities.

Clients must provide vehicles if their jobs require vehicle patrol (i.e., a facility with several buildings), but this will not be a focus of Batten-Hatchez Security.

4. Market Analysis Summary

The market for security guard services includes building management companies, retail businesses, event venues, and other businesses. IBISworld.com reports that the security services industry as a whole was $29.7 billion in 2008.

While this number includes investigative services and armoured car services, it is estimated that security guards accounted for $22.3 billion. This represents approximately 540,000 employees in the security guard industry.

While market revenue has dropped 2% in 2008 due to the recession, it is expected that the market will rise again due to increasing outsourcing of security services by companies who will delay hiring their own full-time employees as the recession ends.

The continuing and growing concerns about security brought on by international terrorism are also expected to contribute to growth in the industry.

Of the potential targets available in Coastalburg Batten-Hatchez Security will focus on building management companies and retail businesses at the outset.

These businesses require steady security needs and serving them is simpler than serving special events.

Market Segmentation

The market analysis table shows the market segmentation for Coastalburg among the major market segments for security guard services. Growth is slow among these markets as new development is not prevalent in Coastalburg currently.

Building management companies generally install surveillance equipment and employ security guards to monitor that equipment, to staff front desks/security checks, and sometimes for general patrol.

These companies often work with a number of commercial or residential buildings and look to establish a relationship with one reliable vendor for all of their security guard needs. While some buildings require night-shift guards, others require only day coverage.

Large retail businesses use security guards to deter theft and to provide safety. These include department stores and other retail stores over 4,000 square feet, although some smaller stores may use security guards if they sell high-priced items (designer fashion, jewelry, technology, etc.).

Retailers require more guards during the day. Some simply lock the store at night while some larger department stores use night patrols as well.

Event venues use security guards to monitor guest lists and fire capacities and to organize emergency response. Nightclubs and bars may be included in this category. However, most nightclubs and bars employ their own security personnel (or “bouncers”) directly and do not use vendors.

Event security has the same risks as other security, but there is limited time for security audits and situations change fast, making this a higher stress business that requires better trained guards. Events tend to happen in the evenings with weekday nights for corporate events and weekend nights for private events.

Educational institutions, such as primary and secondary schools and colleges, generally employ security officers to guard and patrol their buildings and campuses. Often these institutions employ their own in-house security staff, but they will sometimes use outsources security vendors. These institutions require night and day patrols.

Target Market Segment Strategy

Batten-Hatchez Security will target the first two of these target markets initially, building management companies and retail businesses. Both segments require ongoing security vendors and are eager to establish long-term relationships.

Once relationships are established, good customer service, quality assurance, and competitive pricing can ensure that the relationships are retained and that the security provider is considered a true partner in the protection of the building or businesses’ assets and people.

Furthermore, the other two target markets listed will be taken on at a later date, if at all. Event venues require more specialised services and may be a slower market to tackle.

Educational institutions are often eager to establish their own security staffs, making this a difficult market to establish a strong foothold in as well.

Service Business Analysis

According to IBISWorld, there were 41,000 security services firms in the U.S. in 2008 running 56,000 establishments. The average size of a firm was $700,000 revenue per year based on these numbers, meaning that the industry includes both small and larger companies.

There are few barriers to entry, as long as basic legal requirements are met, as the capital investment in the business is very low. The industry depends on a supply of labor, often using retired police officers as security guards.

As security guard services are sold business-to-business, marketing and advertisement is generally targeted on the markets and industries the security companies seek to serve. Businesses generally search for security guard providers on the Internet or through referrals from other companies they trust.

Competition and Buying Patterns

Top players in the industry include Securitas AB, Allied Security LLC, The Brink’s Company, and G4S plc.

Huge players provide services for a huge range of markets, including governments, chemical and petrochemical, colleges and universities, commercial real estate, financial institutions, health care facilities, manufacturing and industrial, residential communities, shopping centers, and temporary security services.

Smaller security companies achieve success based on the expertise and reputation of their founding managers and the growth of a team with a similar track record. The continued success of a company depends on client satisfaction, leading to referrals.

Larger institutions and governments may receive several bids for security contracts, while smaller businesses (such as many that Batten-Hatchez Security will target) often prefer to try out security companies and move on if they do not meet expectations.

The smaller the amount of assets being protected, the more willing a company will be to risk their security on educated hunches about a security company without feeling the need to do due diligence on a number of options.

IBISworld reports the following about the security industry:

• While the public’s perception of the rising crime rate assists revenue, the most significant factor which increases the demand for this industry’s services is a breach of an existing security system, a break-in or a near break in. The economic crisis has hurt demand over the past two years but things will soon begin to improve.
• In Coastalburg, security guard service competitors include securityguard.com, Top Guard Security, US Security Guard Services, and Trend Security Corporation.

Click here to view this full business plan

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The Silvertrac Extra

The essentials of a security company business plan.

By Johnny Page

Starting a security business requires a well-thought-out business plan. Without a proper plan, it is impossible to build and stabilize an organization, let alone create room for growth and expansion. If you are passionate about private security and thinking about building a successful organization, here are a few key areas that are essential when creating a security company business plan. 

How to Start a Security Company?   

The answer to how to start a private security company begins with understanding what a business plan is and why it’s necessary. Your business plan is often the same reason you started your security company. You want to provide security to a certain scale and vendors. Once you hone in on who and why that is, you will have the first steps of your plan.   Having a plan is necessary in today’s security industry where the economy fluctuates, and business seems to come and go daily. By making a private security business plan, you can get ahead of the game when it comes to the goals of your company and what pitfalls you may experience. Start by asking yourself these questions. 

What is your focus? 

• There are many different types of security companies. Whether you want to supply security for events, corporations, or some other type of business, you’ll have to know what that focus entails when it comes to planning everything from cost, training, structure, and even scheduling. 

What security services will you provide? 

• There are a handful of distinct types of security. Armed or unarmed, event or corporate, global, or local, and what connections they have with the police and the business they serve. 

What is your geographical reach? 

• You can choose to focus on one business type, one city or state, or go global and market yourself as a security company that goes beyond borders.  

What types of properties/organizations will you provide security for? 

• There’s plenty of different markets for security companies. Corporations, government agencies, hospitals, churches, schools, retail stores, banks, and so many more.  

What is the ideal size of contract for your business? 

• It is all too important to find the right amount of business for your business. You must find enough contracts to make sure you’re making a profit but also make sure you aren’t over-extending our business. It is a skill to find the right bid for security contracts for your company without underfunding yourself. The more strain you put on your company by overextending or underfunding yourself the more of a chance the quality of security you provide will go down.  

Without properly defining these factors, it is difficult for a security company to gain momentum and build a reputation. You will be targeting every business in every sector, failing to provide quality services. A well-defined private security business plan offers a more focused approach that will help you provide top-quality services in your area of expertise.

