Putting a Business Idea into Practice (Edexcel GCSE Business): Exam Questions

Adikoggz is a small business based in Leeds. It offers the customising of trainers. It was set up by Keilan Kogut in 2018. The business designs personalised trainers including those associated with the colours and images of football teams or music bands. Customers can either supply their own trainers to be customised or pay Adikoggz to source and design a new pair of trainers to meet their needs. Adikoggz charges up to £200 for a new pair of customised trainers. It also offers a service to deep clean trainers. The price for this is £20.

The business started as a hobby but after showing off the designs on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, Keilan started to receive follower requests asking him to customise or source unique styles of trainers. This gave him the inspiration to start Adikoggz and the business now receives orders from all over the world.

Keilan still carries out much of the work himself, but the growing number of orders has led him to struggle to keep up with demand. He now employs four people to help him with customisations. However, he still feels that the USP of Adikoggz is the personalised service it offers and that every customer will receive a unique product at the end of the process.

Amelia Cooper trained as a plumber six years ago. Since then she has worked for a building company that carries out repairs to houses and business premises in the Birmingham area.

Amelia is now in a position where she wants to start her own plumbing business called Lili Heating Ltd. Even though there are many plumbers in the Birmingham area, Amelia feels she has a unique selling point – she is a woman. Many female customers feel that they can relate more closely with a woman doing repairs in their homes.

As part of her business plan, Amelia has identified some clear aims and objectives and conducted a large amount of market research using the internet. Her target market requires clear advice on what work needs to be done and how much she will charge. Amelia also thinks she can cut down on advertising costs by getting her customers to recommend Lili Heating Ltd to their friends and families. For this to happen she knows that her work must be of the highest standard.

Amelia’s business plan also included a wide range of financial information to help her forecast the potential success of the business and see if she would need an overdraft.

Little Movers is a business that offers preschool dance and movement classes. It also specialises in themed birthday parties and provides workshops in many local authority children centres. The business was founded in 2007 by Melanie Buck and within weeks of opening hundreds of families were attending the classes.

Little Movers exceeded Melanie’s expectations. She struggled to keep up with the demands of running the business and her commitment to being a mother of two young children. Melanie originally started Little Movers as she felt she could run the classes whilst her children were at school. This independence would also help her achieve a key objective of enjoying all of the school holidays with her own children.

To keep up with the high levels of demand Melanie decided to expand her business through franchising. As a franchisor she believed that she could offer a proven business formula together with a wide range of support to franchisees. This included use of the Little Movers brand, being the only Little Movers franchise in a particular area, full training and a centralised online booking system. Franchisees also receive lesson plans each month for the classes. This approach proved to be highly successful. Little Movers now has franchises throughout the North of England and has recently had enquiries to open franchises in Poland and Dubai.

Little Movers is a business that offers preschool dance and movement classes. It also specialises in themed birthday parties and provides workshops in many local authority children centres. The business was founded in 2007 by Melanie Buck and within weeks of opening hundreds of families were attending the classes.

Little Movers exceeded Melanie’s expectations. She struggled to keep up with the demands of running the business and her commitment to being a mother of two young children. Melanie originally started Little Movers as she felt she could run the classes whilst her children were at school. This independence would also help her achieve a key objective of enjoying all of the school holidays with her own children.

To keep up with the high levels of demand Melanie decided to expand her business through franchising. As a franchisor she believed that she could offer a proven business formula together with a wide range of support to franchisees. This included use of the Little Movers brand, being the only Little Movers franchise in a particular area, full training and a centralised online booking system. Franchisees also receive lesson plans each month for the classes. This approach proved to be highly successful. Little Movers now has franchises throughout the North of England and has recently had enquiries to open franchises in Poland and Dubai.

Last Course Patisserie Ltd is a small private limited company based in Devon which produces hand-made desserts and puddings. The business was established in 1986. Its owners previously worked in the food industry but felt they could offer better value for money to customers. All of the desserts are made fresh to order which has provided Last Course Patisserie with a reputation for being flexible when meeting customer needs.

Getting the best ingredients for the desserts is a vital part of the business. Last Course Patisserie found excellent suppliers of free range eggs and dairy products close to its business location. This means all ingredients could be delivered quickly when needed.