Remember, you can always start a business in the security industry , but you can’t always save it. 

Developing a Security Company Business Plan  

A solid business plan is a great idea no matter what type of business you operate. In the world of security, it is doubly important. It allows you to understand how contracts will affect you and your company from the ground up and prepare for issues that could cause other businesses severe trouble. Something that should be avoided in this time of economic fluctuation. No matter if it’s strategy, finances, scale, or any other aspect; each of them will uncover valuable details on what you want your business to be.   

Executive Summary  

Executive Summaries are key for getting to the minute details of your business without having to skim over a large document. Any Executive Summary should have the key points of a report and the findings not only in an easy-to-read fashion, but also stripped of any flowery language. The whole goal of this is to get the most notable information of a document or report across in the shortest amount of time.   

Company Overview  

This is who your company is. Ownership, management, history, goals, any aspects that differentiate you from other companies, and anything else that could be interesting to investors or customers. This is an elongated elevator pitch, or in a way a resume for your business. If it is a selling point of your company, then put it here.  

Licensing & General Liability  

Before much can happen with your security company, you will need to obtain a Private Patrol Operators (PPO) License , which is regulated by state-run agencies like the Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS) in California. A PPO license grants the license holder the ability to hire employees that function as security personnel. But to be approved for a PPO security business license , you must secure general liability insurance.  

Getting a PPO license can take some time. When planning out your business’s roadmap, make sure to take these time constraints into consideration, as it will be a key factor for when you can officially launch your security business.  

Note: Each state has different rules and regulations pertaining to operating a security company. We are using California policy as an example since they continue to have the strictest employer laws , but and are often responsible for progressing industry standards around the country.  

Industry, Customer and Competitive Analysis  

One big way to understand the challenges your company may face is to learn from your competitors. Seeing the needs of the area in which you want to do business and see how your top competitors are approaching those needs is a terrific way to see if there are any niches you can fit your company in. This makes any sort of industry analysis incredibly valuable. You don’t wait to find yourself in a market full of competitors without your company having any sort of edge on them.   

Looking at the customers in your area is good for the same reason. Find what consumers need and are willing to pay to solve that need. By finding out what the market looks like and what the consumers of that market are like you can find out what your company can specialize in and where it is best to focus your marketing on.  

Operations Plan  

This is where you develop a deeper understanding of your company's goals and strategy. Consider it as what your company is looking to do. This should be easy to complete once you have the information from the steps above  

As well as your goals, there should be a brief outline of the timeframe in which you would want those goals to be achieved and a basic strategy in which your company will approach them. This is an important document for your investors and any potential business contributors, as they will get a sense of the ideals and future your company has in mind.   

Employee Structure & Management Plan

Building a sound security team structure within your business will help maintain internal order and high customer service standards. Not to mention, it will be much easier to grow your team and business if you already have a strong structure in place when you are ready to expand.  The first step is building a strong security guard management team. As the owner of a small, new security company, it can be challenging to wear the different hats needed to run your business. Even starting out with just one supervisor, it will alleviate many of the managerial duties, freeing you to focus on other parts of the business.  A good supervisor should have a strong background in 3 different areas: 

• Organizing, directing, and managing security officers
• Motivate, train, and coach security officers
• Time management

With these areas covered, a supervisor can lead the charge on building and training a security force that is disciplined, motivated and continually improving .   

As the team grows, the company will be comprised of like-minded employees who hold the same values and ethics that will be reflected in their work. It will increase employee retention and satisfaction and continually improve the quality of service the company provides.  

Financial Plan  

Knowing what your finances will look like is a fantastic way to prepare for expansion and potential costs. Having a plan financially will allow for out-of-the-blue costs to not be as overwhelming on you or the company.   

Consider having a five-year plan, and a realistic one at that. Also, make a spreadsheet for your cash flow, balances, and income down to a monthly increment. This will all allow you to see how your business can grow and perform.  

Sales & Marketing Strategies

Implementing a sales and marketing plan upfront will give your security business the initial jump-start it needs, rather than figuring it out as you go. It is important to make these strategies scalable, so you aren’t losing valuable resources like time and money.  

As mentioned earlier, when building out your security company business plan, you must determine the scope and geographical reach of your services. Once this is completed, you can begin to strategize the best sales and marketing tactics to answer questions like:  

• What are the marketing strengths and weaknesses of your top competitors in the region?  
• Where do you find leads in the region you are targeting?  
• Do you have a strong referral base ?  
• How do your sales representatives play to the needs of your target audience and the weaknesses of your competitors?  
• What is the most effective outreach strategy for your target audience?  
• What online platforms should we be using to generate awareness of your services?  

Once you can start to identify the answers to these questions, you can start to build a security marketing strategy that will complement the efforts of the sales team and drive brand awareness and lead generation. Again, building a repeatable & scalable plan is important so that you aren’t wasting resources upfront and can grow your efforts as the business allows for it.  

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Want to learn more.

Johnny Page

Johnny is a Customer Success Enthusiast for Silvertrac Software who is passionate about business, technology, and (of course) our customers! Johnny spent time in the security industry in Business Development, Marketing, and Operations before joining the Silvertrac team.

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Business plans are critical when you start a business, and you shouldn't overlook them. Yearly business plans serve as a road map to each stage of the business and are essential to securing funding and bringing in partners. They detail the business's structure, management and expected growth.

Types of Yearly Business Plans

There is no right or wrong way to create a yearly business plan. However, most business plans fall in the traditional or lean startup categories. According to the experts at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), traditional business plans are the most common. While they tend to be longer than a lean startup plan, traditional business plans dive into the business's details. In most cases, lenders and investors prefer to see a traditional business plan for an in-depth understanding of the business.

Lean startup business plans are less common. However, they're ideal if the business is simple or you want a quick way to explain your business. Unlike traditional plans that can take dozens of pages to write, lean startup plans are typically one page long, only covering the business plan's key elements.

Regardless of the format, all business plans should communicate ideas clearly, objectively and logically. According to the writers at Inc. , business plans must detail the business's projected operations over the first months or years, clearly state the business's vision, management, personnel requirements and marketing plans, and provide an analysis of current and future competition.

Key Elements of Traditional Business Plan

According to the SBA, traditional business plans include nine sections: an executive summary, company description, marketing analysis, organization, services and production line, marketing and sales, funding request financial projections and an appendix.

The executive summary should include the mission statement and concisely explain why the business will be successful. A company description follows that statement, detailing the problem the company will solve, along with the company's competitive advantages.

The market analysis is where the plan details the target market and industry outlook with competitive research and trends. After providing a general view of the market and the space the business will fill, you'll need to explain the business's legal structure. For example, is the company an LLC or a C corporation?

Services, Product Line, Financial Projections and Appendix

Next, detail the service or product line the business will produce. This section is where you include any patents or copyright filings and research and development for the product. The marketing and sales plan follows the services and product section and beneath that is the funding request, which includes how much funding is needed and why it's necessary.

You should include financial projections to justify the funding request. This section includes forecasted income statements, balance sheets and quarterly projections for the first year. Lastly, include an appendix of supporting documents such as credit histories, product pictures and licenses. You can find a one-year plan example on the SBA website.

Key Elements of a Lean Startup Plan

Lean startup plans are less detailed than traditional business plans and only include the plan's key points. This document begins with any key partnerships, such as suppliers, manufacturers and subcontractors. The next section of a lean startup plan details the activities that will give the business a competitive edge. After that, include other key asset information, such as staff, capital and intellectual property.

In the next section, describe the target market, explaining how the business will interact with the customers and the channels that connect these customers to the business. The final section of a lean startup plan includes the cost structure strategy and explains the revenue streams.

• U.S. Small Business Administration: Write Your Business Plan
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Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. She has been writing on business-related topics for nearly 10 years. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing, and she works with a number of small businesses to develop B2B content for their websites, social media accounts, and marketing materials. In addition to this content, she has written business-related articles for sites like Sweet Frivolity, Alliance Worldwide Investigative Group, Bloom Co and Spent.

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Starting Security Company in South Africa – Business Plan (PDF, Word & Excel)

Posted by BizBolts | All Articles , Business Ideas , Business Plans

As the security landscape continues to evolve in South Africa, the demand for professional and reliable security services has never been higher. In an era marked by uncertainty and a growing need for safety and protection, starting a security company in this dynamic environment is not only a viable venture but also a remarkably profitable one. With attractive profit margins and an ever-increasing demand for top-tier security solutions, the security industry in South Africa presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to make a substantial impact and reap the rewards.

Due to the increasing crime rates and general insecurity of many people in South Africa there has been an increase in the demand for security products and services. Property related crimes, car hijacks, and other serious crime reports result in the increase the country’s insecurity especially in the major cities. As such, there is a need for more security service providers. In addition, the country’s police force is usually overwhelmed by the number of criminal activities that take place in the country, so the need for more security services cannot be understated. This article will outline how to start a security business in South Africa, and the security company business plan – PDF, Word and Excel.

MARKET RESEARCH

Market research is a crucial step when contemplating the establishment of a security company in South Africa. It forms the bedrock upon which a solid business strategy can be constructed, encompassing a comprehensive understanding of the local security industry, its current state, and its growth trends. In South Africa, this industry encompasses diverse services such as physical security, electronic surveillance, and cybersecurity. Additionally, it’s essential to identify your target market, the specific industries, and regions you aim to serve, as South Africa’s security needs can vary widely, from residential clients to government agencies and private institutions. Furthermore, a keen assessment of the competitive landscape is imperative. An analysis of existing security companies within your chosen niche, their offerings, pricing strategies, and customer feedback, will enable you to differentiate your venture and identify market gaps. Complying with the stringent regulatory requirements in South Africa is another key aspect. Understanding and adhering to the legalities and licensing processes is essential for operating within the bounds of the law and building trust with potential clients. In addition, staying attuned to market trends, emerging technologies, and the evolving preferences of your target audience is pivotal. Embracing the latest advancements in surveillance systems, access control, and alarm monitoring ensures your company remains competitive. A thorough understanding of your clients’ security needs and a well-structured pricing strategy are equally critical.

LOCATION & PREMISES

The location and premises of your security company is an important decision to make before you start your business. It’s also important that you choose the right location if you want to set up a successful security company business. Also, your offices should be close to your target market. In particular, it is important to consider who your potential customers are and how they can help drive your business. When selecting a location for your security services company there are many factors you need to keep in mind. For example, you should consider the demographics of the people and companies who you intend to serve as well as their communities. A slightly older or upscale population with a higher-than-average income  is more likely to make use of your security services. When locating your offices there are several possible locations, including shopping centres, malls, and the CBD. Setting up your office close to places that typically have potential for traffic will be ideal. It is important to be strategic about your neighbouring businesses as well because you are more than likely going to feed into each other instead of competing. If you set up your business in an overly saturated area, the likelihood that your business will succeed will be very low. Your security company business plan should include the costs of renting or leasing the premises.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Your target niche will determine the kind of products and services you will offer. Also, these products and services will be determined by the type of security company you set up. As a new security services’ company it may be best to start by providing specialized services in one area that you know well to ensure that you can provide excellent services. From then on, you can build your reputation in one niche and then grow across other disciplines. You can start by providing VIP protection services to high profile clients, offer guarding services to schools, homes or you can offer CCTV installation and monitoring. Your security company business plan should outline the various security services and packages you can provide as well as the costs associated with them. Services offered by security companies in South Africa include security guards, mobile patrol, executive protection, K9 Security, armed escort services among others. Security companies in South Africa also offer a variety of products including security alarms, CCTV Systems, access control systems among others. If you offer security services, your business will have to be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority   (PSIRA) as this a legal requirement for security companies in South Africa.

PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY (PSIRA) REGISTRATION

Any entity or person/company wishing to provide security services or work as a security officer in South Africa must be registered with PSIRA. To register with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) in South Africa, you will have to fill an application form, accompanied by several key requirements. These include submitting a comprehensive business plan outlining your security company’s operations and objectives and providing company registration documents. Each director of the company must also provide their ID document, CV, and a PSIRA registration certificate. Additionally, a tax clearance certificate demonstrating compliance with tax regulations is mandatory. Furthermore, having a physical office with basic equipment and a registered business phone number is necessary to ensure operational legitimacy and accountability. You must also pay PSIRA business registration fees of R7500.  Meeting these requirements is essential to obtain PSIRA registration and operate lawfully within the sector.

STAFF & MANAGEMENT

As a client-focused security services company it’s important that you hire employees that are competent and efficient. Your employees should be passionate about their jobs and taking care of your clients. If you want to hit the ground running it’s better to hire a team of people who already have experience in the security services business. Your employees should be able to provide quality services and serve customers efficiently on a regular basis.  Inexperienced staff members may need to go under extensive training before they can be given critical or high risk jobs. Dealing with crime and enforcing order can be dangerous. It is important to ensure that you take the proper precautions when hiring out potential staff members. Depending on the size of your business, the actual number of your staff will vary however, you will need a reasonable number of sales representatives, security officers, office staff, as well as management. Your security services business plan should cater for the salaries and day to day operational expenses of your business. The operations of your security business will depend on the specific services you choose to offer.