Last Course Patisserie has recently employed a new head chef from Switzerland who has introduced a new range of products to the menu. This has proved to be very popular with customers and the business now struggles to keep up with demand. Last Course Patisserie is receiving increased orders for desserts but, due to the size of its business premises, struggles to meet this increase in demand. The owners have decided that it is the right time for Last Course Patisserie to expand and possibly relocate to new premises

Last Course Patisserie Ltd is a small private limited company based in Devon which produces hand-made desserts and puddings. The business was established in 1986. Its owners previously worked in the food industry but felt they could offer better value for money to customers. All of the desserts are made fresh to order which has provided Last Course Patisserie with a reputation for being flexible when meeting customer needs.

Getting the best ingredients for the desserts is a vital part of the business. Last Course Patisserie found excellent suppliers of free range eggs and dairy products close to its business location. This means all ingredients could be delivered quickly when needed.

Last Course Patisserie has recently employed a new head chef from Switzerland who has introduced a new range of products to the menu. This has proved to be very popular with customers and the business now struggles to keep up with demand. Last Course Patisserie is receiving increased orders for desserts but, due to the size of its business premises, struggles to meet this increase in demand. The owners have decided that it is the right time for Last Course Patisserie to expand and possibly relocate to new premises

On Your Bike is a family owned business that first opened in London in 1983. Its customers include children buying their first bikes and scooters, through to experienced enthusiasts in road cycling and mountain biking.

The business offers a wide range of bikes, many imported from abroad. These include high quality brands such as Brompton, Cannondale and Ridgeback. It also stocks a wide range of clothing and helmets including brands such as Endura and Altura.

On Your Bike has large workshop facilities in its shop where qualified mechanics maintain and repair all makes of bike. All mechanics go on regular training courses to ensure they keep their skills and knowledge up to date with the latest cycling technology. This allows On Your Bike to offer exceptional customer service and advice.

The cycling market has grown over recent years. Market research has shown that an increasing number of tourists like to rent bikes when on holiday. In response to this, On Your Bike operates one of the largest bike rental services in London. Bikes can be hired by the day or week with a choice including road and electric bikes.

On Your Bike is a family owned business that first opened in London in 1983. Its customers include children buying their first bikes and scooters, through to experienced enthusiasts in road cycling and mountain biking.

The business offers a wide range of bikes, many imported from abroad. These include high quality brands such as Brompton, Cannondale and Ridgeback. It also stocks a wide range of clothing and helmets including brands such as Endura and Altura.

On Your Bike has large workshop facilities in its shop where qualified mechanics maintain and repair all makes of bike. All mechanics go on regular training courses to ensure they keep their skills and knowledge up to date with the latest cycling technology. This allows On Your Bike to offer exceptional customer service and advice.

The cycling market has grown over recent years. Market research has shown that an increasing number of tourists like to rent bikes when on holiday. In response to this, On Your Bike operates one of the largest bike rental services in London. Bikes can be hired by the day or week with a choice including road and electric bikes.

On Your Bike is a family owned business that first opened in London in 1983. Its customers include children buying their first bikes and scooters, through to experienced enthusiasts in road cycling and mountain biking.

The business offers a wide range of bikes, many imported from abroad. These include high quality brands such as Brompton, Cannondale and Ridgeback. It also stocks a wide range of clothing and helmets including brands such as Endura and Altura.

On Your Bike has large workshop facilities in its shop where qualified mechanics maintain and repair all makes of bike. All mechanics go on regular training courses to ensure they keep their skills and knowledge up to date with the latest cycling technology. This allows On Your Bike to offer exceptional customer service and advice.

The cycling market has grown over recent years. Market research has shown that an increasing number of tourists like to rent bikes when on holiday. In response to this, On Your Bike operates one of the largest bike rental services in London. Bikes can be hired by the day or week with a choice including road and electric bikes.

A business has fixed costs of £10 000, variable costs of £2.50 per unit, and a selling price of £6 per unit. In one month it sold 3,000 units.

Amelia Cooper trained as a plumber six years ago. Since then she has worked for a building company that carries out repairs to houses and business premises in the Birmingham area.

Amelia is now in a position where she wants to start her own plumbing business called Lili Heating Ltd. Even though there are many plumbers in the Birmingham area, Amelia feels she has a unique selling point – she is a woman. Many female customers feel that they can relate more closely with a woman doing repairs in their homes.

As part of her business plan, Amelia has identified some clear aims and objectives and conducted a large amount of market research using the internet. Her target market requires clear advice on what work needs to be done and how much she will charge. Amelia also thinks she can cut down on advertising costs by getting her customers to recommend Lili Heating Ltd to their friends and families. For this to happen she knows that her work must be of the highest standard.

Amelia’s business plan also included a wide range of financial information to help her forecast the potential success of the business and see if she would need an overdraft.