Some of the average day-to-day activities of a security company involve:

• Communicating with customers
• Guarding premises and controlling access,
• Inspecting the property and doing security checks at a given client location
• Managing Staff
• Marketing and advertising

When it comes to running a security company you should always remain aware and alert at all times. The security industry is a very sensitive field. Criminal activities are high in South Africa so you should ensure that your staff is well trained to avoid or reduce injuries or even death. Also, make sure you verify and do a background check for every person you hire. It is easy for your company to get infiltrated by the wrong crowd. Take extra care when assigning security officers for different jobs. Injuries or death on duty can be detrimental to your business. As a security company it is important to prioritise the safety of your workers as well as the safety of your clients. In addition, you must adhere to the industry related laws and safety regulations in order for your security business to succeed.

BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL PLANNING

Budgeting and financial planning are cornerstone elements in the successful launch and operation of a security company in South Africa. These financial strategies are pivotal for not only managing startup costs but also maintaining a healthy cash flow and ensuring long-term profitability. To begin, it’s imperative to meticulously identify the startup costs, encompassing licensing fees, legal expenses, equipment investments, vehicles, office space rentals, insurance, marketing expenditures, and initial employee salaries. This comprehensive list serves as a fundamental guide for estimating the initial financial requirements.

In tandem with startup costs, it’s essential to develop a detailed budget that encompasses ongoing operational expenses. These monthly outlays include rent, utilities, insurance premiums, employee payroll, marketing initiatives, and equipment maintenance. By meticulously forecasting these expenses, you can establish a clear understanding of your security company’s day-to-day financial obligations. Moreover, revenue projections are a key facet of financial planning. These forecasts are based on your target market, pricing strategies, contract sizes, client volume, and potential seasonal fluctuations in demand. Realistic revenue projections allow you to set achievable financial goals for your business.

Effective cash flow management is paramount to ensure your security company’s financial stability. It’s imperative to track incoming revenue and outgoing expenses through a comprehensive cash flow statement. This proactive approach aids in identifying potential cash flow gaps and implementing strategies to mitigate them. Additionally, you should consider funding sources, whether through personal savings, loans, investments, or external funding options. Careful evaluation of loan terms and interest rates is essential to align these financial resources with your business goals. Furthermore, budgeting for financial contingencies provides a safety net for unexpected expenses or disruptions, such as equipment breakdowns or economic downturns. Regular financial analysis, tax planning, profitability goals, and investments in growth round out the key components of a robust budgeting and financial planning strategy for your security company in South Africa.

MARKETING PLAN

Effective marketing strategies are pivotal to the success of your security company in South Africa. In a competitive industry where trust and credibility are paramount, it’s essential to create a strong presence and reach your target audience effectively. Networking is a vital part of marketing. Forge partnerships with complementary businesses like property management companies or event organizers, attend industry events, and join local business associations to expand your network and gain referrals. In a competitive industry like security, establishing a robust online presence is paramount. This begins with creating a professional website and maintaining active social media profiles, which serve as key platforms for showcasing your services, certifications, and client testimonials. Additionally, optimizing your website for search engines through effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques will ensure your company ranks well in relevant search results, driving organic traffic from individuals actively seeking security services. Online advertising through platforms like Google Ads and social media can rapidly increase your visibility. Targeting ads to specific demographics, locations, and interests ensures you reach a relevant audience.

Community involvement is another strategy to consider, as it shows your commitment to the local community and enhances your company’s reputation. Implement a referral program that rewards clients or partners who refer new business to your security company. Word-of-mouth referrals remain a potent marketing tool, and flyers can supplement these efforts by distributing them strategically in your target areas.  Approaching individuals and companies directly can be a highly personalized and effective marketing strategy. Attend local business networking events and security trade shows to meet potential clients and partners. Establishing face-to-face connections can help you build trust and credibility in the industry. Moreover, reach out to businesses and organizations directly, offering to provide security assessments and consultations. Demonstrating your expertise in person can lead to valuable business relationships and contracts. Site visits can further strengthen relationships with potential clients by providing an opportunity to showcase your services and establish a personal connection.

The need for security products and services is driven by insecurity and a high crime rate. Given that the incidence of crime is high in the country the demand for security services tends to be very high as well. There is a number of individuals, families and various other companies and organisations that are in need of security services. There are a lot of high profile people that require security services too. Also, there are plenty of public events, such as wedding ceremonies, festivals, parties, concerts and other intimate gatherings that will need security services. Thus, there will always be a need for security services.  A proper marketing strategy should be included in the security company business plan.

IS A SECURITY SERVICES BUSINESS A GOOD INVESTMENT?

The security industry is a competitive industry with a number of large and small companies dominating the market. However, it is still possible for you to own your own security services brand. Building your own brand from scratch can be rewarding if done well. Investing in a security company can be a profitable venture, but obviously, this will depend on many factors such as your target market, costs, as well as management. Apart from the obvious advantages of becoming financially independent and becoming your own boss, running a security company business can be a rewarding way of uplifting your community.

The South African market is one of the leading emerging economies on the African continent but the country is riddled with crime. However, the crime rate in the country presents various business opportunities when it comes to the security industry and there is also potential for high growth. Whether you are a young entrepreneur, a professional seeking to start your own business or someone who needs a retirement plan, investing in a security business is something worth considering. One thing that can set you apart before investing in any venture is developing a business plan. A well thought out security company business plan will help you in both the short and long term. Also, there are various risks associated with running a security business, like any other business venture, your security services business plan should clearly outline these risks and the different ways to minimise them. With a business plan you can determine whether or not your business concept is viable or not since it will force you to do thorough research.

KEYS TO PROFITABILITY

Ensuring profitability is paramount for the long-term success of your security company in South Africa. To achieve and sustain profitability, you must adopt a multifaceted approach that covers various aspects of your business operations. Effective cost management is the cornerstone, requiring a thorough examination of your expenses to identify areas where you can trim overhead costs without compromising the quality of your services. This might involve renegotiating supplier contracts, optimizing staffing levels, or making cost-effective technology investments. Pricing strategies are equally pivotal, as you need to strike a balance between competitiveness and profitability. It’s essential to evaluate market rates, monitor your competitors’ pricing, and factor in the unique value your company brings to clients. Additionally, maintaining strong client relationships is instrumental. Client retention is more cost-effective than client acquisition, making it imperative to consistently deliver exceptional service, address concerns promptly, and communicate regularly with your clients to foster loyalty.

Exploring opportunities for upselling and cross-selling additional services to your existing clients can significantly boost revenue. This can be achieved by identifying complementary offerings, such as cybersecurity services alongside physical security, and presenting them as value-added options. Efficiency in your operations is another crucial aspect. Streamlining your processes through training, scheduling optimization, and technology integration can reduce labor costs and enhance overall profitability. Marketing and branding efforts should never be underestimated, as effective promotion can lead to increased business opportunities. Consistently promote your security company through various channels, both online and offline, while enhancing your branding to convey professionalism and trustworthiness. Diversification is also a key strategy, as expanding into related areas like cybersecurity or alarm monitoring can open new revenue streams and make your business more resilient to market fluctuations. Quality assurance, financial analysis, adaptability, and investment in technology complete the arsenal of strategies needed to secure profitability for your security company in the dynamic South African market.

PRE-WRITTEN SECURITY COMPANY BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL): COMPREHENSIVE VERSION, SHORT FUNDING/BANK LOAN VERSION AND AUTOMATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For an in-depth analysis of the security company business in South Africa, purchase our security company business plan. We decided to introduce the business plans after noting that many South Africans were venturing into the security company business without a full understanding of the industry, market, how to run the business, the risks involved, profitability of the business and the costs involved, leading to a high failure rate of their businesses.

Our business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run a security services business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as the security company business plan will lay out all the costs involved in setting up and running the business. The business plan is designed specifically for the South African market.

USES OF THE SECURITY COMPANY BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The security company business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your security company business
• As a security company project proposal
• Assessing profitability of the security services business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

CONTENTS OF THE SECURITY COMPANY BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The business plan includes, but not limited to:

• Market Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• 5 Year Automated Financial Statements [ Income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, monthly cash flow projections (3 years monthly cash flow projections, the remaining two years annually),break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortisation]
• Marketing Strategy
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some South Africans in the security business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your security services business in South Africa

The Security Company Business Plan package consist of 4 files

• Security Company Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive – 81 pages)
• Security Company Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive – 81 pages)
• Security Company Business Plan Funding Version – Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan – 46 pages)
• Security Company Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel file)

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The BizBolts poultry business plan led us down the path from start to finish. Contact details of suppliers of key requirements were included in the business plan. It helped us crystallize our strategy, and the business plan was well received by the bank.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson pushes towards a vote on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan

Stephen Groves And Lisa Mascaro

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., left, arrives for a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing toward action this week on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, unveiling an elaborate plan Monday to break the package into separate votes to squeeze through the House's political divides on foreign policy.

Facing an outright rebellion from conservatives fiercely opposed to aiding Ukraine, the Republican speaker's move on the foreign aid package was a potentially watershed moment, the first significant action on the bill after more than two months of delay. But Johnson's intention to hold four separate votes on parts of the package also left it open to being significantly altered from the $95 billion aid package the Senate passed in February.

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It’s unclear if the House could end up with a package that is similar to the Senate’s bill or something significantly different, which could complicate the months-long, painstaking effort to get Congress to approve military funding for Ukraine.

“We will let the House work its will,” Johnson told reporters.

But as the House has struggled to act, conflicts around the world have escalated. Israel’s military chief said Monday that his country will respond to Iran’s weekend missile strike. And Ukraine’s military head warned over the weekend that the battlefield situation in the country’s east has “significantly worsened in recent days,” as warming weather has allowed Russian forces to launch a fresh offensive.

“There are precipitating events around the globe that we’re all watching very carefully and we know the world is watching us to see how we react,” Johnson said.

President Joe Biden , hosting Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House, called on the House to take up the Senate funding package immediately. “They have to do it now,” he said.

Johnson and Biden spoke Monday, according to a person familiar with the call and granted anonymity to discuss it.

Democrats in the House could be open to helping Johnson pass the aid in parts, and may even be agreeable to some of the additional measures being discussed by Republicans, such as providing some of the Ukraine economic assistance as loans.

But Johnson would lose the Democratic support he needs if he strays too far into Republican-only priorities. Any overhaul to the package also risks setbacks in the Senate, where a bulk of Republicans oppose the aid for Ukraine and Democrats have become increasingly alarmed at Israel's campaign in Gaza.

As House members returned to the Capitol Monday evening, Johnson huddled with fellow GOP lawmakers to lay out his strategy to gain House approval for the funding package. He said he would push to get the package to the House floor under a single debate rule that allows for separate votes on aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other foreign policy proposals.

Johnson said those proposals would structure some of the funding for Kyiv as loans, allow the U.S. to seize frozen Russian central bank assets and place other sanctions on Iran.

The GOP meeting was filled with lawmakers at odds in their approach to the conflict with Russia: Republican defense hawks, including the top lawmakers on national security committees, are pitted against populist conservatives who are fiercely opposed to continued support for Kyiv’s fight.

As often happens, the meeting turned into a free-for-all of ideas as Republicans tried to put their own stamp on the package but rarely found any unity. Yet Johnson’s plan won over significant Republican support, said Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., as he left the meeting.

“I don’t like it,” he said. “But I’m clearly in the minority.”

Still, Johnson's support for Ukraine aid could further incite the populist conservatives who are already angry at his direction as speaker.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is already threatening to oust him as speaker. As she entered the closed-door Republican meeting on Monday, she said her message to the speaker was simple: “Don’t fund Ukraine.”

But Greene did not indicate whether she would move for a quick vote on her motion to remove the speaker if the Ukraine aid is approved.

“I'm thinking it over,” she said.

Another unknown was how Donald Trump, the Republican presidential frontrunner who has railed against overseas aid, would respond to the proposal. Johnson met with Trump on Friday at his club in Florida.

“I don’t spend my time worrying about motions to vacate,” Johnson said Monday. “We’re having to govern here, and we’re going to do our job.”

Democrats had pressured Johnson to simply take up the Senate-passed bill that would provide a total of $95 billion for the U.S. allies , as well as humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza and Ukraine.

“The House must rush to Israel's aid as quickly as humanly possible, and the only way to do that is passing the Senate's supplemental ASAP," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries pledged in a letter to lawmakers to do “everything in our legislative power to confront aggression" around the globe, and he cast the situation as similar to the lead-up to World War II.

“The gravely serious events of this past weekend in the Middle East and Eastern Europe underscore the need for Congress to act immediately,” Jeffries said. “We must take up the bipartisan and comprehensive national security bill passed by the Senate forthwith.”

Democrats have also circulated a last-ditch option, known as a discharge petition, that could force a floor vote on the aid without the speaker's approval. The petition has gained 195 lawmakers' signatures, leaving it about a dozen votes shy of the majority it would need.

But Republican supporters of the Senate’s Ukraine package appeared encouraged by Johnson’s plan, even though they hadn’t yet seen the details.

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said the House proposal could “significantly delay” the aid because it is four different measures that would have to be sent back to the Senate, and it’s unclear whether the Senate could combine them into one. Still, he said, “It’s OK because we can still respond to it.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday afternoon urged the House to take up the Senate bill.

He said in a floor speech, “We cannot hope to deter conflict without demonstrating resolve and investing seriously in American strength.”