Adikoggz is a small business based in Leeds. It offers the customising of trainers. It was set up by Keilan Kogut in 2018. The business designs personalised trainers including those associated with the colours and images of football teams or music bands. Customers can either supply their own trainers to be customised or pay Adikoggz to source and design a new pair of trainers to meet their needs. Adikoggz charges up to £200 for a new pair of customised trainers. It also offers a service to deep clean trainers. The price for this is £20.

The business started as a hobby but after showing off the designs on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, Keilan started to receive follower requests asking him to customise or source unique styles of trainers. This gave him the inspiration to start Adikoggz and the business now receives orders from all over the world.

Keilan still carries out much of the work himself, but the growing number of orders has led him to struggle to keep up with demand. He now employs four people to help him with customisations. However, he still feels that the USP of Adikoggz is the personalised service it offers and that every customer will receive a unique product at the end of the process.

Aphrodite is a clothes shop that was formed in 1994 by two brothers, Andrew and Duncan McKenzie. They opened the shop because they had a lifelong enthusiasm for new fashion.

Andrew and Duncan visit Paris, Milan and London each year to buy their stock. They aim to buy well-known brands, such as Stone Island and Hugo Boss, and to also stock clothes from new designers. This range of stock helps provide them with an advantage over their competition.

Customer service has always been an important part of Aphrodite’s success. A polite and friendly attitude greets all customers on arrival at the shop. In 2007 the business launched its website, which sells its range of clothing using e-commerce. The owners looked to maintain existing high standards of service for customers using their website.

A new opportunity was created when the shop premises next to Aphrodite became available to buy. Andrew and Duncan are considering buying the shop in order to convert the two shops into one large premises. They have calculated that this will cost them £250 000 but are undecided on the best way to finance this.

That Feeling is a unique barber shop in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Its owner, Justin Carr, started the business, aged 25, because of his passion for being a barber. When he left school after his GCSEs he was advised to follow a different career path. However, he wanted to work in a creative industry. This ambition led him to opening a barber shop where his regular customers include England international footballers such as Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Dele Alli.

The unique nature of That Feeling not only comes from the high quality haircuts but also from the way it looks after its customers. They can play on arcade games and get drinks whilst waiting for their appointment. The shop also sells That Feeling branded clothes and vintage glasses frames.

When asked about his business objectives Justin was very clear that non-financial objectives are crucial. Justin stated:

‘It is important to be passionate about what you do and always try to be the best you can. The financial rewards of running a business will come if you get the other things right.’

Justin now acts as a mentor to staff members at That Feeling by giving help and advice about their career. Most of the employees are aged between 19 and 22. Justin feels that if they are given the opportunity to develop their skills they will bring new ideas and creativity to the business.

Last Course Patisserie Ltd is a small private limited company based in Devon which produces hand-made desserts and puddings. The business was established in 1986. Its owners previously worked in the food industry but felt they could offer better value for money to customers. All of the desserts are made fresh to order which has provided Last Course Patisserie with a reputation for being flexible when meeting customer needs.

Getting the best ingredients for the desserts is a vital part of the business. Last Course Patisserie found excellent suppliers of free range eggs and dairy products close to its business location. This means all ingredients could be delivered quickly when needed.

Last Course Patisserie has recently employed a new head chef from Switzerland who has introduced a new range of products to the menu. This has proved to be very popular with customers and the business now struggles to keep up with demand. Last Course Patisserie is receiving increased orders for desserts but, due to the size of its business premises, struggles to meet this increase in demand. The owners have decided that it is the right time for Last Course Patisserie to expand and possibly relocate to new premises

Adikoggz is a small business based in Leeds. It offers the customising of trainers. It was set up by Keilan Kogut in 2018. The business designs personalised trainers including those associated with the colours and images of football teams or music bands. Customers can either supply their own trainers to be customised or pay Adikoggz to source and design a new pair of trainers to meet their needs. Adikoggz charges up to £200 for a new pair of customised trainers. It also offers a service to deep clean trainers. The price for this is £20.

The business started as a hobby but after showing off the designs on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, Keilan started to receive follower requests asking him to customise or source unique styles of trainers. This gave him the inspiration to start Adikoggz and the business now receives orders from all over the world.

Keilan still carries out much of the work himself, but the growing number of orders has led him to struggle to keep up with demand. He now employs four people to help him with customisations. However, he still feels that the USP of Adikoggz is the personalised service it offers and that every customer will receive a unique product at the end of the process.