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Virginia Tech gathers in honor of 32 Hokies lost in 2007

Franklin county high school hosts food for america, 10 news virginia today : apr 16, 2024, april 16, 2024 picture of the day, 10 news @ 11 : apr 15, 2024.

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How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

A mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

Hello, James.

Hey. How’s it going?

Yeah. I’m not having much luck. So the problem is funding. And all of my money is in Mexico, all of it.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Katrin Bennhold. This is “The Daily.” A massive scam targeting elderly Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Once you move forward and make your payment, if anything were to happen, he will directly pay you the full amount of what you’re entitled to, including the gains. He will pay you the full amount.

You’ve got all my money. It’s been sent. I sold a freaking house.

Listen to this. I sold a house that I grew up in so that I could come up with funds to send to Mexico.

I don’t even have anything from the sale, nothing.

My colleague Maria Abi-Habib on one victim who lost everything and the people on the other side of the phone.

That’s it. That’s it. There’s nothing —

You know what? That’s what has been said every freaking time. Every time, just pay this. That releases the funds.

But that’s why we won’t allow it to happen again. This is the last time, James.

It’s Friday, April 12.

Maria, you’ve been looking into this scam that’s targeting Americans. Where did your investigation start?

So several weeks ago, I received a phone call from a lawyer based in St. Petersburg, Florida, who had been contacted by a family who was very concerned that the father, this man named James, was in the middle of being scammed. He’d sent hundreds of thousands dollars to Mexico. And he was considering sending another $157,000 when his daughter decided to call up this law firm and try to get her father to stop, stop sending money to Mexico.

So I called him a few weeks ago as I was trying to understand what was going on.

Hi, James. How are you?

Good. Thank you.

He’s asked that his last name be withheld for privacy concerns because he’s quite embarrassed about the story that I’m about to tell you.

You’re retired now, but what were you doing for work? And if your wife was working, what was her job?

I was with the Highway Patrol.

James is a retired state trooper from California. And his wife Nikki is a former school nurse.

She was born in ‘51. So 71-ish.

Two. She’s just reminded me, 72.

And they’re both in their early 70s. And they own this timeshare that is in Lake Tahoe, California. And they bought it in the 1990s for about $8,000.

And for someone who did not grow up vacationing in a timeshare, remind me how exactly timeshares work.

Timeshares are essentially vacation properties. And they tend to be beach resorts. And multiple people can buy into this property. The ownership is a shared ownership. And this gives you the right to use the timeshare for one to two weeks out of every year.

And so James and Nikki used their timeshare every other year with their daughters. But as they hit retirement age and their daughters are growing up and starting their own families, they’re just not really using it that much anymore. And timeshares require the owners to pay off yearly maintenance fees. And so they’re starting to think about maybe letting go of their timeshare and selling it.

Then one day, in late 2022, James gets a phone call from a company that is purporting to be based out of Atlanta, Georgia called Worry Free Vacations.

Worry Free Vacations?

That sounds enticing.

Yeah. And they start off with a simple question, which is, do you want to buy a timeshare? And James says, I already have a timeshare. And then they say, great. Well, what about selling the timeshare? Do you want to sell? There’s this Mexican businessman, and he’s interested in your timeshare. And he’s willing to buy it for about $20,000.

So we figured, well, what the heck? If we can make a few bucks on it, we’ll go for it.

And James jumps at the opportunity.

And did he do anything to try and verify that this was real?

Yeah. So remember, James is former law enforcement. And he feels very confident in his abilities to sniff out untrustworthy people. So he goes online, and he googles this Mexican businessman and sees that, yeah, he is a real person.

He’s a very well-respected individual in Mexico, very well off. And —

And this makes James feel at ease, that he’s selling to a legitimate person, that Worry Free Vacations are who they claim to be and that he’s going to double his money overnight, essentially.

And what happens next?

Well, a couple of weeks after he makes the agreement with the buyer, he’s told that he needs to send a couple thousand dollars to facilitate the purchase.

What does that mean, facilitate?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

I can’t remember specifically whether it was supposed to be cross-border registration —

So he’s being told that there are these fees that are paid directly to the Mexican government.

Or SPID or some other fee that was Mexican government required or not.

A lot of these fees are the same types of fees that you would pay in the United States for a real estate transaction. So he begins wiring money to an account in Mexico.

After that —

— a few days later, we get a notification. Well, everything went well, except that we have to pay an additional fee.

Every time that he sends one fee, he’s being told that he’s got to send another fee right afterwards.

Does he get suspicious at any point?

His wife is suspicious. After the first couple of payments, she starts saying, this does not feel right.

But James is the former law enforcement officer, right? And he’s the one that basically handles the family finances. And he’s confident that all of this is going to work out because he’s being told that the buyer of the timeshare will reimburse James for all of these fees once the sale goes through.

Michael from the Worry Free Vacations was constantly reassuring me the money’s in that account. Check with the commercial escrow account. It’s there. It’s just these fees have to be paid, and you’re being reimbursed for all of this.

They’re sending James documents that show all of the reimbursements that he’s owed and how much money he’s going to get. And this just makes him feel like all of this is kosher.

We have this commercial escrow company that was involved out of New York. So there was an air of legitimacy that I was comfortable with.

Maybe OK, these guys just need one more fee and everything is going to finally be cleared.

But about a year in, James starts to get suspicious. He begins asking questions because he wants his money.

And every time I asked, hey, is there a way I can get a partial release of these funds, there was always no, these funds have to be paid from your account before they’re released.

But Worry Free Vacations, they pivot. And they tell him that, listen, there are all these complications. It’s going to be really hard to get your money out from this transaction.

I could pay about $30,000 and change to reinvest the $313,000 into an environmentally-conscious development in Loreto, Mexico.

Instead, we’ve got this other investment opportunity in Mexico.

And I’m sure you know where that is, over on the East Coast of Baja.

And that is going to make you a huge return, even more money than you had thought that you were going to make, much more than the $20,000.

I’m supposed to have 54 million pesos in a Mexican bank account.

So this is now no longer just about his timeshare. They are now partners in a real estate investment.

Right. And there’s this whole new round of fees and fines associated with that.

So how many payments would you say?

Quite a few. Couple dozen at least, maybe more.

When was your last payment?

It would have been 17 January.

Uh-huh. And what was that for?

Good question.

And all along, he believed it was necessary to pay these costs just to get the money that he’s owed.

The amount of money that I’ve sent to Mexico is just freaking exorbitant. And I mean, it is approaching $900,000 or more.

And at this point, he’s sent about $900,000 to Mexico over about a year and a half.

Nearly $1 million.

That was almost all the money that he and his wife had saved for their retirement.

It also included money from the sale of James’s childhood home and money that he had borrowed from his daughter and son-in-law, about $150,000 from them.

It’s awful. So they were completely cleaned out by these guys.

Yeah. And this is when his daughter asks a law firm to look into this, which is the point in the story when I meet James. And when we start talking, it was clear to me that he just did not know what to think, even after losing this much money.

So this started in 2022. When did it end?

We’re still in it.

And he’s still talking to the scammers.

And as a matter of fact, presently, there was a request for $157,000 and change to clear up this whole thing. It would clear the entire issue out. Now —

And James is even considering putting a second mortgage on his house to send that money that he’d been promised would finally clear all this up — one final payment of $157,000.

It really sounds like he’s still wanted to believe that this was somehow legit.

Yeah. It was pretty clear to me that he was being scammed. But I didn’t definitively know what was going on, so I asked him if he could start recording his phone calls with the scammers.

Would you be so kind as to do me a favor?

Would you be willing to give them a call and record them?

[LAUGHS]: I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve been recording them.

And it turns out he already had been.

Worry Free Vacations.

So he shared the recordings of these calls that he’d had with these scammers over the last year or so. And it was just remarkable. It gave me huge insight into how the scam worked and the way that it sounded over the phone.

Is this is Michael in? I think he’s trying to call me. I couldn’t get through pick up.

Yes, I believe he did try to call you, sir. Give me a second. I think he’s only going to be in for a couple of minutes. One second.

There are two main takeaways for me listening to these calls.

Good afternoon. Michael McCarthy.

Michael, I missed your call. I was trying to pick up.

Yeah, don’t worry. Yeah, I figured something was wrong with your phone. Everything OK?

The first is that these scammers had really gotten to know James so well, and they really made James believe that Worry Free was a company that was working for him.

That’s why we need to hurry up and get this money over to you. Because hey, I’m losing my mind too. I’m not even here to convince you, James. I’m not — I’m your broker, and —

One of the things they continuously say is, trust me.

Look, I’m doing everything I can in my power and will on my end. So James, just look — like I told you from the get-go, I’m going to resolve this. And we are doing it. I just need you to focus on the goal.

They would refocus the conversation on what James needed to do to get his money back.

Look, if you make your payment as a security deposit, right away they will release the funds to you. With these —

And the other thing —

I’ve been having so much trouble trying to reach you, and I have not been successful.

— is that the scammers had created this elaborate cast of characters.

Why don’t you answer my calls?

And some of them were really aggressive. James shared a recording of this one man who claimed to be an agent for the Mexican government. And he basically started yelling at James.

I don’t care if your wife is at the hospital. To be honest with you, I don’t give a damn! But you know where I do give a damn? It’s your money, and my name is written all over it! Do you understand?

And he even threatened James. If James didn’t pay off these fines, then he would lose all the money that he’d sent to Mexico already.

You could get the best lawyer you want. You could get whoever you want. And this is not a threat. This is facts. But anyways, who am I to convince you, right?

Well, thank you for the information. And — are you still there? Hello?

Wow. So these scammers were basically doing a good cop, bad cop routine to stop James from walking away and to squeeze every last penny out of him.

If you provide me your email, contact information, I will certainly be happy to forward all of the wire transfer information from my bank account to you so that you can see where those funds went.

Yeah, that would be great. I have your email.

James asks me, a reporter who’s based in Mexico, who speaks the language, if I could help him figure out where his money had gone to.

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your assistance.

I’m just doing my job. Thanks again, and we’ll talk soon.

And the only way that I could figure that out was to understand who was on the other side of the phone.

We’ll be right back.

So Maria, who was on the other side of that phone line?

So by the time that I’d met James, I’d already gotten a tip from US law enforcement agencies that they were seeing a new trend. Mexican drug cartels were getting involved in the timeshare scam industry.

Drug cartels?

Yeah. And not just any drug cartel. This is one of the most notorious, violent, bloody drug cartels that exists in Mexico and Latin America, the Jalisco New Generation cartel. And when I looked at James’s bank records, guess what? All the money that he was sending was going to various bank accounts that were all located in Jalisco state in Mexico.

Wow. So why would the drug cartels get into the timeshare scamming business?

It is a huge business. The FBI told me that it’s about $300 million in profits over the last five years.

But the thing is is that the potential for it to actually be multitudes more is huge. Because the FBI estimates that most of the scams are actually not even reported. In fact, only about 20 percent are. So that means the total timeshare scam business could actually be much larger than the $300 million that they have knowledge of over the last five years.

But wait. I thought the drug business was a pretty lucrative business in itself. So why get into the scamming of elderly people for their properties in Lake Tahoe?

Well, you have to remember that these drug cartels, they’re not just doing one thing. They’re doing multiple things. They’re essentially conglomerates. Because it’s really expensive to run a cartel. You need to pay off officials, both Mexican and American. You need to maintain basically an army in order to secure your routes up to the United States, ports of entry into Mexico from Colombia. And any big business, you need to diversify your income to make sure that you keep the money flowing. Because you never know when one business is going to be shut down by authorities or taken over by your rivals.

We’ve reported that they’re now in the avocado business and the construction business. And timeshare fraud is basically no different than any of those. So we’re seeing that the cartels have their fingers in many pies, the legitimate and the illegitimate economy here in Mexico.

It’s kind of fascinating to think of these drug cartels as like sprawling diversified business empires. But when did the cartels first get into the scamming business?

So Jalisco New Generation started about 15 years ago.

And when they started to consolidate their empire in Jalisco state, they found that there were all these scam timeshare call centers all over the state that were being run by various players, and that this was a huge, huge moneymaker. Because essentially, all you have to do is call up retired senior citizens in the US and Canada. It doesn’t take that much money to run that kind of a scheme. There’s no product you’re making.

So essentially, they conducted a hostile takeover of these call centers. They went in. They kicked down doors and dragged out the people who were managing these call centers by their hair and threatened to kill them unless they gave up the call centers or started handing over a cut of what they made. And slowly, slowly Jalisco New Generation cartel took over the entire timeshare fraud industry.

Interesting. Were you able to find any of these call centers?

So these call centers are pretty hard to find. They look like any other storefront. But I was able to visit two that were located in an upscale neighborhood in Guadalajara, which is the capital of Jalisco state. And it was just really perturbing because it was just so normal. Two villas about a mile away from each other outside. Outside of one villa, parents were walking by, holding their children’s hands as they did drop off at school.

It was right next to a park where people taking their morning exercise or their dogs for a walk. There was no real sign that the cartel was doing business there. But a few months before, Mexican law enforcement had found the bodies of eight young people who had used to work at one of these call centers and said that the Jalisco cartel had killed them.

Wow. What happened?

So I wasn’t able to talk directly to any of the victims’ families. They’re just too scared. But in general, this is usually how it starts.

The cartel seeks out English speakers to work for their call centers. Sometimes they don’t even tell them what exactly they are doing. They would tell the recruits that the job was adjacent to the hotel industry.

You have to remember, Jalisco is a huge, huge tourism magnet for Americans and Canadians and others. And the cartel would get their call lists from bribing hotel employees to give them the names of people who stayed at these hotels and also at the timeshare resorts. And the people who would work at the call centers are provided the names and a manual of what you need to do when you call, like a loose script of how to try to suck as much money as you can out of these people up North in Canada and the States.

So we don’t know for sure what exactly happened with the eight young Mexicans who were killed last year. But through an intermediary, one sibling told us that when their family member knew what their job actually was, they became extremely uncomfortable and tried to leave the call center and find another job maybe.

But the Jalisco New Generation cartel is known for being extremely brutal. They chop off heads, and they’ll put them on the gates of a playground, for instance. So that everybody in the neighborhood knows what went down. And in this case, it’s possible that they wanted to send a warning that there’s no defection from their timeshare call centers.

So basically making a very scary example of these guys, in case anyone else is thinking about quitting one of the call centers.

Exactly. And one man, who runs an organization who advocates for missing people and actually organizes search parties to comb the forests of Jalisco state looking for the missing, says that he knows of about 30 people who have disappeared from the call centers in Jalisco state since 2017. So while Americans and Canadians might be losing much of their life savings, in Mexico, this is actually deadly.

Are the authorities doing anything about this?

Not really, other than the fact that these two call centers were shut down. The authorities haven’t arrested others. They’re not putting pressure on Mexican banks, for instance, to look into these payments coming from senior citizens in the US or Canada. And you have to remember that people are really afraid. But you also have to remember that in Mexico things are not that clear. There is a lot of corruption and government collusion with organized crime and cartels.

And the tourism industry, it is huge in Mexico and particularly in Jalisco state. This is a multi-billion dollar industry. They don’t want Americans or Canadians or Europeans who are coming to Jalisco for its beautiful beaches and its mountains to hear about these stories regarding the cartels being involved in the tourism industry and think, I’m not going to send my family there for that beach vacation. It’s just simply too dangerous.

So everybody has an incentive to have the scam continue, whether because they’re too afraid and don’t want to speak out or because they’re in on it.

So in a way, local authorities have an interest in sweeping it under the carpet in order to just maintain this idea of a tourist destination.

Exactly. I mean, the spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office was very responsive to me until I told her what I wanted to ask her questions about. And then she just simply never answered any of my texts or phone calls.

So Maria, based on everything you know, all the information you have, would you say that you’re confident that the cartels were the ones who scammed James?

Yes, 100 percent. Everything I’ve seen points in that direction.

What did James say when you told him this?

So it took him quite a while to really allow himself to believe it. On the advice of his lawyers, he stopped picking up the phone calls. And about a week ago, they stopped after the scammers kept trying to call him.

But you said he was in it for over a year. Why do you think it took him so long?

Can you tell me, after all of that had been presented to you, why do you think you weren’t willing to be entirely convinced?

Well, I actually asked him that question.

That’s a very good question. Why wasn’t I able to pick up on that right away? And I think in the back of my mind, I’m finding out that I’m a little more stubborn than I thought I was.

And for him, it was pretty complicated.

And I think that I didn’t want to believe that I had fallen for this. I didn’t feel I was that foolish and stupid when it came to this. You know? I guess I didn’t want to believe that I could be fooled.

To come to terms with the fact that he had lost so much money was to come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t the person that he thought that he was, that he wasn’t this kind of clever former law enforcement officer who was used to fighting the bad guys and winning.

I’m disappointed in myself. There’s a huge level of anger towards the perpetrators. And all of those things wrapped into one. And part of that, I think, contributes to not wanting to actually believe that I was wrong.

Hmm. Yeah, I hear you. I’m sorry. I can hear the pain in your voice.

[LAUGHS]: Yeah.

Some of it’s based on shame, right? That he lost all this money, everything that he’s worked for, and the fact that this was all supposed to be money that his children and his grandchildren were going to inherit. And now it’s gone.

And have you told your daughter that you think you’ve come to terms with the fact that this might have been a scam?

Oh, she’s been involved. Yeah. They know.

My daughter does.

I’m sorry. This is a tough time.

So I’ve got to make some sort of arrangement to compensate them for this on top of our regular debt. So yeah. It’s been a swell experience, all of it brought on by my — evidently, my stubbornness to believe that I couldn’t possibly be a victim.

How’s your wife doing throughout this whole process, with this new knowledge?

She’s not real happy, obviously, at all. I hear a lot of “I told you so.” And at this point, I’ve got no defense. She’s absolutely right. There’s no question about it.

Do you worry this is going to affect your marriage?

Yes, there has been an effect.

And do you think that at this point there’s any way for James and his family to get some kind of justice or at least find some kind of closure?

Ay. Justice? Unlikely.

At this point, I’m not necessarily expecting much in the way of restitution.

And as for closure, it’s a little bit too soon to tell. In a way, James has gone through several stages of acceptance for what happened. There’s fear. There’s shame. There’s resignation. And now he’s talking to me partly because he feels like it’s a public service, that he needs to be vocal so that other people don’t go through what he’s gone through and fall for the scam. And I think it also helps him feel a little bit empowered in a situation for over the last year and a half he was at the mercy of these people who were calling him multiple times a week.

I want to try to get as much information to as many of these official organizations as possible. I have a streak of anger through me now that I’ve developed to the point where I’m not going to let this go.

Well, Maria, thank you.

Thank you for having me.

Here’s what else you need to know today. OJ Simpson, the football star who was accused and later acquitted of murdering his former wife and her friend, died of cancer at his home in Las Vegas, his family said Thursday. He was 76.

Today’s episode was produced by Astha Chaturvedi and Will Reid, with help from Clare Toeniskoetter and Lindsay Garrison. It was edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist, contains original music by Marion Lozano, Rowan Niemisto, Dan Powell, Pat McCusker, and Will Reid, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

[THEME MUSIC]

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Katrin Bennhold. See you on Monday.

• April 16, 2024   •   29:29 A.I.’s Original Sin
• April 15, 2024   •   24:07 Iran’s Unprecedented Attack on Israel
• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
• April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
• April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
• April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’
• April 5, 2024   •   29:11 An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth
• April 4, 2024   •   32:37 Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen
• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Will Reid

With Clare Toeniskoetter and Lynsea Garrison

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Rowan Niemisto ,  Dan Powell ,  Pat McCusker and Will Reid

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The Times, tells the story of a victim who lost everything, and of the criminal group making the scam calls — Jalisco New Generation, one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.

On today’s episode

Maria Abi-Habib , an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City.

Background reading

How a brutal Mexican drug cartel came to target seniors and their timeshares .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

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